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 a reception where they welcome members of other races. Reception areas can be quite large, and have shops, inns, stables etc, mainly run by dwarves, to ease their relationships with visitors. Most reception areas are the size of a reasonable (surface dweller) village, although some are much larger. Less well-informed visitors might even think that the reception areas make up the bulk of the holding, but most of the dwarves live underground. This entrance to the mine-hold is normally fortified and well defended.

Great Mine-Holds also 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 it 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 the main trade routes between the surface world and the underdark.