The Houses of Kraghammer

Established within the Cliffkeep Mountains following the Divergence, this subterranean fortress city is the pinnacle of dwarven society in Tal’Dorei. Five Great Houses rule Kraghammer; they have maintained power since the city was originally established. The ruling families are House Greyspine, House Zuurthom, House Bronzegrip, House Thunderbrand, and House Glorendar. These Great Houses elect an official as the “Ironkeeper” every 10 years to keep the alliances between houses just and healthy for the good of Kraghammer. When some lesser family houses have attempted to overthrow one of the ruling five through the centuries, the other Great Houses put aside their differences to maintain the sanctity of the traditional rule. Even when tensions boil into bloodshed between the houses—typically every ten years, when the new Ironkeeper is elected—the Ironkeeper will call in the city guard, or Carvers, to end the violence and establish peace.

Public Agenda

Goals Each ruling house has a specialty and holds responsibility over that domain within Kraghammer. House Greyspine maintains the largest mine under Kraghammer, as well as the Pools of Solace. House Zuurthom trains the chief architects of the city, and most masonry and building is organized through them. House Bronzegrip funds the smithing guilds and maintains the Bronzegrip Metalworks, Kraghammer’s largest blast furnace and ore refinery. House Thunderbrand prides itself on training Kraghammer’s foremost scholars and premiere arcanists. House Glorendar maintains the law and delivers punishment, though a recent scandal that uncovered corruption between House Glorendar and sects of the Carvers has seen them fall from grace, throwing Kraghammer’s judicial system into chaos.

Foreign Relations

Relationships Kraghammer culture fosters distrust of most nondwarves, especially among the dwarven elite. In this society, the only thing stronger than overt racism is greed. As such, Kraghammer is quick to set aside such prejudice if they sense profit. There is a healthy trade of metals, weapons, and armor with Emon and Westruun, and House Thunderbrand has a good standing with the Council of Tal’Dorei, allowing Kraghammer to utilize the Skyport there to expand their trade reach. Many members of House Thunderbrand also have ties to the Arcana Pansophical. After the Scattered War, the Houses of Kraghammer refused to apologize or make reparations for allying with the Drassig regime. Instead, they have worked toward opening and strengthening trade and commercial alliances as a silent means of conciliation. The Wardens of Syngorn look down upon the dwarves’ spineless gesture, and the two cultures have gone centuries without major contact.

Education

"Five the fingers grasp hammer or blade Five Houses of Kraghammer rightly made Greyspine delves ‘neath dwarven halls Zuurthom raises stony walls Bronzegrip masters of metala wrought Thunderbrand uncovers secrets sought And Glorendar to judgments hear In Kraghammer, dwarf-folk need never fear." —A child’s learning rhyme, from Kraghammer

Legislative Body

Figures of Interest Ironkeeper Gradim Greyspine Dwarf Ironkeeper of House Greyspine. Having held his position of Ironkeeper for 3 consecutive terms, he is beloved amongst the people of Kraghammer. A worldly war hero, he is known to be just to his people and tolerant of outsiders. Lord Nostoc Greyspine Dwarf Overseer of House Greyspine. The grim overseer of Keenstone Quarry, Nostoc makes up for his unpleasant personality by being a formidable businessman. Elementalist Drake Thunderbrand Dwarf Evoker of House Thunderbrand. One of the eldest of his House, Drake is known for his surprising empathy and fierce temper. He is also a member of the Arcana Pansophical.

Controlled Territories