Dwarf
A race in the world of Onil. Below is an direct copy from the following link PDF https://www.mythicaljourneys.com/mjsite/downloads/packets/DwarfClans.pdf
Dwarf Clans
*Balitor, a human merchant, on the dwarf clans:
The dwarves are a close knit bunch, all right. Make no mistake,
entire families carrying out the same trade. It's almost unheard
of for one of them to take up a different trade from that of
their clan. They like to keep things in the family. Most of them
don't differentiate between their clan and their guild.
The dwarves like to keep things tightly regulated. Every product
has a fixed price and a time assigned to making it.
Trying to bargain with them is like trying to batter down one of
their strongholds with your head. No give and take. No matter
how many of them you try to deal with, the price is always the
same. Take it or leave it. It's the worst kind of restrictive
trade.
Still, I'll say one thing for them, you know you're getting
quality goods every time. They never try to sell you anything
shoddy or of inferior quality. It's a matter of pride for them.
Dwarf clans are family groups that are all related to one another. All the members of a clan trace their lineage back
to a common ancestor. This could be the founder of a stronghold, but it may go back only as far as the previous
generation. With the current political climate on Pendaan the latter these days seem to be the more common.
Each clan specializes in a particular craft or skill: blacksmithing, mining, and weaponsmithing are examples.
Different clans usually live close to each other so that they can trade skills among themselves. The relationships
between clans are complicated and interdependent. The blacksmith clan needs to eat, so they trade with bakers and
butchers.
In major strongholds, each clan practices its own craft. In smaller ones, a clan may practice a number of crafts. Out
of preference, dwarves practice one craft only, and that one skill may be honed to a higher level than would be
possible if two, three or four skills were practiced.
Dwarf priests are drawn from all the clans in a stronghold and may be the only dwarves who are not tied closely to
their clans. Many priesthoods, like those concerned with arts and crafts, are a part of their clans and closed to all
others. The priests who serve Halaak, for example, would be the spiritual leaders of their clan. While the lore
keepers or traditionalists might serve Embranna.
While there are no clans specific to the study of the Elemental Magics, some of the strongest Elemental Mages to
visit the Arcanum have come from the Dwarven Kingdoms. Dwarves tend to gravitate toward the elements of Fire,
as evident by the rage that can over take them, or Earth. However, you will rarely find one that studies wind…and
almost never Ice…its to close to water.
Clans and Guilds
The clans are regulated by guilds that legislate all matters of trade. Guilds specify weights and measures, quality,
and the pricing of items, within their Kingdom/Stonghold.
For example, the Guild of Bakers establishes the weight, price, and ingredients of loaves of bread. All clans conform
to these strictures. Those of other strongholds will have different strictures imposed by their guilds. This leads to
situations where dwarves from one baker's clan will get into heated arguments with a baker's clan from another
stronghold over which one's loaf is of the correct weight. This, combined with their stubborn nature and inability to
compromise, is why dwarves are so wary of each other. One view is always right, and all others always wrong.
(Note, however, that this does not mean that dwarves slavishly adhere to narrow production standards. Within the
limits established by the guilds is tremendous room for individual expression. In fact, two loaves of bread that
conform to the same guidelines may appear completely different to the uninitiated. And each guild typically has a
bewildering array of accepted standards to choose from for any specific type of item.)
Guilds are made up of the elder of each clan. Even though the guilds control the business of the clans, they may not
control the clan politically. This is left to elders who handle marriage arrangements, housing, and political dealings
with other clans. The elders are the oldest dwarves in the clan. Some may be guild masters, but this is not a
requirement. When this does occur, differences between clan and guild become even more blurred.
Clans and Society
A sick or injured dwarf will be fed and cared for by his clan. Those in good health are expected to work in order to
maintain the welfare and reputation of the clan. No dwarf would ever do otherwise.
Someone who cheats or doesn't pull his own weight earns the disapproval of his fellow clansmen. He will be warned
and pressure will be brought to bear to ensure that he does not bring the name of the clan into disrepute. If he does
not heed the warnings, he will be ostracized. An ostracized dwarf loses all benefits provided by the clan. The clan's
guild will prevent him from working and confiscate his tools if it can. If he shows a desire to mend his ways, he will
be allowed back into the clan, and the guild will lift the ban. If not, he will be left to himself and even his family will
shun him.
