Classes[]
The Dwarves are an orderly people that willingly allow themselves to be assigned to a specific class of peoples based on their talents. Differing from class systems on the surface, most Dwarves are happy to find their purpose in life and fulfill it, and the wealth and privileges of the individual Dwarven classes are often limited to reasonable accommodation for their varying duties. No Dwarf is viewed as below another because of class.
Rìgh[]
Rìgh is the noble class, though the Dwarven definition of Noble differs significantly from the surface. These are skilled Priests, diplomats, accountants and political representatives that make up the backbone of Dwarven leadership. While typically granted extra privileges for their often difficult and time-consuming duties, they are not to be considered rich in and of themselves, and very few have accumulated vast personal wealth. Valin Runesorrow was once a member of this class before being excommunicated in Northern Year 709.
Garradh[]
The Garradh, translating to "Axe of the Mountain", are the warrior class of the Dwarves. They serve as soldiers, guards, and mercenaries. Commonly called "Shortbeards" by the races of the surface, the Garradh keep their facial hair trimmed short to be less of a burden in combat. They often take on mercenary contracts to bring wealth from the surface back home, as well as escorting trading caravans safely to their destinations and back. Manny Morol is a member of the Garradh, and one of its chief officers.
Ceàrdach[]
The Ceàrdach are the worker class, consisting of miners, smiths, bakers, janitors, farmers, and any other typical labor. They are treated well by the other classes, as it is well recognized in Dwarven culture that they are the heart and soul of their society. Karlin Forgemaster is a the leader of the Ceàrdach.
Cities[]
Dol Marad[]
Dol Marad is the Dwarven Capital city and the only entrance to the Empire of the Golden River's territory. It is laid out in a giant circle with many passages within, quarried into sheer walls and dotted with numerous homes and shops, each carved into the rock of the mountain that the city is built into.
Vel's Bridge[]
Vel's Bridge was originally built as the home and barrack city of the Garradh, a safe haven for those who took on mercenary contracts above the surface. It is named for it's founder, Vel Axeheaver, and the massive bridge that he and his kin constructed over several kilometers of an underground chasm. As of Northern Year 715, Vel's Bridge is a command center for the Garradh, though its civilian population has grown immensely to support the needs of the soldier class.
Runegate[]
Runegate is home to the shrine of Tearlach, an massive forge complex that each Dwarf must make a pilgrimage to within their 23rd year of life. Hundreds of individual furnaces are laid out in a spiral pattern around a single, colossal forge, at which vast amounts of molten metal are kept safely in liquid form for dispensing when needed. This complex is the only place that Nasgadh may be made. After beholding the sacred forges, the Dwarven pilgrims to this city are assigned their class and sent the proper location for service. Runegate is also where Dwarven machinery was invented; the creators took inspiration from powerful steam vents that lie in an underground ocean far beneath the city, forging steam-powered machinery that can mine and perform other practical work. Runegate is home to the leaders of the Ceàrdach.
Tìoram-Bas[]
Translating to "Dry Death", Tìoram-bas is a large outpost lying under the sands of the Kal'Asra Desert, in the Ahar'Tarim region of the Solvari Empire. Little is known about this outpost, but there are numerous rumors of a magnificent underground city of ornate buildings that are topped with onion domes. This city, as the rumors tell, was not built by the Dwarves, but found by them decades ago. It is unknown whether they have moved to colonize the area.
Tunnels[]
The Dwarven cities are connected via a system of large tunnels. Many of these are civilized and guarded, with powered rail systems for the purpose of travel and hauling freight. Others, though, are hardly explored, left to the darkness until their time to be conquered has come.