Vol Tharunn
The Dwarven Valley is a deep rift in Icewind Dale, located along the southern slopes of the mountain called Kelvin's Cairn. Within the valley relies a complex network of tunnels, subterranean passages and mines that compose the home of the Dale's dwarves, particularly those from Clan Battlehammer.
In the mid—14th century DR, the dwarves of the valley managed to draw the wizard Akar Kessell and his forces within their southern tunnels. They proceeded to collapse the tunnels on them all, killing many and stopping their invasion of Icewind Dale.
In the years that followed, many of the dwarves from Clan Battlehammer left the valley and re-settled in the home of their lineage.
As of the Year of the Iron Dwarf's Vengeance, 1485 DR, the community of dwarves was divided into two factions. Those that followed the community's long-standing leader, Dainn Volga Silverstream, and those under the influence of Baerick Hammerstone.
Structure
Dain
To be a dain in dwarven society is to have both immense power as well as an immense system of checks and balances in the form of the Assembly and, to a lesser extent, the Shaperate. Subsequently, the form of government of the dwarves can be described as a constitutional monarchy. The Assembly holds the power to advise the king, approve or veto acts of the king, propose policy, declare Paragons, and elect new kings. The Shaperate works in conjunction with the ruler and the Assembly by overseeing matters of civil dispute. It is often consulted as a neutral third party in disputes both legal and social and sets legal precedent and determines the authenticity of documents and the binding nature of contracts. The dain holds their position for life, unless they are removed or replaced. As the ruler, they are also the war-leader and have authority over the Legion of the Dead.Steward of the Assembly
The Steward of the Assembly is one of the most high-ranking positions in Vol Tharunn's society. The Steward is a widely accepted and respected lord who oversees the proceedings of the Assembly. Because of their neutral position, they can neither voice opinions nor vote. They also have authority over the city guard, at least during the times when there is no monarch. Vol Tharunn's Assembly is housed in the Chamber of the Assembly in the Diamond Quarter and is second in influence only to the dain of Vol Tharunn and capable in many instances of superseding their power. All the members of the Assembly come from the noblest houses of Vol Tharunn and no other caste is represented in there.Deshyr
Members of the Assembly are titled as "deshyr". There are currently eighty deshyrs in Vol Tharunn, drawn from the most influential noble houses in the city. The right of a noble house to claim a vote in the Assembly is predicated on that house having a deshyr, general, or Paragon among their Ancestors. Resignation is uncommon and as a consequence, the average age of the deshyrs is quite high making the legislative body of the dwarves very traditionally oriented in its decisions. The word "deshyr" roughly translates to "assembly lord". To become a member there must first be an opening in the tightly closed ranks, and this usually occurs through death or resignation. An acting member then nominates a candidate who must be approved by one-third of the Assembly. The Assembly as a legislative body sets law and advises the dain, and functions to a lesser extent as a judicial system in the case of criminal law. Any deshyr may submit proposals or regulations for debate. The proposed law must be ratified by a majority vote of the Assembly members before the proposal can become law. The Assembly is also used to decide the fate of those who commit serious crimes, such as kinslaying, and to determine their punishment. It should be noted that in ancient times, the punishment of exile was issued in very rare cases as it was considered to be one of the fiercest. When the Assembly passes a law, it is recorded in the Memories. The Assembly can also become deadlocked when a decision cannot be made and this can have disastrous consequences for the city, particularly when it regards the choosing of a dain. Bloodshed and chaos run rampant during these times as warring candidates battle for dominance. Dains are voted into power by a majority vote in the Assembly but this is typically not such a simple matter. Murder, blackmail, and betrayal often presage such decisions when various candidates vie for the position of dain. Even the deshyrs are not safe during such times of debate. Traditionally a dain appoints his successor, often his eldest son. This does not ensure the heir will be dain as the Assembly is not required to recognize the dain's choice, but in most cases the nominated child assumes the throne. In addition to voting in a king, the Assembly also votes upon the creation of new Paragons, a task of arguably even more importance than that of choosing the king. Declaring a dwarf a Paragon is essentially declaring a new noble house, since that Paragon and their family will be elevated to noble status as well as have the right to elect their own deshyr in the Assembly. It is known that Paragon Aeducan was chosen unanimously by the Assembly except a single abstention, while Vollney became a Paragon by the narrowest margin in history, one vote. Debates on proposed laws can last years in some cases. Furthermore, the dain may too submit proposals for consideration and these are decided upon in the same fashion as if the proposal had been made by a deshyr. When the Assembly enacts a law which does not have a unanimous vote, the dain may send the law back for further debate and another vote. This can be done on an unlimited basis and amounts to an executive veto.Culture
The city state of Vol Tharunn is fairly insular, and most of the demographic consists of shield dwarves. They are, however, not the only inhabitants of the city, although other races are vastly outnumbered by dwarves, mainly due to the fact that the entire city has been built into Kelvin's Cairn and below, making it entirely underground.
