Dwarven Bloodlines
Dwarven Character Relations
As new players join the Dwarven Clans, the marshals wish to present the concept of bloodlines to explain why so many Dwarves will have gathered in one place. By linking the bloodlines, it will come to help explain why so many Dwarves have come to gather in a place not of the Deep Realms. Much the same way that the Duchies have their houses for each of their lands, we have bloodlines built into each Clan. Depending upon the popularity of one Clan over the next, a Clan could have several bloodlines, while another could have only one.
By linking yourself to a bloodline, it helps to add further story to your character. It allows you to have instantaneous bonds with other characters already in play, or to come in with several characters with some enhanced sense of relationships. This could help give future players more solid foundations to their back stories as to why they have ventured so far from home and why they remain.
You need not be related to anyone in play, if that is your stance, however, we do encourage it.
The Blood of Heros
“I am Barzak, the Runed Thorn, Blood of Gimkas, the Orc Terror, of Clan Kadrin Uthar!”
Heroism lays at the heart of the Dwarven people, and as such, each and every Dwarf attempts to link their legacy to such greatness no matter how far back their bloodline stretches from them. Such bloodlines suggest to other Dwarves what to be expected of them, and foretell of their own potential legacy.
The heroes and their direct bloodlines are risen to the nobility, and the nobility hold their ancestors and their deeds closely. However, not all heroes were born of noble blood, many are commoners who have performed some great heroic action. Although such risen heroes rarely live to be elevated personally, their children are the ones who get to enjoy the tempering to their legacy.
Commoners often have links to Heroes of the distant past, but these heroes are not direct bloodlines and are either related to them on the wrong side of the blood, were uncles or aunts, or the like. The commoners will cling to these names just as fiercely as it is a source of their legacy.
If you chose to not use a bloodline, that is fine. Some stories are best told by those of no great legacy. In this case, when presenting your name, you simply can say your father/grandfather’s name if you're a Stone Dwarf or your mother/grandmother’s name if you're a Shadow Dwarf.
Note: Each Clan has a Prime Thane Bloodline. Those of that bloodline and are nobility, can have the chance in game play to potentially become a Thane in time. This is not a guarantee, but it would give you a great deal of sway having a close relation being a Thane. Not all bloodlines have such sway, nor should they, but these ones do.
Making Your Own Bloodline
What follows below are six concepts(two of which are fleshed out) from each of the Clans. However, there are many more heroes that exist within the story of the Dwarves of both Shadow and Stone. If what we have written does not fit your story or concept, we welcome you to make your own bloodline to present to the Dwarven Marshals for approval.
The Eight Clans of Stone
The Stone Dwarves are filled with heroes of every sort in their expansive history, and often elevate heroic commoner Dwarves of their Clans to nobility, often in death so that their lineage will help bolster the nobility’s often thinning lines.
Commoner Dwarves of the Clans also share the lineages of the heroes. It is very custom to claim a hero Blood relation of a hero.
Angaz Zan (Iron Blood)
Gimafr, the Iron Tower - Prime Thane Bloodline - The realm of the southern tunnels of the First Mountain teamed with monsters of massive size, many earthquakes and volcanic spews. This chaotic place was where Gimafr settled his people, to temper them in the forge. They built halls that could withstand their environment, and the environment made those who lived there have iron in their blood. Those of his blood are known for being tenacious and stalwart.
Stunkar, the Breath Shaper - When the Dark Depths came to enslave his Clan, Stunkar went to the hall of ancestors. While many questioned his actions to pray while the defenders died, he went there to press the limits of magic and crafted the first golems out of the statues of the ancestors. The golems sprang to life and turned the tide against the Dark Masters. Those of his blood are known for cleverness and resolute defense.
Other Concepts:
Azsten, the Walking Siege - Dwarven gunslinger who proved the metal of engineers in war.
Elhud, the Stone Dreamer - Maker of the Wonders of the Dwarves, such as the roads, the span and the karakard.
Gimtur, the Siege Master - First to breach a karak, the karak that was controlled by the Mat Kulin after their treachery.
Theolim, the Thirst Quencher - Used a dam to drown a horde of Orcs during the Withering Wars.
Bonun Zon (Soot Helm)
Gloin, the Living Shadow - Prime Thane Bloodline - Gloin gathered Dwarves of cunning, pragmatic senses of honor and those willing to do what must be done. His most famous battle was when he and his followers ambushed an enemy force that vastly outnumbered theirs ten to one covered in coal ash, gaining victory for him and his allied Thanes. Those of his blood are known for cunning and pragmatism.
