Kal-Sharok

Kal-Sharok is one of the two known dwarven cities in Thedas. Kal-Sharok lies in the Hunterhorn Mountains between Orlais and the Anderfels. Because it is not located in or near (i.e., under) Ferelden, the Warden will not visit Kal-Sharok in Dragon Age: Origins.

Background
Once, when the dwarves were a mighty empire, Kal-Sharok was their capital. However, as the dwarves started to trade with the Tevinter Imperium, the seat of power was moved to the current dwarven capital, Orzammar. When the darkspawn poured into the Deep Roads during the First Blight, the empire was virtually destroyed by the following struggle with the darkspawn and so was Kal-Sharok, or so it was assumed. Declared lost alongsides Kal-Sharok were the cities of Hormak and Gundaar. In recent times, however, it has been discovered that Kal-Sharok miraculously survived the darkspawn onslaught. However, the few dwarves living there are said to be extremely reclusive and unwilling to reestablish contact with the rest of the world as well as being embittered towards Orzammar.

With far less resources than Orzammar and no access to the surface, Kal-Sharok has had to do some very questionable things to survive, and now they are changed forever. But, it's believed that when the darkspawn invaded the kings of the old empire retreated to Kal-Sharok where they were able to defeat the Darkspawn but suffered heavy casualties.