Keldagrim

Keldagrim is a massive underground dwarven city accessible from the tunnel entrance east of Rellekka. Including the mines to the south and the Arzinian Mine within those mines, Keldagrim is one of the largest cities in RuneScape. The only other cities that rival its size are Varrock, Meiyerditch, and Dorgesh-Kaan. Keldagrim is considered a good place for players to train Thieving, Mining and Smithing. It is also the host city of the quest series The Rise of the Red Axe.

Despite its size and large array of features, Keldagrim is rarely visited by the vast majority of players. The exception to this is on world 58, which has been declared the official blast furnace world. On this world, there are often people in the city doing activities such as thieving, buying and selling items in the bank, and, of course, operating the blast furnace.

The lack of interest is usually attributed to its poor location, although there are actually many methods of reaching the city quickly. Players may also buy a one-way rail cart ticket to Keldagrim from one of the cart conductors in the Dwarven Mine (150 coins, or 75 with Ring of charos) or under White Wolf Mountain (Fishing Contest Required).

Because of its size and general lack of players, Keldagrim is also often used for hide and seek, clan meetings and other player-run events. Although it often lacks players, it has no shortage of non-player inhabitants - Keldagrim boasts one of the largest NPC populations of any city in RuneScape.

History
"Keldagrim" translates roughly to "fierce fountain" in Old Norse. It is a massive dwarven metropolis hidden beneath the Trollweiss Mountain. Until recently, it was completely hidden from the rest of RuneScape. During the cataclysmic God Wars, the dwarves, led by the Elders of Keldagrim, hid beneath the surface to escape the wars that threatened to force them to extinction. During their hiding they became a mighty and prosperous people. The mines beneath the surface were incredibly rich, and the dwarves quickly adapted to their new environment by developing new, more efficient methods of Mining and Smithing.

Only thousands of years after the dwarves went into hiding did they come to the surface to find the wars over. Because of its isolation, Keldagrim has not had to deal with wars or neighbouring difficulties for many millennia. In fact, the only enemies they have had to deal with are the trolls, who attack from the troll-infested lands to the east at every opportunity. Fortunately, the trolls are so large that they can rarely fit through the dwarves' gates.

In the year 1650 of the Fourth Age, King Alvis, the last King of the Dwarves died. The rule of the Dwarven Realm went to the Consortium, an organisation founded by King Alvis that had rapidly grown in power. The Consortium is comprised of the most powerful mining and smithing companies in Keldagrim.

With little to oppose them, the city of Keldagrim has grown into a thriving capital, and is amongst the oldest surviving cities in Gielinor. Its exposure to the surface, however, has created some internal conflict amongst the city's leadership, and the dwarves have found enemies in the gnomes of Arposandra and the H.A.M. organisation. Regardless of these hardships, the city continues to flourish.

Geography
Keldagrim is divided in two halves by the River Kelda. The west side is considered the wealthy, upper-class side, where glistening high-rises and orderly streets are a common sight. The west side houses the headquarters of the Dwarven Black Guard, where the dwarven police force rule from, and the grand Keldagrim Library, where ancient tomes are gathered. The east side is home to the scrapings of dwarven society. Smog-spewing factories, dodgy bars, and rustic shacks make up most of the eastern side. Despite this, the east side is very useful and is the home of the train station, the port, and the Blast Furnace factory.

South of the city is a massive mine, where dwarves carve away at the rock in search of the valuable gems and ore that have allowed Keldagrim to thrive longer than almost any other civilization in RuneScape. Many ferries service the mines, carrying miners, adventurers, and ore to and from the city by travelling along the ever-flowing River Kelda.

Whether or not Keldagrim is part of the Fremennik Province is debatable. It is assumed that The Fremenniks and dwarves trade often, and research has shown some similarities in their culture and mythology. Although on the surface they are strikingly different- the Fremenniks follow a traditional, almost backwards way of life; whereas the Dwarves are skilled engineers and have many advanced technologies. As Keldagrim is within the borders of the Fremennik Province, it is generally accepted as a part of it, although the dwarves are not actually Fremenniks, and would consider this an example of how ignorant many humans still are.

Transportation


The first time a player goes to Keldagrim they must pass through the normal way. To get to Keldagrim, you must go north-east from Rellekka until you reach a cave guarded by two dwarven statues.

Once in the cave, there is a large tunnel to the right full of trolls. However, in front of the entrance is a small crack guarded by two more dwarven statues. Enter it. You will now be in a large mine.