Loyalties
To an outsider, dwarf clans appear very complex, and the relationships between them highly convoluted, because
they are. Dwarves would not organize their lives any other way. They know where their loyalties lie: first to the
family, then to the clan, the guild, the stronghold, and then to any other strongholds to which the clan is allied.
Dwarves are a proud race and maintain their loyalties. They are willing to defend each other, often to the death. An
insult against one dwarf is considered to be an insult against all dwarves.
World View
Most dwarves choose life underground. Even after the rending of Kilnjin many dwaves look to the Earth as still
being their home. They are constantly striving for the day when they will be able to avenge the deaths of their
clansmen and families at the hands “of those that are not dwarves” as well as the Wargs and Orcs working for the
Queen. Most dwarves strive to put down the Wargs as being abominations that can’t be saved, and have an ages old
animosity with Orcs. “Those that are not Dwarves” refer to the dark skinned cousins of the dwarves that betrayed
them to the Queen. Most dwarves will attempt to kill the “those that are not Dwarves” on sight.
During the war against the queen the dwarves proved that they themselves where as hard as the stone in which they
lived in. Many of the queen’s troops took heavy losses in ever encounter with the dwarves, the only race that
compared to the Dwarves in battle where that of the elves who would form the Imperium. Dwarves have a grudging
respect for the Imperials, the destruction of Kilnjin nearly extingished the dwarves from Pendaan. Had they the
numbers they would have continued to help the elves when the other races gave up. But in crushing Kilnjin, the
Queen crushed a whole race.
Dwarven Crafts
Dwarves are expert craftsmen not out of some god-given ability, but because they serve long, exacting
apprenticeships. Dwarves traditionally serve a 25-year apprenticeship, which begins at the age of 25. To dwarves
this is part of life. "A job worth doing, is worth doing well." This attitude is deeply ingrained and explains why
dwarves love to create beautiful objects and lavish so much time on them. They seek to create that which will last
until time's end, and they have difficulty comprehending why other races consider work a chore rather than an act of
artistic expression to be savored and enjoyed. Dwarf craftsmen, because of their skills, produce weapons, armor, and
other goods more quickly than other races, yet of superior quality.
Dwarves and Humor
Dwarves are viewed as humorless, if not downright grumpy, by other races. This is a fair assessment. They do not
often tell jokes, and have no appreciation of practical jokes. Society is based on law, order, and a respect for one's
fellows. A dwarf does not abuse that respect by ridiculing another's dignity.
That's not to say that dwarves are humorless, they have a very black humor concerning their racial enemies, but their
sense of humor is very different from that of humans, for example. They do not find jokes about personal suffering
or failure funny. They do find those based upon clever stories entertaining. The problem is that dwarven jokes tend
to follow a standard narrative pattern. Because of their great length, endless genealogies, and catalogs of dwarven
concerns, it is difficult for other races to maintain any interest in them.
Wealth
The dwarven concept of wealth is different, as well. Dwarves are attracted to objects for their intrinsic beauty, not
for any commercial value. They prize fine workmanship, but know that craftsmen only augment what the earth has
provided.
Gold has the greatest significance to them, not for its value, but for its natural beauty and pliability. In the hands of a
master craftsman, gold can be heated and poured into molds, beaten with a hammer, drawn into wires, or carefully
filigreed with a chisel. Well made golden objects are treasured for workmanship and beauty. Poorly made objects
are melted down to be remade as coins or other objects.
Dwarves are aware of the scarcity of gold, and of its value. No dwarf has ever sold gold at less than its current value,
a fact that has led other races to see them as mean and avaricious.
The dwarves' passion for gold is well known, as is their love of gemstones. They love to possess these treasures of
the earth, polishing and cutting them into brilliant shapes that catch the light perfectly. Each stone is seen as a
shining example of the beauty of the earth. To those who have left their underground homes, they are reminders that
true beauty comes from within the earth.
Dwarves are well aware of the value of gems. Where others value stones by weight and scarcity, dwarves value
them according to their beauty.
