Dwarven Thaigs of Dharrenal

The Dwarves have a long and proud history in the continent of Dharrenal. Master smiths and builders, responsible for nearly impossible feats of engineering. Their armies, with thick mail and heavy shields, stood as both as figurative and literal wall against all manner of foes for centuries.

Unlike humans or elves, the dwarves claim no nation as their own. All of their holdings can be found under the ground, carved into the sides of mountains, their forges in the very heart of the mountains. They call these massive, nigh-impregnable fortress-cities "Thaigs".

Culture
Each thaig is independent from one another; there is no dwarf "king". They operate as city-states, with their own culture and armies, and led by a dwarf known as a Thane. The Thane is elected from a council of elders. In times of trouble, the Thanes from each hold will come together to form the Council of Thanes and elect, from among their number, a High Thane to serve as a mediator, tie-breaker, and high commander for the combined dwarven forces. No Council of Thanes has been called in nearly 500 years.

Clan & Tradition
Each thaig has its own culture, history, traditions, though each ties to the roots of dwarven culture: honor, duty, tradition, stoicism, courage, and praise to the Allhammer. The thaigs use a strict caste system, with dozens of roles from servant, to merchant, to scholar, to politician, to smith, to thane. The lowest rung are "Slag"; the castoffs who do public cleaning and other demeaning work.

The clan dominates life in the Thaig. Each Thaig is made up of dozens of clans, with a number of small families comprising each. Dwarves work hard and do all they can for the glory of their clan and their thaig, and to dismiss one's duty in pursuit of their own desires is considered extremely shameful.

Every Dwarven city has one or more clan holdings within it. Each clan typically has a clan hall, an official building where clan business is done and gatherings are held, and a clan hold, a large, communal living area with small family dwellings attached to it. In smaller cities, or where space is at a premium, these functions might all be held within the clanhold, but in larger cities, the hall is a separate, far grander structure.

Religion
Worship of the Allhammer is common. He is the patron and creator of the dwarves, and they believe he guides and protects them. He speaks to the dwarves through the stone, they say, and all dwarves carry with them a piece of stone from their home thaig. Many dwarven clerics of the Allhammer carry holy symbols carved from stone for this reason. Temples to the Allhammer bear more resemblance to massive forges and workshops than to traditional churches; the forge burns day and night, the sound of the ringing anvils and toil of the craftsmen the sweetest song to their gods' ears.

Warfare
All dwarves are taught to defend themselves, and almost all serve at least some time in the military. It is the shameful dwarf who cannot bear a weapon and wear a shirt of mail. Only very young children are excused from warfare, should it come to their doorsteps.

While there is no dwarf who ever wishes to see their loved ones in harm's way, the lands beneath the surface are filled with predators of all forms--some civilized and others little more than beasts. Because of the ever-present threats around them, battle prowess and training are an important part of dwarven upbringing.

The Five Thaigs
Once there were twelve great cities of the dwarves, found all across Dharrenal. Each flourished and prospered in trade with elves and men, and their smiths and craftsmen took on apprentices from all walks of life.

Since the Calamity War and the tumultuous centuries since, dwarven culture has been a civilization in decline. A shadow of their former selves, seven of the thaigs have fallen, taken from them by war or disease. Only five now remain.

All thaigs have two names--its dwarven name and its common name. The dwarven names are rarely used outside of dwarven society.

Kal-Khazad (Dwarvhame)
The largest and greatest of the thaigs, Kal-Khazad is also said to be the first of the great thaigs to have been created. It is the ancestral home of the dwarves, and its splendor is sung about throughout the continent. The largest remaining temple to the Allhammer in the world is found here. The forges, mines, breweries and smithies here number in the thousands. So deep does the city go that magma actually powers much of the city. The dwarves of Dwarvhame are well known for their skill in battle against giants, having developed many tactics and strategies adopted by dwarves of all walks in defense of their homes. There is a special group of giant hunters based out of the city known as the "Knee Breakers". Non-dwarves are accepted into the group, but only if invited by a senior member and only after proving their mettle.
 * Beard Style: Braided
 * Traditional Weapon: Warhammer

The Rune Guild, a dwarven school of magic, can be found here. Only dwarves are allowed to study here, though they will give the occasional bit of advice, potions, or other assistance to non-dwarves in circumstances of dire need.

A massive lift, big enough to hold three dozen dwarves and tons of weight, is fit into the central column of the city. This lift allows swift access to any level of the city within minutes. It is the pride of the city. The Great Hall, where the Council of Thanes meets in times of war and trouble, is found in the highest levels of Kal-Khazad.

The entrance to Kal-Khazad is found in the northern reaches of the Ozmit Empire, within one weeks' travel of the Vanarian border.

