Dwarf/Giant conflict. Construction of the Jotunstag

Construction beginning/end

After bloodshed between dwarf and giant populations, ancient dwarfs begin initial construction of the first Jotunstag at Jernstein pass.

The early dwarves had enjoyed a relative peace with the Sinistrian giant populations for thousands of years. Both races had, for the most part, resided in the relative safety of the turnwise area of the continent, sheltered from the dangers of The Ferostran Vales by the mountains of the Skulder Range.   Nomadic by nature, the giants had tolerated the dwarves' presence, enjoying a relatively symbiotic relationship in the harsh wildernesses of the untamed continent. As the dwarven culture developed, their affinity for construction and physical manipulation of the material world around them became increasingly prevalent.   Among the nomadic giants, factions developed. The majority of giants saw dwarven construction and expansion as a dangerous perversion of nature, though it has been suggested that other factions valued the kinship of the two races over such cultural differences.   Similar rifts grew among the dwarven communities. Some sought a peaceful resolution, others, for reasons of both prejudice and protectionism, sought a more violent solution.   The next few thousand years were marred by conflict after conflict. The bulk of the hostile giant population was centred around the far Turnwise peninsula now known as Kolosskopf, and the majority of dwarven population in Zwergenbereich, south of the region now known as Riesenstecker.   Eventually, after a period of greater bloodshed, the dwarves decided that a fortification was necessary to ensure their survival. At Jernstein, the mountainous pass of the Jerntopp range between Kolloskopf and the fields of Riesenstecker, the dwarves began construction of the foundation of the Jotunstag, a defensive fortification that would continue to be developed for millennia. It is said that this act of creation was the first true formalisation of the widespread influence of Moradin, and though some earlier religious sites exist, the Jotunstag remains a central part of the religion of Moradin’s mythology, and is considered a sacred site across the disc to his followers.   Ancient Dwarven religious texts say that the Dwarven god of creation himself aided in its construction, taking the form of a lowly unnamed labourer, working tirelessly, side by side with the early dwarves who preached his worship, sharing in their successes, mourning their failures, and toasting a hard days work each evening in the drinking halls at the foot of the fortress. This is seen as symbolic of the importance of respect of ones peers, and how honest, hard work is beneath no one. While other gods appeared upon glorious shining steeds with wings of starlight, Moradin chose to walk among the commoners with dirtied clothes and calloused hands. He could have been anyone, so in the eyes of his followers, Moradin is within anyone and everyone who works to create; indeed even by the act of creation, we are celebrating Moradin. This also serves as a reminder that in the most worthy acts of creation: those to protect, to nurture, or to reinforce, for the betterment of others, we might often find that Moradin is working with us, unseen.   With the construction of the Jotunstag, the Jernstein pass was sealed. Cut off from the bulk of their kindred behind the Jotunstag, most of the remaining giants Widdershins of the Jerntopp mountains were driven out of Riesentecker, some fleeing to seek refuge among the mountains of the Skulder Range, settling in Varmbad, others heading further out into the wilds of the Ferostran Vales.   As Giants had always been primarily nomadic, individual tribes were typically relatively insular with little interbreeding between ethnic groups, eventually lead to distinct subraces (Hill Giants, Stone Giants, Ettin etc). Typically the Widdershins subraces of giants, who for the last few hundred millenia had lived alongside dwarves, were more adapted to life amongst smaller folk, and had decreased considerably in size when compared to their kin in Kollosskopf. These groups eventually gave rise to what are commonly referred to as 'half-giant' races, i.e. Goliaths and Firbolgs.