The Wandering Tribes

The Dwarves used to have a 11 realms, called Halls, across the Westerlands. Founded in legend by the 10 Sons of Asulf, each hall had a rich history and were economic and military powerhouses of their own. Yet over the years Dwarven power waned as they were slow to adopt new technology and ways, and as a result they became beset by Dark Elves, Goblins, Orcs, Humans and High Elves. With each passing generation a hall fell to outside occupation, and Dwarves were forced to choose living amidst foreigners who imposed their religion and way of life or long treks to still free halls. The last independent hall was the first, Khizan, the Hall of Asulf and the location of the Forge of the Allfather. The hall first fell in 290 AA when the Jarl of Khizan effectively sold it to Erebelle in exchange for leaving the city to its devices.
In 311 AA with the advent of the Great War the Dwarves of Khizan rebelled, killed their Jarl and joined forces with the allied armies. The Eternal Lordships then laid a four year siege to the Hall. Khizan called for aid, but none came, and only the millenia old layering of arcane wards and enchanted stone protected it. Finally the Eternal Lords, in retaliation for the destruction of Cahadell, sundered it with a powerful explosion of magic. The explosion broke the wards and the stone, killing a hundred thousand Dwarves. The hall fell, and the Dwarves fully became a wandering people. Many reside in human realms now, bitter about their betrayal but having nowhere left to go. Some sing of a day where they will return to their halls and rebuild Khizan, but that seems far off. The Seven Southern Halls of Dwarven kind are now used as an identifier for the exiled Dwarves, either those who wander between cities and towns or those who live within Dwarf Quarters in human cities.

Type

Geopolitical, Nomadic tribe