Mithril Gate

Mithril Gate is a vast underground kingdom of the Dvergar, their ancestral home and seat of their power. The Dvergar of Mithril Gate divide themselves into four Great Clans and innumerable Lesser Clans. The Great Clans are the movers and shakers of Dvergr politics, while the Lesser Clans form the majority of the population and the workforce.
The uppermost level of Mithril Gate, the only level on which outsiders are allowed, is expansive, carefully crafted, and well-wrought, meant to overawe with the power and might of the Dwarves. The second level contains the Great Forge, where lesser smiths of the Lesser Clans may go about their work. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth levels belong to each of the Great Clans, their Holds located within them. The seventh layer holds all of the Lesser Clans. By law and treaty with the Blindclaws, the Dwarves of Mithril Gate may dig no further than that, deeper territory claimed by the blindclaws.
There has been a recent mass emigration of Dwarves from Mithril Gate to the continent of Sava-Ruel to relieve an overcrowding issue on the seventh layer.

Clan Grindstone

The Grindstone clan, current ruling clan of Mithril Gate, is what most outsiders think of when asked to describe a Dwarf. They are short, stocky, clannish, and greedy. However, it is Clan Grindstone that drives not only the economy of Mithril Gate, but also of much of the world, as it is in Grindhold where all of the mints are located. With their fingers in many pies, the influence of Grindstone can be felt throughout Mithril Gate - and much of Eastern Keldun. They claim the third layer.

Clan Darkblade

Darkblade is famous as a house of warriors, but also of thugs and assassins, Where Grindstone has its fingers on the pulse of the economy, it is Darkblade that wields the blade in defense of the nation. Much of Mithril Gate's large standing army comes from Darkblade's halls. Few among the Dvergar of Mithril Gate can match their martial prowess, efficiency, and brutality. Darkhold is located on the fourth layer.

Clan Stoneforge

Stoneforge has only recently returned to prominence with the discovery of its long-lost clanhead, Aerik Stoneforge. While most Dwarves are taught a craft from early age, the Stoneforge clan masters their chosen art. The many works of Stoneforge decorate the halls and fill the coffers of all the clans. Aerik Stoneforge himself has returned from a great ordeal of some kind, something he is unwilling to speak about. Until very recently, his chambers have been shut to all but his servants. Tales of Dvergar craftsmanship originate from Stonehold's works. Stonehold is located on the fifth layer.

Clan Adain

A house of adventurous Dvergar seeking to make a name for themselves in the world, their reputation has taken a hard blow with the fall of Kher Adain, the outpost named after their current clanhead Agantyr Adain. Of the Dvergar, Clan Adain is most likely to be seen out and about among other races. Often defying the monolithic traditions of Dvergar society, they are often warily watched by the others as firebrands and loose cannons. Adainhold is located on the sixth layer.

The Lesser Clans

The Lesser Clans of Mithril Gate are what most would consider to be the common folk of Dwarf society. From the varied and numerous minor clans are drawn the ranks of the laborers and tradesfolk that keep Mithril Gate humming. Some of these minor clans are more numerous than the Great Clans; in fact, these clans attach themselves to one of the Great Clans as adjuncts, receiving some of the prestige and resources of the Great Clan in return for fealty.