Vol Tharunn runs on a caste system, much like other dwarven settlements. The main principle on which the caste system works is that dwarves inherit their caste from their same-sex parent. This means that if a woman is married to a man of a different caste, her son would be the same caste as his father, while her daughter will inherit her mother's caste. In such cases, however, the family would normally live in the house of the parent who belongs to a higher caste. Due to this system, as well as the dwarven low fertility rate, there are noble hunters. These dwarves are often female and seek to find a partner of a higher caste (usually nobles) in order to improve their lives. Noble hunters are usually looked upon favorably in the dwindling dwarven society. If an accomplished dwarf joins a house or another organization of a lower caste, it is possible that the house or organization will assume the caste of the dwarf. One way to advance is to become a Paragon, a move that automatically raises a dwarf above the caste system and a noble house is founded on their name as well as the power to induct any family they wish into their new house. Becoming a Paragon is possible for a member of any caste so long as the dwarf has achieved unique success and acclaim. The Assembly may also vote to elevate a dwarf to a different caste than the one they were born with, if they have proven themselves by achieving a significant success that is worthy of another caste. This will likewise raise the elevated dwarf's family. Many of the castes also have a strata within them, and the rank of specific members may be a source of considerable argument. Amongst the castes there is great contention as well; for example, highly placed members of the Smith caste might consider themselves above soldiers of the Warrior caste.
Vol Tharunn runs on a caste system, much like other dwarven settlements. The main principle on which the caste system works is that dwarves inherit their caste from their same-sex parent. This means that if a woman is married to a man of a different caste, her son would be the same caste as his father, while her daughter will inherit her mother's caste. In such cases, however, the family would normally live in the house of the parent who belongs to a higher caste. Due to this system, as well as the dwarven low fertility rate, there are noble hunters. These dwarves are often female and seek to find a partner of a higher caste (usually nobles) in order to improve their lives. Noble hunters are usually looked upon favorably in the dwindling dwarven society. If an accomplished dwarf joins a house or another organization of a lower caste, it is possible that the house or organization will assume the caste of the dwarf. One way to advance is to become a Paragon, a move that automatically raises a dwarf above the caste system and a noble house is founded on their name as well as the power to induct any family they wish into their new house. Becoming a Paragon is possible for a member of any caste so long as the dwarf has achieved unique success and acclaim. The Assembly may also vote to elevate a dwarf to a different caste than the one they were born with, if they have proven themselves by achieving a significant success that is worthy of another caste. This will likewise raise the elevated dwarf's family. Many of the castes also have a strata within them, and the rank of specific members may be a source of considerable argument. Amongst the castes there is great contention as well; for example, highly placed members of the Smith caste might consider themselves above soldiers of the Warrior caste.
A pebble will roll, but so will a boulder
Type
Geopolitical, City-state
Leader
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Elective
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Market economy
Legislative Body
The Assembly, formally known as the Assembly of the Clans, is the central legislative political body of the dwarven kingdoms.
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments