Cragshield Clans

"Stone remembers. So do we." — Clan Oath, recited before every anvil lighting

General Information

Type- Confederation of Dwarven Clans
Region- Rodiac Highlands, primarily within the Stonecarver's Forge
Structure: Semi-autonomous clans united under the Council of Anvils
Known For: Rune-smithing, construct mastery, defense of sacred forges, ancestral memory traditions

Overview

The Cragshield Clans are a storied alliance of dwarven lineages who have guarded and operated the Stonecarver's Forge for thousands of years. Bound by oaths as old as the mountains themselves, they wield unmatched skill in runic craftsmanship, engineering, and elemental forging.
Each clan holds unique rites, lineages, and specialties — yet all are united in the defense of the Forge, the preservation of dwarven knowledge, and the reverence of Inavi, the God of the Forge and Earth.

Member Clans and Specialties

Clan Ironwake – Masters of warplate and rune-infused armor
Clan Runebrow – Memorykeepers and glyphmasters who inscribe ancestral will into steel
Clan Hearththane – Magma-tamers and crucible-forgers who harness the Heartflame
Clan Korrvyn – Warden-engineers who maintain the Vulcanis Warden
Clan Durnholde – Tunnel-rangers and stronghold sentinels, also serve as diplomats to surface realms

Government and Structure

The clans are governed by the Council of Anvils, a rotating seat of clan elders and Forge-Priests. Decisions are made through hammer vote — symbolic hammer-strikes echoing support or objection. No single leader rules, but wartime forges a temporary rank known as the High Emberlord.

Beliefs and Traditions

• The Forge is sacred — no blood may be shed upon its stone

• Each crafted item bears the memory of its creator — forging is a spiritual act

• Ancestral runes are passed through blood and metal

• Golems, constructs, and guardian armor are treated with reverence, as echoes of ancestors may dwell within.

Military and Defense Forces

Emberguard Militia

Veteran warriors trained in fighting magma beasts, drakes, and saboteurs

Rune Sentinels

Mage-smiths armored in enchanted gear, capable of battlefield forging

Vulcanis Wardens

Colossal autonomous constructs crafted during the Eclipse Epoch

Oath Seekers

Elite berserkers wield warhammers etched with “breaking runes,” designed to shatter elemental foes

Current Conflicts and Campaign Hooks

Tensions with the surface over ore exports are rising — especially as outsiders seek secrets of the Forge
Rust Wyrm threaten deeper tunnels — and some suspect sabotage
A schism may be forming as younger dwarves seek to awaken the Stoneheart Colossus, despite ancient warnings
A faction within the Council has gone silent — their anvil never rang at the last vote

Related Articles

Rodiac Highlands Stonecarver's Forge Vulcanis Warden Inavi, the God of the Forge and Earth Stoneheart Colossus

Type

Political, Federation