Gold and gems are their greatest loves, but other metals are important to them too. Silver is easy to work and holds
its shape better than gold. Its color is not as desirable, but it has its own appeal. Copper and other metals are also
considered beautiful. While other metals are more common than gold, their comparative rarity lends them value.
Iron ore is crucial to the dwarves. With it they make weapons, armor, forges, and tools. Iron ore veins are seen as the
bones of the earth; bones bequeathed to the dwarves to be used for their own purposes. When forged with carbon,
dwarves transform iron into steel that is durable and hard without being brittle.
It is considered bad manners to flaunt accumulated wealth. Such behavior is offensive and has caused dwarves who
travel in the surface world to be deeply insulted. Wealth, particularly gems and precious metals, are for personal
delight. They should be carefully hoarded and displayed for one's closest family or cherished friends. It is a mark of
acceptance and friendship among dwarves for one to reveal his wealth. By doing so, he is not only sharing the joy of
his possessions, but is saying, "You are my friend, whom I trust not to steal from me." (The exception to this, of
course, is wealth displayed through excellent craftsmanship in utilitarian items. A beautifully crafted and gilded axe
with an inlaid gem or two is not ostentatious if it is functional. Dwarves claim this is not a subjective distinction, but
most other races find it hard to follow the reasoning.)
Other races, and elves in particular, find this attitude very strange. Humans and elves delight in the display of their
wealth, allowing others to admire its beauty. No dwarf would do such a thing. It's no surprise that dwarves are
considered mean and greedy by races who cannot understand their motivation.
Crafts
Though they would love to work exclusively with gold and gems, dwarves are a practical folk. They know that iron
and steel wear hard and are infinitely more practical as tools. Therefore they work extensively in iron and steel.
Dwarf craftsmen produce some of the finest weapons, armor, and tools in any world. These goods, because of their
quality, bring higher prices that are gladly paid for dwarven craftsmanship. All crafts necessary to ensure the
strongholds are places of beauty are also worked.
Individualism
Even though law is important, dwarves are fairly individualistic. They have personal views that they often make
known to others, in loud and boisterous tones. This proved to be a very difficult problem in the early history for the
dwarves. Most Guild or Clan Council meetings would become nothing more then shouting matchs or physical fights
with one dwarf trying to get his point across to another one, after all every dwarf thinks they are right. This led to an
ages old custom coming into the council halls called the Hammer. In one such encounter a clan elder bashed a table
to bits with a newly forged hammer trying to make a point about metal quality. This actually made the whole council
chamber take notice, and as long as he held the hammer, he was the only one talking. The Council made this a
practice for all meetings and it serves the dwarves well, even into modern times. So in council the only one ever
talking is the dwarf with “the hammer”.
Emotions
A private people, dwarves often have difficulty expressing emotion. Their society is structured to make displays of
anger, envy, jealousy, and hatred unnecessary. They are capable of harboring grudges and hatreds, but these are
usually directed outside of the stronghold.
Dwarves rarely insult or distress each other, but other races distress them greatly. Not giving them the respect they
demand, enquiring casually about wealth, or making them the butts of jokes, are guaranteed to make dwarves angry.
But this anger will normally only show itself as a scowl or a contraction of the brows. Other races have concluded,
therefore, that dwarves are humorless, not realizing that dwarves do not release their anger. They allow it to simmer
and increase until they explode, becoming their own stereotypes grumpy, taciturn, stubborn, and unyielding.
Dwarves often despair at the extremely poor manners of other races.
Isolationism
The dwarves' desire for isolation should be no surprise. However they know that such views would not allow them
to survive a war against the queen. So they have begun to rely on the outside world a bit more. They still find the
other races uncultured and boorish to deal with, but being the practical people they are they realize that it is needed
for the races’ continued survival.
Dwarven Hearths
Dwarven families are called hearths, a term which means "the place where children are born and raised." The hearth
is the basic unit of dwarf society. A clan may be composed of two to a hundred or more families, depending on its
strength.
A hearth includes grandfather and grandmother, their children, and any offspring of their children. Family members
share the same dwelling and are extremely close-knit. Unlike human or elf families, the dwarven hearth is not an
insular unit, but part of a larger clan. Hearths within a clan are united by blood, and this links the clan together,
making it more than just a collection of individual families.
A hearth has a single line of descent. Cousins, aunts, and uncles are not part of the hearth but, as members of the
clan, are close to the family.
