The Iron Guard
All dwarves are able to fight, most training with their clans even before the age of adulthood. Fathers and mothers give toy axes and hammers to their children soon after they are old enough to walk, and clan members spar and engage in mock battles with their children from then on. On adulthood however, many dwarves (about 20%) of Ironspur choose to apply for membership in the Iron Guard. Iron Guards are responsible for the security of the Mountain, both in and out. They function as law enforcement in peacetime and defend the mountain when war raises its banner.
The Shield Arms
Originally created over 15 centuries ago by King Kelder, the Iron Guard form the backbone of the dwarven army. Each of the original 100 Iron Guardsmen were hand-picked from among Kelder's most trusted defenders during a civil war, and they proved extraordinarily faithful.
Time and again, Kelder's foes attempted to depose him — at one point a large portion of the regular dwarven army even stood against the king. Outnumbered, his supporters were forced to give ground, and finally fell back on the fortified royal quarters. At last, Kelder decided to surrender rather than shed any more dwarven blood. Legend has it that, on the eve of his surrender, Clangeddin visited Kelder in a dream and whispered into his ear.
When Kelder awoke, he called his twenty most loyal defenders, asking that each swear upon their honor to guard him to the last. All twenty did as the king asked, but one of their number, Brenge, was secretly loyal to the rebels and swore falsely.
During the ensuing battle, the Shield Arms proved invincible. Time and again, the enemy came against them, and time and again they were driven back. Of the Arms, only Brenge fell. The survivors held their ground for two entire days, neither eating nor sleeping.
At the end of the second day, decimated and disheartened, the rebels withdrew and, soon after, sent Kelder word of their capitulation. The nineteen surviving Arms were completely unwounded, though their axes were notched, their shields destroyed and their armor rent by hundreds of blows.
Since that day, the Shield Arms has defended the Iron Lord of Ironspur with their hearts, souls, and lives, and their bravery has become legendary under the mountain and beyond.
The Stone Guard
Iron is strong, iron is sharp, iron is powerful. Yet, iron can be bent, dulled, and weakened. Iron can be reforged to work against its wielder. Stone serves its master or shatters.
Ancient Dwarven Proverb
In the months following the insurrection against King Kelder, the surviving Shield Arms were the heroes of the dwarven nation. Within a year, their ranks had doubled, with at least twice as many dwarves from through- out dwarven lands applied for membership.
One hundred and thirty nine years later, the Shield Arms were still considered the elite of the elite, but since only so many guards could be appointed, Hroth the Judge, upon his coronation as king, made his first official act the creation of the Stone Guard.
Made up of worthy dwarves from across the realm who do not qualify as Shield Arms, the members of the Stone Guard actively search out and destroy threats to Ironspur's security. The Stone Guard led the foray against the gorgon Masetex, and were the last to fall alongside King Dragh. And it was the Stone Guard whose surprise attack helped to drive the Witch-King's army from the very gates of Ironspur.
Selected only from dwarves of the Iron Guard, the Stone Guards are encountered often outside of Ironspur. Whenever they are encountered, know that they are on a mission for Ironspur and will not stop until they succeed or are killed in the attempt. A Stone Guard is the exemplar of a dwarven warrior; all others look up to these incredible dwarves.
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