><x>< Clan Grimgold ><x><

[Hrokaz 631]

 

Clan Grimgold

Khazamar Korodaurok

 

Clan Grimgold is a proud Mountain Dwarf Greater Clan known for their grim resolve, masterful craftsmanship, and the sacred tradition of the battle-funerary mask. Descended from the ancient and venerable Goldhand lineage, the clan traces its founding directly to Theodoric Grimgold, the fourth son of the legendary Tungdil Goldhand. Having fled during the Age of Blood before the rise of the Empire of Khorvad, Theodoric led his kinfolk to the island they would call Da Kirkja Gorix, or ‘The Holy Rock’.

 

The clan’s sigil is the Mask of Theodoric, a fearsome black-and-gold battle-funerary mask that has become the enduring emblem of Clan Grimgold to honor their founder. Worn by the clan in life and carried into the grave, the mask represents the clan’s core belief that a Dwarf’s real face is revealed only to kin and the gods. Thus do they call the mask a True-Face and their bare face a God-Face.

 

The clan tends towards a deep reverential and almost militant devotion to the Brathmordakin and their self-considered paragon ancestor, Theodoric. Compared to the traditions of other clans, the Grimgold faith remains that of the Kultas Grimnarri, or the Cult of Maskmakers. In contrast to the other henotheistic sects, the Grimgolds believe the gods exist as a divine family, with Yemekar seen as the King of the Gods, but not the creator of the other Brathmordakin. Worship of Dungrimm and his wife Belka are of exceptionally high regard, with the Grimgolds themselves considering Theodoric to be a literal son of Belka Herself and Dungrimm operating through Tungdil. Thus to a Grimgold, their bloodline is divine.

 

 

Grimgold Traits

 

Strong Mountain Heritage: The Grimgold Dwarves descend from a long line of Mountain Dwarf stock. They tend to be on the taller end, usually between 4’4” (130cm) to 5’ (150cm), strong of body and pale of skin. Their hair tends towards shades of gold, but red and black are not uncommon. Their eyes often have a brilliant shine to them, with shades reminiscent of fine gemstones, a bright blue sapphire or green emerald being the most common.

 

Salt Blooded: The Grimgold lineage is often a stubborn and driven lineage, their burning blood coming from the wrathful and fiery Theodoric. While stubbornness is a common trait amongst Dwarves, the Grimgolds seem particularly driven to maintain a stubborn adherence to their culture and way of life, even against the Dwarven mainline.

 

Island Isolation: While stubborn, the Grimgolds are not stupid or foolish. Having grown isolated on Da Kirkja Gorix, opposed to most Warrior Clans, they lean towards a more philosophical direction. Action is not a spur of the moment decision, but often undertaken with a deep level of thought and consideration. This does not always make them ‘correct’, but more so ‘heavily opinionated’.

 

Living Weapon Creed: Every Dwarf is a weapon (or tool) forged by the gods themselves. To dishonor your body, your skill, or your conduct is to insult the divine craftsmanship that made you. Therefore, a true Grimgold must maintain their edge, through discipline, training, and not sacrificing honor. And to protect the sacred form the gods gave you. When outside clan territory, a Grimgold travels fully covered, preferably armored, with a mask or veil. So that no outsider may profane what the gods have wrought and your form may not rust.

 

Sons and Daughters of Wrath: Theodoric was possessed with a rage made flesh, a deep burning fire in his chest that erupted in a wrathful fury in battle. Many of the Grimgold line of Dwarves are born possessing this great battle-rage and burning passion, a blessing from Belka herself they claim.

 

 

Grimgold Culture and Customs

 

Da Grimnir: Every mask is more than armor or tradition, it is a holy artifact of the clan. Grimgolds are peerless maskmakers, forging battle-funerary masks that are at once beautiful, terrifying, and spiritually potent. To craft or maintain a clan-mask is a solemn duty; to let one rust or be profaned is an insult to the divine craftsmanship that made the Dwarf himself. For women, it is also common to replace the mask with a gilded veil. So long as it represents the wearer and obscures the face.

 

Khoroklann Herders: The black goat, Khoroklann are a sub-species of gold goats that are as connected to the Grimgold Dwarves as their masks. While not unique to them, they did develop upon their homeland of Da Kirkja Gorix, spreading by the expansion of Grimgold sailors across the world. They are the standard mount, farm animal, and companion of the Grimgolds, with their meat, wool, and milk making up a large aspect of the diet and culture of the clan.

