High Kingdom of Mor Garum
The High Kingdom of Mor Garum is a huge unified nation of all the seven dwarven kingdoms or Derns. Once these Derns were all divided, belief is that the Diathan, the dwarvish deities, were the founders of these Derns. The Highking resides within Dern Bhimuhm, the largest and most northern Dern. Though the high kingdom is vastly spread across the land, each Dern works towards maintaining the dwarven way of life.
Structure
Àrd Dernàth
In common speech this title would be High King or Emperor. They are the rulers of all the dwarven people, every Dernàth answers to them. They have the final say on all the Derns actions, whether that be diplomatic like war, alliances or trade but also certain legal and civil actions. The current Àrd Denàth is Deorsa Bittershield, he is the last descendent of Modsognir and Brimheidr the heads of the Dhiathan. He is a tall, red haired, longbearded, muscular warrior of an Àrd Denàth, he strives for dwarven strength and unity ruling his people firmly with a conservative notion towards the outer world. Though few have heard any decrees from him since the Harrowing. The Derns have been sealed since the plague spread across the hand, under his order. Some of the Dernàth even doubt whether he still lives or not, communication between the Derns have been quiet for a very long time leading to many Dernàth acting on their own. Àrd Denàth Deorsa Bittershield's home is Dern Bhimuhm a huge fortress city in the Unresting Highlands, built into an ancient volcano from which he commands all the dwarven peoples.
Dernàth
There are 6 Dernàth that command the other dwarven Derns, these dwarvish kings are supposedly the descendants the Dhiathan the dwarf deities, which denotes their holy ancestral right to their titles and leadership over the dwarven peoples.
Dernàth Nuranok Axebrew
Known for being both strong and brave a true warrior king, he is a Dune Dwarf and ruler of Dern Thoram, darkened skin with a thick black beard and imposing muscles he takes pride in being the descendant Dolgthrasir the god of battle, honour and courage. He is loyal to his Àrd Denàth and the dwarven people, his skill in battle as a general and warrior are unmatched by the other Denàths. Despite his realm being the furthest south and far from where many of the wars have been waged and battles fought he and his armies are more than willing to march north for the good of the dwarven peoples.
Dernàth Thakotrud Kegcoat
As ruler of Dern Daral and descendant of Brynna, Denàth Thakotrud is a known as the cheerful king to his neighbours. Friendly, kind and always with a mug of ale in his hand this stout blonde bearded balding dwarf was the most saddened to close off his hold and abandon the humans and halflings outside his lands in their time of need. Plus Dern Daral's trade of ale, whisky and mountain mushrooms became at risk of drying up. However his unwavering loyalty to the Àrd Denàth was not shaken and he continues to keep his Dern closed and safe, awaiting the next decree hoping that he'll be able to resume trade once again.
Dernàth Betdrud Coinbelt
The descendent of Reginn the lord of law, tradition and knowledge she is the ruler of Dern Hiroldur and well known by the elvish Ríocht's that border her hold as the most stubborn and unmoving of all the dwarves. She is stern and old her hair now grey from her many centuries spent on this world, her love of knowledge is represented in her hold by a vast library that her dynasty has filled with thousands of tomes, scrolls, grimoires and tablets documenting everything from history, religion, military tactics, cooking recipes, instructions for constructing and smelting, bestiaries and so much more.
Dernàth Arakorlim Ironmaker
When it comes to dwarves the first thing that comes to mind is mining and the lord of Dern Kalduhr is the master of mining. All the Derns and Denàth mine ores, stones and gems but Dernàth Arakorlim does it the best, descendant of Dvalin the god of mining the Ironmaker dynasty has strived to mine to the deepest and most dangerous of depths to unearth the rarest ores, most precious gems and strongest stones in all of Tír Suaimhnis. He is a burly dwarf with thick brown hair and a face that is almost always coated in dirt and dust, with a crown, rings and clothing adorned with brightest of gemstones. His wealth is unimaginable as is his greed.
Dernàth Elfuhilde Axebraid
Andvari's line leads down to Elfuhilde Axebraid the Dernàth of Dern Nordok, a beautiful dune dwarf with copper skin and long black braided hair. She is highly respected by the Emir Masarra al-Sadafi for the trade and good relations her people have with his, her gift in diplomacy has earned her much love from her people and other rulers. She also highly encourages her people to venture out from their Dern and explore the world just as Andvari did millienia ago, she is one of only two Denàth that have taken it upon themselves to reopen their Derns and allow her people the freedom to come and go, to trade with the wider world or to set off on aventures.
Dernàth Hedrutaine Icefeet
The ruler of the most remote of all the Derns, Dern Lodir and descendent of the disgraced god Fafnir. Dernàth Hedrutaine and the Icefeet dynasty have always taken the Àrd Denàths decrees with reservation, they always act more like an independant Dern than apart of the High Kingdom. She is a strong Peak Dwarf with bright orange hair and a fractious nature about her, making deals, alliances and trade with the Kishligh goblins has aided in alienating her from the other Dernàth. Needless to say when the decree came forth to seal the Derns and stop all communication and transactions with the surface nations, Dernàth Hedrutaine opted to keep her Dern open and prosperous.
