The pages, apparently copied from a master tome, describe the construction and use of a grand forge in the Underdark. “Among the Sharrans dwelled the gnome Silouv Yali whose talents for wizardry were known from Candlekeep to Sorcere. Under his tutelage, the Sharrans built the Great Forge, which could heat mithral with such vigor as to turn it to adamantine. With this astonishing metal, they could mold the finest blades and armor. Yet the jewel of Yali’s eye was not the forge itself, but the protector he conjured from the magma to guard it - a construct said to be so mighty that no blade could fell it, and no spell could pierce it.” Instructions for operating the Great Forge are listed underneath. Ingredients: raw mithral ore and a proper mould. Place the ore and mould into their respective chambers. Pull the lever to lower the hammer and prepare the ore for smelting. Open the valve to allow lava into the crucible, and drop the hammer again to forge the product. (Ebonlake Grotto Secret Stash. Flumph Mating Rituals.)
So, it is clear that Yali guides them to build the forge. It does not predate Yali and the Sharrans. This book was in the hands of Xargrim, as if through his searching and researching of the forge, he found this book.
Dhourn: Dust. On. My. Tongue! I offer to parlay, and he brings a spectator? Twit. Quite ruined my ambush. Now. You are?
Me: You first.
Dhourn: We simply haven’t time for all of my titles. I am Dhourn. Third son of House Ba’Tol, first rank evoker, and initiate of Gravenhollow’s… oh. Oh no no my dear dark GOD’S BELOW. NO!
Me: What’s that?
Dhourn: A memory shard. They hold their glow for years - and it’s fading. It contains knowledge that is precious to me. If it has grown this dull… Then my enemies have already found the forge. Which bastard stole my glory - Xargrim? Filro?
Me: Do you speak of the adamantine forge? It’s still hidden, as far as I know.
Dhourn: Impossible. My rivals would have stopped at nothing. Unless, huh. Hah! The fools must have turned back, or better yet, died in the search. Good. If they had just surrendered their research to me, we might have found the forge together. But no. They hoarded their knowledge, left each of us clinging to scraps. I had the good sense to lock mine away in here, and now I can claim the forge alone.
Me: What knowledge does the crystal contain.
Dhourn: Bold of you to ask. The others knew of the forge’s defenses, its operation… but I know where to find it. The rest, I can figure out with time. Now, I am the only one searching… or… almost the only one. You proved your power in freeing me - but I need no more rivals. Try to take this as a compliment. Yes?
If Ketheric found the forge after the Drow, wouldn't I say, "Well, there was this guy Halsin told me about named Ketheric. He came after you and founded an entire fortress at the forge site.". Instead, my character is like, "Yep, nope. No one after you has found it.". Sure, not aware that the duergar have yet, but ultimately my MC is making it clear he thinks Your came after Ketheric. No one has found it since Dhourn.
So. Yali and Sharrans came first. Moonhaven and the temple were founded. Ketheric was good to begin with and people really loved and trusted him. He suffered loss. He went Anakin Skywalker on Halsin and Roa, he became Darth Vader and killed all the younglings at Moonhaven, they defeated him at Moonrise, THEN, later the Drow showed up, which means the temple was destroyed after Ketheric was defeated.
As for the gnomes, the warning about duergar is found in Decrepit Village, which means someone somewhere else in the Underdark was sending it to warn decrepit Village of duergar. So there was another gnome camp out there. Wulbren's amulet had to have been confiscated and sold months before current time so Barcus could see it in the Lower City and make his way there by the game timeline. However, decrepit Village is freshly attacked. So some gnomes were obviously taken but not the ones at Decrepit Village until more recently.
So decrepit Village was likely a small dig site, not their main base, since only a few dead gnomes are found there.