 

Born on the Sea: While most Dwarves shun the open water, Grimgolds thrive on the ocean. Often called ‘Salt Dwarves’, they are one of a handful of clans that prefer to live near coastal cliffs. Most Grimgold villages are found near the water, with easy access for their boats to go to sea. They also form one of the most premier boatmaking clans, with their halls often made of the same timbers as the boats they pull ashore on.

 

Culinary Masters: The Grimgolds are a clan with a long history of exceptional and renowned cuisine. Salted fish, eternal stews, all forms of fresh baked bread,  hand pies, and fermented vegetables. Grimgold cooking has been a backbone of much of Urguan’s culinary history, and the diet of a few kings.

 

Da Kultas Grimnarri: Most Grimgolds are adherents of their sect of Brathmordakin worship, called Da Kultas Grimnarri, or the Cult of Maskmakers. While not a requirement, it is the dominant faith of the clan, espousing a belief that the gods were born of either the Void or one another. Yemekar, Dungrimm, Anbella, and Khorvad were the first to emerge from the confluence of the Void. Yemekar and Anbella birthed Belka, fully grown, and Ogradhad sprung from Yemekar’s mind as he slept. Finally Dungrimm and Belka birthed Armakak and Grimdugan. The masks they wear often reflect the faces and images of the gods, and they believe in the possibilities of communion, revelation, and prophecy.

 

 

Clan Trials

 

For entrance or ascent into adulthood within the clan, a Grimgold is expected to perform three trials to earn the right to wear a sanctified Grimnir compared to a standard clan mask. These trials are crafted to help teach the young Grimgold about how the clan and life amongst Dwarves functions. They are-

 

The Trial of Work: The first of the trials, a Grimgold is expected to produce some form of physical work to present to the Clan Lord. It could be a statue, a weapon or tool, a crafted item, or even a food or drink. This test is meant to show the quality the Dwarf can put into their work.

 

The Trial of Wonder: The second trial has the Grimgold seeking out or creating a piece of knowledge to bring to the Clan’s library. They must find or produce a unique book, study, poem, song, or any other form of written art that can be added to the clan’s library. This test is meant to show the constant quest for self improvement.

 

The Trial of Worship: The last of the trials has the Grimgold dedicating themselves to one of the Brathmordakin and crafting either a mask or artifact of some sort in dedication to that Brathmordakin. This they will keep with them as a reminder of the oath and service they will bear to that god.

 

After completion of all trials, the Grimgold will be allowed to don their unique mask and are given a fully trained Khoroklann to allow the Grimgold freedom of travel into the outside world.

 

 

Grimgold History

 

The First Age

 

Spoiler

Chapter 1: Theodoric

 

In the time before the Age of Blood, it is said that Tungdil found himself walking along the rocky coast by the great golden halls of the ancients. The light of the moon was high overhead, when he came upon a Dwedess with hair like seaspun amber and skin as pale as salty foam. The moonlight took him over and he awoke on the shore the next morning. Three seasons had passed when the light of the moon once more drew Tungdil out to the coast, whereupon a wrap of golden sea silk he came upon a child. The baby was of such golden hair it was almost white with light, his eyes were as blue as a clear and still bay. As Tungdil lifted the child, he reached out and wrapped his small hand around Tungdil’s finger, immediately recognizing the babe as his.

 

The child was not his first, the fourth of many to almost as many Dwedesses, but he was strong and had a great filial devotion to his father. He was given a Dwarven name, ‘Tha-Dor-Rik’ or Theodoric, which meant ‘I, Doom Lord’, for even in his youth he was dour and serious, but as strong as an aurochs. Equally so was he of mercurial temperament, shifting between a great rage and philosophical stillness like the sea in a storm. Yet this wroth and rage was tempered by a deep piety and love of the gods, especially Belka and Dungrimm, whom he called Mother and Father.

 

As he grew older and soon took for himself a bride of his own, Avina, they began to notice that the lights in the forges darkened, and the runes of power carved upon the gates of the halls dimmed. As his father grew old, his Ironborn advisors began to whisper more and more into his ears. It was not long before Theodoric noticed as his father and his brothers turned away from the gods towards the dark power of the Ironborn. Seeking out a shrine to the gods deep in the heart of his father’s palace, he knelt and asked for guidance. A voice whispered from the flame of the candles as he heard divine words.

