Fjellsmie

Living below Mt. Ambolt on the far northeastern edge of The Tundra, the dwarves of Fjellsmie are fiery like the mountain they live within. Most keep their hair in braids to indicate the mastery of their crafts. The Fjellen dwarves are the most skilled weapon and armor smiths among the dwarves and have created many heirlooms that are still carried into battle.

Government

The Fjellsmie dwarves are ruled by the Council of Laugmester, masters of metal and fire who lead their clans. Each Laugmester has one vote and matters of trade, war, and diplomacy are require 3/4 of the council to be in accord. There are nine Laugmester to represent the nine clans of the Fjellsmie. Each comes from a different part of Mt. Ambolt and has unique views of Fjellsmie’s place in Kauvet. Conflicts between the clans are decided by a simple majority vote of the council or, if agreed upon, ritual combat between the champions of the clans. Each clan is led by a council of elders who elect the next Laugmester when the current one passes away or resigns from the position.

Clans

Fjellsmie is made up of nine clans who came together to tame the caverns of Mt. Ambolt, bringing crystalline light to never ending chasms, shaping dolomite grottos, and carving the granite feet of the mountain into forges, workshops, and fortresses against the beasts of the Underdark.

Oks

The Oks are one of the three exterior clans that live in the southern caverns that open onto the plains of Kauvet and lead into the Underdark. The Oks forges specialize in crafting keen axes and shining mail to arm the warriors who protect South Fjellsmie from outsiders. They are one of the few clans who farm at any scale thanks to their access to the southern foothills of Mt. Ambolt. Their great hall of Sorlig Sol guards the entrance to the heralded mountain halls where the most direct path from the Underdark and Kauvet converge.

Known Oks Laugmesters

• Freyja Firehair (as of 139 AL) - Freyja once rode a hellhound out of the depths after rescuing Oks’ missing children from a party of gnothics while wielding an axe she forged.

Sverd

The most storied of the exterior clans of Fjellsmie, the Sverd, live within the deepest caverns of Fjellsmie, venturing further into the Underdark than any other clan. The Sverd live by the might of their blades as they seek out lost wonders and treasures hidden in darkness. They grow a variety of fungi within caverns lit by crystalline chandeliers which provide the Bladfot (adventurers) with sustenance on expeditions. These fungi are also sold as delicacies to the interior and peak clans for feats. Their great hall of Helvet Munn is the deepest of any great hall and stands as a challenge to Beholders, Dao, and Duergar who seek their downfall.

Known Svert Laugmesters

• Bragi Nine-eye (as of 139 AL) - During his reign, he sat upon a throne adorned by the eyes of nine beholders he slew when he served as a Bladfot.

Labyrint

The Labyrint are one of the three exterior clans that live in the northern caverns that open onto the mountains, tundra, and Underdark. The Labryint have developed techniques to craft the hardest metals into impenetrable shields and maces that can crush even a troll’s skull. Packs of winter wolves and chuul are common foes the Labryint seek out and crush to ensure the safety of the interior clans. The great hall of Nordlige Mane sits at the mouth of the Chuul Maze from which the Knyttnever of the Labyrint hunt their ancient foes.

Known Labyrint Laugmesters

• Arent Skullcrusher (as of 139 AL) - a young forge master

Smi

The most numerous of the interior clans, the Smi have harnessed Mt. Ambolt's energies for their work. The hall of Flammende Vann sits in the heart of Mt. Ambolt atop geothermal vents and hot springs which the Smi use to power forges, workshops, and moving statues. The Smi forges are known as a place where mechanical marvels come to life and the most coveted weapons, armor, and wonders are made. While all Fjellsmie practice the blacksmith's art, few would argue the Smi produce the most heralded forge masters.

Known Smi Laugmesters

• Hrathgar Truestrike (as of 139 AL) - the eldest of the Laugmester and has held their seat for over 150 years.

Vevstol

The peacekeepers within Fjellsmie, the Vevstol are crafters of goods and alliances. The Vevstol live in the eastern interior caverns of Mt. Ambolt and their hall, Herter Ull, has terraces that overlook Seal Island and The Eastern Ocean. The Vevstol weave the wool of mountain sheep into resplendent robes that are desired throughout the mountain. Their heralds are welcome in every clan's hall where they help elders and Laugmester resolve disputes and tell tales of how the clans have united to preserve the many halls of Fjellsmie.

Known Vevstol Laugmesters

Their Laugmester, Hilda SongshaperI, is fabled to be able to slow the setting of the sun with poetry that flows like a river, songs that still the birds, and tales that make the most hardened Bladfot cheer like a barely bearded recruit.

Hjul

In the Western and Northern interior of the mountain the Hjul pull the lifeblood of Fjellsmie from Mt. Ambolt’s embrace. Great wheels constantly raise the carts of iron, bronze, silver, and gold from the Hjul mines where these metals flow to the many forges of Fjellsmie. The hall of Stor Kala is constantly abuzz with haggling voices as metals, goods, and services are traded among the clans. The Hjul also oversee the great lifts that can take a shipment of ice from the peak of Mt. Ambolt to the deep hall of Helvet Munn in a single day.

Known Hjul Laugmesters

• Bytte the Rainbow (as of 139 AL) - their colorful raiment earned them their name.

Fingrene

In the southern interior caverns is the hall Kronemed Smykker where its jeweled walls dazzle enemy and ally alike. The Fingrene craft the most delicate works of Fjellsmie with hammer and magic to create tools, weapons, and constructs that could ignite blood feuds if taken from their owner. The fewest in number of any clan, the Fingrene are the most magically inclined, choosing to include the arcane arts into their work.

Known Fingrene Laugmesters

• Udin One-eye (as of 139 AL) - His wisdom is unparalleled throughout the clans. He traveled among the Sverd in his youth to find the Pool of Memory in the depths of the Underdark and survived drinking its enchanted waters.

Skaere

One of the two peak clans, the Skaere are master stoneworkers in addition to their skill at the forge. Their hall of Tak i Gudene contains the temples of the gods of the dwarves. The Skaere helped to craft the passages that connect the many clans of Fjellsmie and the halls that protect them. Many of the priests who serve the clans come from the Skaere. On the peak of Mt. Ambolt, the Skaere harvest ice in the winter and rare plants and herbs in the spring and summer for the clans.

Known Skaere Laugmesters

• Valkyrie Skydancer (as of 139 AL) - tamed pegasi that she rides across the sky in honor of the gods.

Gaeter

Keepers of the wandering hall Delte Blod, the Gaeter wander the slopes of Mt. Ambolt where they keep herds of sheep, goats, and falcons that provide for Fjellsmie. Their warded runestones, which erect Delte Blod each night, are the greatest creation of the Fingrene. The only time the Gaeter retreat from the exterior of Mt. Ambolt is in the deepest winter when even their enchanted furs cannot keep them warm.

Known Gaeter Laugmesters

• Astrid Faefeather (as of 139 AL) - can tame even the wildest beasts.