The Burning Islands & Risin
Though the surfaces of these islands are separate this dwarven underground society considers itself one nation.
Structure
The dwarves that make up a large portion of the population dominate the government of the Isle.
- King or Queen: Leads the Isle and has the final say on all decisions that apply to the kingdom. The King or Queen is elected by The Assembly at the time of the previous King or Queen’s death. It is typically greatly debated and the decision making process can often last for weeks and the position is typically given to the candidate who has done the most to benefit society as a whole.
- The Assembly: The head of each noble clan has a seat in The Assembly and gets a vote on all matters of state, including electing a new King or Queen and approving new Noble clans.
History
- 250 BC-0 PC: The Elemental Isles are one land, home to the Elementals and their creations.
- 0 PC: The shattering tears the land apart and the islands are formed. The Elementals leave during the Exodus.
- 10 PC: Dragons return to the Material Plane and claim dominion over its lands. Many claim swathes of the islands and make its people their subjects.
- 2779-2790 PC: The dragons leave to join the Dragon Wars.
- 2793 PC: Each Isle develops it own government and culture without the presence of dragons.
- 3227-3347 PC: Dragons return to the Isles, but are forced to live within the laws not above them.
- 3655 PC: The boundary between the elemental planes and the Isles are weakened making travel between them easier. Elementals angry at their imprisonment begin to seep through and wreak havoc upon the Isles.
- 3660 PC: The establishment of The Gairtiin, elite warriors and spell-casters who guard the planar portals to prevent elemental trespassing.
- 3692-3702 PC: Dragons begin to leave the isles. Some lesser races choose to follow.
Demography and Population
The dwarves abide by a strict caste system.
- Noble Caste: Noble clans are founded by individuals who perform great deeds or feats for the betterment of society. All noble houses act as patrons to promising dwarves of other castes or houses. They sponsor particular artisans, warriors, miners, etc. If a warrior wins honor for himself in battle, it brings honor to the noble. If an artisan becomes sought-after or acclaimed for their work, it elevates the noble sponsor. This becomes part of the political maneuvering, and noble houses will compete for promising warriors or talented craftsmen in order to gain an advantage over their rivals.
- Warrior Caste: Warriors are subdivided into smaller castes, with specific houses producing soldiers, bodyguards, officers, etc. Warriors lead lives of drill and practice and marry early, knowing their lives will be short and grim. Each warrior house is sworn to a noble patron, which can create unique situations should the fortune of the noble house or the warrior house fail. One of the greatest achievements a warrior can earn is promotion to the Gairtiin.
- Smith Caste: Smiths are respected, and children born to the Smith Caste are expected to learn the craft as their Ancestors did. Females in this caste may become smiths, though it would also be acceptable for them to marry and produce children for their caste. Within the caste weaponsmiths, followed by armorsmiths, are most revered. Smiths smelt raw materials to produce finished goods such as tools, weapons and armor. They will sometimes travel with groups of Warriors to repair their equipment.
- Artisan Caste: Artisans work closely with smiths but are not as respected. They ornament the goods crafted by smiths or simply create art for its own sake. They often produce leather and cloth goods.
- Merchant Caste: The majority of goods pass through the hands of merchants, to be sold on the surface or within the hills. As space in the hills are limited, only very respected merchants have permanent shops; others must rent temporary stalls. Once one of the most highly respected castes.
- Servant Caste: This caste makes up the bulk of the population. Members consider themselves and their work worthy of the greatest respect and take pride in their service to other castes. They are usually employed as washerwomen, maids, cooks, barkeeps, etc. They look down upon the casteless.
- Casteless: Born with no rights and considered non-people, casteless dwarves make a living often as thugs, beggars, or street sweepers. They are forbidden to perform any work that a dwarf of recognized caste can perform. Casteless dwarves are branded soon after birth with a tattoo to identify them. These unfortunates are believed to be descendants of criminals and other undesirables and have therefore been viewed as rejected by the Ancestors.
- Humans & Half-Dwarves: These residents exist in a strange place in society as the dwarves consider them “outside the caste”, but also expect them to abide by their laws. Prideful Dwarves see humans and their half-blood kin as inferior, though half-dwarves that prove themselves worthy may be invited into one of the middle to lower castes. Many dwarves pride themselves on never having had to interact with a human or the surface world.
- Genasi: Genasi are honored amongst the dwarves, despite not being dwarves they are considered to be born“of the mountain” or “of the hill” and thus worthy of respect. Many Genasi live and work amongst the underground dwarves though they are not included within the caste system, simply respected “cousins”.
- Tieflings: Dwarves use Tieflings as slaves. Due to their innate fire resistance, there are many services they are able to provide that no other race could. Dwarves view it as a mercy that the demon/devil half-breeds even be allowed to live and serve society.
Military
The warrior caste serves as the dwarven military. They rely greatly on the strength of The Stone to protect them from a surface invasion. They do occasionally encounter trouble when their mining encounters a pocket of the underdark, but it s is nothing their warriors can’t handle. Because they don’t often have battle to fight, the warriors will prove their strength against each other in an arena for entertainment and honor.
The Gairtiin
The most elite warriors of each society are selected by their government to guard and protect the planar portals. They are greatly honored members of society and given great respect from all the residents of The Elemental Isles.Technological Level
Arcane Magic
Learned arcana is popular amongst the humans. Dwarves seem to have little talent or patience for it. The Genasi are often gifted with innate arcana due to their tie to the primal planes.Natural Magic
Most of the residents of the islands consider magic regarding plants and animals to be inferior to the elemental arcana.Divine Magic
Humans are most likely to serve as traditional clerics or paladins. Rarely, the dwarves are gifted divine powers by the Stone. Genasi are more likely to receive these blessings given their inherent connection to these divine entities.Religion
Their philosophy promotes personal excellence and an almost intimate tie to the Stone that houses them. Referring reverentially to "the Stone", the dwarves speak of it as being alive. They are the Stone's children; they respect her, they fear her, they cherish her, and they give thanks to her for protecting them and providing them with her bounty. Their other cultural beliefs are more akin to ancestor worship. Dwarves who lead a strong and noble life are said to strengthen the Stone when they die, becoming one of the Ancestors. Those who are ignoble or disgraced would weaken the Stone and are therefore rejected by it for all eternity.
Humans: Most humans adopt the religion of whichever society they live amongst. Though they have no standing temples to their own gods, many have a small shrine or two in their home.
Style
- Metallic
- Armor influenced
Founding Date
2793 PC
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Risin, Burning, Dwarven
Head of State
Neighboring Nations
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