Reachdair
The elected councillors of each Dern, they made up of a mix from the noble houses, great warriors, master artisans, wealthy merchants and the most knowledgeable scholars. The Reachdair are tasked with much of governance of the Derns such as law and order, taxation, commerce, infrastructure, education and welfare of the citizens. They are a well respected by the people who live inside the Derns, a Reachdair can only be elected by collective voting of the people of the Dern and are only dwarves despite some Derns having gnomish, halfling and human populations. The Reachdair are available for all citizens to meet with and petition, leaving the Dernàth to focus on global affairs and meet with diginitaries from other nations.
Culture
Mor Garum's interests have always been insular, aiming to benefit dwarven kind and the citizens of the High Kingdom. Any who live in the many Derns are owed safety, security, a good home, warm food and strong ale from their Dernàth. In turn the citizens are expected to serve loyaly and uphold their monarchs reign. For no matter whether you are high or low born, in Mor Garum dwarves take care of dwarves. An oath of hospitality and respect amongst kin.
To the other races that reside amongst them they also extend this oath. However non-dwarves are never truly considered citizens of Mor Garum. They are treated as honoured guests.
Public Agenda
At one point in the past the dwarves and their High Kingdom sought to conquer the whole of Tír Suaimhnis, to take over from the elves as the dominant race. However in this age that desire has long since passed, the rulers of Mor Garum have dedicated the High Kingdom towards industry and trade. The benefits gained through good relations, strong trade networks and creating highly developed Derns have become the focus for hundreds of years. Yet once the Harrowing struck and the Àrd Dernàth declared the Derns sealed from the outside world trade and relations with humans, elves, jotnar and longzhu have become a second though. Survival of the dwarven race comes first.
Military
The armies of Mor Garum differ greatly from that of the human realms. They rely not on levying the commonfolk to fight but instead have a small professional standing army. Each Dern fields an army several thousand strong to defend their own interests, should they all mass into one the army would be tens of thousands strong.
Fear-Phalanx
The core of the dwarvish armies are their pike phalanx. For the stout folk their biggest weakness is larger foes, especially cavalry, jotnar and orcs. To counter this they developed the immovable phalanx. A solid formation of 32 dwarves armed with long sarisa pikes that make up a bristling wall of sharp metal. These heavily armoured units are designed to hold against any charging foe, skewering them before they can get anywhere close to engaging. Deployed on the battlefield to counter cavalry and hold infantry at bay.
Fear-Brisidh
The heavy hitters of the Mor Garum Army. These great warriors clad in heavy chain and plate, wielding mighty great axes and mauls are what dwarven enemies fear most. Fearless in the face of danger, they face down any foe. Cleaving through limbs and crushing armour, the Fear-Brisidh are held in reserve and deployed only to face against heavy infantry and elites. They are well known to habe bested human knights, high elven cataphracts and jotnar huscarls in battle.
Fear-Balla
The best offense is a strong defence, and when it comes to dwarves that saying holds most true. The Fear-Balla are shield bearing warriors armed with short axes, hammers, flails or maces along with tall tower shields. They are the defensive wall used to plug breaches in the phalanx, to protect the generals, crossbow and blackpowder lines. Their heavy plate armour and shields are smelted from the toughest metals ever mined by their kin. The key to dwarven tactics has always been to meet the enemy head on and let them break upon their spear and shield walls.
Fear-Comharra
The ranged firepower of the Mor Garum dwarves comes in two divisions. The first are the blackpowder wielding Fear-Comharra, expert marksmen organised into regiments capable of decimating armies from afar. These gunmen are trained to reload and fire salvos in rapid succession, layering their shots so that there is as little break between firing. Denying the enemy army a chance to regroup, they are particularly effective when deployed against cavalry, whose larger size offer more of a target. They are lightly armoured in scale or chain to allow quick redeployment on the battlefield.
Fear-Boltrach
The second elite ranged regiments of the Mor Garum army are armed with crossbows. These crackshots along with the Fear-Comharra are deployed to unleash volley after volley of armour piercing bolts and bullets into the enemy. While the infantry hold them in place, it allows the dwarves to use slow firing weapons like crossbows and blackpowder weapons efficiently. Since dwarves struggle greatly with bows, the weapons of their old rivals the elves. Dressed in light scale and chain armour the Fear-Boltrach are light on their feet and quick to move so they can position themselves for the most effective shots into the enemy.
Fear-Cogaidh
Dwarves have never been a people who are known to utilise horses even for toil let alone in a military sense, the most you'll see in the Mor Garum Derns is donkeys or mules used as to carrying goods and labour up to their mountain holds. However, this isn't to say that the dwarves don't have a cavalry force in their army. The Fear-Cogaidh are one of the most unusual regiments of the Mor Garum army, heavily armoured warriors mounted on huge mountain goats to many would sound ridiculous but to the dwarves they are a force that few can match. These giant goats are just at home on the flat planes as they are in their mountain range homes, athletic and resilient beasts with their great horns the goats are just as dangerous as their riders. Armoured in chainmail both rider and goat can shrug off most swords or spears thrust their way, armed with long spears and short axes they deliver devastating charges before cleaving into all around them.
Saighdear
Integrated into every division and regiment are several Saighdear, the warrior priests of the Dhiathan. Channeling the divine magics of their gods the Saighdear march alongside the army, providing healing, protection and empower them to fight harder. They are also formidable fighters, armed with warhammers and maces they smite their foes. Often the strongest of the Saighdear are held in reserve, ready to battle the enemies strongest warriors.
Blàths
Warmage
Bàrd-gaisgeil
Warrior bards
Golems
Comments