Index
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:
- The Seven Halls - The upper portions of Moria. These great
caverns and tunnels were the homes, shops and storehouses of
the Dwarf Clans. Most of the Seven Halls were cut into the
heart of Silvertine.
- The Deeps - The mines, workshops and forges of the Dwarves are
found in the Deeps. Vast tunnels first cut as mines, then
transformed into forges, armories, and fortifications.
- Dimrill Gate - The oldest feature of Moria, the Dimrill Gate
leads into the First Hall, which connects to the First Deep and,
eventually, leads to the fallen Bridge of Khazad-dum. Dimrill Gate
remains open and some Dwarves have reclaimed portions of the First
Hall, but the great Chasm remains uncrossed.
- West Gate - Blocked by the Watcher in the Water ten years ago,
adventurous men and Dwarves have opened a new passage leading into
the western reaches of the mountain.
- The Endless Stair - A great winding stair that reached from
the deepest depths to the highest overlooks of Moria.
- Upper Caverns - Many natural caves honeycomb the sides of
Silvertine. The Dwarves took advantage of these caves when they
could, and blocked them up when they served no purpose.
- The Black Reaches - Once the resting place of the great Balrog
that drove the Dwarves from Moria long ago, the Black Reaches
remain a foul stain in the darkness beneath Silvertine.
- Lower Caves - Older than the Middle-earth itself, even the
wisest of the wise know little of these ancient tunnels and
their occupants.
Entrances
- Dimrill Gate - Still open and held by the Dwarves who have
returned to reclaim Moria.
- West Gate - The main gate remains blocked, but adventurous Men
and Dwarves have reopened the passage into the mountain.
- Durin's Tower - The highest point in Moria, Durin's Tower was
rumored to have been destroyed when Gandalf defeated the
Balrog. It once provided entrance to the Endless Stair.
- Balrog's End - The blackened chasm high on the side of
Silvertine, rumored to be the place where the Balrog fell in
defeat.
- Seven Watches - Legend says each of the Great Halls had a high
watch tower, hidden in the crags and peaks of Silvertine. Some
claim the unpillaged halls of Moria can be reached via these
towers.
- Upper Caves - Some still connect to the ancient vaults and
tunnels, allowing daylight, and perhaps brave adventurers, to pass
within.
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
- The Dimrill Gate is reopened, and some of Durin's folk have
returned to reclaim the First Hall and First Deep.
- The Dwarves are working to rebuild the Bridge of
Khazad-dum.
- The Abyss beneath the fallen Bridge descends to the uttermost
depths of the Black Reaches.
- Men and Dwarves have reopened the West Gate.
- A group of Men and Dwarves guard the newly opened West
Gate.
- In Hollin, a group of Dwarves have begun to offer tours of
Moria for the brave or foolhardy.
- Balrog's End was the site of one of the Seven Watches, and
passage into the Fourth Hall can be found there.
- The evil presence of the Balrog lingers on at Balrog's
End.
- Durin's Tower was destroyed when the Balrog fell, but not
completely. The climb is long and hard, but the entrance to the
Endless Stair can still be reached there.
- Goblins, Orcs and other foul creatures have crept back into
Moria through secret entrances and deep tunnels. The depths are
more dangerous than most imagine.
- With the Balrog defeated, ancient creatures from the Lower
Caves turn blind eyes to the surface world.