Dwarves are very protective of their holdings, people and society, so their mine-holds tend to follow a standard pattern. The central area is reserved for dwarves, and specially invited guests, although they have areas, above and below ground, where they welcome members of other races. Those 'reception' areas can be quite large, and often have shops, inns, stables etc, mainly run by dwarves, to ease their relationships with visitors. Most are the size of a good (surface dweller) village, while a few might even reach the size of a small town. Less well-informed visitors might even think that the reception areas make up the bulk of the holding. This entrance to the mine-hold is normally fortified and well defended.

Great Mine-Holds have a lower exit, with an underground reception area, that leads into the underdark. It is well defended and the access to it well patrolled, but serves as a trading area for underground races, who send some of their ore, metals and gems, for processing and sale to the surface races. These underdark merchants might return home with silks, whiskey, preserved fruits, or other luxuries that are not available deep below ground. Great Mine-Holds are some of the main trade routes between the surface work and the underdark.