Daran Adamant
They had cornered him in the throne room, and he still fought. He broke his axe on the helm of an orc, then stooped to pick a weapon from the floor and continue fighting. His shield was torn from his arm, his bones shattered by the blow. The steps to the Diamond Throne were slick with the blood of his kin. But Daran Adamant still fought, even knowing there could be no victory for him. To surrender was not in his nature.In the long history of Erisdaire, the dwarves have retained their independence from empires and other kingdoms. Organized into Clans who value independence and self-sufficiency, it has been believed dwarves simply do not have a cultural desire to make a kingdom or empire. This is not entirely true, as there once were rulers who sought to do just that: the Adamant Clan. During the time when elves had their own empires waning, the Adamant Clan was attempting to gather the other Clans together. Their goal was not a complete unity but simply to get other Clans to cooperate with a greater scope in mind. Eventually, it was decided to simply raise the Adamant Clan's head to the title of "High King of the Dwarves".
For several dozen generations there was a High King at the Adamant Keep, and most human kings recognized the authority of the High King as equal (or greater) to their own. When the Rhyliss Imperium was starting to define itself internally, they were faced with the question of how to treat the High King. Empress Sariya Rhyliss resolved to treat them as an equal, refering to the High King as "Our Esteemed Brother-in-Purpose". When High King Daran ascended to the Diamond Throne, he was the first of the dwarven kings to sign agreements which would span more than a human lifetime.
Yet it is a sad truth in Erisdaire that all things must end, even kingdoms. A year after Empress Sariya passed away, High King Daran was made aware of a horde of orcs and goblins gathering to challenge the Adamant Keep. The Empire was forbidden to intervene directly by edicts from previous High Kings, and they nevertheless lacked the potential to do so at that time. Five years of grueling siege from the horde ended when Grasha of the Red Axe was able to break open the gates and bring her tribe into the Adamant Keep. High King Daran and his Clan fought bravely, reportedly stacking bodies of foes to barricade passages before the defenders fell back to regroup. In the end, however, Grasha collected the head of the High King and plundered the vaults below. The victory was short-lived, however, as the death of the High King and ruination of the Clan meant the treaty with the Empire was now voided - the Legions quickly marched and slaughtered the gathered tribes.
After the Empire cleared the horde of tribes from the area, Adamant Keep was to be turned into a tomb. Most Clans who had halls nearby rebuilt a portion of the interior structure as a monument to the 'Last Stand', and Daran Adamant's Last Stand was set into an epic told among dwarves even today. To show such defiance in the face of certain death became a part of dwarven culture, equal parts stubborn bravery and resignation to an iminent end. Dwarven warriors often aspire to "go out like the High King", in a battle to defend something they feel is worth defending. Those who have more peaceful demeanors have internalized the spirit of the Last Stand to mean an uncompromising stance on at a closely-held value. However each individual dwarf views the matter, it cannot be understated how deeply the Last of the High Kings affected dwarven culture.
Current Status
Deceased
Species
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Last of the High Kings
Sundered, Yet Unbroken
Sundered, Yet Unbroken
Children
Gender
Male
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