 

‘Nadra da Gorix.’

 

Find the Rock.

 

He knew he had to leave. Gathering eighty-four loyal Brathmordakin worshipping families, they gathered at the docks where he long ago had been found and began to pile upon the boats. As they left they began to see the sails of Ironborn war vessels approaching, only for Mother Belka to grant her Son a storm which allowed them to break for open sea. They sailed for days, and then months, slaughtering much of the khoroklannmarri they had brought with them. But soon, their long exodus was answered when the gods provided them for their devotion. A great mound of green grassy rock around a towering peak came into view-- Da Kirkja Gorix. The Rock they were promised. They brought their boats ashore, setting foot in their new homeland away from the rest of the clans, their kinfolk. They had been saved.

 

Chapter 2: Balderic

 

Theodoric’s rule would be a turbulent one. One of blood and storms. For many decades Theodoric would be at sea with his host of warriors, raiding the Empire of Khorvad and striking at the hated enemy before they could strike at them. They would never make it to Simppa’s rebellion as he had hoped, being forced to stick to the coasts and fleets of his enemies. Yet it would not be the Ironborn who would become Theodoric’s downfall, as while he was away striking at their shores, his people began to grow at home. And this unchecked growth began to awaken an unforeseen threat in the heart of their mountain. Ithruntalaz, Storm Speech, a great and mighty dragon began to wake at the heart of the island laying waste to the growing settlement. When news reached Theodoric, he swiftly returned to his people.

 

Upon arriving at the island, he was thankful to see them dwelling upon one of the smaller islands of its coast, driven from the mainland of Da Gorix. His wife, and son, Balderic, were still alive, and yet from the throne of the mountain above did the dragon dwell. Taking but a single small vessel out, he set himself upon the reef and called out to the dragon with a resounding call of his horn. And the dragon responded, taking flight and descending down across the green on black verdant basalt fields of the island. The beat of its wings were like thunderheads as it descended upon Theodoric, and drawing back his hammer he set it forth to meet the lightning of Ithruntalaz. In a flash of light, the dragon fell dead to the sea and Theodoric was gone, replaced instead by a tall and broad pillar of salt that had formed a small island where once was the reef, which from then on was known as ‘Da Ka’az’, or ‘The Father’. One day, when the clan needed it most, it is said Theodoric will return, the salt shedding away from him and returning him to his people in their time of need. Yet this was seen from the island where Avina waited with their son, this small island coming to be known as ‘Da Beka’, or ‘The Mother’.

 

And so the clan would pass to his young son, Balderic, guided by his mother until he too would come of age. He would lead the people into a path of isolation and reflection. He was the one who began the practice of the Kron’ur’Kvisamarri, or ‘the Book of Whispers’, passing down the faith his father had told to him, and so too would the Grimgolds pass down this knowledge father to son and mother to daughter. Balderic’s reign would generally be seen as long and prosperous, filled with a peace won by his father’s sacrifice. He would be the wellspring of Grimgold culture and the customs passed down from his father and mother.

 

Chapter 3: Lesser Lords

 

Peace began to stagnate the storm forged clan, as the son of Balderic, and his son’s son, and son’s son’s son would each grow more complacent and peace-loving as the last. When it finally came to the lordship of Edalric, the island of Da Beka had swelled with foreign trade and sailors, with the main island reserved for the Grimgolds alone. Nearby another island called Ekran Lonul, or ‘Little Sister’ began to become a hub of pirates and outlaws scorned from the main island, his own guard too focused upon its own coffers and profits to mind these Khorvadic interlopers. His own children, his son Alaric and daughter Baedenic, grew bitter at their father’s cowardice and love of drink and feast, and found themselves once more sailing out to sea with their own warrior guards.

 

Yet, it was not long before a sickness began to spread across the island, brought in from Da Beka and Ekran Lonul, though of which, none could be sure. It spread across the islands killing many Dwarves and yrrokmarri alike, and worse yet causing their bodies to bloat and return to life to attack those who came near. Their lungs filled with water even though they stood upon the land. In fear, Edalric locked the gates of his palace, leaving even his children outside, and the sickness took its toll for many decades upon the land. At sea, Alaric and Baedenic managed to avoid much of the plague, returning to find a land rebuilding and the palace silent. When they finally pried the doors of the palace open, they found their father dead upon the throne, of thirst or starvation, but even more so of cowardice and fear of the plague outside. Though spared the horror of bloating and living in undeath, his corpse was long dead and shrivelled to little more than bones.