In some ways the hearth is a convenient social organization rather than an important entity in its own right. Its
primary purpose is to create a legal and social environment into which children may be born and to provide a stable
environment in which children may be nurtured and educated in the rudiments of dwarf beliefs and conduct. At the
core of the hearth is the institution of marriage.
Marriage
Dwarves are not romantics. The vast majority of marriages are arranged by clan elders. Their main concern is to
secure the continuation of the clan by ensuring that children are properly raised. They select suitable males from
eligible candidates and ensure that the family has a warm and secure place to live.
Dwarf society is about one-third female. Dwarves are monogamous, and marriages are entered into for life. That,
along with the fact that males outnumber females about two to one, means that many males do not marry. A woman
who loses her spouse will, after a year of mourning, remarry. Grandparents play as important a role in child rearing
as do parents; elders find mates for widowed grandmothers.
Divorce does not exist in dwarf society. Couples who have grown distant from one other will continue to share the
hearth and the responsibilities of child rearing. Only death can end a marriage.
Life Cycle of the Dwarves
Dwarves reproduce very slowly compared to humans and orcs. The birth of twins is rare and triplets and quadruplets
do not occur. The majority of families have only one or two children to care for. This is seen as a virtue because it
allows them to lavish their time and care on one child, and give that child a better education than would be possible
with several.
Until the age of 10, young dwarves are cared for within the hearth. During these formative years, they learn to speak
and are taught the traditions and history of their clan and stronghold. The children socialize with others daily, often
in a special clan nursery, while their parents and grandparents are at work. In the nursery the children are taught the
rudiments of their clan's craft. Children from an armorer's clan will play with miniature suits of armor, those from a
baker's clan will play with scales and bread dough. They are allowed to follow their natural instincts and are
provided toy tools and allowed to dig tunnels and "hidey-holes" in the nursery.
At the age of 10, more formal education begins. For eight hours every day the children learn runes and local history.
Training in crafts begins with basic techniques and skills constantly drilled into them. Their education continues
until their 25th year.
Apprenticeship
On their 25th birthday, great celebrations are held to mark the coming of age. The whole clan assembles to witness
the event and join in the fun. The climax of the celebration arrives when parents deliver the youth to the clan's guild
master and apprenticeship begins. Males and females both serve the same apprenticeship, with no differentiation
based on sex.
Once the apprenticeship begins, the youth leaves his family hearth and goes to live in the apprentices' dormitories; if
apprenticed to individual craftsmen, to the craftsman's hearth. They may return home for one day a week, otherwise
they are busy learning their trade.
Dwarf apprenticeships are served for 25 years. At the end of the apprenticeship, celebrations are held to mark the
dwarf's entry into adulthood and the acceptance of adult responsibilities.
Marriageable Age
Once dwarves have attained adulthood, they are eligible for marriage. Most female dwarves are expected to marry at
this time. Females from military clans, such as Hearth Guards, frequently delay marriage until later in life. Few
young males have much hope of marrying soon, as the clan elders invariably choose suitors who have plied their
craft for at least 10 years after apprenticeship. Males, achieving adult status, will spend their time honing their skills
and amassing wealth. Those from military clans may leave their strongholds to go adventuring, in the hope of
acquiring wealth and reputation enough to enhance their chances of marriage.
Adult Life
Adult dwarves usually work 8 to 12 hours a day. Those with children are limited to 8 hours a day and are expected
to spend the rest of the time with their children. Female dwarves work the same hours until a month before they are
ready to give birth. Pregnancies are 12 months long, and tradition dictates that the month preceding the birth be
spent preparing the hearth for its new member.
After working hours, the time of unmarried dwarves is their own. For the first few hours, unmarried dwarves usually
seek their own solitude, and an opportunity to count their wealth. Then they will visit the hearths of married
relatives. Around the hearths stories are told, songs are sung, and children play. Single dwarves often congregate in
one of the clan's great halls to feast and swap stories, and to be amused by entertainers with juggling, acrobatics, and
other displays of skill. After an evening's amusement, they sleep 8 hours before rising to work.