Talk to the Dwarven Boatman (not the ferryman! He takes you into the deeper parts of the Keldagrim Mines) and you will go to Keldagrim. On the way there, you will begin The Giant Dwarf.

After you do this, you will be able to get to Keldagrim via the mine cart transport system.

Mine cart system
One of the fastest and easiest ways to access Keldagrim is through the rail cart system. Players can buy a ticket to Keldagrim from the cart conductor in the Dwarven Mine or under White Wolf Mountain.

To buy a ticket to or from White Wolf Mountain you must have completed Fishing Contest. Additionally, to ride the mine carts in the Dwarven Mine you need to have visited the city first.

A one-way ticket costs 150 coins from Dwarven Mine and 100 coins from White Wolf Mountain, although the price can be reduced using a Ring of Charos.

One effective method of using the carts involves building one's house in Taverley, and then teleporting to the house and walking to the nearby mine cart station.

Upstairs in the Keldagrim Carts station is a bridge leading to a cart that, for the time being, can not be used.

Train system






There is now a train route from Dorgesh-Kaan to Keldagrim, which players can use after completing Another Slice of H.A.M.. Like a real train system, it takes time after entering before the train departs the station.

After leaving there will be a short cut scene and you will end up in Keldagrim or Dorgesh-Kaan depending which one you left from.

Other
There are five fairy rings in the Fremennik Province; one on Miscellania (CIP), two near Sinclair Mansion (CJR and DJR), one near the Slayer Dungeon (AJR), and one on the mountain over the Keldagrim entrance (DKS). The last one is particularly useful, and is one of the fastest ways of reaching the city.

There is also a Giant Eagle in the Trollweiss Hunter Area just north of the Keldagrim Entrance. Players who have completed Eagle's Peak will be able to get to Keldagrim faster from various locations such as the Kharidian Desert via the eagle transport system.

Another, less effective method is to plant a spirit tree using the farming skill on Etceteria and to teleport there from any of several locations. It is some distance from Keldagrim, however, so it is not often used.

Players can also access Keldagrim faster by building a house in the nearby city of Rellekka with the Construction skill and, through the use of Teleportation, teleport there.

Finally, players who complete the Fremennik Trials can teleport to Rellekka with the Enchanted lyre. All of these methods allow for quick access to Keldagrim.

There is also a little-known pathway just south of the entrance, which leads to the city of Burthorpe. Although it passes through the mountains of Trollheim, it fortunately is safe from the trolls. This path requires a pair of climbing boots and completion of Death Plateau.

Players can get to Keldagrim from Trollweiss Mountain, as there is a tunnel from the bottom of the mountain to the entrance to Keldagrim (and to the Fremennik Province). This is by no means a convenient route, however, as players must traverse large portions of Troll Country just to reach the mountain and then can only descend the mountain by using a sled. Still, players on the Troll Romance must traverse the mountain and thus could stop at Keldagrim if they chose.

During The Giant Dwarf, there are several opportunities to travel directly between Keldagrim and Thurgo's Peninsula. However, these can not be done before, after, or during most of the quest.

Politics
Keldagrim is ruled by a company-style government. The Mining Consortium, which consists of eight powerful companies, makes all of the important decisions and ensures that Keldagrim is kept safe from the nearby trolls. However, the Consortium is fairly new (considering the age of the city), having been created by King Alvis approximately 500 years ago, during the last days of the Age of Kings. Originally intended to serve the king, it quickly grew in power until it became the more powerful than the monarchy. Now Keldagrim has no kings and is ruled solely by the Consortium. This change brought about the Golden Age of the Dwarves. The Consortium currently consists of:


 * The Red Axe
 * The Purple Pewter
 * The Blue Opal
 * The Yellow Fortune
 * The Brown Engine
 * The Silver Cog
 * The White Chisel
 * The Green Gemstone



Spanning the River Kelda is a large palace, from which the Consortium rules the city and trades amongst itself at the Trade Octagon. The dwarves are a particularly economically-aware race, as one will notice on their visit to the city. The dwarves have had dealings with many races in recent years, such as the gnomes, the cave goblins, and the humans. The Consortium even seems to have become involved with the Grand Exchange in Varrock, sending Hofuthand to encourage metal trading with humans.

Banks
There is one bank in Keldagrim. It is located on the west side of the river, near the King's Axe Inn. Its close proximity to an anvil makes it an excellent place to smith, rivalling areas such as Varrock and Yanille.

