Ghafad-dûl

Once an active volcano in Taluaine, Ghafad-dûl was turned into a dwarven stronghold by the Flintbeards of sometime during the First Age. Using their knowledge of architecture and engineering, the Flintbeards were able to create a network of venting tunnels to control and relieve the pressure deep within the subterranean magma chambers. This allowed them to tame the erratic eruptions, and with their presence, the surrounding lands became habitable and fertile farming lands.

Rich in obsidian and metallic deposits, the Flintbeards mined the mountain'sdepths, crafting masterwork weapons, tools, and trinkets that they used to trade for food and other supplies. Over the centuries, they acquired a substantial horde of wealth, and by the Second Age, they were one of the wealthiest Dwarf clans in Taluaine.

This wealth would eventually catch the attention of Asphixias, and in the year -770 of the Second Age, the Green Dragon attacked the mountain, killing all of the Flintbeards in what would become known as the Jade Genocide. Using Ghafad-dûl as his new lair, Asphixias continued his reign of terror across the realm.

Without the Flintbeards to maintain the mountain's complex venting, pressure began building up deep underground. A few years after Asphixias's conquest, Ghafad-dûl detonated in a fiery explosion, destroying the mountain and killing most of its inhabitants, including the majority of the Asphixilytes and many of the civilians that had remained in the surrounding area. The skies remained dark for days, and ash spread across most of the Taluaine for weeks afterward.

Although the explosion was natural in nature, Asphixias did not perceive it as such, and unleashed his Viridian Vengeance on the surrounding areas while the skies remained dark and rained fiery death.