Dwarves' Diet
Dwarves enjoy a wide variety of food, with a preference for meat. Hill, mountain, and sundered dwarves keep cattle,
goats, sheep, pigs, and fowl. These animals are grazed above ground on upland meadows or plateaus. Sundered
dwarves keep their livestock close to home, hill and mountain dwarves allow their stock to roam.
Although meat is a staple of their diet, large quantities of grains are also consumed. When possible wheat, rye and
barley are grown close to the stronghold. They are harvested and kept in underground granaries. Many who live
close to humans buy large quantities of grain to supplement their own production.
Dwarves who live in the deep earth substitute various types of fungi for grains. Like the giant lizards and beetles,
many of these fungi have been carefully bred to produce a wide variety of flavors to excite the palate. Most are very
careful about the kinds of fungi they eat.
Dwarven cooking also makes use of vegetables for flavor and variety. They do not eat spicy or heavily seasoned
food, and consequently dwarven cooking tastes bland to humans and elves, but the food is wholesome, consisting of
thick stews served on broad slices of bread. While they are not voracious eaters, few humans or elves can eat as
much as a dwarf in a single meal.
Dwarven clothing tends to be heavy, somber in color, and serviceable. Made from thick wool or spun strands of
fungi, it is designed to keep the dwarves warm in the unheated places in their strongholds. To the untrained eye,
colors are uniformly drab grays and browns. Dwarven languages have over 500 words for rock, and almost as many
to describe different rock hues. Particular shades of gray and brown reveal much about the clan and status of
dwarves, if one has the eye to see.
Boots, belts, and hats are usually made by the leather guilds of tanned leather from the hides of cattle or giant
lizards.
Half –Dwarves
Half-dwarves are the offspring of a Dwarf and a human, more often with a female human as parent. Half-dwarves
tend to resemble their human parent more than their dwarven parent. They are generally of average human height,
rarely taller than 6 feet, if ever. They tend to be of stocky build, and of copious facial hair. Males tend to feel more
comfortable with a beard or goatee. Half-Dwarves generally inherit the strength and health of their dwarven parents
as well, and often find themselves in jobs where they can use their crafting heritage, or in positions of buying and
selling goods.
Half-Dwarves are usually accepted by communities of either race. In human communities, half-dwarves are
generally treated as other humans – they resemble them so greatly. In dwarven communities, half-dwarves are often
treated as inferior – not rudely or hatefully, but usually with kindness – not unlike a physically or mentally
challenged child. Half-Dwarves in dwarven communities tend to need to prove themselves to their elders in order to
be accepted. They can, with more time and study, become nearly as great craftsmen as their dwarven fellows, but
generally cannot be as widely learned, because so much time is spent studying one craft.
Holidays
Day 1 of the Ice Moon – Chanter’s Day/Day of the New Year
-The beginning of the New Year is celebrated with a traditional chant, a chant in which the entire
settlement participates. This is a ritual that dwarven children start learning shortly after they learn to speak. This
chant last the entire day, sunrise to sunset, and is designed to echo throughout the caverns and mines.
Day 15 of the Second Cycle of the Lover’s Moon – Mid-Year’s Day
-Mid Year’s Day is marked by a large festival. Each hearth in the settlement will create a dish or entrée
that will be part of a massive potluck party that will start at sunrise and end at sunset. There will usually be games
of skill and chance, feats of strength, and so on. This is also the day on which male and female dwarven children
who have reached their twentieth naming day in the past year will celebrate the reaching of manhood or
womanhood. They are at a marriageable age after this day.
Day 14 of the Silent Moon – The Day of Mourning
-This is the day that commemorates the Destruction of Kilnjen and other dwarven settlements by the Dark
Queen and her armies. Any Dwarf that has fallen due to the war with the Queen will be mourned on this day.
Dwarves mourn by wearing grey clothes – all grey or black. Their faces are completely covered for the entire day,
and from sunrise to sunset, no mourning Dwarf will eat or drink anything. After sunset, however, the mourning
becomes a wake for every Dwarf who has fallen, either in battle or not. The wake is marked by heavy drinking and
eating.
Day 1-3 of the Harvest Moon – Celebration of the Craftsman
-The first days of Haalak’s moons are spent in celebration – a three-day party of harvesting, eating,
drinking, and fun. Like the Mid-Year’s Day celebration, there are games. Unlike the previous party, there are also
prizes for the best craftsmanship, crops, and so on. The judges actually begin deliberating on the eve of the first day,
and will not make a decision until the eve of the third day.