Kal-Glander (Glitterhame)
Glitterhame is a beautiful city, with great doors that sparkle and flash with a thousand colors. Colored torches float along the road to the city gates, and the guards that stand watch bear jewels in their shields and helms. Kal-Glander is a splendid city with mines of precious stones and gold. A wealthy thaig, the dwarves of Glitterhame are known as brilliant artisans and jewelers. The interior of the city glows a beautiful blue light and the music of the tinkerers dance along the halls. Rivers and waterfalls criss-cross through the thaig, with hundreds of high bridges connecting the various districts of the city. These waters power the various forges, foundries, and other devices throughout the city.
 * Beard Style: Forked
 * Traditional Weapon: Mattock (War Pick)

It was the dwarves in Glitterhame who dug out and paved the Gemtread Roadway to connect the Glorious Domains with the Lucain Coast. They profit off of the tolls and other fares along the road, which they keep under constant guard.

The entrance to the city can be found in the Dawnrise Mountains, along the southern border of the Ozmit Empire.

Kal-Barak (Forgehame)
The northernmost remaining thaig, Kal-Barak is renowned for the high quality metalwork it produces, notably arms and armor. The strongest steel is Dharrenal is produced here, with special pieces enchanted by the rune smiths who serve at the forge here. The city is aglow with the fires of the forge, and the heat is unbearable to outsiders. It is more spartan and simple than other thaigs, eschewing elaborate patterns or excessive details in favor of strength, durability, and utility. Art for art's sake is not especially valued by the dwarf people but this is especially true in Forgehame. The single exception seems to be their skilled brewers.
 * Beard Style: Long and Loose
 * Traditional Weapon: Battleaxe

The dwarves here are known to be brisk and no-nonsense, preferring to get to the point rather than dance around it with flowery language. They are known to be fierce in war, and the Moving Mountains--an elite unit of heavily armored dwarven soldiers--hails from Forgehame.

Forgehame has close ties to both Vanar and Slazka, and is found in the Rimecrown Mountains, also called the White Hills, which sits on the border between the two nations. The dwarves here are especially cautious of magic and hold the riders of Vanar and the beserkers of Slazka in especially high regard.

Kal-Hirod (Duskhame)
The only thaig to be found east of the Ozmit Empire, Duskhame is proud city famed for its stained glass and exquisite wines and talented cooks. The dwarves here are known for being less inclined to warfare or aggression, preferring diplomacy and negotiation. They excel as businessmen and traders, and they are largely responsible for maintaining the many trade roads throughout the Eastern Plains.
 * Beard Style: Full Mutton Chops
 * Traditional Weapon: Spear

The best dwarven artisans can be found here, and their glass is always in high demand across the continent. They have taken rather well to Airships, as well, and many dwarves found to be working on board such a vehicle is often from Kal-Hirod.

Their remote location means that they wield considerably less influence than the other four remaining thaigs. They are no less wealthy or capable of defending themselves, however, and many adventurers hail from this city in the hopes earning renown for their people. They are constructing an Airport, which they hope will increase their influence across Dharrenal.

The entrance to Duskhame is found in the shadow of Mount Valkyrie; a lonely peak in the south-eastern Eastern Plains.

Kal-Groht (Delvinghame)
Home to great miners and masons, the city is known for its quarries and fine sculptures and even weapons made of stone. The old Golem Guard--a team of golems used to battle the Demon Prince--was founded here. The art of golemcrafting is lost, but they have never forgotten their contribution.
 * Beard Style: Chinstrap
 * Traditional Weapon: Greatsword

The thaig hosts a yearly cooking contest called the "Master of the Food Forge". Cooks from around the world attend the contest in the hopes of attaining the highest honor of being crowned the Iron Chef.

The entrance can be found in the west, in the Blue Mountains in Polczek. The peaks of the city overlook the sea to the west.

The Lost Thaigs
The Seven Lost Thaigs are sore spot for many dwarves, who resent and gnash their teeth at such "stains upon their honor". They don't just suffer these events as tragedies and losses for the dwarves of these cities, but as affronts and losses for the entire dwarven race.

Many dwarves have long desired to return to these lost cities, to reclaim the treasures, knowledge, and glory that has been torn from them. To date, no such expedition has ever been successful.

For purposes of the following information, please note that the current year in-game is 802 AC (After Calamity; marking years since the end of the Calamity War against the demon prince).

Kal-Aelin (Treasurehame)
Kal-Aelin is said to have been a splendid city, overflowing with gold, jewels and other riches. It was once one of the wealthiest of the dwarven cities and one of the most influential, third only to Kal-Khazad and Kal-Isana (see below). Unlike many of the lost thaigs, it actually managed to survive the Calamity War, and continued to grow in aspirations over the next several centuries. However, the city soon caught the eye of Netheril--an ancient red dragon of unmatched power. The dragon descended on Kal-Aelin like a storm and after only a day the city was his.
 * Date Lost: 617 AC
 * Ancestral Weapon: Flail

The survivors, which did not number many, fled further south into Vanar, seeking refuge in human cities in those snow covered hills.

