The long and dangerous cleft between the Troll Mountains and the Giantspikes would probably be avoided by men altogether if it wasn't for the rich ore deposits brought down into this valley by the dwarves. The North Road was put through this once-desolate pass (it's called "Three Trees Pass" because its height was once marked by three huge old pines - the only trees in sight amid a rocky desolation) to link Kurth with King's Reach and provide a means for getting at least some of that gold safely to market. It cost many human lives but served its purpose, incidentally saving the last few dwarves from extinction at the hands of the ever-plentiful orcs. Vicious battles for control of the mountain heights and mine-passages go on to this day, as human prospectors move into territory recently held by orcs. The dwarves grudgingly aid the humans, knowing they'd be swept away without them.

Thousands of gems, rough-hewn gold nuggets, and bags of "gold gravel" are said to be hidden up and down the pass, making it one of the richest areas in all Faerûn. Folk trying to dig or explore the pass, however, will be watched by many wary eyes and are in grave danger of stopping some arrows the minute they turn up something interesting. Survivors of this initial assault will then find themselves the center of a concerted attack from watchful orc bands, dwarven parties, and human guards all converging on them at once-as well as facing the effects of whatever traps the rightful owners of any uncovered cache have left behind! Many carry-chests used in the Vast open from the bottom only, the top being a series of elaborate traps. Among the favorites are scything blades that snap across the tops of opened chests, chopping off the hands of the inquisitive. Another popular safeguard is the two-step poisoned dart-trap. Opening the lid fires the first dart, while the second is triggered by a treadle inside the chest upon which a heavy item is placed. This bulky item blocks the way to the rest of the contents, and any one lifting it out gets the second dart right in the face! Poisonous gas traps are also popular, since if they don't get the looter when he or she opens the chest their residue on the coins within may still poison a thief who doesn't carefully wash his or her hands after handling the treasure.

There are no permanent habitations in the pass-no one has enough money to hire the sell-swords needed to turn away the persistent orc attacks brought on by any attempt to build here. Still, many traders set out in the summer months from Kurth or King's Reach to establish armed camps for a few days at the summit of the pass-and they typically sell trapped chests, mules, mining gear, food, and other supplies in exchange for ore or nuggets from the miners. A priest of Waukeen used to pass through the area about once a month, taking in 1,000 gold-worth of nuggets in exchange for each badly needed healing spell. No priest stepped in to offer the same service during the time Waukeen was imprisoned, but with her recent restoration to power it cannot be long before this dangerous but extremely lucrative service is restored.