The Tables of the Histories of the Stoneborn of Dynkyr - Table XVIII

In the days when Durek ruled Dynkyr alone, our people discovered at long last the Promise of Numli. For in the Valley of Summer, before the coming of the Cataclysm, the Paramount Numli—who was called the Tharma of Kohl—had spoken a word over the furnaces and foretold that an ore would be found and alloyed that would be lighter than copper, harder than iron, and more pleasing to the eye than gold.

For many ages that word was remembered, though the ore was not known.

In the deep workings beneath Dynkyr, where veins were traced not for coin but for curiosity, a pale metal was uncovered, neither dull nor bright, but with a luster like moonlight upon still water. The smiths tested it by hammer and flame, and they found that it did not weary under blows as iron does, nor tarnish as silver will. When alloyed with secret measure, it yielded a substance strong yet supple, cool to the touch and keen to the edge.

Thus the Stoneborn fashioned Mithril.

They made of it ornaments and sculptures, hinges and clasps, circlets and chain, and its working was said to be like pouring light into stone. It could be bent without breaking and shaped with delicacy unknown to other metals. And though it was rare, it did not demand great weight to command great worth.

Gifts of Mithril were sent to rulers across the Four Lands and beyond. The Senex received it with admiration. The Terani coveted it in silence. Even those who had once dismissed the Stoneborn spoke now with renewed respect. Mithril was prized more highly than coigns of gold or silver, for it bore not only beauty but wonder.

Thus was fulfilled the Promise of Numli, and the name of the Tharma of Kohl was spoken once more in the Arvanaith with reverence.

Durek was Regn for three and forty and two hundreds of years before he died, having seen the word of ancient prophecy made manifest in his time. He was succeeded by Gorhald the Regn.