Mror Holds

The Mror Holds are known as the homeland of the dwarves. Not only is the Mror Holds one of the few dwarven lands in Khorvaire, but it is estimated that no fewer than 455,000 dwarves live there; many more than any other known location. However, the dwarves aren't the only inhabitants of the mountainous region.

Structure

The Mror Holds is primarily divided into the 13 clans

• Mroranon

• Doldarun

• Droranath

• Kolkarun

• Kundarak

• Laranak

• Londurak

• Narathun

• Noldrun

• Soldorak

• Soranath

• Toldorath

• Tordannon

Clan Noldrun has since been destroyed. Since 106 YK, Clan Kundarak has been House Kundarak and like all dragonmarked houses, has remained neutral and participates in the Iron Council of Clans only as observers, though they still govern their ancestral estates of Kundarakhold.

History

• Dhakaani Empire

Although little is known about this period of time, there are several references in Dhakaani dirges of the "stone warriors of the North" and the mere presence of the dwarves in their complex mountain strongholds before humans had come to populate Khorvaire alludes to the fact that the dwarven cities have been around for quite some time.

• The Exile of the Twelve

During the reign of Lord Kordran Mror there was an uprising of a number of warriors in the deep domains of the dwarves. Although it is unclear exactly the cause or the effects of the unrest it was severe enough for Lord Mror to exile twelve of the leaders of the unrest to dwell in the surface areas of the mountains. Upon their banishment magical seals and wards were set in place to prevent the banished leaders from returning to the deep domains and a clan of wardens were sent to ensure the magical wards remained in place until the dwarves had proven they were worthy of the kingdom below. The twelve exiled would become the twelve clanlords.
The clanlords spent many years trying to prove their individual worth. It is said that at this time the mighty face of Lord Mror was constructed. Eventually the competition to prove which clan was most worthy of the deep domain lead to infighting amongst the clans drawing out into longstanding feuds.

• Assault by Karrn

When the humans first spread out across the reaches of Khorvaire they paid little attention to the feuding dwarven clans in the mountains. However, as time passed it wasn't long before Karrn ir'Wynarn son of King Galifar I saw the mountains and their riches as a possible boon to the empire. With his father's permission he set out to raid the dwarven strongholds. Weakened by their own feuding the dwarves fell to Karrn's forces and were soon subjugated under the Kingdom of Galifar and the lands were added to Karrnath's territories. However, this was actually a boon to the dwarven population who were now forced to work together under the peace of the king.

• Under Galifar

Finally having put away their petty squabbling the Kundarak dwarves, the keepers of the Wards protecting the kingdom below, released the magical seals and allowed passage to the kingdom below. Unfortunately, all was not well in the kingdom below. Over the centuries the inhabitants had fought a long war with the daelkyr and had lost. With much of the ancient cities now claimed by the daelkyr the dwarven clan lords set to reclaim the former glory of their people.
The dwarven clans were still loyal to the kingdom of Galifar refusing to go back on the word of their ancestors who had sworn fealty to the kingdom.

• The Last War

It was actually The Last War that released the dwarves of the Mror Holds from their duty to Galifar. Since Galifar, the kingdom, no longer existed the dwarven clanlords were released from their pledge and in 914 YK at the first meeting of the Iron Council the dwarf lords declared their independence. This independent nation was later recognized with the Treaty of Thronehold.

Demography and Population

Total Population

700,000

• Dwarf 65%

• Human 12%

• Orc 10%

• Gnome 8%

• Other 5%

Religion

Over the past millennium, the Sovereign Host has built up a strong presence within the Holds. Kol Koran, the Lord of World and Wealth, commands the most followers, but Boldrei, Olladar, Onatar, and Dol Dorn also receive worship.
For their part, the Jhorash’tar never followed the Gatekeeper druid traditions of the western orcs. Their religious beliefs vary; some worship the Mockery, others follow the paths of the Dragon Below. Many are agnostic, claiming that no just deity would give the dwarves control of the Ironroot Mountains.

Agriculture & Industry

The Ironroot Mountains hold some of the richest mineral deposits on Khorvaire, making the Mror Holds a primary source for iron, copper, and other vital ores. Over the centuries, the dwarves have uncovered veins of gold, platinum, and other rare and precious metals. The dwarves of House Kundarak combined this wealth with their dragonmark talents to become the bankers of the Five Nations, and Kundarakhold maintains the greatest vaults of the realm. Other clans use their wealth to gain influence abroad, acting as financiers and investors. A few of the clans have developed a reputation for smithing and forging, but as yet they can’t match the industrial might of Breland or the artistry of the elves.

Forged Together by the Divine

Founding Date

914 YK

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Demonym

Mrorian

Leader

Torlan Mroranon

Government System

Oligarchy

Power Structure

Confederation

Economic System

Market economy

Major Exports

Banking, Precious and Non-Precious Metals

Legislative Body

The Mror Holds consist of a loose confederation of clans, each of which lays claim to a territory or hold, within the Ironroot Mountains. Issues that concern the entire nation go before the conclave known as the Iron Council. Currently, Torlan Mroranon serves as the arbiter of the Iron Council, but each clan governs its own hold and forms its own alliances with the nations of Khorvaire.

Parent Organization

The Iron Council

Subsidiary Organizations

• The Iron Council

Location

Khorvaire

Official Languages

• Dwarven
• Gnome
• Orc

Neighboring Nations

• Karrnath
• Lhazaar Principalities

Notable Members

• Torlan Mroranon