Return To Moria

Index

Original Intro Char Gen Magic Hollin
Moria Area Map Clues Party Notes
Inspiration Encyclopedia of Arda Portal: Middle-earth The Thain's Book

Moria

Most of the lore and knowledge of Moria is long gone. What remains is legend and conjecture. What little that is known is gathered here.

Construction

Moria is constructed as a series of great excavations into and beneath Silvertine (also known as Zirakzigil to the Dwarves and Celebdil to the Elves). The initial excavations were centered beneath the Dimrill Gate on the east side of the mountain. Since the breaking of the Bridge of Khazad-dum and the destruction of the West Gate by the Watcher in the Water, much of Moria has been cut off from the surface world. From Gate to Gate, Moria stretches almost 40 miles.

Dwarf writings describe the various excavations and caverns beneath Moria as follows:

Entrances

The Rule of Seven

The number seven has mystical significance to the Dwarves and appears in many of their great works. There are seven Dwarf Clans (Longbeards, Firebeards, Broadbeams, Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, Stonefoots); there were seven Rings of Power (presumably one for each head of Clan); and legend says Durin will be reincarnated seven times. Moria is no different, having seven great Halls and seven times seven great Deeps. Many Dwarven chambers and tombs are octagonal, featuring a simple entry in one wall and seven ornately decorated screens or panels in the others.

Rumors