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.

Most mine-holds have a lower exit, that leads into the underdark. That, too, is well defended and the access to it well patrolled. Underground clans send some of the ore and gems, that they mine, up to the surface for processing and sale to the surface races. This is one of the main trade routes between the surface work and the underdark.