Azkor Grongi (Az-kor-grong-e)

Overview

The Azkor Grongi is an ancient and ancestral dwarven kingdom that spanned what is now known as The Sundered Peaks. Many dwarves within The River Kingdoms can claim some sort of ancestry with the dwarves who were once part of this ancient kingdom. There are many different beliefs as to why they had been driven out of their ancient homeland, but the truth has been lost to history. Some speculate dragons, others speculate that perhaps it was Gorefang, Stalker of the Halls, an ancient and terrible enemy of their legend and deities. There are many legends and theories as to the ancient history, culture, and artifacts that their kind left behind in the holds. Some holds within the mountains are even still occupied, though they are sparse and often heavily isolationist, waiting for a time to step out of their holds and rally their armies to once again take over and rule the mountains they lost so long ago. While many dwarves wait in the mountains, those who made the exodus to the riverlands nearby seem to be preparing to retake their home, rallying behind a powerful dwarf known as Lord Volnus.

Structure

Heading the Azkor Grongi is their leader, the Azkori Hephaes, the Grand Forgemaster of The Sundered Peaks. It is said that only they are allowed to wield the ancient hammer that will reignite the kingdom and bring light back to the their home. The Azkori Hephaes' job is first and foremost to rule their kingdom, to bring the people together, and to dictate laws and diplomacy. Whoever wears the crown is the monarch, their word is law and there will be no exceptions.
Below them, however, are oftentimes the Forgemasters themselves, though sometimes particularly powerful clan leaders who have built a hold might be powerful enough to fall into this category. The Forgemasters though are responsible for maintaining the many great forges within the land such as those within Mount Infernus. These individuals have the word of law over their own holds and forges, but are always subject to the decrees of the lords above them. Some particularly powerful individuals might even have control over multiple holds within the mountains themselves.
Below them are the regular clans and guilds that often operate many aspects of dwarven society. While these might be the lowest rank in the hierarchy, they are still none-the-less powerful as they are still a powerful unit of kinsmen who keep the kingdom running, even if they are beholden to the laws and decrees of all those above them. Some particularly powerful guilds are even considered to be as high as the Forgemasters in power, though they only hold their power due to the amount of industry and individuals they hold sway over, less so due to a singular dwarf's power.

History

The Sundering

In an event simply known as The Sundering, The dwarves had lost their hold many years ago, being forced by a forgotten enemy to abandon their home in the The Sundered Peaks. While many believe it to have been the work of Gorefang, Stalker of the Halls or even the Umbral Rangers, no one actually remembers what had driven them from their home. Whatever it was, it was a powerful foe, far beyond the prowess of the dwarven armies defending the holds. Some even believe that perhaps it was a greater threat yet, and that forgetting about them only speaks to their true nature and power, however unknown and esoteric it might be.
Whatever the cause, the dwarves migrated to the nearby River Kingdoms where they had found a peaceful life amongst the humans. While they were outsiders fleeing a threat to their home, the people already settled within the region welcomed the dwarven craftsmanship and expertise with open arms. Of course, while they lacked the the massive foundries and tools they had back home in the mountains, their skill at the crafts were still practically unmatched even by the humans. While the dwarves did spread out through the regions, most of them congregated in the southern region where the land had more hills and crags for them to settle in to help remind them of home.
Clan Belfast, one of the strongest and most prestigious clans to have made the exodus to The River Kingdoms had settled in and created a minor hold in a tall hill, part of their city being underground and part of it being above-ground. This is now what is known as Kanthor, a very important trade settlement and home to many other dwarven clans who followed Clan Belfast in their expedition, building it up slowly. Kanthor itself has grown over the years to have three layers of walls, instead of tearing down a wall to account for the expansion and growing of the city, they simply built up a new wall to protect the newcomers.
Not all dwarves left their holds, however. Many stayed within The Sundered Peaks and guarded their homes. Many of them had sealed the doors to The Underpass if they had one and closed their mighty gates until they should be relieved and brought back within the kingdom. For they fear that until the true king returns and claims the title of Azkori Hephaes once more, that they shall forever be hunted by the same evil terror that drove their kinsfolk from their homes. Unfortunately, no one really knows if the bloodline of the ancient dwarven kings is even still flowing, or if it was perhaps slain by that same ancient and dreaded foe who stole away their history and culture.
Even the mighty Infernal Golems that once stood watch over the mighty forges of Mount Infernus and the capital of Ankor Malghraz have seemingly long gone dormant, the ancient runic magic that once powered these mighty engines of war both lost to history and unable to be kept running. It seems as though not just the history of the event, not even just the kingdom and culture were lost. It seems even the ancient runic magic that the dwarves so relied upon and mastered to fuel their magic and constructs had been dimmed in the wake of such a destructive event.
Despite all of the loss and grief that accompanied The Sundering and all the pain and loss it inflicted, there is still hope. In recent times, the Grongi have begun to become restless, yearning for home like they never have before. Under an esteemed Lord Volnus, a dwarf of Clan Coldfire they have begun to rally amidst the outbreak of a civil war within The River Kingdoms. Dubbing their own faction The Mithril Hills, they have begun preparations and set their sights upon home once again, many dwarves from across the region flocking under his banner. He has made strong promises that he, himself will march with the dwarves to Ankor Malghraz and claim the Fjellförtenäi and relight the forges, once more uniting and reforming the Azkor Grongi into the kingdom it once was.
Lord Volnus has, in a short time, done much to assert his claims as well. Sending many expeditions into the mountains and scouting out the region for threats, securing the land within The River Kingdoms in the wake of those who might undermine his rule, while also gazing distantly and longing for home like his kinsfolk. In many ways, the dwarves look up to him and have hope that their kingdom might once again be rebuilt from the ashes and the flames of the forges that were dimmed so long ago, might once again be filled with a mighty blaze.