Cael, the Stone Grudge - When the treacherous Rakgan, the Blood-Oath Betrayer, of the Mat Kulin murdered the High King, it was Cael who infiltrated the cult’s members, growing ever so much closer to avenge his King’s betrayal. Those of his blood are known for loyalty and dedication.
Other Concepts:
Farhad, the Slag Breaker - Purged the Guilds of the insidious Kartuls.
Ohad, the Short Fuse - Famed duelist who bullied his way into many challenges on the surface to prove the worth of the Dwarves.
Kalderer, the Guild Crafter - The organizer of the Guilds and credited with the starting of their laws.
Gwarkara, the Redeemer - Sheltered the first Shadow Dwarves in her kingdom, and gave or her land and resources to begin their culture, helping to ease the blemish of the Stone Dwarf Guilt.
Duraz Sârek (Stone Caller)
Indin, the Rune Shaper - Prime Thane Bloodline - Many say that the Bronze Epoch would never had been had it not been for Indin. He understood the changing of seasons and developed calendars, he brought order to the chaos of unrecorded time, turned words into etchings, and discovered magic. He taught his ways to those he deemed worthy, and in time, gave his gifts to the whole of the Clans. Those of his blood are known for intellect and power.
Ygdlond, the Planes Stalker - Ygdlond and Gorig had been rivals since childhood, the two were always in steep competition with one another that extended well into their adulthood. When the Arcana Wars began, Gorig became the Kazakuli who was chosen to defend the karakard, while Ygdlond was placed as one of his advisers. A champion of the Brotherhood slew Gorig, and much to everyone’s surprise Ygdlong declared a grudge and challenged the champion. Wounded severely, the champion fled from this reality into the aether of the planes. Determined, the scholar prepared himself to see his grudge to the end, and stalked the injured champion from plane to plane until he finally smote the champion of the Brotherhood, and settled his grudge. His blood is known for competitive streaks and surmounting all obstacles.
Other Concepts:
Mamek, the Tale Forger - The prolific playwright who has defined Dwarven storytelling as epics, tragedies and revenge stories.
Balarit, the Bond Smith - Discovered how the Orc Shaman Wither kept his unnatural life and bound his soul to his body so he could at last be slain.
Thir, the Runed Warrior - Credited with making the Hazukal (Ruined Warriors).
Baelorien, the Fate Etcher - Prolific seer and rune caster, his famed foretellings have still all not fully come to pass.
Kadrin Uthar (Crag Fist)
Gimin, the Clans Forger - Prime Thane Bloodline - A paragon of warlords during the end of the Marred Epoch, who ushered in the Bronze Epoch by forming the first Clan and giving rise to the Thanes. In time he would defeat all of his rivals, forge the first alliances between the Clans to help bring unity and order to the Deep Realm. Those of his blood are stoic and heroic.
Baz, the Stone Wall - A famous kazakuli who managed to forestall a succession war, which he knew would end poorly for the Stone Dwarves, and instead managed to unite the factions towards crushing an orcish invasion that threatened their allies on the surface.
Other Concepts:
Vonya the Unwavering Guardian - She held the mouth of the cave that led to the Dark Depths while the Seal was being forged.
Gimuk, Troll Tamer - He is the kazakuli who beat the wild trolls of the Feylands in the Wyld War.
Elir, the Withering Scourge - He is the final slayer of Wither, the leader of the first Orcish Invasion known as The Withering Wars.
Durlak, the Unyielding - Heroically sacrificed himself to collapse a series of tunnels on an invading orcish horde, sparing one of the great Karaks.
Kol Rikkaz (Coal Hammerer)
Rotu, the Quencher - Prime Thane Bloodline - Rotu led his Clan in claiming the black hills of coal in the early days of the Bronze Epoch. Coal was infinitely useful to the newly formed Clans, and the Thanes were not often known for asking for resources politely. Rotu however led his Clan in diplomacy, and strict adherence to a number of codes and laws when dealing with the other Clans. This approach sated the Thanes and allowed his Clan to become powerful, without needing to raise an axe, unless pressed. Those of his blood are known for being fair and lawful.
