Raltelgi (Ral-TEL-gee)
The Raltelgi are descendants of the first dwarves to travel to the Dragon Wastes in search of deposits of adamantite. They later spread throughout Beraca as the various countires competed to gain the services of their master miners and smiths.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Though they appear little different to any other dwarves to an outsider the Raltelgi are considered to be somewhat undwarfish by more traditional dwarves. This view is encouraged by the Voices of Tradition in Magrannor halls who feel that the Raltelgi have strayed too far from the traditions of their race. This is reflected in the balance of power between the Raltelgi Voices, with the more progressive Voices of the Forge having far more influence than the conservative Voices of Tradition. The Raltelgi would point out that they still worship the same deities and still follow the same precepts of what makes a good dwarf. It is just that some of the traditions followed elsewhere simply do not work in Beraca.
Renowned for their toughness, even beyond that of other dwarves, the Raltelgi train their children to be able to survive the harsh wastes. This necessitates them spending more time above ground than the traditionalists would like. Heavy metal armour is also seen as a hindrance when traversing the wastes so most Raltelgi tend to shun the heavier armour favoured by their more traditional brethren. Despite their preference for lighter armours the Raltelgi are known to have some of the mest armoursmiths out of all the dwarves, with many of the secrets kept strictly within their own community.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Like many other dwarves the raltelgi are slow to trust outsiders, and are wary about even giving out their names to those they have just met. Despite their reluctance to trust strangers, there is a tradition of treating the less fortunate with generosity, and few Raltelgi would consider turning away a stranger in need of water or shelter.
When it comes to those they consider to be friends, this generosity extends to accepting those in need into their homes and families for as long as necessary. At the start of the first years of darkness, the Raltelgi iopened their mines to the Sandling people, saving them from the demons. Many Raltelgi families took Sandlings into their homes, practically adopting them as part of their clans. The connection between the Raltelgi and the Sandlings families they rescued has lasted for centuries and many families send their children to stay with the Sandlings for a few years to help maintain this connection.
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