Broadcrag Frontier
Named after the Broadcrag Mountains that make up its lands, the splintered dwarven states within these mountains stand tall though splintered. Having once been unified under one banner, one king, and one name, the dwarven empire known once as Dalrum came under hard times. Disagreements during the Uphill War among leaders as well as during the fall of Omen'an caused the dwarven home to collapse under its own pride.
Though they've been splintered into seven different independent states, the dwarves of the Broadcrag Frontier have stayed unified under a treaty called the Words of Grievance. The Words of Grievance is a long document written generations ago by the seven dwarven groups leaders, detailing their issues with eachother and demands. These treaties are long, and in them they detail a number of rules that all of the frontier must abide by.
The nations largest force for stagnation was its adherence to tradition. The dwarves of Dalrum or the following splinter states were never open to change, and this included metal soldiers, flying machines, or hand cannons. This caused a lot of tension, and lead to their downfall. With some dwarves opting to embrace the future, others standing by traditionalism, and others vowing to destroy this false and heretical advancement.
The Seven States
The dwarves of Dalrum have broken into seven states, detailed below with small summaries of their stances.Bordhir
The state of Bordhir is the south-eastern most dwarven state, bordering both Omen'an and the Screaming Peaks and its rampaging residents. Having been the front to hold back both the demons and hyena beasts back for the other dwarven states, Bordhir stands the tallest militarily. Having been forced to embrace both the traditions of Auburn and its steel soldiers, as well as some more innovative forms of warfare. The massive towering structures that defend any Bordhiran settlement are almost always armed with defensive weaponry. Ballistae, catapults, and so on stood between the massive stone parapets to ward off intruders.Burkan
The western dwarves of the Burkan are the closest to the risen nation of Ra'skiva, and have benefited greatly from their support. The Burkan reside almost entirely underground, with large metal tubes bringing clean air down into the caves, allowing for higher populations than what would normally be popular in the deeper more remote systems of stone. The Burkan stand the most distant from the other dwarven nations, having had little issue with rule, so long as they were not made to fight any wars that did not directly affect them. They had their way before, being a large supplier for minerals like ore and coal, but come the time for war they were called on, and the people of Burkan were not particularly happy about that.New Dalrum
The most traditional of the seven, New Dalrum stands at the center of the frontier, and has some of the most beautiful architecture you'd ever see. Built for an empire, as it is, New Dalrum seeks to one day unite the dwarven people under their unified role in the world. The people of Dalrum believe that dwarves were meant to protect these mountains, and that allowing the humans of Harna or the fiends of Omen'an to step into their borders taints the gifts that Kik and all of her glory has given them. Of all of the dwarven nations, those of Dalrum are the most inclined to both faith and prejudice, seeing non-dwarves as lesser or bringers of taint and sickness. Though not historically wrong, this causes those of Dalrum to butt heads with foreigners more than their other stout and sturdy kin.Dohm Garin
The gardens of the Broadcrags. Not that unlike an oasis in a desert, the rolling fields in the lower valleys of Dohm Garin are the source of nearly all plant based infrastructure the dwarves had ever had. Fruit, greens, and rice came pouring out of these valleys and into the hands of dwarven citizens hundreds of years ago and they've not stopped since. Though, during times of war, the people of Dohm Garin were pressured hard, overworked, and underpaid. There are many laws protecting their rights now, ever since the Words of Grievance were signed, and since then the people of Dohm Garin have been happy. The place is a diamond in the rough, and often finds itself a tourist destination for adventurers or the rich.
Gehla
The northernmost state, almost more coast and mediterranean than mountain, the people of Gehla are fishing folk. One with the land more than any other dwarf, the Gehlan dwarves have quickly adopted foreign cultures into their day to day. Without the Dalrum propaganda, they had no issue taking the new luxuries into their lives. Engines for warmth, faster boats, firearms for hunting both fish and demon alike. They were hit the hardest during the war, when they were forced to go to battle as a front line against friends for people they were only bound to by blood. Since the treaties were signed, they've integrated incredibly into the culture, and could be seen nearly as engrossed and reliant on technology as even some Murians.Morn
Built in the wake of the Uphill War, Morn is a state of rebellious warriors who fought to end the tyrannical lead of the emperor of Dalrum. Formed by a number of outliers who did not wish to fight for these mountains as some birth given duty, but instead wished to be their own. Not governed by dwarf, human, or god, the people of Morn exist in a leaderless society more akin to a tribe of thugs and hooligans rather than a society. The Morn are feared for their wild lifestyle, and a non-dwarf entering Morn lands often leads to death, but the dwarves of the frontier owe nearly all of their freedom to their original insurrections and the fires that started from that spark. The Morn were one of the largest driving forces behind the Words of Grievance being enacted, and value its rules more than any other state. When a state breaks the treaties, and the Morn hear about it, they respond. Though the other states are not always happy about this, the treaty explicitly bars the closing of borders between frontier states, and so when bands of Morn forces march through to bring hammers down on those who break the treaties, there's little the others can do until blood is spilt.Murghrim
The dwarves of Murghrim were originally the emperor's personal forgemasters, constructing both his statues and luxury pieces like his crown or his staff, but also the weapons and armor for both his personal guard and the capitals military. When the time came for war, much like the Dohm Garin, the Murghrim were worked to the bone. More blades were made than there were dwarves on the surface, and twice as many hammers. Armor for every man women and child that could wear it was pushed out of the volcanic workshops and onto carts powered via stone crystals of heat and flame that only the greatest of Murghrim smiths know how to utilize. Though they're probably the most influential and important state, they always seem to be indifferent about politics, and never use their leverage to its fullest potential.Demography and Population
The population of the frontier is nearly 100% dwarves, with a sprinking of gnomes in places like Burkan or humans in Gehla, diversity is not amazingly common in this place.
Foreign Relations
The frontiers have strong ties to it's neighbors, some positive and some negative. Though it's had no direct conflict with Auburn, the people of the factory nation are generally distrusting of the stout mountain folk. Since the uphill war, Harna has kept a close eye on the dwarves. Since they agreed to share a portion of the mountains with the humans, the Harnan have been expecting a bite back from the dwarves. On the other hand, those of Unity have incredibly friendly ties with the frontier states. During the fall of Omen'an, Unity stood tall and strong beside the frontier, and defended more than fifty percent of it's vulnerable border. Since then, they've remained strong friends and allies both economically and militarily, with armor being purchased by Unity from those of the Murghrim, and Unitian silks, art, and music finding it's way into the various states galleries and drinking halls.
Trade & Transport
The majority of dwarves make their way from place to place via air. Within the lands of Gehla are a breed of giant hawk known as blood phoenix. These creatures are known for their massive forms and crimson feathers. Though not smart enough to talk to, they're smart enough to train, and over time, that's exactly what the dwarves of Gehla did. These incredible birds rest in roosts atop high mountains, where flymasters await those in need of transportation to send them off held aloft by their massive trained birds.
Infrastructure
The frontier is built on itself, with each state relying entirely on the others. No state could survive entirely on it's own, regardless of how badly they might want to. They stand as independent factions, but without food from Dohm Garin or steel from the Murghrim, none of the states would have lasted as long as they have in these conditions.
"Forged in fire, born in stone."
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Alternative Names
Dalrum
Demonym
Broadkin
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Housing Mechanics
Demand: LowLand Quality: Squalid - Wealthy
Possible Docks: Air, Planar
Special Rules: There are no special housing rules for constructing within the Broadcrag Frontier.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments