Uladun & The Northern Mountains
The Ulad Mountains to the north of Arna contains the oldest dwarven kingdom in history-
Uladun. The seat of power is the royal stronghold of
Uladhela beneath
Mount Oroh, named for the dwarven god who created their race. These mountains are said to be the place of their origin. Eventually the other mountains of this range were settled by branching “kingdoms”, but they are more akin to baronies or duchies as their royal families are all related to the high king of Uladun (though they may not choose to answer to him directly). These smaller
kingdoms are
Bezan,
Balgar, &
Ultzin. Uladun is renowned for the skill of their blacksmiths and the preservation of their vast historical archives which many a scholar has attempted to gain access to. No one is entirely sure of their methods, but something about Uladian steel is almost magical in its sturdiness. There are many rumors of their secret smithing techniques, including the notion of a dragon-fire forge. Other than healthy veins of iron, these mountains are well known for their rich veins of silver, gold, and precious gemstones which they guard most jealously. Unfortunately the dwarves of Uladun are not the most trusting and they only part with their metal wares and collected knowledge begrudgingly.
Cultural Frustrations
For most of history the dwarves here were very isolationist, wanting nothing to do with the outside world whatsoever- much in the way the halflings of Hywela are. In recent centuries they have very slowly begun to consider the surface world and its residents, largely because so many of their kind have decided to leave and not return. More and more have taken interest in what may lay beyond their ancient stone halls. That is not to say they welcome outsiders within their stronghold (though at times they may make an exception)- they are just more willing to leave their home now to trade. This has resulted in their fairly new obsession with refined sugar as well as chocolate and coffee from
Namiza. The culture of the Ulad dwarves is notoriously rigid and uncompromising. They are somewhat patriarchal, family oriented, highly religious, and they take their traditions and rules of decorum very seriously. They mistrust magic that isn't divine in nature and disallow the worship of outsider gods. Some have called them "Marasenian Dwarves". This is how it has always been, and this is how they expect things to remain. Dwarves who do not fit their rigid standards are often either banished or they leave on their own terms. This determination not to change, despite the necessity as more dwarves come into contact with other societies with greater freedoms, is why there was been a vast exodus over the last thousand years.
Many Uladian dwarves have left over the years and settled in Namiza to the southwest. There are several dwarvish towns like
Glanderin where many have landed, as well as the city of
Leyline. Some have even decided to join the Eastern Tribes of
Dakoro. These dwarvish immigrants have gained a reputation over time among other Namizans as well as other dwarves- a reputation for their willingness to enter physical and romantic relationships with non-dwarves which is very atypical in other regions and other dwarven cultures. Dwarven Half Elves (Dwelves) are quite common in Leyline. Dwarven Half Orcs (Dworgs) are common among the tribes. There is an untold number of Dwarven Half Humans as they often just look like unusually short humans or tall dwarves.
Non-Uladian Mountains
A portion of the Ulad Mountains, those on the northeastern side, are inaccessible to most dwarves from Uladun because they fell behind the border of Hywela, a divine ward that only allows the tiny folk to cross. They are referred to as the Warded Hills. There are a number of independent dwarves who live and work on that side, unassociated with the kingdoms of Ulad. Of the proper Ulad mountains, the only ones not securely within the control of these ancient clans are
Mt. Halthan and the
Godsmount. Mount Halthan is controlled by a different non-royal dwarf clan who bought this mountain outright and later struck a massive Silver vein. The Godsmount is a mountain that was fought for and claimed by humans originally from the
Marasen Empire, though this mountain is now considered a part of Namiza. It is home to the famous
Elderlight Monastery. These mountains are separated from the
Ochre Mountains (which
are controlled by the Marasen Empire) by the northern Menaroe Pass. The Ochre Mountains, especially known for their high iron and copper content, are surrounded by human mining towns and the Deadpan River. These mountains are separated from the Anduni Range by the southern Aldren Pass.
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