Mountain Dwarves of Ellios

Deep under the Petriote Mountains, the Mountain Dwarves find themselves in constant war with the Oshakan Samurai above.  Deep under the snow and rock and stone, the proud dwarves bow to the Twin Thrones through their proud history.  But now, as the thrones sit empty, the dwarves instead bow to violence, war, and the ever-growing wealth. 
The Mountain Dwarves find strength and pride in their continuous Honor War waged against the humans.  The humans are seen to have no honor in the eyes of the dwarves.  The ancient power of the dwarves has built a powerful military force, funded by dwarven gems and golds as well as prideful warmongering.  
With the longstanding violence known to be growing worse and worse in the recent years, there is no way to know how the war will ever be able to end.  Will the Oshakans crush the Under Palace?  Will the dwarves rise up and crush the human Samurai?  Will the two Kings Under the Mountain ever be reincarnated?


The mountainous southern country of Ellios is also home to the Mountain Dwarves with home the Oshakans are often at war.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Dwarvish Clan names carry high importance in the Mountain Dwarf society.

Dwarvish Clan names are often times two syllables, some examples include:
Onyxforged, Battledelver, Noblestron, Gorrune, Snowbuckle, Warmtorn, Oakenbuckler, Shantordrek, Wyvernbrack, Gravelbustre, Drookenbar

Culture

Common Etiquette rules

Dwarves- particularly Mountain Dwarves- are known for their rude demeanor while also being very respectful and honorable.  They have a tendency to be loud drunks with poor table manners.  But to fellow dwarves, enjoying food and drink loudly is the most respectful way to dine.  Those with money, power, and intelligence expect to be respected by others, awarding honor and respect to those with more power than them as well.  
The great and proud Mountain Dwarves believe in honor far more than an outsider to their culture may believe.  An insult is expected to be met with a sincere apology.  If there is no apology, the punishments could be aggressive.

Art & Architecture

"Is it made of stone?" -Flint

Beautifully carved and fantastically grand, Mountain Dwarf architecture is known for its hard angles and sharp turns carved into natural stone. The underground caverns of Mountain Dwarves rarely lack detail and carved fixtures. The Under Palace and chamber of the Twin Thrones are known to be the most beautiful examples of Mountain Dwarf architecture.
Although more conventional artforms are present in Ellios, forging is the main celebrated artform in the culture. Most dwarves are expected to have some knowledge and talent in forging and blacksmithing. Most dwarves carry weapons or armor they forged themselves. Particularly ugly or poorly forged items may be worn or carried by proud parents, showing off their child's first attempt at the dwarven art.
Theatre and sport are also popular aspects found under the Petriote Mountains. Gladiatorial combat competitions as well as gladiatorial reenactments of great battels of history are often popular events for dwarves across the country.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Princes

Viewed as equal and opposites, the Fire and Ice Princes are expected to rule together as a way to provide completely fair justice and law over their kingdom. Though titled as Princes, they are considered the Kings Under the Mountains.
The two princes can be born to any clans among the Mountain Dwarves. After the death of the previous princes, any twins born into any clans around sought out and evaluated by a Dwarvish Magician to see if they contain the elemental sparks that will give them their unique abilities.
Without a true set of princes, the government of Ellios is perceived to be in extreme disarray. Few dwarves are happy with the political situation in the clan hierarchy.

The last Dwarvish Magician and adviser was Havron Elenjaw. He is assumed to have died with the Princes Reteros and Illiac.

Major organizations

Strowrdrek Clan

One of the strongest families in Ellios, the Strowrdrek Clan came to power after no princes could be found. The Strowrdrek Clan owns vast mines rich with gems and precious metals and are one of the main contributors to the war effort against the Oshakans. But after the Strowrdrek patriarch took the role as a steward of the Twin Thrones, the rumors of their involvement with the opposing Oshakans began to grow steadily, leading to more and more civil unrest in the clans.

Fire and Ice Princes

The two Kings of the Mountain Dwarves are chosen at random by unseen forces. Are they messengers of the gods or magical time bombs? Garnishing respect for many generations of dwarves, the two princes rule together as equal and balanced halves. It is assumed that one cannot exist or rule without the other.

The Ellioan Mountain Dwarves are based on the real world cultures that often influence fantasy dwarves: mainly Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, and German.  Scottish is the main contributor while Irish is more reserved for Gnomish culture.  Norwegian or Ancient Viking culture and German also contributed to naming and other small aspects.

Related Organizations

• Ellios