Kingdom of Rhyk-Durgen

Grumvâlnur-Khazûn - The Birthplace of the Dwarves

The region of Northern Astiria is the birthplace of many cultures and species that inhabit the world of Varda. Amongst this number is the Dwarves, and their history can be traced back thousands of years to the region. The mountain range of Grumvâldûr is named for them, and is the ancient birthplace of all that is Dwarven. To this day, Dwarves still live in the mountains, in the Kingdom of Rhyk-Durgen.
Covering approximately 70,000 quare miles, Rhyk-Durgen covers most of the northern part of the mountainous region. Vast towns and cities extend across the peaks, many having been dug deep into the earth.
To the north is the The Kingdom of Arden, who have remained and staunch ally of Rhyk-Durgen for centuries. To the west and south is the Akriteru Desert, a vast wasteland of sand that none dare travel. The Orcish Tribelands can be found to the north-east, and many wars and skirmishes against the Greenskin' have continued to threaten the Dwarven kingdom. To the east is the region known as the Astirian Wilderness, an untamed landscape full of dangerous creatures and wandering nomads. Being nestled between all of these locations, the Dwarves of Rhyk-Durgen are never far from outside threats, but their secure mountainous fortresses ensure their continued existence in a harsh world.

History and Formation

Founded around the year 700 BA (Before Arden), it was a great Dwarven hero known as Durgen Stoneheart who united the fractured Dwarven clans. The early days of the Kingdom would focus on rebuilding and retaking the lost cities of the Old Dwarvish Kingdom. Many opportunistic outsiders and creatures had taken control of vast swathes of the old Dwarven halls, and would need to be dealt with before the glory of the Dwarves returned.
Several successful campaigns to liberate Dwarven towns and cities were achieved over centuries, each time defensive fortifications being rebuilt and put in place to ensure ongoing security. The Dwarves began to thrive once again under the Grumvâldûr mountains.
With the Kingdom becoming more secure and self-reliant, it was not long before the true power would come back to Rhyk-Durgen in the form all true Dwarves knew: mining. Jewels an metals began to flow outwards, and technological advances began to produce metal-craft envied by the world. Great amounts of mithril ore were found, and Rhyk-Durgen prospered. This still lasts to the current day, with Dwarven-forged weapons and armour being sought after across Varda.

Government Structure

Rhyk-Durgen has a long-lasting constitutional monarchy, and is led by a high king or queen. The king or queen has ultimate authority, but is also bound by ancient traditions and laws. Alongside the reigning monarch is the Council of Elders, an advisory body that represents the major Dwarven clans and guilds. These will have a region of the kingdom they are responsible for; from villages and farmlands in the valleys, towns scattered throughout the mountains, or a district of one of the cities.
The Council has significant power in regards to laws and legislation, and while the monarch has final say, decisions are typically made with a degree of consultation. They also have the power to keep the royalty in check, being able to veto decisions and manage can disputes. This is to ensure that no individual clan can wield too much power an abuse it. This enforces a degree of cooperation and unity in the kingdom, with each of the clans having a say in the ruling of Rhyk-Durgen.

Religion

Rhyk-Durgen has strong ties to the Dwarvish Pantheon, and the influence of the gods and goddesses can be found throughout their culture. Differing Clans sometimes favour a particular deity over others, with some ancient stories that ties the bloodline to their patron.
Temples can be found throughout the kingdom, and a loose hierarchy for following the religion is present. Priests, clerics, sages and devotees are all titles scattered throughout Rhyk-Durgen. Temples tend to differ with these titles and what the hierarchy is, but having a strict structure is an afterthought, with devotion to the Dwarven gods being worth more than devotion to a church.
Religious festivals are common throughout Rhyk-Durgen, each one tying itself to a particular god or goddess or sometimes a selection of them. These loosely relate to important events in history, especially in regards to mining or crafting, but some follow the changing of seasons.

Societal Structure

Society in Rhyk-Durgen is centred around Clans and Guilds. Family comes first, and a deep respect for ancestral lineages and tradition has rooted itself throughout Dwarven culture. Clans and families will pass down skills and techniques amongst themselves, leading to many Clan names being tied to a particular trade.
Guilds play a central role in more than just the economic power in Rhyk-Durgen, with families often being tied to a Guild through their trade. These Guilds will often be governed by the Heads of families, and are responsible ensuring quality of goods a well as living conditions for its members. Economic status of individuals is often tied to craftsmanship or mining success, although political and religious leadership also holds a prestigious place as well.
Military service is an expectation for both male and female Dwarves. Serving in the defence of the kingdom is seen as a high honour, and at some point in their long life, a Dwarf of Rhyk-Durgen will spend a number of years serving to ensure the safety of their mountain realm.
Disagreements can be common amongst the stubborn Dwarves, and Rhyk-Durgen is no different. If a common ground proves hard to find, the matter is settled another way. Valuing honour, tradition and skill as they do, this is often a competition of sorts, usually related to the disagreement. Crafting or feats of strength are common, but sometimes a Zarak-Gûl or “Honour duel” will take place to decide who is in the right.

Economy

Like most Dwarven countries, Rhyk-Durgen has an economy with mining and smithing at its heart. The Grumvâldûr mountains are rich in ores and precious jewels, which are managed with strict laws and regulations set by the monarchy. Management of these resources is crucial to ensure the kingdom endures for generations.
The Guilds of Rhyk-Durgen are central to both culture and the economy. Each will specialise in a different craft or trade; mining, smithing, stone working, gem-cutting and engineering are some examples of these. Membership to a guild is highly valued, and apprenticeships are particularly important so that knowledge is passed on and preserved. The Guilds have a degree of independence to how hey run, and will set their own wages and standards, as well as recruitment and training.
Not all Guilds are focused on what can be extracted from the earth, and a significant amount are dedicated to ensuring the population of Rhyk-Durgen are well fed. The harsh climates both on and under the mountains have led to a unique cuisine in Dwarven culture. Vast underground farms dedicated to mushrooms and other edible fungi are common, as well as fisheries specially made to provide a constant supply of aquatic farms. Goats and sheep can be found on the slopes of valleys, as well as terraced farms for the productive of hardier vegetables and crops such as potatoes, turnips and even barley and rye. The Dwarves of Rhyk-Durgen also have advanced preservation techniques for food stores deep underground, but these are closely guarded secrets.
Another chief pillar of Dwarven economy, one which is exported across Varda, is the production of Dwarven ale. Ale has cultural significance to the Dwarves of Rhyk-Durgen, with many feasts and festivals incorporating it into ceremonies and dedications to the Dwarvish Pantheon. A tradition of reciting sagas and tales of the past is common-place over a mug of ale. One of the highlights of each year is the Great Beer Festival hosted over a number of days. Dwarves from all over the kingdom participate to try the latest brews, and competitions are held to name the “Royal Brew” each year.

Founding Date

~700 BA

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Demonym

Rhykdurians

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Economic System

Mixed economy

Currency

Khuzarik - coins made of gold and silver
Mithril Bars - Used for lager transactions

Official State Religion

The Dwarvish Pantheon

Location

Northern Astiria

Official Languages

• Dwarvish

Neighboring Nations

• The Kingdom of Arden

Related Species

• Dwarves