The Keldagrim bank is most often used by players that are Thieving, Smithing, brewing (see Cooking), or Mining in the city. It also receives a lot of business from players that are hunting in the nearby Trollweiss Hunter Area, collecting seaweed near Rellekka, and other such nearby features. People using Fletching or casting High Level Alchemy also come here often, as it is very quiet.

Notable features
Keldagrim plays host to the Rat Pits minigame, beneath the Laughing Miner pub. Unlocked during the Rat Catchers quest, this area allows players to bet on their cat as it attempts to catch rats the fastest. There is also a small bar within the pits where players can take a break from their gambling.



One of only two breweries in RuneScape can be found in Keldagrim, upstairs in the Laughing Miner pub. Here players can brew a variety of ale and cider.

Keldagrim is fortunate enough to have the most shops of any city in RuneScape. Some of the most useful of these can be found in the marketplace. In the marketplace there are several stalls, most of which can be stolen from using the Thieving skill. While stealing from these stalls, it is highly recommended that you wear crush-resistant armour such as dragonhide, as it will greatly reduce the strength of the Black Guards' crush attacks. The stalls in the market include:


 * 1 bread stall
 * 1 gem stall
 * 1 Crafting stall
 * 1 crossbow stall
 * 1 silver stall
 * 1 clothing stall (cannot be stolen from.)



Keldagrim is one of the only two cities that host mini-tasks. Sometimes, while talking to certain shopkeepers or citizens at certain times, they may ask you for certain items. These are usually ore, bars, or low to mid-levelled smithable armour, but certain store owners can ask for items like balls of wool, and one dwarf can even ask for items such as toy horses and buckets of camel dung. If the items are delivered to the dwarf within the time limit (usually around 10 to 20 minutes), you can receive either coins or experience in Mining, Smithing, or Crafting.

Perhaps the most notable attraction in the entire city is the blast furnace minigame, located beneath the large factory on the east side of the city. This team-based mini-game allows players to work together to operate the blast furnace, one of the most advanced machines the dwarves have ever managed to create. By using it, players can smelt metal bars using half of the coal, as well as smelt iron with a 100% success rate. Although it is encouraged to do this mini-game with a team, it can be easily operated by one person.

Players that complete the Between a Rock... quest have access to the Arzinian Mine south of the city itself. Inside can be found approximately 146 gold rocks, and a nearby dwarven ferryman will take the gold to the bank for a few gold ores. A full load costs 5 gold ores, but if a player has an activated Ring of Charos, it will cost only 3 gold ore. When used properly, this is one of, if not the, greatest gold mine in the game.

In the mines south of the city are several types of ore which can be mined. These include 5 coal, 2 copper, 4 iron, 1 gold, and 5 tin rocks. There is also a mine with 9 coal rocks in the north-east part of the city. When combined with the blast furnace and any of the 5 anvils in the city, Keldagrim is an effective place to smith.

Keldagrim's close proximity to the Fremennik Province makes it useful for many other things as well. Keldagrim is very close to the rock crabs, an excellent training spot. There are many seaweed respawns on the beach, and a transport to the Penguin Agility Course. There is a mine outside of Keldagrim that contains 9 iron rocks and two mithril rocks, and the Trollweiss Hunter Area is just a short walk to the north. The nearby Brine Rat Cavern and Slayer Dungeon offer good combat training. There are several unicorns and bears in the nearby forest. Rellekka also greatly supports the city.

Stores
Keldagrim plays host to more shops than any other city in Gielinor. As such, the city is a major attraction for those wishing to buy things. With items ranging from kebabs to marble blocks, Keldagrim is an excellent location to begin searching for an item. Keldagrim is also home to Reinald's Smithing Emporium, a shop that allows players to change your armguards for a fee of 500 coins.

The King's Axe Inn
Found on Keldagrim's west side, The King's Axe Inn is an upper-class inn that is popular amongst wealthy dwarves and many players. On its lower level there is a bar where players can buy locally brewed dwarven stout, beer, and wine. There are also many tables and a storeroom, as well as a slightly drunken dwarf named Gauss. The upper level has several rooms where NPCS can spend the night and offers an excellent view of one of the River Kelda's main tributaries.

Strangely, gnomes are often seen visiting the inn. Their purpose is widely questioned by the citizens of Keldagrim, as they have been negotiating some type of deal with the Red Axe.



