Biriz-zahar

Biriz-zahar was an ancient Dwarven city founded by Mótsog during the Greymaul Rebellion in the First Age. Built upon a high spur of the northern Misty Mountains south of Mount Gundabad, it served as the stronghold and capital of the rebel Greymauls during their war against the Longbeards under Durin the Deathless. The city was largely destroyed during the Sunder-battle and later became known as Sundergrót.

Biriz-zahar was established after Mótsog and his followers broke with Durin the Deathless. When Durin departed Gundabad to found Khazad-dûm, he entrusted the ancient mountain to Mótsog. In Durin's absence Mótsog gathered those who would later be called the Greymauls and began to assert independence from the Longbeards, eventually raising a rebellion against Durin's authority. To support this uprising, Mótsog founded Biriz-zahar upon a steep mountainside south of Gundabad. The city was constructed as a fortress capable of resisting siege, with narrow approaches and heavily fortified gates. It quickly became the centre of Greymaul power and the base from which the rebels conducted their war against the Longbeards. During the conflict the Greymauls also allied themselves with Orcs of the Misty Mountains, a decision that deepened the rift between the rebel Dwarves and their kin.

For nearly a decade the war between the Longbeards and the Greymauls continued without decisive victory for either side. The conflict eventually culminated in the Sunder-battle, when Durin allowed himself to be captured and brought in chains to Biriz-zahar in order to distract the Greymauls while his queen, Ragna the Fierce, led an army of Longbeards into the city by stealth. While the Greymauls gathered at the summit of Biriz-zahar to witness the humiliation of Durin, Ragna's forces infiltrated the largely undefended gates and advanced into the city. Fighting soon erupted throughout the streets and halls as Longbeard warriors clashed with the rebels and their Orc allies. The battle spread across the city and threatened to destroy both factions of the Dwarves.

The struggle was interrupted by the treachery of Sauron, who had secretly planned to destroy both hosts. Orcs turned upon their Greymaul allies while a host of creatures descended upon the city, including a Balrog known as Askâdurs and a flight of dragons led by Thorog and Etterfang Foulmaw. Dragon-fire and shadow devastated Biriz-zahar, and countless Dwarves perished in the destruction. Despite the chaos, Ragna reached the summit of the city and freed Durin. Realising that their people would otherwise be annihilated, Durin and Mótsog finally united their forces. Greymauls and Longbeards fought together against the invading host, eventually driving back the Orcs and forcing the dragons and Sauron to withdraw.

The violence of the battle shattered the city and split the mountainside. Much of Biriz-zahar was left in ruins, and the site thereafter became known as Sundergrót, meaning "Split-stone". The surviving Greymauls submitted to Durin's judgement following the battle, bringing the rebellion to an end. After the Sunder-battle Biriz-zahar was largely abandoned, its halls broken by fire and war. The ruined stronghold stood as a reminder of the civil war that nearly destroyed the Dwarves of the Misty Mountains. In later ages the place was remembered under the name Sundergrót, reflecting the destruction wrought during the final battle of the rebellion. Among the Dwarves the memory of Biriz-zahar remained tied to the tragedy of the Greymaul Rebellion and the reconciliation that followed when Durin and Mótsog united against the forces of the Enemy.