Elrin, the Golden Truth - In the aftermath of the Dark Depths, the kingdoms were in ruins, and anarchy was on the rise. It was Elrin, who through great selflessness and honesty, managed to unite the Dwarves from the brink of falling apart into a new Marred Epoch. His actions crowned him as the first High King of the Dwarves. Those of his blood are known for being selfless and peace makers.
Other Concepts: Lazaud, the Unflinching Justice - Architect of Dwarven Laws who judged foes and herself by the same laws.
Kilyr, the Metal Truth - The Dwarven philosopher who forged the Metal Truths, and gifted them to the Dwarves.
Belsun, the Aegis - Knight Paragon who sacrificed himself to save his karak against the Dark Depths by holding a narrow pass which allowed his folk to escape.
Kamnar, the High Judge - Is the framer credit with drafting the Magisters structure and place within Dwarven society.
Langk Drin (Long Road)
Galtak, the Pathfinder - Prime Thane Bloodline - An explorer and map maker, few knew the Deep Realm better then Galtak. Those who were drawn to him would gain his secret ways through the Deep Realm. This allowed him to capitalize in ways the other Clans could not, trade in any corner of the Dwarven Clan territories. He and his followers formed the first trading partnerships, allowing him to gain a great deal of favor and power for his Clan. Those of his blood are known for being good negotiators and turning a profit.
Jalagruk, the Never Lost - When the Rikard undid the laws against going above ground, it was Jalagruk who excitedly bounded forward. He disappeared for nearly four hundred years, and was assumed he had died in the vastness of the surface. However, he instead returned with an epic tail that took him from the Old Kingdom, to the Fey Lands, and to realms and lands no one else has traveled but only heard of. He claimed he had traveled the realm of sky and gained entry to the aether realms, and finished his story by going to the realm of the Great Smith and asking him a single question. Many laughed off his tales and dismissed them, but as the Dwarves explored the surface themselves they found his descriptions and tales of histories matched his story eerily well. His epic odyssey was written down, and is often set alongside other historical works, despite its more fantastic qualities. Those of his blood are known for being storytellers and having wanderlust.
Other Concepts:
Morsten, the Gold Hand - He made the first concept of currency and coin, which allowed trade to become more fluid and easier to manage.
Kazaest, the Glass Maker - Helped to unite the economies of the Shahnazrian Empire by introducing currency to their allies.
Fikan, the Compounded - The crafter of loans, interests and banking. He is also sometimes cursed, but is more often revered.
Ginta, the Crown Hammer - Restored honor to the art of mercenary work within the Stone Dwarf Kingdoms.
Zharr Tromm (Blaze Beard)
Elkral, the Mason - Prime Thane Bloodline - After the despair of the battle of the Dark Depths, the Guild known as the Zharr Tromm used their artistic skills to help bridge gaps and sooth tempers of the desperate Dwarves. Elkral was the Guild Leader then, and he worked with Rik Elrin - helping the Rik in his masterful strokes to unite the fractured Dwarves. When Elrin was named Rikard, he rewarded the guild with being named a Clan. Those of his blood are known for passion and for working in the face of despair.
Nanizak, the Forge - When the Dark Depths invaded the Deep Realm, they sacked the armories of a Dwarven city. The Dwarves looked upon the raided store house with despair, Nanizak merely rolled up his sleeves, and got to work. In a night, he had remade enough weapons to arm the city defenders, in three days the Dwarven army was rearmed, and in a fortnight all of them were fully armored. The Kingdom of the Forge never again lacked for Dwarven Steel. Those of his blood are known for being hard workers and determined.
Other Concepts:
Trillium, the Smith - The Dwarven paragon of smithing, he mastered all three forms of high craft.
Barrim, the Oil Guilder - Famed artisan who mastered the art of painting, and brought honor to the profession.
Risla, the Desert Pearl - Made a work of art that was so amazing that Saltan of the Shahnazarian Empire accepted it into his forbidden city.
Veylras, the Axe Tempest - A marvel with the axe, her understanding of the fighting brought forth the Huval, or the Dwarven Fighting Stances - of which was one of the very few grand masters.
Zanor Ibmat (Heart Ember)
Deltak, the Endless Tankard - Prime Thane Bloodline - As a young Dwarf, he learned the secret of fermenting from the Gnolrem (fungus people), and forged his Clan with the passionate, the stoic and the dramatic - and as he also was quoted to say, “the drunk!” He traded his drinks to the other Clans, challenged their leaders when they were deep in their cups and set aside many conflicts with a tall horn of ale. The celebrations he led were boisterous, wild and things of legend. Those of his blood are often passionate and boisterous.