Disbandment

The Azkor Grongi is considered dismantled as many of its strongest holds had been abandoned after an event known only as The Sundering. Many of the clans and people of the kingdom being forced out by an ancient and powerful foe lost to history, with only a few holds still occupied, having barred themselves in and awaiting the return of the Azkori Hephaes, and the rekindling of the great forges.

Territories

While the Azkor Grongi itself is not really notable for its diverse terrain or landmark features, it is build within the mountains of The Sundered Peaks, the most notable feature, aside from the mountain range itself is Mount Infernus, a massive peak within the range that is said to have been a volcano that erupted so violently every year that even denizens of The River Kingdoms be hit with blazing hot projectiles from it. Of course, this had ended when the dwarves of the Azkor Grongi settled within the mountain, using it's molten-hot magma chamber as a forge and smeltery, and as such, it has never erupted since.
The other notable feature, though less of a terrain feature natural to the mountains so much as it was made by the dwarves over centuries of mining and maintaining their mountain holds... There is The Underpass, dwarven tunnels that stretch far beneath the earth and connect many of the major holds within their kingdom together. Sealable by ancient runic magic and guarded by the ancient Umbral Rangers who stalk the halls beneath the mountains. Some even speculate that they might worship Gorefang, Stalker of the Halls.

Military

The dwarves of the Azkor Grongi, like most other dwarves, are not known for their hyper-mobile forms of warfare. Instead they are known for strong defensive positions and shield walls. They are staunch defenders and capable of holding the line against any foe, forming lines of unbreakable defenders. This is not to say they never go on the offensive, they are just a slow and methodical bunch preferring to march in ordered lines, ensuring that each inch of ground gained will not be lost.
Perhaps one of the most iconic organizations of the Azkor Grongi military are the Magma Guards, a unit whose armor was forged in the fiery molten chambers of Mount Infernus, said to have armor that channels the pure molten heat of the lava that flows through the mountains. Two hundred sets of this armor were made and infused with strong runic magic that contained the heat so that the dwarf did not catch fire nor melt while bearing such an armor. However, the dwarf utilizing it can lower the intensity of the runes on the outside, causing a fiery inferno around them and channeling the heat into their specially crafted warhammers.
Of course, guarding the The Underpass there are the Umbral Rangers a group who devoted their lives to the darkness below the mountains, mastering the arts of stealth and blending in. It is said that their camouflage and ability to hide themselves in the darkness is such that they are invisible even to those able to see in the dark. Many question where their true loyalties lie, but none can doubt their effectiveness of keeping denizens below out of the dwarven holds.
It should be noted that despite their lack of focus on mobile warfare, the dwarves of the Azkor Grongi do still use beasts of war. Notable amongst them are the mountain goats within their territory which they use to primarily scout out positions, however, they also armor them and use them as cavalry in field battles when necessary. Most notable amongst their beasts of war though are the Stelenus or 'Metalhorns,' colossal creatures with a sharp horn protruding from their forehead. They are larger than any warhorse and often used as pack beasts for the dwarves. The Grongi, however, also use them as cavalry, however rarely. Their biggest use on the battlefield comes from the fact that the adults can often have a platform mounted on there back where a ballista or other siege artillery can be mounted and used as a mobile weapons platform.
Aside from these, the dwarves are also known for their repetoire of golems created by their runic magic. The most iconic of these are the giant Infernal Golems, created originally in Mount Infernus to guard the forge within. Only twelve of these golems were created, six for the forge at the mountain they were created at and six for the capital at Ankor Malghraz where they stand sentinel over both the entrance to The Underpass and the main halls to prevent trespassers from defiling the halls.

DISBANDED/DISSOLVED

Together, We Forge the Mountains

Necrolyr 12, A4 5429 - Onin 33, A6 113

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Alternative Names

The Sundered Kingdom

Demonym

Grongi

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Mixed economy

Currency

• Mithril Hammer
• Gold Hammer
• Silver Hammer
• Copper Hammer

Official State Religion

The Sundered Pantheon

Neighboring Nations

• The Kingdom of Venithyr