The Laughing Miner Pub
The Laughing Miner Pub, unlike the King's Axe Inn, is a dodgy bar found in the slums of the eastern side. Here, the scrapings of dwarven society of the city gather to gamble and drown their sorrows in beer.

The main floor is small and simple, with a few fireplaces and tables. The barmaid will cook visitors her famous meat and potato stew and sell cheap ale. Postie Pete also stops by every so often to take a short break from his job.

The upper floor of the bar is the home of one of the only breweries in RuneScape. Here players can brew a variety of drinks. There is also a balcony and butcher's room.

Beneath the bar are the Rat Pits, where gamblers gather.

Ratpit Bar
Hidden beneath The Laughing Miner Pub, the Ratpit Bar is the most disreputable bar in the whole city. Stocking dirt-cheap beer and stew, this small inn is crawling with rats and lined with rat traps. It is sometimes used by players taking a break from gambling the Rat Pits, and is frequently visited by a particularly drunken Black Guard.

Respawns
There are several item respawns in Keldagrim.


 * Empty pot - upstairs in "The Laughing Miner Pub," near the brewery, there is a pot respawn near. It is useful for those in need of ale yeast, an important ingredient in the brewing portion of Cooking.
 * Rake - in the Keldagrim Palace Gardens.
 * Spade - in the blast furnace factory, downstairs.
 * Bucket - downstairs, near the sink in the blast furnace factory.
 * Hammer - on a table downstairs in the blast furnace factory.
 * Broken glass - there are about 6 broken glass respawns in the drunken dwarf's house. They serve no real purpose here.

Music

 * Time to Mine - The mines south of Keldagrim
 * Tale of Keldagrim - East Keldagrim
 * Land of the Dwarves - West Keldagrim
 * Bubble and Squeak - The Rat Pits
 * Forgettable Melody - The mine cart rails during Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf.
 * Have a Blast - Downstairs in the blast furnace factory.
 * In Between - The Arzinian Mines.
 * Slice of Station - The Keldagrim train station.
 * Right on Track - The Red Axe caves during Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf.
 * Claustrophobia - The Arzinian Mines during Between a Rock...
 * Marzipan - The troll-infested tunnel just outside of the mines.

The monsters

 * Dwarf - Level 20 - These enemies can be found in the mines to the south of the city. They drop various low level ores and pickaxes.
 * Black Guard - Level 48 - Despite having very little health, these enemies hit hard, fast, and frequently. They are much easier to defeat when wearing dragonhide armour, and will only attack if you try to steal from a stall. Do not underestimate them if you are unprepared; they can hit up to 8. They drop some low levelled ores and kegs of beer frequently.
 * Black Guard Beserker - Level 66 - These monsters are basically an upgraded version of the black guard. They are not aggressive, and can be found only in and around the Black Guard H.Q. Be warned: like black guards, they are tougher than they look; their battleaxes can hit up to 13.
 * Troll - Level 69 - Trolls can be found in the tunnel outside of the mines. They are tough enemies and very aggressive, but they cannot reach players if they do not go far into the tunnel. They drop a variety of seeds, mid-levelled armour, and big bones.
 * Rat - Level 1 - Rats can be found in the Keldagrim Rat Pits. They are very weak and can be used to train pet cats.

The quests

 * The Giant Dwarf - Started upon visiting the city for the first time.
 * Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf - Started by speaking to Veldaban.
 * Between a Rock... - Started by speaking to Dondakan.
 * Rat Catchers - A large portion of this quest takes place in Keldagrim.
 * Another Slice of H.A.M. - This quest, although it does not take place in Keldagrim, is all about the new train route that runs between Keldagrim and Dorgesh-Kaan.

Trivia

 * A mini-game icon was once placed in the Trade Octagon, despite the lack of a mini-game existing within the Consortium Palace. It was later removed without explanation. Some time later, on the RuneScape Forums, a Jagex moderator stated that a mini-game was planned for the Octagon, but that it kept getting pushed to the bottom of his workload. Since this statement several years ago, no further information has been released. Interestingly, the desk in the centre of the Grand Exchange is octagon shaped and facilitates trades between players.
 * Upstairs in the Keldagrim mine cart station is an unused mine cart, guarded by two dwarf statues much like at the entrance to the city. Its purpose is unknown.
 * Prior to the changes to the shop system in late 2007, items in most of Keldagrim's stores cost somewhat more than in shops outside the city. For instance, a rune pickaxe cost roughly 41,000 coins, as opposed to the regular 32,000.
 * All of the Dwarfs in the city have not had their graphics updated.