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in: Good articles, Locations, Metropolises, and 10 more

Gracklstugh
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Gracklstugh, the City of Blades

Gallery
Gracklstugh
Geography
Aliases
City of Blades[1]
Type
Underdark settlement
Region
Middledark, Northdark[1]
Size
Metropolis[1]
Society
Races
Free:
Duergar 86%
Derro 9%
Durzagon 2%
Orog 2%
Stone giant 1%
Slaves:
Goblin 39%
Shield dwarf 29%
Orc 19%
Svirfneblin 9%
Human 4%
Languages
Undercommon, Dwarvish[4]
Religions
Laduguer, Deep Duerra[5]
Alignments
LG NG CG
LN N CN
LE NE CE
Commerce
Exports
Metal armor, blades and weapons, arrowheads, fish, locks, mining equipment, smithing equipment,
and other tools.[5]
Politics
Gov't type
Absolute Monarchy[3]
History
Population
26,390 free, 13,678 slaves[1] in 1372 DR
30,000[6] in 1479 DR
10,000 duergar, 2,000 derro, 50 stone giants, and an unknown number of slaves[3] in 1486 DR
Ruler
Horgar Steelshadow V[2] in 1372 DR
Inhabitants of Gracklstugh
Locations in Gracklstugh
Organizations in Gracklstugh

Gracklstugh (pronounced: /ˈgrɑːkʊlstuːg/ GRAK-ul-stoog[7]), the City of Blades, was a duergar

city on the shores of the Darklake in the Northdark.[1]
Contents

Geography
Structure
History
Inhabitants
Government
Military
Trade
Culture
 Outlook
Food
Notable locations
Districts
Landmarks
Establishments
Notable inhabitants
Appendix
Gallery
Appearances
References
Connections

Geography

The city was located five miles beneath the Evermoors,[1] as well as beneath the Dessarin River
valley and the Uthgardt ancestor mound Flintrock.[5]

Gracklstugh was located about 100 miles away from Menzoberranzan across the Darklake and
beyond.[8]

Access to Gracklstugh could be achieved by the following routes: caves in the Sword Mountains;
tunnels from Beldabar's Rest in Yartar; tunnels from Luskan and Mithral Hall; and via a major trade
route from Skullport through the Labyrinth.[9]
Structure

Gracklstugh was a cavern city that sloped down on the eastern side to join the Darklake as a
subterranean port. The city was lit by the firelight of smelters and foundries mingling among
stalagmites. The air smelled acrid and was filled with industrial sounds: fire, steam, and iron
ringing.[10] The persistent smog that filled the cavern could cause a persistent and sometimes fatal
cough, known as grackle-lung.[11]

Laduguer's Furrow, also known as "the Cleft," split the city in half north-south. Bridges connected
the higher city to the lakeside districts. The west side was off-limits to foreigners.[12]
History

Gracklstugh was founded in −3717 DR by duergar escaping the fall of Deep Shanatar and the
subsequent enslavement of many gray dwarves in Oryndoll. [13]

In −3392 DR, King Horgar Steelshadow II began uniting the duergar clans in and around
Gracklstugh, creating the Deepkingdom. Over the past few centuries, however, the Deepkingdom
narrowing its reach to the city itself and its close environs.[13]

The Deepkingdom's might began falling during the Deepbear Battles against the quaggoths from
−1803 DR to ca. −1350 DR.[9]

Around the 14th century DR, King Tarngardt Steelshadow (grandfather of Horgar Steelshadow IV;
king since 972 DR[5]) was manipulated and controlled by the Council of Savants. Upon his demise,
Horgar IV took the throne but recognized the threat of the savants and planned to kill or at least
expel all the derro in Gracklstugh.[13]
In 1372 DR, Horgar used the Silence of Lolth and the weakness of the followers of Lolth as an
excuse to attack the drow city of Menzoberranzan and thus cement his power over his lairds. He
allied with Nimor Imphraezl of the Jaezred Chaulssin to further his goals. Under his prompting,
Horgar led his army to success against the drow at the Pillars of Woe and gained additional allies:
the Scourged Legion of Kaanyr Vhok and the traitorous drow House Agrach Dyrr, also aligned with
the Jaezred Chaulssin. Referred to as the Siege of Menzoberranzan, the allies then marched against
the drow city and besieged it for several months.[14]

On Ches 28, 1373 DR, the Silence of Lolth ended and Lolth's priestesses regained their powers.
Kaanyr Vhok subsequently recalled his forces to Hellgate Keep; the remaining duergar were easily
defeated and turned back.[15] The siege officially ended on Ches 30.[16]

As the duergar army retreated, Nimor swept in and killed Horgar Steelshadow IV.[17]

Following Horgar IV's death, Horgar Steelshadow V ascended to the throne.[2]

Inhabitants

The city was mainly home to duergar, but there was a sizable minority of derro who lived there, as
well as a number of durzagon, orogs, and stone giants. A third of the total population consisted of
slaves, namely goblins, shield dwarves, orcs, svirfneblin, and humans.[1]

The city hosted many visiting merchants, especially drow, duergar, and kuo-toa.[18] Foreigners
were required to obtain writs of passage for passage through the city (beyond the docks district) and
its territories. On the black market, Clan Muzgardt provided writs of passage for 200 gold per
person.[19][20]

The major clans of Gracklstugh were:[21]

Cahaldrho: Ale brewers

Dunnhaer: Traditional crafters
Ekhlond: Experimental crafters/inventors
Gallakh: Beast rearers/tamers
Haundavar: Builders, stonemasons
Immur: Weaponsmiths
Muzgardt: Merchants
Nauvrim: Mercenaries
Takhul: Clergy, alchemy
Thuldark: Landlords, merchants
Xardelvar: Xarrorn
Xundom: Kavalrachni

Government

The nobility of the city were divided into clans, whose lords were called lairds. Power in the city
was shared between the great clans (especially the merchant clans), the king (called Deepking[2]),
and the city's derro savants. Entities holding power were the Council of Lairds, the derro Council of
Savants, Clan Cairngorm (a power clan of stone giants), and the Merchant Council.[13]
Military

The army of Gracklstugh was one of the strongest in the Underdark although the duergar lacked
arcane or divine casters.[6] Militia service was a requirement for all adult males, although many
females also trained.[13] Other products of the city were metal armor, arrowheads, fish, locks,
mining equipment, smithing equipment, and other tools.[5] In 1372 DR the army that marched
against Menzoberranzan was composed of 5,000 duergar in more than eight companies, with orc
and ogre slaves.[22]

Stone Guards were the king's royal guards and secret police.[11] They numbered nearly 500
experienced duergar soldiers.[1] They were equipped with black plate mail, battleaxes, and shields
and carried serrated short swords, known as King's Blades, with which their position could be
recognized by; high rank was indicated by strips of gold filigree on their helms. The city's clan
lairds could muster additional forces when needed.[1]

Darkhafts were the Deepkings secret psionic agents. They often accompanied duergar merchants
as overseers and spies.[11]

Kavalrachni rode giant tarantulas called "steeders." Clan Xundom made up the bulk of the
kavalrachni.[11]

Xarrorn were flame lance specialists. Clan Xardelvar made up the majority of Xarrorn.[11]

Clan Cairngorm was a clan of 50 stone giants residing in Gracklstugh. While not officially part of
the military, the stone giants are prepared to defend the city from any attacks.[23]

Trade

Gracklstugh was especially well known for its quality weapons.[13] Other products of the city were
metal armor, arrowheads, fish, locks, mining equipment, smithing equipment, and other tools.[5]

The city had good trading relationships with Menzoberranzan (except in times of war), Mantol-
Derith, Skullport, Sshamath, and Ooltul. [13]

Clan Muzgardt was a clan of merchants that made and traded ales and liquors.[19]
Culture
Outlook

The duergar were generally serious and somber and not friendly towards non-duergar, although
there were many non-duergar in the city.[24]

To outsiders they could be ruthless and contemptuous, but were by nature pragmatic in their
dealings with others. Duergar were far more interested in using others to their advantage, such as
enslaving them, rather than killing them.[25]

Duergar believed strongly in the ethic of hard work and tended to prefer earning success and status
through labor rather then scheming against a rival.[3]

It was claimed that the duergars' second love after gold was ale.[26]

Coins from Gracklstugh were minted the face of the current duergar monarch on one side, and the
mind flayer skull symbol of Deep Duerra on the other, with the dwarvish phrase "As low as we can
go" on the rim of the coin.[27]
Food

Food in Gracklstugh included rothe roasts, red wine, smoked rothe cheese, and black sporeflour
bread.[28][29]
Notable locations
Gracklstugh-5e

A map of Gracklstugh.
Districts

Laduguer's Furrow
A rift 200 feet deep and 500 feet wide which split the city in half north-south. The walls of the rift
were lined with carved dwellings and the eastern section housed the derro quarter.[30] Twelve stone
bridges across it connected the Northfurrow District to the Southfurrow District.[3]
Northfurrow District
The area north of Laduguer's Furrow encompasses Darklake District along with the residences of
those whose clan specializes in crafts and other commercial goods. This district is also the only part
of the city where outsiders are allowed to reside. The Darklake Docks are located at the
northernmost section of the district.[3]
Southfurrow District
South of Laduguer's Furrow resided the more prestigious clans of Gracklstugh. The area was also
home to the lair of the red dragon Themberchaud, Cairngorm Cavern, and the Hold of the
Deepking. Access to the Southfurrow district by unauthorized non-natives was strictly prohibited.
[3]
Cairngorm Cavern
A remote district somewhat removed from the main cavern. It housed the stone giants of Clan
Cairngorm.[30]
Darklake District
The docks, on the shore of the Darklake in the north, were the poorest and most dangerous
district of the city due to lack of use.[31]
Business district
Filled with artisans and merchants in cramped field storehouses.[12]

Landmarks

Blade Bazaar
The town square and marketplace located in the Darklake District. It was surrounded by low
buildings and weaponsmiths. [24] In 1372 DR, a duergar captain in service of Laird Thrazgud sold
armor and weapons from minor drow houses here.[32][18]
The Deepking's Hall
Gracklstugh's palace had a large gate with no decorations. The guards, called the Stone Guards,
generally remained invisible while on watch. The palace had a waiting suite with simple and
functional furnishings, as well as a small slitlike window out over the city.[33] The palace had a
large portcullis and a large stairway that led to the vast throne room.[34]
Themberchaud's Lair
The lair of the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh, located in a large side cavern in the south part of the
city.[30]

Establishments

The Cold Foundry

A fortress like inn located a few blocks from the wharves. The sign was in Undercommon and
Dwarvish. The inn was composed of a wall around free-standing blockhouses holding the rooms. A
pen outside the front gate housed pack lizards.[31] It included a freestanding building that could be
rented out that had eight rooms on two floors which were acceptable for drow-sized humanoids.[4]
The Shattered Spire
 A ramshackle tavern that was located atop a broken stalagmite that rose from the Darklake and
was connected to the mainland by a rope bridge.[18]
The Gohlbrorn's Lair
A low-quality but safe inn due to its location beneath the Blade Bazaar in the docks district.[18]

Notable inhabitants

Horgar Steelshadow IV, King of Gracklstugh from ca. 1372-1373 DR.[1][17]

Diinakvil Rylafyrn, derro savant leader.[1]
Durna Thuldark, head of the merchant council in 1372 DR.[1]
Ghevel Coalhewer, boatdriver in the Darklake, 1372 DR.[35]
Morndin Gloomstorm, Grim Herald, high priest of Laduguer.[1]
Hgraam, stone giant Stonespeaker to the Deep King.[1]
Tarngardt Steelshadow, grandfather of Horgar Steelshadow IV.[13]
Themberchaud, a red dragon known as the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh who lit the foundries of
the city in exchange for treasure and slaves for food.[13]

Appendix
Gallery
A non-annotated map from 3e.
A non-annotated map from 3e.
Appearances

Adventures
Out of the Abyss
Novels
Condemnation • Untold Adventures (Tallfolk Tales short story)
Video Games
Sword Coast Legends
Gamebooks
Escape the Underdark

References

Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the
Coast), p. 152. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by
Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 53. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by
Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 113. ISBN 0786932023.
Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick.
(TSR, Inc.), p. 56. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide.
Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 233. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
Adam Lee, Ben Petrisor, Matt Sernett (2016). Tyrants of the Underdark Rulebook. (Wizards of the
Coast), p. 17. ISBN 978-1-9408-2585-4.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 105. ISBN 0786932023.
Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick.
(TSR, Inc.), p. 59. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 97. ISBN 0786932023.
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.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 127. ISBN 0786932023.
Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the
Coast), p. 153. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0786932023.
Paul S. Kemp (February 2006). Resurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3981-8.
Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by
Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 153. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
Paul S. Kemp (February 2006). Resurrection. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 135. ISBN 0-7869-3981-8.
Eric L. Boyd (November 1999). Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark. Edited by Jeff Quick.
(TSR, Inc.), p. 57. ISBN 0-7869-1509-9.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 109–110. ISBN
0786932023.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 112. ISBN 0786932023.
Ed Greenwood (2022-05-28). Duergar clans of Gracklstugh (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived
from the original on 2022-05-29. Retrieved on 2022-05-28.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 200, 241. ISBN
0786932023.
Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by
Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 55. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 101. ISBN 0786932023.
Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by
Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 52. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 110. ISBN 0786932023.
Christopher Perkins (November 2018). Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Edited by Jeremy
Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 271. ISBN 978-0-7869-6626-4.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 0786932023.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 139. ISBN 0786932023.
Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the
Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 98. ISBN 0786932023.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0786932023.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 105–106. ISBN
0786932023.
Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 118–119. ISBN
0786932023.

Richard Baker (May 2003). Condemnation. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 0786932023.

Connections
Dwarven Cities and Fortresses
Ahruukar • Citadel Adbar • Citadel Felbarr • Drik Hargunen • Dunspeirrin
Dwarven Valley • Eartheart • Earthfast • Far Hills • Fireforges • Gracklstugh
Graskynar • Harheldur • Iltkazar • Ironmaster • Khaelud • Mithral Hall • Qarlondrar • Raskuldin •
Underwatch
Former Cities
Alatorin • Ammarindar • Ascore • Citadel Sundbarr • Citadel Yaunoroth • Dorn's Deep •
Gauntlgrym • Halls of the Hammer
Hrakhamar • Kanaglym • Rrinnoroth • Sarbreen • Splendarrmornn • Tyar-Besil • Tzindylspar •
Underhome
Fallen Realms
Ammarindar • Besilmer • Bhaerynden • Dareth • Deep Kingdom • Delzoun
Gharraghaur • Haunghdannar • Hollowbold • Ironstar • Oghrann • Roldilar • Sarphil
Shanatar (Barakuir • Drakkalor • Holorarar • Korolnor • Torglor • Ultoksamrin • Xothaerin) •
Thunderholme
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