Day 29-31 of the Second Cycle of the Harvest Moon – Haalak’s Faire
-The last days of Haalak’s moons are spent in a similar fashion to the Celebration of the Craftsman, except
for the harvesting. A feast is prepared with a portion of the settlement’s harvest (never more than a tenth) that is
donated by all within the settlement – whether it be foodstuffs or money to purchase foodstuffs, or even crafts with
which to barter for foodstuffs. In this way, all members of the community have participated equally in providing for
the feast.
Day 31 of the Frost Moon – Day of Silence/Last Year’s Day
-The last day of the year is spent in silent contemplation. Similar to the Day of Mourning, no member of a
community will eat or drink until after sunset. They will silently contemplate the passing of the last year, and what
the coming year will bring. No work is to be done – this in the only day of the year on which every forge is cold,
every kitchen is silent, every distillery is empty. After sunset, each Dwarf will eat only one loaf of bread (usually
with meats and cheeses baked into it) and will drink only water.
Settlements/Nations
Fireforge Mountains/Ruins of Kilnjen
-The destruction of Kilnjen and the citadel therein is a reason for hatred and mourning among all dwarves
around the wurld. Some settlements still survive around the Fireforge Mountains, all within the area of Kilnjen.
Burningstone, Kiraak, and Quilaan are just three of these. Dwarves in this area particularly hold vengeance as a way
of life.
Firestar Peak
-Firestar Peak is well-known because of a meteor that struck the peak and embedded itself therein. Several
tunnels into the mountain have been excavated, but never finished. Many in the surrounding villages are afraid to
enter, because no one ever comes out. Some say that the meteor is a great source of metal for crafting weapons, but
no one is brave enough to enter the tunnels to obtain some. The seat of Clan Sundersteel is here, at the base of
Firestar Peak.
Iron Throne Empire (Shattered Islands)
-An empire of Dwarven Clans, who once prospered in the Shattered Lands until the Dark Queen's
cataclysmic Earthrending, little remained of the old kingdoms. All that is left are isolated clans and cities that have
turned to governing themselves as a loose federation of City-States. Many of these kingdoms are on separate islands
spread through out the region, so the dwarves of this area have adapted to become some of the most skilled Sailors
and Raiders in all of Pendaan. The Iron Throne Empire is nothing of its former glory, the greatest clans here are
either Raiders or Seafaring merchants. Dwarves by nature fear large bodies of water, these sea-going clans have
learned that some things one doesn’t have to like doing..they just have to do it. The most prominent clan found in
this area is Clan Stormchaser, they have the largest “merchant” fleet in the known empire.
Frostgrip Hold (Frozen North)
-Frostgrip Hold has arisen in the northern part of the tundra. Beneath the mountain range, tunnels have
been excavated to create a warm, inviting hall, rich with luxuries. The Mayor of Frostgrip Hold has made treaties
with the nearby barbarian tribes, and they allow the dwarves to transport their goods across the tundra on the Ice
Sledges to Lindernoff.
Grym Hall (Bear Crags)
-Deep beneath the Bear Crags lies the relatively young citadel of Grym Hall. The citizens of Grym Hall are
craftsmen, except for a small home guard. This is the home of Clan Forgehammer – they are able to craft virtually
without interruption.
Prominent Clans
Axegrinder
-A clan well known for their forgework with tools. They create masterwork tools for use by master
craftsmen. They are also known for their Axe-squads, groups of dwarven axemen with the singular purpose of
defeating larger and more powerful foes. Symbol – two crossed axes.
Battlesedge
-This clan is famous for one primary reason – if they ally with another clan in battle, they always demand
the vanguard. They specialize in both above- and below-ground combat styles and strategies. Many of the clan
priests are Thurgosians. Symbol – a bloodied axe.
Brewbottle
-Brewers and vintners, primarily, as well as glassblowers. Clan Brewbottle creates the wurld’s finest
dwarven spirits (though generally do not allow them to be brought above-ground – the light ruins the potency).
They are known for delicacies like mushroom ale, blackwine, and the most potent rye whiskey of all the clans.