Netheril lives there to this day. Tribes of kobolds and dragon cultists have gathered in the foot hills around the mountain, making the entire region dangerous and unstable.

Kal-Dunglor (Boathame) A city of shipwrights and sailor-merchants. Called "saltbeards" among their bretheren, Kal-Dunglor is the only thaig to exist primarily on the surface (only religious institutions and the tombs can be found underground). The city had stout walls with large ballista affixed to them.
 * Date Lost: 41 AC
 * Ancestral Weapon: Trident

The navy of Kal-Dunglor was famed, with the famed dwarven captain Olag Saltswell having defeated a blue dragon *and* kraken during the Calamity War.

While Kal-Dunglor would survive the Calamity War, it was devastated and never recovered. A fleet of pirates and orcs sailed to the city's gates and after a lengthy siege, sacked the city. Dwarven survivors would be welcomed in the Lucain Coast. While an attempt was made to recapture the city, they never managed to do so.

Today, it is still a filthy haven of orcs and raiders.

Kal-Parlyn (Weavehame)
Located in the Wyrajan of antiquity, the city was known for its grand, artistic beauty. Wreaths of ribbon and flowers and garlands were hung across the canyons and from the gates, and large statues of dwarven heroes could be found throughout the hills. It was most notable for its textiles, fabrics, and fine clothing. Dwarven silk was among the finest to be found anywhere in Dharrenal. Such garments can fetch upwards of 10,000 gold pieces today if you find the right buyer.
 * Date Lost: Calamity War
 * Ancestral Weapon: Mace

The city was the first thaig lost during the Calamity War. It was in Wyrajan that the demon prince first arrived in our plane, and the city's mountains collapsed in on itself, burying the thousands of dwarves who lived there. Buried and lost, the dwarves turned desperate and dug deeper, deeper to escape the demons.

Today, they are called duergar. While found primarily in Nyavka, their sickness has spread throughout Dharrenal, using secret tunnels through an almost alien world the duergar call the "Underdark".

No dwarf has returned to Kal-Parlyn since its fall, but it was this destruction that ignited the passions of so many dwarves to take up arms against the demons.

Kal-Gwah (Salthame)
Kal-Gwah was known for its deep salt mines, and the "Dark Gallery"; an art exhibition hall completely sealed from light, visible only to those with darkvision. The otherworldly beauty of these works is unable to be described with words, according to one elvish scholar who saw them for himself.
 * Date Lost: Calamity War
 * Ancestral Weapon: Longsword

It was the only thaig not to join the effort against the Demon Prince. Despite this, it was still lost early in the Calamity War.

Curiously, little information on Kal-Gwah survives today, outside of the travel logs of the aforementioned elven scholar.

Kal-Xoth (City of Secrets)
Kal-Xoth is known as the City of Secrets; a thaig whose efforts were turned almost entirely toward research, magic, and scholarly pursuits. Their libraries ran as deep as any dwarven mine.
 * Date Lost: Calamity War
 * Ancestral Weapon: Quarterstaff

The city was besieged by the Demon Prince and while they admirably held their ground for weeks, they eventually fell and the city was lost. And by lost, I mean nobody knows where it went.

In the last days of the siege, the elders performed an unknown ritual that caused the entire city--and part of the mountain itself--to disappear entirely. Nobody knows where it is now.

Kal-Urtok (Drakenhame)
Once known as a city of dragon hunters, Kal-Urtok was the only thaig to be on good terms with the elves. The dwarves of Kal-Urtok were known to be quite skilled with their "Steelbows"; powerful bows made of dwarven steel, whose secrets are lost now.
 * Date Lost: Calamity War
 * Ancestral Weapon: Longbow

The city was said to have been carved from the innards of a dragon and while this is unlikely, there is evidence to suggest that it was a dragon's lair that the dwarves expanded, and dragon bone weapons and dragon scale armor were used by the thanes and other elder families. It was the youngest of the thaigs.

Kal-Urtok was lost during the Calamity War, brought down by the Demon Prince's host. It is currently ruled by a Fire Giant jarl known as Brondrr.

Kal-Isana (The Mithral Hall)
Kal-Isana was more beautiful, more awe-inspiring, even grander than Kal-Khazad. Indeed, its wealth was coveted across the continent. It was here, and only here, that the rare metal Mithral was mined and crafted, and the splendor of the dwarves of Kal-Isana was known the world over. It was also the home of the largest temple to the Allhammer in the world. In the spring of 258 AC, the city was besieged by a vile entity known as the Lich King, who brought a host of undead with him. The city defended but after two years, with their own lost dwarves added to the zombie hordes, the Lich King sacked the city. Few escaped.
 * Date Lost: 260 AC
 * Ancestral Weapon: Greataxe

Kal-Isana is now called the City of Bones or the Howling Mines by most, and it is this loss that angers the dwarves the most.