Kingdom of Dun’Vol

The Kingdom of Dun’Vol is a Constitutional Monarchy with a citizenship of mostly Dwarves and Gnomes. The Kingdom rules over a collection of settlements located in the south east of the Elderan continent.
The Kingdom of Dun’Vol are known to heavily value community and craftsmanship, with many cultural touchstones and traditions revolving around them. Many of the Kingdom’s population are craftspeople and labourers, such as smiths and miners, with a cultural focus around providing value to your community through creating wares and providing quality service. Because of this the Kingdom officially worships the God of craftsmanship Moradin (Hephaestus), who is an important religious figure in the Kingdom’s culture.
Despite their focus on craftsmanship and labour, the Kingdom of Dun’Vol has little value for wealth and has a lot of laws protecting workers and preventing their exploitation. Most businesses are owned by the workers and compensation is legally tied to contribution, preventing individuals from being able to profit off the work of others. Money is commonly only used when trading with foreigners or when trading between clans, with most inter-clan assets and resources being communally owned.
The Kingdom of Dun’Vol have a good relationship with their neighbouring nations, whom they cultivate healthy trade routes with, transporting their unique wares across the world.
Leader: Queen Moira Ashenforge
Heraldry: Clan Specific

Government:

The Kingdom of Dun’Vol is governed by a ruling monarch and is assisted and supported by a representative from each of the six clans. The monarch then maintains office until death, abdication or they are voted unfit to rule by the dwarven population.
The Dun’Vol monarch is uniquely an elected position. The election process is an intricate ritual where the Clan Lords of Dun’Vol, leaders of the six clans of Dun’Vol, are locked deep within the earth, isolated from any outside contact. The Clan Lords are expected to debate and make alliances to decide which of them will become the next monarch. Until a majority decision is made the Clan Lords are not allowed to leave. The votes sometimes take weeks or months, with it being a tradition for the Clan Lords to bring stores of food with them to the event. A similar election process is undergone when electing a Clan elects a new Clan Lord.
Settlements under the control of the Kingdom of Dun’Vol are governed by Burgomasters. These Burgomasters are trained in law and politics and are usually members of the current reigning Clan of Dun’Vol. They are appointed to their position by the reigning monarch.

Military & Local Guard:

The Kingdom of Dun’Vol is protected by the Stonewatch, a guard force that is loyal to the kingdom instead of to any specific Clan. Each settlement under the control of the Kingdom houses a garrison of Stonewatch under the command of a General.
Each of the six Clans of Dun’Vol also have their own legion of trained career soldiers stationed at the capital.

Religion:

The Kingdom of Dun’Vol practise a policy of religious freedom, allowing its citizens to worship whomever they wish, only outlawing the worship of Dark Deities, such as Apophis and Tartarus.
That being said, the official religion of the nation is the following of Moradin (Hephaestus), with a majority of the kingdom’s population worshipping the God of craftsmanship. The reigning monarch and the Clan Lords are also expected to be a follower of Moradin, with Moradin acting as a symbol of honor and hardworking. The Kingdom also holds many religious festivals and celebrations in Moradin’s name, with the culturally significant act of craftwork seen as an act of veneration to Moradin.

Social Hierarchy:

The Kingdom of Dun’Vol have a unique social class system that is primarily structured around an individual's employment status, with a heavy value on craftsmanship.
Officiate Class: The highest social class that consists of important government officials, such as the reigning monarch and the other clan leaders. This class also includes members of the clergy of Moradin.
Crafter Class: The crafter class consists of citizens who work in craftsmanship, such as smiths and stonemasons. Members of the crafter class are exceptionally valued by society, especially considering that the act of creation has religious significance to the Kingdom's patron deity Moradin.
Labour Class: The labour class consists of the majority of the population, citizens who are employed in non-craft based roles. Working in trade, as a resource gatherer, or as a farmer.
Idle Class: The idle class consists of citizens who are not employed. This class is usually occupied by children, young adults, commonly those still in education, and the elderly. It is uncommon for adults to be in the idle class, as it is seen as dishonourable to be unemployed. This sentiment does not extend to individuals unable to work due to health or disability, who are cared for by the community.
Vargrimst: The lowest social class consists of those without a clan, and therefore are not considered citizens. Vargrimsts are usually banished for serious crimes or for bringing dishonour. Because of this they are shunned by the rest of the community.

Legal System & Laws:

All crimes are brought before a tribunal of three trained judges, they then use the evidence provided to sentence the accused. Most crimes lead to a fine, a prison sentence or banishment with the death penalty exclusively saved for acts of treason.
Common Laws Against: Theft, Slavery, Trespassing, Tax Avoidance, Property Damage, Kidnapping, Assault, Murder, Treason.
Unique Laws Against: Religious Discrimination, Worship of Dark Gods, Exploitation of Labour, Dangerous Working Conditions, the Sale of Poor Quality Products.
Alcohol & Drugs: Drugs are illegal except for Halfling Weed. There are no laws around alcohol.

The Clans of Dun’Vol:

The Kingdom of Dun’Vol comprises of six clans that operate as a family unit. Every citizen of the kingdom is a part of a clan. You can be adopted into a clan or marry into one.
Those without a clan are called “Vargrimst”, an insult meaning banished or clan-less. Vargrimsts are not considered citizens. Vargrimsts are usually banished from their clan due to crimes or dishonour and are therefore shunned by the rest of the community.

Clan Ashenforge:

Leader: Queen Moira Ashenforge
Clan House: Forgehearth
Heraldry: Red and Black

Clan Ironfoot:

Leader: Lord Dain Ironfoot
Clan House: The Iron Bastion
Heraldry: Green and Gold

Clan Skyhammer:

Leader: Lady Edyth Skyhammer
Clan House: Skyhall
Heraldry: Yellow and Black

Clan Tinkmaster:

Leader: Tinkmaster Goodie Sprocket "Littlehands" Harper
Clan House: Tinkertown
Heraldry: Gold and Silver

Clan Winterborn:

Leader: Lord Byron Winterborn
Clan House: The Winter House
Heraldry: Blue and White

Clan Stonebeard:

Leader: Lady Iona Stonebeard
Clan House: Stonefall
Heraldry: Brown and Grey

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Capital

Dun'Vol

Demonym

Volites

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Deities

• Hephaestus - God of Craftsmanship

Location

Elderan

Official Languages

• Common
• Dwarvish
• Gnomish

Related Traditions

• Ingeitumegûr Manun

Controlled Territories

• Clovmis
• Darquin Isle
• Dun'Vol
• Durin Station
• Durin Straight
• Falkílf
• Fort Darquin
• Gûnragni
• Gûnragni Pass
• Karalkul
• Mahlduhr
• New Dur’gol
• Vanheim

Neighboring Nations

• Eternal Grove
• Kingdom of Lorth’elon
• Varin Empire