Symbol – a bottle next to a mug.
Burninghearth
-Woodworkers, for the most part. Clan Burninghearth is known for harvesting wood (yes, they are
primarily a surface clan), mastering the working of the wood (into shields, weapon hafts, crossbows), and they are
often paired with a member of Clan Forgehammer (see below) in the most important projects of dwarven nations.
Burninghearth is the bellows-man, keeping the fire hot, and Forgehammer is the forge-man, shaping the metal.
Known for their Fire Mages. Symbol – an anvil wreathed in flame.
Clovenshield
-The only dwarven clan known to use (and proud of the fact) swords on a regular basis. Admittedly, their
swords are almost like axes – generally under 3 feet in length, and at least 3 inches wide. These blades are used with
two hands, and have enough power behind them to cleave shields – hence the clan name. Clovenshield is a
relatively young clan, having been around for less than 500 years. Many other clans refuse to admit the existence of
Clovenshield – or at least their status as a clan – because they use swords. Symbol – a ShieldCleaver – the clan’s
symbolic sword.
Darkblood
-A clan mistrusted by all others. Rumors of deals with dark dwarves and dark elves abound, but have never
been substantiated. As well, the practice of Ebonmancy and Nethermancy has been rumored to occur within clan
holdings. Symbol – a bloodied fist, dripping blood into a pool.
Deepearth
-A clan of miners and smelters. Clan Deepearth has members of the clan experienced in finding veins of
ore, as well as gems. They are said to be able to smell ores and gems, and their practice of tapping the rock walls
brought about the rumor that the stone tells them where veins and deposits are located. Symbol – a pickaxe and a
cut diamond.
Forgehammer
-The most skilled clan with respects to smithing. These dwarves start working the forges at age 5, as soon
as they can lift the lightest hammer. Forgehammer is known to craft everything (even swords for humans and
elves), although their work on axes, hammers, and maces is considered to be beyond comparison. Generally,
however, they are considered to be some of the least skilled warriors in the dwarven nations. Known for their
priests of Embranna – they keep copious records of dwarven lore. Symbol – a forge hammer in front of an anvil.
Ironfist
-Masters of close-quarters combat, Clan Ironfist is known for crafting extremely terrifying-looking (and
deadly) sets of armor. They wear spiked gauntlets in combat, and generally use shorter weapons than the other clans
(hand axes, short maces, or knives). Symbol – a spiked gauntlet formed into a fist.
Maul
-A clan practiced and specialized in the use of hammers as weapons. They are known to enter battle with a
volley of thrown hammers, before charging in with hammer and shield or a pair of hammers. They are superb
craftsmen with respects to hammers, and have been known to train non-dwarves in some of their tactics. Symbol – a
triangle, sides made up of hammers, head to pommel.
Shieldrend
-This clan refuses to use shields in battle, preferring to use two-handed axes and hammers, or paired
weapons. They make up anti-shield brigades, and the reason that they are so good at fighting against shields is that
they make the best shields in the wurld. They can see a weak point and seize upon it, even in the thick of battle.
Symbol – a fist smashing a shield.
Stonebreak
-Clan Stonebreak is known for it’s ability to excavate tunnels and mines with ease. Known also for their
master Earth Mages, Stonebreak fields brigades of tunnel hunters, dwarves specialized in clearing mines and caverns
of vermin and enemies. Symbol – a hammer amid a mine entrance.
Sundersteel
-A clan of well-known smiths. The Sundersteels are known for their forgework with respect to any
weaponry, primarily hammers and maces. Many of the family are powerful warriors, fighting with the weapons that
their clan creates. Known because of the clan’s equal worship of Haalak and Thurgos. Symbol – a warhammer
striking and shattering a sword.
Stormchaser
-A clan of warriors, shipwrights, and skilled sailors. These are the rarest of dwarves to have ever existed;
they make their living not at the forges, but upon the waterways of the Shatter Islands. They are what some would
call pirates, but to them its how they make their living. Some are honest traders, however if their standard is seen
upon the horizon most other vessels of that region flee they never know what tariff this Clan will exact for outsiders
using their waterways. Their standard is a Grey Throne with two crossed lightning bolts behind it upon a field of
burgundy.
Related Organizations
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