As a result of a dispute with the Farhold rulers, two noble clans left Borwin for Mervin Hills and founded the two towns, Balmor's Latch and Dalven Slope. Years later a period of heavy taxation triggered a new wave of discontented dwarves to follow. The migration was unexpected, but welcome and the two settlements had enough labor to sustain them. Although the venture of settling anew was a hazardous undertaking, the Mervin dwarves established themselves well. The trolls of Lesser Oukra and the nomads of the Whispering Plains were successfully kept at bay, as were the political intrigues of the Dar'Kolbur dwarves. However, they were unable to withstand the might of the human Barinorr Empire, when they in greed sought to conquer their mines and forges. As a last resort the dwarves sealed their mines with explosives and the humans responded by sacking their towns. Many Mervin dwarves were enslaved during the war and forced to the forges in Arwondel. Those that remained continued to oppose the empire by supporting its enemies. When the Barinorr Empire tried to beat down the human rebels of Valgarn, they found them armed to their teeth with dwarven forged armor and weaponry. Today, Balmor's Latch and Dalven Slope have long since been rebuilt and most of the mines have been reopened. They flourish from the trade with the halflings and the humans and they have become renowned for their red gold and salt mines.