Klob, the Insulter - There are those who have uttered curses in the heat of battle and those who have cowed a lesser rival with a few well placed verbal barbs. But the greatest of these curse-smiths is undoubtedly Klob. He once made a Troll-blood blush, out shouted a giant, and was the first to run into an elf and within moments the term Elgi was forged and honed. Those of his blood are often vulgar yet whitty.
Other Concepts:
Norkak, the Grave Grudge - The Dwarven Grudges did not begin with him, but were defined in his revenge.
Daglata, the Victorious - A barmaid who was the last standing in the epic and chaotic brawl that destroyed a whole town known as Garren Gallows.
Gehhad, the Legendary Boaster - Few could out boast this legendary ancestor, who spun swelling tales for himself and all of his friends. Credited with starting the Boasting Feast.
Orin, the Wonder Lust - A prolific and passionate traveler and adventurer, who is to have fathered 100 Dhovghar between the Old Kingdom and Shahnazarian Empire.
The Four Clans of Shadow=
The Shadow Dwarves look upon their heroic bloodlines almost sacredly. Their heroes, and their sacrifices are not a thing of the distant past, often their grand or great grandmothers were heroes who liberated their people from darkness itself.
The commoners of the Shadow Dwarves can be elevated to nobility as well for heroism, as they believe that heroism is latent within the blood of all Shadow Dwarves, and much of their society is meant to bring forth such heroism from their folk.
Commoner Dwarves of the Clans also share the lineages of the heroes. It is very custom to claim a hero Blood relation of a hero.
Gidur Tathur (Memory Etcher)
Tirvae, the Blood Scribe - Prime Thane Bloodline - When the Dark Masters came to purge the memories of Deep Realm from the Shadow Dwarves, Tirvae set in motion a grand plan to save the histories and magics of the Dwarves. As she raced against the Dark Master’s mentally sterilizing touch she managed to save almost all of the knowledges before it could be lost by carving the words into her and her follower’s skin. Those of her blood are often known for being enduring and wise.
Yutte, the Chisel - Many fell and perished in the escape of the Dark Depths, heroes rose and fell in waves, sacrifices and suffering were commonplace and few survived. Yutte bore witness to all of this, all the while this story was being carved into her skin. She survived. She had the honor to teach the newest generation of Shadow Dwarves the histories of their folk, out in the open, and was the first in nearly 3000 years to record the Shadow Dwarf Histories upon stone and not skin. Those of her blood are often known for being scholarly and teachers.
Other Concepts:
Duerud, the Catalyst - The giver of lost knowledge of the Shadow Dwarves to the last rebellion, brought magic and runes back to her people and restored the knights to power.
Telna, the Everlasting Inferno - Annihilator of the spider queen, the dark nest, the army of the risen ancestors, the remnants of the master’s vengeance, and shower of mercy to the wounded heroes at her side, and she consumed them all in her magical flames.
Trol, the Flesh Shaper - Given that few enough males existed, when several of the young Gidur Tathur were to be slaughtered by the Dumali, he gave up his protection to save the children who had much hidden knowledge already scarred upon their skin.
Dron Grafeh (Echo Carver)
Valdo, the Poisoned Blade - Prime Thane Bloodline - The scouts of the Shadow Dwarves were designed to spy upon the Silken Empire in the Dark Depths. When the scouts joined the Scorched Uprising, it was under her command. She left the most challenging tasks not in the hands of those who followed her, but took them upon her shoulders. She made the pact of gaining the poison from the Sirik’morness (spider folk), she slew the head priest of the hall of ancestors of the Dumuliad and when it came to trying to distract the wrathful army of the Dark Masters she led it. Those of her blood are known for sacrifice and leadership.
Olosrad, the Last Kindness - One of the Builder Clan, she was charged with manning the explosives to sunder the Great Doombringer Hive and collapse the mines that housed the male Shadow Dwarves. However, when the Dumuliad realized that the Uprising was well underway, their forces went to take the mines where her sisters worked to free the males from bondage. She took it upon herself to make sure that no hostages were taken. She set off the explosives, taking many of the greatest servants of the Dumuliad and destroyed her Clan and gambled the longevity of her people without as many breeding mates, but ensured no one else was taken into bondage again. Those of her blood are known to be pragmatic and make hard choices.
