mateolog

Mao Vlackroot nods "aye lad, ets a good thing fer new clan leadahs to know about thes things. Do net kno why thes cannet be public. Says nothing bad about anyone. Ef a' wanted a grudge et would nevah be against a forest dwed tha 'as been workin 'ard fer 'efrumm. Tha reason a' do net grudge those tha bent 'is 'and es jest that a' am net 'igh chief and 'ence et es net mi place to challange Urguan officials." scraches his beard "tha reason why et es public es to show tha despite tha actions ef some folks outside 'efrumm en tryin to cause division en our village by removing representatives of Hefrumm clans we will net be divided and we will net go agaisnt each otha. Et es that simple, et es public because Garedyn's reaction to thes meassage es meant to show forest dwed unity despite intervention of alien forces to pitch us against each other. Could tell you more over some ale ef ye are up for et."

Mao listens behind a bush blending with the branches. "seems somefolk do net understand thes is to avoid a grudge an keep tha 'onor of the blackroots intact, aftah being disrespected todeh. Will need to work on my presentation fer all audiences" hed take note

[!] A public letter hangs on a post in the road of Urguan dedicated to Garedyn the Mossy. Greetings Garedyn, Chief of the Mossborn, I must respond to what you did on this stone day. You had me assist you in your proposal for legislation of the Grand Senate "The Hefrumm safety Act", that is fair. You asked for my signature to assist your proposal and show Blackroot support, that is fair. However, when pressured you allowed yourself to remove the name of Mao Blackroot. This would be fine if this individual was not one that represents a clan of dwarves, but it was, I am the representative of the Blackroot clan. I do not say this with ill intent, I am aware you are a new leader in Hefrumm and you need time to learn somethings about the position. Hence, the Blackroots will not grudge the Mossborn clan. Quite the opposite, despite these actions you have shown enough goodwill to show us you care for us as brothers and care for hefrumm. Therefore, I wish to declare the eternal unity of Hefrumm, and the undying support for our Mossborn brothers, as well as all other Hefrumm clans. We the Blackroots forgive the actions that happened this stone day, from Garedyn as well as any other that lead him to his actions today. Hail Hefrumm, Hail Urguan, Hail the Blackroots, Hail the Mossborn, May all the Hefrumm clans forever embody the unity of Hefrumm, as Urguan embodies the unity of all dwarves. Hail Yemekar, Hail Anbella, Hail Dungrimm, Hail Belka, May the Brathmordakin guide us in loving our fellow kin, as we are all creations of Yemekar, instructed to keep his balance, and as his holy tools for this endeavor we will. May his balance be kept. Mao Blackroot, Chief of the Blackroots, Seer of Hefrumm

OOC: This info is only available to those that know the location of the Seer’s cave and know their runic dialect. [!] A seer walks into the hidden cave of the order. Damp and dark the only light coming from luminescent mushrooms, lamps scattered throughout the cavern, and crystals which allow the reflection of these light sources. On the walls of the cavern the seer sees carvings of their predecessors, written in their runic dialect hidden from those that are not prepared for its knowledge. The seer is preparing for an event and looks for a particular part of the cavern to refresh their memory of the process. They wander around until they finally find it. The Seer manual’s chapter of the hunt with the depictions that appear alongside its runes. The walls read as such: Seer Manual: The Hunt A hunt is an essential part of forest dwarf society. It integrates both the spiritual and the martial aspects of the community in such a way that it helps keep the social balance of the dwarves of Hefrumm and the balance of Anbella. The roles in the hunt are divided into two: Hunters and seers. Hunters Hunting is not a right nor a privilege, it is a sacred duty of the hefrumm. The forest dwarves must hunt and keep the balance of Anbella to be able to fulfill their more prominent role in keeping Yemekar’s balance. This means that hunters may enjoy the thrill of the hunt but are expected to keep their senses and not fall into barbarism in the process. Hunters are chosen by a seer or various seers for their combat skills and attitude towards nature. Attitude is by far the most important trait in a hunter, as lack of skill only harms the individual in the hunt, while a lack of proper attitude risks the wellbeing of the whole village. Attitude is one of the reasons why forest dwarves at times do not hunt with non-forest dwarves, due to the danger an improper hunt could bring. A hunter is expected to understand that the hunt is a necessary action for the balance of Anbella and acting disrespectfully towards nature will harm this balance. It is of extreme importance that hunters respect the animals they hunt, their spirits, the forest, and all which lives in the realm of Anbella. Failure to do so could lead to retribution from the spirits, and even the Brathmordakin. For this reason when one wants to go for a hunt alone they ask a seer for their blessing, only those dwarves with known skill and believer in forest dwarf morals are given a blessing to hunt alone, as they are not supervised by a seer, which means that the individual is believed by the community to be skilled enough to kill the animal without bringing it suffering. [!] Depiction of a hunter during a solo hunt. It is also expected that the hunters will treat their gains from the hunt with as much respect as possible as not to anger the spirits of the fallen creatures. Respect is shown when every part of the animal is given a use, be it practical, or ceremonial. Hunters can show respect for their slain opponents by wearing their pelts, using the materials they gained from the hunt, and helping with the creature's burial. It is believed that by treating an animal honorably, the slain creature’s spirit will be thankful and guide the Hefrumm. Hunters are entitled to a portion of the hunt; another part goes to the community, another to the tribunal. The heart of the slain creature must be buried so that the spirit of the creature can return to its kin and guide them, this is to be done by a seer. By allowing their dead to return to their kin the hefrumm form a connection not just to the spirits of the dead animals, but also the ones that live. For this reason, when hunting an animal, hunters must try to go for a painless death when possible. If an animal is too injured to fight back or run away, the hunters are not allowed to touch it; instead, they need to enable a seer to sacrifice it ceremonially. [!] Hunters carrying the gains from a hunt. Seers Seers in hunts serve as the diplomatic force between the spirit of the fallen animals and the forest dwarves. For such reason, they are heavily discouraged from partaking in the hunt. Their participation could lead to distrust from the spirits towards the seers which would in turn leave the hunting party and the village to the wrath of angered spirits. Seers are responsible for electing the hunting party, hunters that they know are mentally and physically mature enough to partake in the hunt successfully and respectfully. A failed hunt is as much a fault of the seers that chose the hunters, as is the fault of the hunters. Before the hunt the seers bless the hunters, ensuring there is no interference from vengeful spirits or evil entities. This is usually done by sacrificing an animal to the tribunal, usually one whose qualities would be useful in the hunt, once sacrificed the blood of the animal is used to bless three hunters which will hold the blessings of the tribunal during the hunt. These hunters tend to be the most experienced of the party and are in command of the hunt. [!] Depiction of hunters and a seer during a hunt. During the hunt, they play assisting roles such as medics, trackers, and observants. If the animal cannot fight or flee anymore due to sustaining too many injuries, it is the seer’s job to kill the creature ceremonially. This prevents the fallen’s spirit from becoming vengeful for having suffered such a slow death. Once the animal has been taken down it is the seers that skin it and remove its parts. They ceremoniously remove the heart from the animal and plant it in the earth so as to enable its spirit to return easily to its kin. After a hunt seers can also create records of hunts where something special happened, or where they faced an interesting creature or difficult adversary. These records are usually painted on the walls of the seer’s caves and are said to be a way of communicating with the spirit of that animal when there is a need for its guidance. [!] Seer recording a hunt. Seers are also to intervene if they see that the hunt has failed. A failed hunt happens when the creature has been dishonored and disrespected by the actions of the participants of the hunt. Harming the animal without care for how it dies is enough to consider the hunt a failure. Usually, this would consist of harming the creature so that it cannot fight back or run away. If a seer sees this is the goal of a hunter in the party, they must remove the hunter from the hunt, and if it is multiple hunters, it is the responsibility of the seer to end the hunt and let the animal(s) flee. If it’s too late and the animal is already doomed to death, it is the role of the seer to end its life ceremonially. If the creature has been treated without care and honor by the hunters, then the hunt has failed. Any seer present can call the hunt a failure, which would lead the hunting party to go through a process of forgiveness for their actions. [!] Depiction of a seer communicating with the animal spirits. Failed Hunts Brutality in a hunt is seen as a dishonorable action and an insult towards the natural world; hence, it is on the seer(s) that elected these hunters and the hunting party itself to repent. To repent for such actions, the seer(s) must guide the hunting party to the shrines of the tribunal; this is to say: Anbella, Belka, and Dungrimm. There they are to give away all they have gained from the hunt to the tribunal. Bones to Dungrimm, the hide(s) to Belka, and the meat to Anbella. After this, the hunting party will gather around a fire and shed their blood one by one, praying to the fallen creature and explaining why the actions of the hunting party were reprehensible. If a party member refuses to do this, they will be tainted and not allowed to join hunting parties as they might bring the anger of the spirits and the Brathmordakin upon them and the village. [!] Failed hunts, it is believed, can cause curses, and are the reason for multiple monsters that roam the mortal realm. The Tribunal in the Hunt The tribunal is the group of Brathmordakin associated with the natural balance or Anbella’s balance. They make sure life can flourish and develop. Their roles are easily discerned in the hunt. Anbella helps the mothers and the children to grow, protects them, and does not allow harm to come to them. In such a way, hunters should never target mothers or children as they are primordial for the upkeep of the ecosystem. Belka plays her part in the process of the hunt, the passionate challenge between hunter and prey, with only one winner. Then at the end of the hunt, Dungrimm is in charge, dealing with the creature's death and dividing the soul. The physical soul is shared between Anbella and the community of the hunter; meanwhile, the metaphysical soul is divided between Dungrimm and Belka; Dungrimm takes the soul to his hall to decide its fate after death; meanwhile, Belka’s part goes to guide the kin of the fallen creature so that their fallen can guide them. [!] Depiction of the Tribunal, the duality of Belka on the far left and right, Dungrimm on the left, and Anbella on the right.

