The skill of the dwarven folk at metalcraft is legendary, and
through the ages they have continued to find ways of improving
their abilities at smithing work. At some time within the last
several centuries, dwarves learned the methods of creating a
magical device that would make them more skilled as armorers,
weapon makers, and smiths. The great cost of creating a High
Anvil, however, has kept the number of these items down to a
small scattering; only a very large dwarven enclave can afford
to possess one of its own. High Anvils will never be found in the
shops of dwarven armorers, weapon makers, or smiths who are
located in cities and towns, where the danger of theft or damage
to the anvil is too great.

The High Anvil is a large, elaborately carved anvil forged from
an alloy of adamantite and steel. It radiates a faint aura of
magic. The anvil weighs about 175 pounds and cannot be easily
moved or carried; it is often fixed or welded to the floor of the
main armory of a dwarven colony.

The workmanship involved in the forging and decoration of a
High Anvil represents the best that the dwarves of the clan can
offer. The anvil is frequently adorned with depictions of great
events in the clan’s history. While dwarves hold their High
Anvils to be beyond price, a realistic appraisal of one’s worth
would probably range from 30,000 to 60,000 gold pieces.

When used for metalworking, the High Anvil adds +50% to the
skill level of dwarven armorers (Dungeon Masters Guide, p. 29),
and doubles their efficiency, effectively halving the construction
time for any sort of metal armor.

Dwarven smiths using a High Anvil have their efficiency
doubled in the forging of any item, and weapon makers may
construct axes, swords, and the like at three times the normal
rate by working them on the High Anvil.

Non-dwarven characters or creatures who use a High Anvil (a
very rare occurrence, since dwarves are very protective of their
treasures) will have +25% added to their skill as an armorer but
will enjoy no other benefits.

The increases in skill level and decreases in construction
time are not permanent for the characters involved, and only
apply when a High Anvil is being used. Mithril and adamantite
alloys may be worked with greater ease on a High Anvil, and
any materials forged on a High Anvil are certain to be of high
quality.

A High Anvil is created by a long and involved process of
crafting and enchantment. The physical work upon the Anvil
will take between 24 and 36 months, and can only begin after
the members of the clan have taken 6-24 (6d4) months to
decide on the anvil’s shape, design, and decorations. Once the
anvil has been forged, it must undergo a ritual blessing by the
most powerful dwarven cleric in the clan, and 4-16 (4d4) other
clerical assistants. (The main cleric must be at least 6th level,
and must be a member of the same clan as the dwarves who
forged the anvil.) This blessing takes 5-8 days altogether, and
the clan’s patron deity is invoked for aid as part of the final
enchantments.

A High Anvil is not commonly found in a treasure hoard. It
might be discovered in the ruins of a dwarven stronghold, but
even if a clan had been destroyed or driven off, another clan
would attempt to keep the Anvil from falling into non-dwarven
hands. Dwarves who do manage to gain possession of a High
Anvil (from non-dwarves, of course, since dwarves do not steal
from each other) will gain 10,000 experience points; the award
is half as great for non-dwarves who come to own one.