Ekkag'varum

The Dwarves of Ekkag'varum have a rich and intricate culture shaped by their history of warfare, internal rivalries, and unwavering pride. Residing within the rugged Duvuun Mountains, they've developed a society that values strength, honor, and the prowess of the individual and the clan. Their culture is a blend of martial tradition, craftsmanship, and religious reverence.

Clan Rivalries and Leadership

The dwarves are organized into various clans, each with their own leaders, men and women known as Chiefs or Barons. These clans are united under the rule of the Brightforger clan, whose monarch holds the title of King of the Dwarves, Protector of Ekkag'varum. The King sits on the mighty Hammersteel Throne within the grand city of Kiraad'duvuun, a city carved deep into the heart of the mountains. While they are united under the King's rule, their inherent pride and competitive nature lead to constant bickering and infighting among the clans.

Combat as Divine Judgment

Combat holds a sacred place in Dwarven culture. When disputes arise, whether among individuals, clans, or even at the level of the Fighting Barons, combat is seen as the ultimate resolution. Dwarves believe that through combat, the gods reveal their will, and the victor is deemed to have been chosen by the divine. This belief fosters a unique sense of justice and finality, as dwarves wholeheartedly accept the outcomes of battles as divine verdicts.

Cultural Pastimes and Taboos

Dwarves of Ekkag'varum have a strong appreciation for craftsmanship and metalwork. Their leisure time is often spent in forges, crafting intricate weapons, armor, and artifacts that serve both functional and artistic purposes. They have a penchant for storytelling, often recounting tales of valor, conquests, and legendary battles to inspire the younger generations. Each clan has various passtimes as well that they excel in. One dwarf clan might be more inclined to martial prowess and honing their combat skills, while the next might be searching the heavens for connection to deities or practicing darker magics.
Taboos within the culture include disrespecting one's opponent after a battle, hoarding wealth without contributing to the clan's defense, and speaking ill of the gods. Dishonorable actions can lead to social ostracism or even expulsion from the clan.

Cultural Foods and Activities

Dwarven cuisine emphasizes hearty, nourishing foods to sustain their robust bodies. Roasted meats, hearty stews, and artisan breads are common fare. They also have a fondness for rich ales and spirits, often brewed from mountain herbs and grains.
Festivals celebrate both combat and craftsmanship. The "Hammerfall Festival" marks the forging of new weapons, and the "Forgefire Tournament" showcases the finest combatants in the realm. These events blend martial displays with artistic prowess, reflecting the duality of Dwarven culture.

Bickering and Mutual Respect

Dwarves' penchant for bickering is rooted in their competitive spirit. Clan rivalries and disputes over resources or territory are common occurrences. However, underlying this rivalry is a deep-seated mutual respect for strength and determination. Even in the heat of argument, dwarves acknowledge the abilities and achievements of their rivals, and such respect often tempers their conflicts.

Dwarven City-States

The Dwarven culture in Ekkag'varum has the dynamic and competitive nature of city-states. The fierce pride of individual clans, combined with the overarching rule of a central monarch, is the overarching theme of these city-states. The importance of combat as a means of settling disputes is misunderstood by outsiders as a barbaric practice, but the dwarven value placed on martial and magical prowess can't be understated. Additionally, the blend of artistry and combat in their festivals draws appreciation for both aesthetics and athleticism.

In summary, the Dwarves of Ekkag'varum are a proud and driven people whose culture revolves around combat, craftsmanship, and divine reverence. Their intricate society is marked by fierce clan rivalries, a system of leadership under a supreme monarch, and a unique belief in combat as a means of divine judgment. This blend of competitiveness and respect, creates a society that values both individual strength and collective unity.

History

Dwarven Clans

The Dwarven Clans of Ekkag'varum are a proud people. The list below is not a comprehensive list but lists some of the major clans of the dwarven kingdom, led by the Clan Brightforger, these clans have histories which go back generations.

Clan Brightforger

City: Kiraad’duvuun
Sigil: A star with a crown
Power: Tier 1 - Most powerful dwarven clan
Traits: Known for their forging ability and the ability to shape Crucible Arcanithium, a magical alloy derived from dwarven iron and Arcanithium. They create items of incredible power from this alloy, making them wealthy and influential. Their royal monarchs have been in tune with dwarven deities and serve as wise rulers, often sought for counsel.

Clan Amberhorn

City: Gredsolbuk
Sigil: Two ram's horns with a furnace between them
Power: Tier 2 - tied with Stonehearth
Traits: They gain power and knowledge through dealings with strange magical entities beyond the stars. Their cursed forges allow them to create malevolent magical weapons, a power they wield cautiously. They are known for cultivating the underground glowing mushroom forests and fostering life in the deep places of the earth.

