Hidden deep in Dergorai’s mining quarter, the Under-Mine is far more than a tavern—it is a second home for miners, masons, and delvers. Here the folk who spend their days hacking ore and stone from the earth gather after shift to slam back tankards of strong ale, swap tales of cave-ins and underground terrors, and sometimes wager their last gold piece in a game with their crew-mates.
The tavern is hewn directly inside an exhausted ore seam. Massive stone walls still bear the scars of picks and glittering traces of ore, while wooden struts that look ready to give way have, somehow, supported decades of raucous revelry. Dim light from enchanted crystals dances off frothy mugs and the weary faces of laborers.
Atmosphere & Interior
The moment you step into the Under-Mine you’re hit by the heavy scent of damp rock, coal dust, potent beer, and sizzling meat. Refinement is nowhere to be found—everything is rough-cut but dependable, as though the mountains themselves shaped the place.
The main hall is a broad stone cavern; its pillars are carved from the same bedrock as the walls. Instead of a polished bar stands a hulking stone counter where the proprietor draws drinks straight from kegs set into the rock. Seating is a jumble of crude stone benches and up-ended wooden barrels serving as tables.
Ropes hung with miners’ lanterns dangle from the ceiling, granting the hall a gloomy yet comforting glow. Heavy anvils scattered throughout double as mug rests, and every wall is etched with clan marks left by generations of miners.
Key Areas
- The Drunken Delver’s Ramp – a narrow wooden walkway by the entrance where miners hold impromptu balance contests after a few too many ales.
- “Gold or Gravel” Corner – the gaming nook for dice, miners’ cards, and wagers of one’s share of the day’s haul.
- The Hot Vein – a stone alcove beside the hearth, perfect for warming up and sharing tales of the horrors that lurk deeper in the mines.
- Back Door to the Shafts – a concealed exit into forgotten tunnels, used for secret meetings or a quick escape.
Tavern Menu
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Mine Dust | A thick, pitch-black beer that leaves a metallic tang on the tongue. |
| Stone-Heat | Brutal moonshine said to be flammable enough to fuel a torch. |
| Delver’s Stew | Hearty meat ragout with mountain salt and dried mushrooms, reminiscent of long days underground. |
| Golden Share | A hot mead traditionally downed before heading out on shift. |
Notable NPCs
Barik “Stone-Fist” – Proprietor
“If you’ve never swung a pick, you haven’t truly lived.”
A former delver who lost a finger in a cave-in, Barik believes a true dwarf must learn to mine ore before learning to forge it. He runs the tavern by his own rules, brooks no laziness, and respects only those who earn their keep.
Grimnar “Gold-Vein” – Tavern’s Master Cheat
“In the mine, the trick is knowing when to dig and when to run.”
A sly miner and cardsharp who can blow an entire wage in one night. Rumor claims he knows hidden tunnels that lead out of the city—but he never parts with directions for free.