Dwhewn-Narâg
Ervenian Era, 1051 AB
Dwhewn-Narâg, meaning the Dwarves of the Grudge, presumably called so after Karkûn Narâg that they hold dear;
Those dwarves do hold their oaths most seriously and are acting on some kind of personal code of honor and grudges, oath-swearing; Like many Mountain Dwarves, they are usually private;
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
They have names that sound resilient and sharp, often ending in vowels but backed by hard consonants: Thraala, Hinna, Ramia, Dwelda, Karnia.
Masculine names
They have names that are strong, percussive sounds that echo through stone halls such as: Thror, Karkin, Fundar, Barad, Narag, Gylev.
Unisex names
Often given to Artisans or those dedicated to the Morndinsamman, they have names that include: Rune, Scribe, Vow, Echo, Merit.
Family names
Surnames are either ancestral or "Grudge-Names" taken after a significant historical event. Such as: Iron-Scribe, Stone-Vow, Red-Hammer, Deep-Axe, Bane-Finder.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
They speak Khaz-Narâg, a dialect of Dwarvish heavy with legalistic terms and harsh, percussive consonants. In social settings, common etiquette requires addressing any Dwarven Defender as Abir. Failing to recognize a dwarf's caste or rank is considered a minor grudge that requires immediate verbal apology.
Culture and cultural heritage
They have a caste system that determine the opportunities that they encounter during their lives;
A child inherits their caste from their same-sex parent. This means a son inherits his father's caste, while a daughter inherits her mother's. In mixed-caste marriages, the family typically aligns with the higher-caste parent. In the past, well before Anvil's Orchestra, when dwarves birth rates were low, female dwarves often sought partners from higher castes to improve their social standing. This practice, while potentially controversial, was generally accepted within the society - but is less and less common since ; A Dwarf can transcend the caste system by becoming sponsored by the King Under the Mountains. This elevation not only benefits the dwarf itself but also their entire family. Additionally, the assembly of noble houses may elevate a Dwarf to a higher caste as a reward for significant accomplishments. Despite the importance of caste, there's internal rivalry within and between castes. For instance, high-ranking Smiths may consider themselves superior to Warriors.
Aritsans, cannot demote or promote themselves to any caste; They have to wait 3 generations and the tests should be appropriate for their sons/daughters and grandsons/granddaughters before they can belong to other caste;
The Caste System
All Dwhewen-Narâg are born into predetermined social classes that dictate their life paths and societal standing.A child inherits their caste from their same-sex parent. This means a son inherits his father's caste, while a daughter inherits her mother's. In mixed-caste marriages, the family typically aligns with the higher-caste parent. In the past, well before Anvil's Orchestra, when dwarves birth rates were low, female dwarves often sought partners from higher castes to improve their social standing. This practice, while potentially controversial, was generally accepted within the society - but is less and less common since ; A Dwarf can transcend the caste system by becoming sponsored by the King Under the Mountains. This elevation not only benefits the dwarf itself but also their entire family. Additionally, the assembly of noble houses may elevate a Dwarf to a higher caste as a reward for significant accomplishments. Despite the importance of caste, there's internal rivalry within and between castes. For instance, high-ranking Smiths may consider themselves superior to Warriors.
The Artisan Distiniction
In every Caste, there are Artisans; For instance in the Smith Caste: The Artisan Distiniction refines and decorates crafted goods. Smiths are responsible for manufacturing the diverse products needed by all castes. Artisans, therefore, are the artistic expression of dwarven society.Aritsans, cannot demote or promote themselves to any caste; They have to wait 3 generations and the tests should be appropriate for their sons/daughters and grandsons/granddaughters before they can belong to other caste;
The Noble Caste
The Noble caste is comprised of numerous houses, many founded by adventurers; However, some were established by high-caste dwarves, often from the warrior, priests or smith castes.Monarch under the Mountain
The King or Queen of the Mountains, together with their Royal House, occupies the apex of the dwarven social structure. They are considered the preeminent noble House and usually the position is hereditary and can be transferred to another house by a popular vote of 75% of the assembly (detailed below).The Assembly of Noble Houses
Members of the Assembly are known as Karnath, though some derisively refer to them as "Mountain Lords". During the events of the Kadian Invasion of Rakion, the Assembly is composed of 242 Karnath from the most influential noble houses in the empire. The right of a noble house to claim a vote in the Assembly is predicated on that house having a Karnath, a general. Therefore, the number of Assembly members can fluctuate. Any caste other than the noble caste is not represented in the Assembly. A Karnath is essentially a lord of the assembly. Becoming a Karnath requires a vacancy, typically caused by death or resignation. An existing member nominates a candidate, who must then secure the approval of one-third of the Assembly. The Karnaths themselves, serve in their positions for life, unless they are dismissed or succeeded. While the King Under the Mountains. is technically the supreme military leader of Dora-Nil, in reality, their authority is limited to the warriors of their own house. To increase their military might, the Mountain King can appoint High Generals from other noble houses, gaining access to their warriors as well.The Priest Caste
The Priest class of Dora-Nil, is only loyal to the Morndinsamman and every house of the nobles, try to align themselves with one god of the Morndinsamman; However, in the lower castes, it is much more diverse. They can conduct The Trial of Will and Duty and therefore, of extreme significance to the caste systems.The Warrior Caste
