The Kingdom of the Mountain Dwarves

The “Great North Range” is the informal name in the other races’ languages for the kingdom of the mountain dwarves that occupies much of the interior space of that range of towering, snow-capped peaks which stretches from the edges of The Western Wastes nearly to the sea in the east. The Dwarves call it in their language “Dar Khuldeem,” or “Great Home of the People.”

The mountain dwarves were the second race, after the dragons, created by the gods to populate the continent. After they overthrew their draconic masters in AR 1001, they converted their former slave quarters and the former dragon lairs within the mountains into a vast system of strongholds and connecting tunnels. Nearly all of the top 2,000 feet of the mountains, from west to east, is part of a system of vast artificial caverns, starting about 500 ft. beneath the mountains’ surface. Inside, Dwarven dwellings, fortresses, towers are built both into the mountain interior and across great wide bridges that span the caverns. Roads carved into the stone connect different levels. Tunnels and chasms go down through the mountains and miles into the earth. All buildings glitter with jewels and precious metals in the light of massive lanterns. From west to east, there are eight principle cities, called strongholds. They are, in order:

Westhome

• Population: 400,016
• Ruler: Duke Gari Stormbow.
• Industries: Military technology, mushroom farming, swine herding, tanning, trade.
• Points of Interest: Temple of Clanggedin Silverbeard, god of battle, Westhome Army Fortress., the Fortress of Trade.

Basalthome

• Population: 678,970
• Ruler: Duchess Bharaeda Trollslayer.
• Industries: Education and research, finance and coin making, luxury trade items.
• Points of Interest: the College of War, the College of Crafts and Technology, Vault of Markush, Temple of Dugmaren Brightmantle, god of scholarship, discovery, and invention, the Workshops of Ikkul the Inventor.

Granitehome

• Population: 987,423
• Ruler: Duke Grubdar Ironbreaker.
• Industries: mining, metalwork, alchemy and medicine.
• Points of Interest: Mines of Morga, Mines of Helltrum, Deep Shaft of Shanisam, Forge of Khaldun, College of Alchemy and Healing, Temple of Dumathoin, god of mining.

Goldhome

• Population: 1,013,456
• Ruler: King Vard Blackmountain, Mountain King, ruler of all Dwarves.
• Industries: Government and business administration, mining and metalwork, jewelry, stonework, brewing. Points of Interest: Hall of the Mountain King, King’s Army Fortress, embassies of Elves, Telleconians, Human Empire, and Gnomes, Mines and Forge of Bruga, Oakbeard Brewing Company, Temple of Moradin, chief and creator diety.

Quartzhome

• Population: 888,703
• Ruler: Duchess Quella Copperhelm.
• Industries: clothing, tapestries, homewares, midwifery, storytelling and entertainers, sheep and goat herding.
• Points of Interest: College of Bardic Arts, College of Midwifery and Nurses, Temple of Berronar Truesilver, goddess of safety, truth, home, and healing, wife of Moradin.

Obsidianhome

• Population: 701,307
• Ruler: Duke Rocarn Darkbeard
• Industries: Mining and metalwork, military technology, mining equipment, deep depths exploration and defense.
• Points of Interest: Mines of Thurdiim, Forge of Hurldan, the College of Rangers, Temple of Marthammor Duin, god of travel and protection, the Chasm of Haresk (deepest point in kingdom).

Cherthome

• Population: 530,103
• Ruler: Duchess Heida Thunderaxe
• Industries: arcane magic, milling, water welling and transportation, book making, stonework.
• Points of Interest: the College of Wizards, the Great Waterfall and Mill, Temple of Thautam, god of magic and darkness.

Easthome

• Population: 417, 808
• Ruler: Duke Ikarn Ogrebane
• Industries: trade, swine herding, shipping, brewing, glass making.
• Points of Interest: the Great Market, Vault of Khamlor, Easthome Army Fortress, Guild of Merchants Fortress, Temple of Vergadain, god of wealth and luck.

The Great North Range is 2,300 miles, west to east. The strongholds within it are separated by an average distance of 280 miles and connected by a magic-powered tube train that can make the trip from Easthome to Westhome in about 24 hours (going 100 mph, top speed). Between the principle strongholds are thousands of fortified towns and cities (stronghold populations include surrounding places).

The Righteous Circle

The mountain dwarves are a deeply religious people, and every dwarf makes religious observances at least once a day, and all have shrines to at least Moradin and their favored gods in their homes. Small temples and shrines are everywhere in public spaces. In return, the Dwarven gods are very close to the people. The Dwarven faiths are lead by a group of eight high priests known the Righteous Circle. Each of them presides at the major temple in each stronghold, and also meets at the Temple of Moradin in Goldhome under the Holy Father, chief priest of Moradin. They communicate directly with the gods on behalf of the people, set doctrine, and are ultimately responsible for priest, cleric and paladin training. The Holy Father is also the personal priest of the King. The Righteous Circle are:

1. Holy Father Anar Armorforger (LG Cleric of Moradin 20)
2. Holy Mother Gruna Silveroath (LG Cleric of Berronar Truesilver 19)
3. Father Norgi Fireheart (LG Cleric of Clanggedin Silverbeard 18)
4. Father Dondan Rockspear (LG Cleric of Dugmaren Brightmantle 17)
5. Mother Gurgi Axeblade (LN Cleric of Dumathoin 16)
6. Father Baern Deepdelver (NG Cleric of Marthammor Duin 16)
7. Mother Hasga Ironhair (LN Cleric of Thautam 16)
8. Father Roki Stoneback (N Cleric of Vergadain 15)

The mountain dwarves of the Great North Range have good relations with goliaths who live on the peaks of the mountains, hill dwarves who dwell in the Hill Lands, as well as fire and stone giants who live in the lower depths of the mountains, as well as wild Dwarven tribes that live to the north.