Duergar Mountain Fortress

Region: Icewind Dale — mountain near Caer-Dineval / Kelvin’s Cairn Type: Abandoned Fortress Status: Cleared — Gorak left guarding Former Occupants: Duergar (Dark Dwarves), led by Nildar

Description

A stone mountain fortress with a creek running beneath one wall — the party’s entry point. Inside: iron cages, a frozen bell, armory, overlook, tower, and the commander’s quarters. Built into the mountainside; cold, dark, and fortified.

What Was Found Here

• Main Hall: Three iron cages — one holding Gorak (zombie ogre), two goats, one empty. A wooden dog sled with ice.
• Commander’s Room (Nildar’s): Dark crystal shards (travel shards); a letter from Durth to Nildar; a color-shifting lantern (stolen from the Caer-Dineval inn)
• Storage Rooms: Multiple rooms packed with goods stolen from the nearby town, including the goats

Notable Events

• Party infiltrated via frozen creek opening (Feb 15); panther scouted ahead using an invisibility potion
• Befriended Gorak using Orcish and Goodberries; he bit the head off an enlarged Duergar
• Captured Nildar after cornering him; learned his father Durth is operating from the Frozen Ferry in East Haven
• Recovered the stolen lantern (returned to the Caer-Dineval inn) and all stolen goods
• Warden Trials vision began here during the long rest outside after clearing the fortress