Warrior houses are intrinsically linked to noble houses, with their status and prestige mirroring that of their patron. The most elite Warriors serve the royal house, enjoying privileged access to the finest weaponry and armor. The rise and fall of royal houses directly impacts the fortunes of their associated Warrior houses.The Warrior caste is a pivotal force within the complex Dwhewn-Narâg, fulfilling numerous roles and commanding significant influence. As one of the most populous castes, Warriors are essential to Dora-Nil's security, a responsibility that often comes at a high cost. Their lives are marked by rigorous training and early marriage, reflecting the harsh realities of their existence. Despite the sacrifices, Warriors find honor and purpose in their service. Women play a vital role within the Warrior caste, serving not only as fighters but also as mothers. There are ways for many to become warriors within the castes but the most popular one is through The Trial of Will and Duty; The Warrior caste is further divided into specialized sub-castes: Officers, Soldiers and Guardsmen; Warrior houses, often designated by the Assembly, are entrusted with the planning and execution of expeditions into various levels of the Underdark. These houses appoint officers from among the Warriors sworn to them to lead these perilous missions. A select few high-ranking Warriors may attain the honor of knighthood, addressed as Abir, which best translates to "Ser" in Khuzdul; Therfeore, every Dwarven Defender, is automatically called "Abir". A few more honored champions, are the battleragers, while not Abirs, they are terrible for their wrath, almost taking a pilgrimage to learn types of rages of different cultures, where they utilize their ways and bring it into Dora-Nil.
The Smith Caste
The Smith caste is responsible for manufacturing essential goods, tems like armor, weapons, and tools. The Artisans add ornamental details to the Smith's creations; They provide the esstenial tools for warriors, miners, farmers; Artisan Smiths are sometimes skilled in Runecrafting. While many aspects of Smith life are strictly regulated, there seems to be flexibility regarding personal trade. Smiths compete with each other to showcase their skills and craftsmanship. These competitions produce impressive displays of weaponry and armor that are highly sought after by other Dwarves. Weaponsmiths and armorers are particularly esteemed within the Smith caste.The Mining Caste
The Mining caste is responsible for extracting valuable minerals; The Miners wield considerable wealth and power. The Miner's Guild controls the distribution of extracted minerals. The Mining Caste is highly involved with the priest caste as they help them in excavations.Specialialty Miners
Unlike other Castes and Dwarves, the Mining Castes have developed artisans that specialize in three fashions: Those who are Oracles, Shamans and Runic Casters which specialize in Mining.The Merchant Caste
Most of Dora-Nil's goods are traded by merchants, either to surface traders or within the community itself. Only Licensed Merchants, who are usually artisans, may sell goods in high-society quarters. It should be noted that once Merchant often acted as ambassadors to other races, however, since they betrayed the trust of the Dwarves, the Noble Caste took it upon themselves to fulfill this role. The Merchants often hire Casteless for many dangerous missions which involve gathering information, fauna, resources and special ingrredients.The Farming Caste
Surface Section
The Farming Caste is one of the most improtant of the castes, even it is considered to be of low statue; Even though it is low, the Farming Caste is highly sought upon for work and all understand its importance. For Dwarves, it is no small matter of growing wheat, grain and other essentials, so they have special designated castes growing it up on every surface hold they have;Underdark Section
Most of the food of the dwarves, cannot come from above and their stores of food and alcohol, actually come from vegetation in the underdark, where they use special lightning effects, used by the priests castes and sometimes Shamans from the Mining Caste who helps them in this matter; Recently, since the Division of the Empire of Dora-Nil, the Dwarves have had mastered runic scripts, used by Dwhewn-Betag to grow food in their underground holds.The Servant Caste
The Servant caste, the lowest tier of Dwarven society, provides essential services to the higher castes. Their roles include cleaning, cooking, and domestic service. Despite their humble position, they approach their work with dignity and pride. They often view the casteless with disdain, underscoring their belief in the importance of their contributions. While they form the majority of the population, they hold the least amount of wealth and power.The Slaves Caste
The Slaves Caste, are not Dwarves per se, more like Half-Dwarves or slaves caught in the war, who have to atone for their crimes against dwarf-kind; They are serving up sentences to redeem the wrongs as recorded in the Karkûn Narâg. The Greater the crime, the longer and terrible the servitude.The Casteless
The casteless are outcasts of Dwarven society. Born without rights and formal education, they are considered less than human. The Assembly decrees that casteless dwarves are forbidden from performing any work that could be done by a caste member, forcing them into a life of menial labor, begging, or crime. To mark their outcast status, casteless dwarves are branded with a tattoo shortly after birth. The casteless are seen as descendants of criminals and undesirables, tainted by the Ancestors' rejection Only those who become priests, or honored Dwhewn who fought for greater of dwarf-kind.Shared customary codes and values
The Karkûn Narâg is the central pillar of their identity. Honoring oaths and pursuing justice for ancient insults is a sacred duty passed through generations. To a Dwhewn-Narâg, an insult to a clan member is a debt that can only be settled by "Stone Reclaimed".
