Anvils were an essential tool for metalworking throughout Toril.[5] They were used by all manner of armorers, blacksmiths, jewelers, metal workers, swordsmiths, and weaponsmiths.[3][6]
Description[]
An anvil.
A smithy artificer knows how to put an anvil to good use.
Anvils consisted of a large block of metal with a flattened top surface and one pointed end. This flat surface was known as the "face" and was where another object would be either struck or cut. The pointed end was referred to as the "beak" or "horn" and was used to bend bars or sheets of metal. The other end of an anvil was referred to as the "heel" or "tail" and usually had two holes within it for the purposes of other common blacksmith tools, the hardie and punch.[5]
Anvils typically produced a clanging, clunking, or ringing sound whenever they were struck. A ringing sound was most preferred by dwarven smiths and those that produced a sweeter tone would fetch higher prices.[5]
Availability[]
Both small- and full-sized anvils made of solid steel were available for purchase through Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.[3]
Notable Anvils[]
- Allyn's Anvil, a pair of ancient megaliths high in the northern Alimir Mountains that many legends claimed a number of artifacts were forged upon.[8]
- Altar of Imix, an enchanted iron anvil that was consecrated by the Cult of the Eternal Flame in the name of Imix. It was later discovered by Derwin Stonecarver of Illefarn, who mistook it for an altar to the dwarven god Moradin.[9]
- Anvil of the Blacksmith, a common type of magical anvil that was often used by gold dwarves, shield dwarves, and urdunnir.[10]
- Anvil of disjunction, A unique magical anvil in Ythryn's Tower of Abjuration that had the power to destroy any non-artifact items imbued with magic.[11]
- G'varok's anvil, the anvil once used by disgraced master smith G'varok of Mirabar.[12]
- Moradin's Anvil, a legendary steel anvil in the Great Rift that was said to be gifted by Moradin himself.[13]
- Stronghold anvil, a type of magical anvil that was distinct to each dwarven stronghold.[14]
Usage[]
- The Church of Gond, a religion centered around crafting, had an anvil featured as part of the central altar of nearly all their temples.[16]
- A variety of dwarven spells required an anvil as a material component to cast, including hammer, masterwork, and tempering.[17]
- The spell semipermanency required a small anvil as one of its material components.[18]
- In the plane of Arvandor, the resident elves were known to be quite skilled in the use of anvils.[19]
- In the plane of Muspelheim, the forges of Surtur were known to have anvils the size of oxcarts.[7]
Dwarven Culture[]
Moradin, head of the Morndinsamman, toils away at his own divine anvil.
With blacksmithing being a major activity for many dwarves,[21] anvils held a significant place within both their culture and religion. The symbol of Moradin, the head of the Morndinsamman, was typically a hammer and anvil.[22][23][24] Their ancestral legends spoke of him bestowing a hammer and anvil upon the first dwarves.[25] Being his symbol, temples to Moradin were typically decorated with anvils. Anvils near the entrances of these temples were always struck by his priests before they surrendered any weapons they had to the temples' guards.[23][26] Moradin was sometimes known to demonstrate his favor with a follower by manifesting his symbol upon an anvil after being struck by a hammer. When he wanted to demonstrate his disfavor though, he was sometimes known to cause anvils to shatter into hundreds of pieces upon being struck.[23]
Worshipers of the dwarven god Marthammor Duin annually celebrated creativity on the 9th day of Highsun, a holiday they referred to as simply "the Anvil."[27]
A number of dwarven clans and settlements included anvils in their coat of arms, such as Clan Ironstar, Sarphil,[28] and Ironmaster.[29] Other clans were known to include the word "anvil" in their name, such as the duergar clan Anvilthew,[30] Clan Brawnanvil, and Clan Trueanvil.[31]
Trivia[]
- Inside the Craft House of Inspiration, there was a giant anvil altar that the worshipers of Gond were known to smash copies of their creations against. This was believed to serve as both an act of tribute to their deity and a request for good fortune.[32]
- In the Great Forge of the dwarven city of Gauntlgrym, many wondrous items were forged upon adamantine anvils that had been blessed by priests of Moradin.[33]
- Back when it was known as Ithmong, the city of Darromar's seal was a hammer striking upon an anvil. Coins minted in the city were known to display this seal.[34]
- The Hall of Wonder in the Utter East had a vast image of a hammer and anvil in the center of its floor.[35]
- A number of smithies throughout the Realms included the word "anvil" in their name, such as the Old Anvil Smithy in Sundabar,[36] the Cracked Anvil in Port Llast,[37] and the Anvil of the Right in Trademeet.[38]
- The land of Zakhara had two large deserts named for the tool, the Genies' Anvil and Great Anvil.[39]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Video Games
Card Games
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Sean K. Reynolds (December 2000). “A Dwarven Lexicon”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #278 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 45.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara). (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 978-1560763291.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 58. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (March 1998). “The Heart of the Forge”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 25–26, 32, 34.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Wolfgang Baur (March 1998). “The Heart of the Forge”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), p. 25.
- ↑ Arn Ashleigh Parker (October 1981). “Ruins”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #54 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 12, 71, 73.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 125. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 98, map. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (August 2013). Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 65, 85. ISBN 978-0786965311.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 13, 19, 22. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 239. ISBN 978-0786966981.
- ↑ Ossian Studios (April 2009). Designed by Luke Scull. Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate. Atari.
- ↑ Kevin Melka (March 1998). “Bazaar of the Bizarre: Dwarven Relics”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 70–75.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (March 1998). “The Heart of the Forge”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), p. 35.
- ↑ Chet Williamson (July 1998). Murder in Cormyr. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 13, p. 81. ISBN 0-7869-0486-0.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 63. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (March 1998). “The Heart of the Forge”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 28, 32, 34.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 75. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 67. ISBN 978-0786966240.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 16. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 78–79. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 73. ISBN 978-0786966240.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (March 1998). “The Heart of the Forge”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #245 (TSR, Inc.), p. 24.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 28. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 76. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (October 1990). Dwarves Deep. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 13, 60. ISBN 0-88038-880-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), pp. 200–201. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
- ↑ Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls, Robert J. Schwalb, Adam Lee, Christopher Perkins, Matt Sernett (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 176. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
- ↑ Doug Hyatt (September 2011). “The Crafthouse of Inspiration”. Dungeon #194 (Wizards of the Coast) (194)., p. 4.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 121, 123. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book One: Tethyr”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ Tachyon Studios (November 1996). Designed by Brian Fargo. Blood & Magic. Interplay.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 183. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 144. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
- ↑ BioWare (September 2000). Designed by James Ohlen, Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Black Isle Studios.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara). (TSR, Inc), p. 8. ISBN 978-1560763291.