Clan Stonehearth

City: Great Peak
Sigil: Fortress with large tower and two smaller towers
Power: Tier 2 - tied with Amberhorn
Traits: Experts in defensive tactics, they create intricate underground fortresses. Master glassblowers, they craft prisms that refract light into rainbows across their cities and dwellings. Their clan values resilience and safety, and their artistry adds beauty even to the most utilitarian spaces.

Clan Duskbrazer

City: Yorv’l
Sigil: An anvil in front of a setting sun
Power: Tier 3 - tied with Windmaster and Firehand
Traits: Embracing a berserker-like combat style, their "Battle Rites" allow them to channel inner rage for bursts of strength. They value primal instincts and fierceness in battle.

Clan Windmaster

City: Yssiln
Sigil: Wind symbol with eagle's feather
Power: Tier 3 - tied with Duskbrazer and Firehand
Traits: Inhabitants of sky islands of Yssiln, they've developed winged apparatuses for flight mounted on the great northern creatures like eagles and griffons. Their tactics and weaponry are adapted for aerial warfare. They craft enchanting wind chimes and value tales of ancient legends, fostering a deep connection with the winds and stories connecting them to their ancient past.

Clan Firehand

City: Vairnite
Sigil: A metal glove on fire
Power: Tier 3 - tied with Windmaster and Duskbrazer
Traits: Settled near volcanic regions, these dwarves have harnessed the power of lava for their forges. Their weapons are tempered with volcanic heat, making them feared for their fiery arsenal.

Clan Ironspine

City: Trolipspop
Sigil: Mithral ax crossed with a metal spinal cord
Power: Tier 4 - tied with Frostbraid, Barrelbrew, and Onyxhelm
Traits: Gifted gemcutters and jewelers, they craft intricate, magical gem-infused artifacts. They have a symbiotic relationship with the earth and can sense precious minerals even from afar. Masters of metallurgical alchemy, they can transmute metals to adapt their weapons' minor properties on the fly, turning a sword into a whip or a shield into a thrown sharp edged weapon.

Clan Frostbraid

City: Wyvern’s Crest
Sigil: White beard braided with jewels
Power: Tier 4 - tied with Ironspine, Barrelbrew, and Onyxhelm
Traits: Inhabitants of the highest mountain peaks, they have adapted to the frigid environment and have developed keen survival instincts in extreme cold. Their unique mastery of cold and ice magic sets them apart.

Clan Barrelbrew

City: Firsfank
Sigil: Three barrels in a triangle
Power: Tier 4 - tied with Ironspine, Frostbraid, and Onyxhelm
Traits: These dwarves are renowned for their mastery of alchemical brewing, producing ethereal elixirs that induce peaceful and vivid dreams. Incredible tavernkeepers throughout the world. They are masters of crafting enchanted instruments, they create synesthetic music that triggers vivid sensations in listeners, evoking tastes, colors, and scents.

Clan Onyxhelm

City: Ordaalin
Sigil: Black dwarven helmet with glowing eyes
Power: Tier 4 - tied with Ironspine, Frostbraid, and Barrelbrew
Traits: These dwarves are natural empathic healers, using the power of the earth to mend wounds and cure ailments through touch. They also cultivate glowing plants that emit a calming, bioluminescent light, creating serene sanctuaries deep within the mountains.

Clan Thunderwright

City: Varies, often found in Yssiln
Sigil: Lightning bolt striking an anvil
Power: Tier 5
Traits: This tribe is known for their mastery over sound and vibration magic, allowing them to manipulate earth and rock. They communicate through low-frequency vibrations and use them in battle. They are powerful mages and are said to be dwarf mutants and have giants in their heritage. Skilled musicians, they can manipulate echoes and acoustics with their instruments, creating harmonious melodies that resonate deep within the earth.

Clan Breweroot

City: Varies, mostly found in Great Peak
Sigil: An ale barrel upright with roots growing out of it
Power: Tier 5
Traits: These dwarves cultivate enchanted plants and brews, focusing on the emotional aspects of flavors. They are known for their taverns and enchanting beverages cultivating flavors that evoke emotions or memories.

Clan Dreamsculpter

City: Varies, often found in Kiraad’duvuun
Sigil: a circle with a web of strings within it
Power: Tier 5
Traits: They carve magical symbols into stones that induce insightful dreams. Skilled artisans, they craft protective statues that are imbued with magical defenses.

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Leader

Yungiir of Clan Brightforger

Ruling Organization

Clan Brightforger

Location

Kiraad'duvuun

Related Species

• Dwarf