Average technological level
The Dwhewn-Narâg are masters of Runic Artifice. They have mastered the use of runic scripts to grow food in total darkness, and the Smith Caste produces the continent's finest armor and weaponry, often imbued with decorative and protective runes.
Common Etiquette rules
Members of the Assembly of Noble Houses are addressed as Karnath [Name]. If they are a general, their name is preceded by Abir-Karnath, signaling both their knightly honor and their legislative power. For Instance, Failing to call "Abir", is considered a direct insult to their patron Noble House. In a society that records grudges in a holy book, such a "minor" slip can lead to a formal grievance being filed against your clan.
Members of lower castes (Servants, Farmers, or the Casteless) are expected to yield the center of a tunnel or hallway to higher-castes (Nobles, Priests, or high-ranking Smiths).
Members of the Assembly (Karnath) are addressed with their full house title. If a Karnath enters a room, all non-noble dwarves must stand and place their hand over their heart until the Karnath is seated.
When presenting a crafted item, a Smith must wait for the Artisan (if one is present) to speak first regarding the item’s aesthetic quality. To boast of a weapon's beauty before the Artisan has "validated" its ornamental detail is seen as uncouth and arrogant.
Grudge-Check
Before a formal meal or a merchant trade, it is customary for the host to ask if there are any "outstanding debts of honor" between the houses present. This is not a casual question; it is an invitation to settle minor disputes before they are inscribed in the Karkûn Narâg. Denying a grudge exists and then acting on one later is considered the height of dishonor.Emotional Outbursts
Emotional outbursts are seen as a sign of surface-dweller weakness.Common Dress code
Clothing is a visual map of one's caste. Artisans (as they are found in every caste) add ornamental details to their goods, while the Casteless are branded with tattoos shortly after birth to ensure they are never mistaken for citizens.
Art & Architecture
Their architecture is designed for Underdark survival. They use specialized lightning effects and runic scripts (borrowed from the Dwhewn-Betag) to light their underground holds.
Foods & Cuisine
While they grow wheat on surface holds, most food comes from the Underdark. They cultivate exotic mushrooms and root vegetables, seasoned with alchemical salts. Their brewing is legendary, producing spirits that are smooth yet strong enough to "temper the soul".
A guest who is invited into a home is offered a piece of "Deep-Bread" (made from underdark fungi) and a pinch of salt. Once consumed, the guest is under the "Shield of the House". Harm coming to a guest under this vow is a "Royal Grudge" that the King Under the Mountains himself must redress.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
When passing a shrine, it is customary to strike one's breastplate or a nearby stone twice, once for the All-Father and once for the clan's specific patron god. To pass a shrine without acknowledgment is seen as "inviting a flaw into your craft".
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Shortly after birth, a child's caste is identified. If born Casteless, they are branded. For others, a priest of the Morndinsamman performs a blessing where the child’s name is whispered to the stone to see if the mountain "accepts" the new life.
Coming of Age Rites
This is the pivotal moment for any youth. They must prove their discipline and loyalty through a series of tests. Successful completion can allow a dwarf to enter the Warrior sub-castes of Officers or Abirs.
Funerary and Memorial customs
They do not just bury their dead; they "Close the Ledger." If a dwarf dies with an unavenged grudge, the entry in the Karkûn Narâg is marked as "Outstanding". Funerals are solemn affairs where the deceased's tools are melted down to forge a "Memory Spike" driven into the clan’s hall.
Common Taboos
Betraying a fellow dwarf's trust is the highest taboo. Since the Merchant caste once betrayed that trust, the Noble Caste now handles all external ambassadorship.
Common Myths and Legends
They believe in the Prophecy of Ailéno, which foretells a day when all dwarves will unite under a single King to face a "Great Power of the East". Most attribute it to the Unification in 1,051 AB
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Beauty is found in unyielding permanence. A handsome dwarf is one whose skin has a deep, ruddy hue (redder than their hill cousins) and whose hairת a light, dusty shadeת is bound with heavy iron rings. Scars from Duergar skirmishes are not hidden; they are treated as "Living Grudges" and often highlighted with powdered ruby dust.
Gender Ideals
Dwhewn-Narâg society is a "Clockwork Meritocracy". Gender dictates the inheritance of caste (sons follow fathers, daughters follow mothers), but within those castes, women are equally vital. In the Warrior Caste, women are celebrated both as mothers and fighters, with the Trial of Will and Duty serving as the common path to knighthood for all.
Courtship Ideals
Relationships are often strategic, especially in the higher castes. In the past, female dwarves sought partners from higher castes to elevate their social standing, a practice still legally accepted but less common today. A relationship is a "Shield-Bond"—a contract to share and avenge each other's family grudges.
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