 

Chapter 4: Alaric

 

Baedenic and Alaric buried their father in the tombs, and restored the palace once more, and it would take many decades to restore the islands. The two made an agreement, Baedenic would stay and watch over Da Gorix, trying to restore what had been destroyed, and Alaric would seek out the people that Theodoric had long left, to see what remained after so long in isolation. With a ship of warriors, he set out in search of anything he could find.

 

Through stormy weather and hunger they sailed before finally coming ashore in a land known as Arcas, upon a place called the Dead Coast. Which earned such the name, as they saw other ships with Grimgold sails and bloated corpses haunting the rocky beach. After making their way inland, they came upon a nation of Dwarves, the Under-Kingdom of Urguan. There they swore themselves to King Utak Ireheart, and did what they could to learn of their long separated kin.

 

It was here Alaric found a member of the other sons of Tungdil, Dorimnur Goldhand, swearing to each other as blood-brothers, binding themselves as family before the gods. As the Under-Kingdom grew into the Fourth Grand Kingdom, so too would this brotherhood, as together they forged one of the strongest Worker’s Guild the kingdom had seen, bringing great wealth and prosperity to the clan.

 

Under Grand King Jorvin Starbreaker, the Grimgolds would become a recognized clan in the Grand Kingdom, holding a seat on the Senate. So too, for his service under Utak, would Alaric be elevated to the position of Grand Marshal, leading the Grand Kingdom to three victories over the Empire. As demons invaded the land of Arcas, Alaric was replaced by a more experienced Dwarf, yet he would still take part in the fighting against the hordes of demons. Alaric, as well as many other Grimgold soldiers were present at the last battle of Arcas, when the Hammer of Urguan was destroyed and the First Age came to an end.

 

The Second Age

 

Spoiler

Chapter 5: A New Age

 

As the Hammer of Urguan was destroyed a new age began right before the eyes of many watching Grimgolds. Alaric would bring the Clan to Almaris with the Grand Kingdom, accompanied by heroes of the clan such as Klouf ‘Forged-Fist’ Grimgold and Dakkon ‘Blood-Axe’ Grimgold, each famed for their hunt against traitors of the kingdom and clan.

 

In Almaris they would found their mightiest settlement, Tal’Tagar Tazarak, the Port of Exile’s Unity, a great settlement on the southern coast of the capital of the Grand Kingdom. Here Klouf would perform his greatest deed, fighting the traitor Draakopf Doomforge up the back of a dragon at the battle of Elvenesse, continuing his duel with the betrayer even as the dragon took flight. As it flung them to the earth, they continued their duel, even after crashing through the roof of a gazebo within the burning town. Though the traitor would not die here, this feat earned Klouf his honor amongst the clan.

 

When the Mori invaded the nations of Almaris, the village of Tal’Tagar Tazarak was one of the last three places upon the entire continent to fall, having been the site of where all Dwarven clans except the Irehearts departed to the rendezvous site of the international evacuation efforts.

 

Upon arriving in Aevos, the Grimgolds once again settled by the docks. Supporting his friend Garedyn the Green in rebuilding the Kingdom, Garedyn ascended the throne as Garedyn the Emerald, and brought in a second Golden Age for the Fourth Grand Kingdom. Here figures such as Bostone Grimgold would become famous for his long tenure managing the finances of the Grand Kingdom.

 

During an argument that had stemmed from a long brewing rivalry with the Starbreaker clan, Alaric, serving as the High Preceptor, would be exiled alongside the majority of the Hefrumm Forest clans for their support of him, and lordship would temporarily pass to Bostone under King Ulfar Starbreaker.

 

Many relics of the clan would be lost in this time, as the Forest Dwarves and Alaric travelled through the wilds and over oceans, with Alaric's exile being lifted in the land of Azuras, shortly before the fall of the Fourth Grand Kingdom. Alaric upon his return he was elevated to the position of First Admiral, ordering the evacuation efforts of the Grand Kingdom in the fall of its capital, emerging as a surprising hero in the death of his beloved nation.