Other Concepts: Nili, the Red Shadow - She is the slayer of the spawning pools of the mind flayers.
Nituhild, the Bold - She was a paramount warrior, but famously fell in love during the rebellion, which was the first recorded romance between the sexes in nearly 2000 years.
Raktak, the Steady Hand - When magic waned in the Great Exodus, it was his skill with surgery that saved more lives.
Ubal Okab (Spirit Breaker)
Fririn, the Stone Foot - Prime Thane Bloodline - Fririn was the first knight of the Shadow Dwarves, and she was a dark furry upon her foes in the Scorched Uprising. She famously held a narrow pass with her sisters, buying time for those she protected to escape, until her leg was crushed by a Great Doombringer. She was carried from the field, still trying to get at the beast. When her people made it to the Great Seal and it looked as if all was lost, she demanded that her boot be filled with stone and they strap it to her stump, for she would die on her feet like the rest of her sisters. She survived, using her heavy stone boot to crush her foes. Those of her blood are known as determined and strong of will.
Gwarhild, the Nightfell Reaver - The hero of Scorched Uprising, the protector of the escape and the champion of the Battle at the Seal, the High Queen of the Shadow Dwarves. Gwarhild had many titles and names. She however may be best summarized as a mother who became a horror to those who sought to keep her enslaved, to save not only her daughter, but all daughters to come from that hell. Those of her blood are often known for being commanders and for selflessness of her people.
Other Concepts:
Ohad, the Host Slayer - She threatened the hall of the ancestors of the mind flayers, and slew their guardian brain golem.
Whurar, the Graced - The First Knight of Darkness who rose up from the Dark Depths and helped to usher her folk from the clutches of the Dumali.
Gimgrim, the Bridge Builder - He was the mine foreman, and later the leader of the male Shadow Dwarves, what few remained. He bridges many of the gaps that had formed in the sexes having been separated for several 1000 years.
Vumshar Sheget (Gloom Fare)
Tirvae, the Adamant Mind - Prime Thane Bloodline - Trivae had been born into servitude, being raised to serve the Dumuliad in their homes. She, like the others before, lived with the oily and pervasive thoughts of the masters invading her mind by mere happenstance, which would be enough to make anyone sour and silent. Their dreams however, alien and utterly soul numbing seemed to suck the life and joy out of the Dwarven heart. She however wondered at how the other Dumuliad did not go mad, and stole the secrets of how to block her mind from their stray thoughts, and taught this skill to the other servants, who pledged their names to her leadership. Those of her blood are known for being protective and persevering.
Sada, the Nameless Namer - Sada was a Smith, born after the escape. One evening she had a horrible vision of the unnamed dead, those who died in the Dark Depths, were fading away as none paid homage to them or their sacrifices. She embarked on a quest to the other cultures who prayed to their ancestors and constructed the Shrine to the Unnamed, and this preserved the nearly forgotten dead. Those of her blood are known as visionaries and markers of great works.
Other Concepts:
Vomha, the Provider - She organized the escape from the dark depths, brokering an alliance of protection with Gwarhild, that lasts even to this day.
Zagbal, the Shadow Hunter - Hero of the Arcana wars, who is credited in stopping the siege of the First War from cracking the Karakard.
Theogrim, the Bellows - When the males were separated from the females, cast into shackles and forced to work themselves to death, it was Theogrim who gave his men folk heart. He forged songs and gave them a sense of community when wretched depression seemed to be nearly ready to sweep them away.
The Clanless
Blood lines within the Clanless are rarely spoken of, let alone celebrated. Each Clanless can trace their lineage back to the stain of dishonor that cursed their bloodline. However, some Claness have risen to the challenge, and become noble in a sense amongst other Clanless, if their valorous ancestors were not acknowledged by the Clans.
Gomgur, the Lost Paragon - Born into the Clanless, he earned his heroism during the War with the Dark Depths, gaining honor and glory with each battle. So ennobled was he at the end that he shamed the Clans who would not go forth and try and save those who were taken. When the scores of liberated Dwarves returned, they brought Gomgur’s remains. In death, the Clans all chlamored to claim him as a distant relation of theirs, but the High King instead he was kept as a hero of the Clanless to give them hope.
Other Concepts:
Garir, the Selfless Shield - Would not raise a weapon but defended and saved untold amounts of Dwarves with healing.
Hilmae, The Singed - She took the crown jewel of a dragon’s hoard by tricking him.