Dur-Kharaz Ulgrim - Ark of the Mountain’s Gift

“If you’re here, take a moment to check out Cryptatrope: A Maker Adventure by Prime Tower, the host of the contest I won. It’s one of those projects that really sticks with you:
https://makerworld.com/it/crowdfunding/190-cryptatrope-a-maker-adventure

In the heart of the oldest mountains, when the dwarven forges were still young and the depths of the earth had yet to reveal all their secrets, the first fragment of Mithril was discovered.

It was not found as a mere mineral, but as a revelation. The miners tell that the rock itself opened, revealing a cold, pure light, unlike any metal ever seen before. The Master Forgers immediately understood that what lay before them was not just a resource, but a gift that would change the fate of their people.

To safeguard the primordial crystal, a sacred chest was commissioned, designed not only as a container but as a chronicle carved into the very matter of sacrifice and memory. The chest was made using wood recovered from the shields of fallen dwarves, fused and reinforced with the bones of defeated goblins. Wood and bone were joined to create an artifact representing victory, loss, and an eternal oath.

Each of the four sides of the chest tells a chapter of the legend.

The first side depicts the discovery. Miners are shown digging within the mountain’s depths, their lanterns illuminated by the first appearance of the Mithril, emerging from living rock as if born from the very heart of the earth.

The second side celebrates worship. Priests and elder dwarves are shown in reverent poses as they study the crystal and recognize its spiritual and symbolic value, marking the beginning of the cult of the eternal metal.

The third side narrates the initial defenses. Tribes of goblins, drawn by the power of the Mithril, invaded the dwarven tunnels. The engravings depict warriors defending corridors, runic doors, and underground passages, fighting to prevent the secret from being profaned.

The fourth side portrays the climax of the battle. In front of the altar where the Mithril was kept, the dwarves fought their final and fiercest defense. The engravings show warriors forming a last bastion around the sanctuary as goblins advanced from the depths. It is the scene of the ultimate sacrifice, the moment when the oath of protection was etched not only into stone but into the history of their people.

To guard the chest, four statuettes of dwarven custodians were placed, each sculpted to embody a fundamental virtue: Strength, Wisdom, Honor, and Sacrifice. The statuettes are not merely decorative but are an integral part of the secret mechanism that protects the chest. Only when the four guardians are simultaneously moved toward the center of the lid, symbolically uniting their virtues, can the secret of the chest be revealed. Even in this final motion, their postures remain defensive, as if continuing to protect the Mithril from any threat.

The chest is thus not merely a container but a narrative monument, a relic crafted from the remnants of war and the honor of the fallen, destined to safeguard forever the origin of a legend.

Friendly maker notes & disclaimers:

• This is a display piece, not a real safe—so while it looks secure, clever fingers might still figure it out. Enjoy the visual drama!
• The mechanism requires 12 cylindrical magnets (6 mm diameter x 3 mm height). Be very careful about their orientation—place them wrong, and nothing will work!
• Scaling the model is not recommended unless you adapt the magnet cavities to match new sizes.
• If you’d like to reproduce or sell this object, please contact me privately for a fair agreement.
• The statues and bas-reliefs were generated with AI, and the main image was digitally edited to show the object as it appears. I’m not a digital sculptor, just an ex-prop maker doing my best. All other parts were modeled in CAD.
• The model shown in the photos was printed without AMS. I used painting and finishing techniques for an epic look, but AMS can be used if you want a polished final product.
• Printed in PLA Bone White Matte, which already looks great on its own—like fresh snow in the dwarven mines!
• The runes are purely decorative—they have absolutely no magical meaning. Promise!
• A PDF with assembly instructions is included with the files, although it’s fairly simple to put together if you like a little challenge.