Discovering Khazad-dûm: The Ancient City From Return To Moria

Discover Khazad-dûm – The Ancient City From Return To Moria and all of its hidden secrets. Here is everything you can expect to face when conquering this beautiful city!

The ancient city from Return to Moria is known as Khazad-dûm, or Dwarrowdelf. It is one of the most iconic locations in the world of Middle-earth. It is a vast and sprawling city, carved deep into the heart of the Misty Mountains. Khazad-dûm was once the greatest Dwarven city, but it was abandoned centuries ago after the awakening of Balrog, a demonic creature of immense power.

Despite its perilous inhabitants, Khazad-dûm remains a place of great beauty and wonder. In the video game Return to Moria, you take on the role of a Dwarf and are tasked with reclaiming the city for its people. You have to explore the city's depths, battle dangerous bosses, and uncover its lost secrets.

History Of The Ancient City of Khazad-dûm

Khazad-dûm was founded in the First Age of Middle-earth by Durin I, the eldest of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves. Durin was led to the Misty Mountains by the sound of a beating hammer, and there he discovered the mithril veins that would make Khazad-dûm so wealthy.

Over the centuries, Khazad-dûm grew into a mighty kingdom. The Dwarves ventured deeper and deeper into the mountains, extracting mithril and other precious metals. They also built great halls and chambers and carved intricate carvings into the walls.

Khazad-dûm reached its golden age in the Second Age of Middle-earth. The Dwarves were at peace with their neighbors and their trade flourished. Khazad-dûm became a center of learning and culture.

In the Third Age of Middle-earth, Khazad-dûm began to decline. The Dwarves had delved too deep, and they awoke a Balrog, a demonic creature drove them out of their city. After which Khazad-dûm was abandoned.

Notable Places In The Ancient City 

Some of the notable places to visit in the Ancient City: 

• The Gates of Durin: These massive gates mark the entrance to Khazad-dûm. They are carved with the words “Ennyn Durin an Gwathló i naukrife aiya linte yulve,” which translates to “The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.”
• The Great Hall: This hall is the heart of Khazad-dûm. It is where the Dwarves gathered to celebrate and feast.
• The Bridge of Khazad-dûm: This iconic bridge spans a chasm that divides the city in two. It is the only way to reach the other side of the city without going through the Mines of Moria.
• The Chamber of Records: This chamber contains the Dwarves' vast collection of knowledge and history. It is a place of great importance to the Dwarven people.
• The Balrog's Lair: This deep and dark chamber is the home of the Balrog, the most dangerous creature in Khazad-dûm. It is a place of great dread and fear.

• The Hall of Mirrors: This chamber was filled with mirrors that reflected the light from the many torches, creating a dazzling display.
• The Gardens of Khazad-dûm: These gardens were located deep within the city, and they were filled with exotic plants and flowers.
• The Tombs of the Dwarven Kings: These tombs were located in a deep chamber beneath the city, and they were the final resting place of the Dwarven kings.

The Ancient City In The Return to Moria Video Game

Photo Credit: Epic Games Store

In the year 2941 of the Third Age, a group of Dwarves led by Balin set out to reclaim Khazad-dûm. Balin and his followers succeeded in retaking the city, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the Orcs and other creatures that had taken up residence there.

In the video game Return to Moria, you take on the role of a Dwarf who is tasked with reclaiming the city for its people. The player must explore the city's depths, battle dangerous creatures, and uncover its lost secrets.

Creating Your Character In The Ancient City

You can create your own custom Dwarf and choose from a variety of classes, including Warrior, Scout, and Mage. You will need to explore the city's many levels and chambers, gather resources, craft items, and battle enemies in order to progress.

The game features a variety of different combat mechanics. You have a choice to use melee weapons, ranged weapons and spells to defeat the enemies. They can also block attacks and dodge out of the way of danger.

Notable Bosses To Defeat In The Ancient City

Here is a more detailed overview of some of the bosses that players will need to defeat in Return to Moria:

• The Balrog: The Balrog is a demonic creature of immense power. It is the most dangerous enemy in the game, and players will need to use all of their skills and resources to defeat it.
• Durin's Bane: Durin's Bane is a powerful Troll that has claimed Durin's Bridge as its own. It is a formidable opponent, and players will need to be careful not to get caught in its powerful melee attacks.
• The Watcher in the Water: The Watcher in the Water is a giant squid-like creature that lurks in the depths of the Mirrormere. It is a dangerous enemy that can attack from both above and below the water.
• The Lord of the Flies: The Lord of the Flies is a giant spider that lives in the Mines of Moria. It is a venomous creature that can also summon smaller spiders to aid it in battle.

You will need to use your skills and ingenuity to overcome the challenges that stand in your way and restore Khazad-dûm to its former glory.  

Side Quests in the Ancient City

Return to Moria also features a variety of side quests that you can complete. These side quests give you the opportunity to learn more about the history of Khazad-dûm, its inhabitants, and its secrets.

Some of the side quests in Return to Moria are:

• The Lost Dwarves of Khazad-dûm: This side quest tasks you with finding a group of Dwarves who were lost while exploring the depths of Khazad-dûm.
• The Secret of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm: This side quest reveals the secret behind the construction of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm and its significance to the Dwarven people.
• The Chamber of Records: This is a treasure trove for history buffs and lore hunters. You'll be on a mission to unearth the Dwarves' extensive collection of knowledge. Get ready to dive deep into history and unravel the mysteries hidden within those ancient walls. 
• The Balrog's Lair: Here you get to explore the Balrog's Lair and discover the secrets of this ancient, perilous creature.

• Clear the Mines: You are tasked with clearing a specific area of Khazad-dûm of enemies.
• Find the Lost Artifact: Here you are given clues to finding a specific artifact that is hidden somewhere in Khazad-dûm.
• Solve the Puzzle: This side quest has you solve a puzzle in order to progress to the next area of Khazad-dûm.

Do You Have What it Takes To Conquer The Ancient City?

Return to Moria is a challenging and rewarding game that offers players a unique opportunity to explore the ancient Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm. With its stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and rich lore, Return to Moria is sure to appeal to fans of fantasy games and action role-playing games alike. So do you have what it takes to reclaim the ancient city?