Being a paleknight was one of the best times in LOTC, glad to see it coming back. Hope it gets accepted! Great job! +1

Baldin Frostbeard checks the shit covered paper in the trash "A' do net kno who pays to read thes shet. They must be financed weth stolen tax payer's minas." hed proceed to light the trash on fire "no beardling should be dooped in reading thes shet."

Frostbeard Tales II: Entering Khaz'A'Dentrumm A humble tax paying Frostbeard citizen went to the gates of Khaz'A'Dentrumm once he died, and at the same time the renowned Frostbeard Clan Father Rhewen had also ascended. Once the Brathmordakin were gathered Dungrimm sent for Rhewen Frostbeard to be let in, but forgot about the other Frostbeard, for his servants closed the hall, leaving him out, from where he heard the Clan Father’s cheerful reception of celebration, music, and songs. When all was silent, Dungrimm’s servants returned to the gate and sent the dwed in, who hoped that when he returned, the songs and music would be heard again, but everything remained silent. They received him with great joy, yes, and the souls of his ancestors went out to meet him, worse no one sang nor celebrated. Then he asked Urguan the ancestor of all dwed why there was no celebration for the humble dwed as for the Clan Father, and if there were the same differences in the realms of the Brathmordakin as there were in the Mortal realm. "No," replied the Paragon, Father of all dwed. You deserve the same appreciation for each other as dwed, and you will get the same share as the one who has just entered the delights of the Brathmordakin; but look, average dwed like you come here in the hundreds every day, while dwed like the one who just came in, hardly one comes from century to century. This tale is meant to be considered as a cautionary tale against mediocrity. A dwed must remember that at the end of their day the Brathmordakin will place a bid on them. Their ability to stand out among their fellow dwed will be imperative to receive a high bid by the Brathmordakin. Mediocrity is not bad, but if you follow the traveled path do not expect the same reward as the one who adventured and made their own. Eventually, these Frostbeards who could not leave their mark on the world will vanish to obscurity, with even the stories that talk of them forgetting their names. -Inkbeard [!] Depiction of Belka personally coming to take the Soul of a brave dwed to Kaz’A’Dentrumm

Frostbeard Tales: The necromancer Priest of Kal’Tarak In Kal'Tarak, then, two beardlings, clan brothers and initiates of the Ar Yemarin Anaros, were studying necromancy in secret. A dark magic which uses enchantments and khorvadic spells to summon and resurrect the dead and to manipulate them to their will. One of the beardlings became seriously ill, died, and his friend begged him to die if he reappeared thirty days later; the dying dwed assured him that he would do so as long as he was allowed to. The beardling died and the living friend waited for thirty days to pass, praying to Dungrimm for the soul of the deceased at the temple of the Brathmordakin. It was then when he found his friend inside the hall and in front of the statue of Dungrimm, the dead man fulfilled his promise. The figure of the apparition was pale and decomposed, laying and moaning, his feet and hands tied with glowing chains that came from the mouth of Dungrimm’s statue, and he wore a black suit covered with runes that named his sins. The ghost asked his friend to reach out and he did. The ghost dropped a drop of sweat from his index finger, which at once pierced his flesh and ended up burning on the ground. The friend, still sore from the burn, asked him why he was in such a bad state. -Oh, poor me; so I will burn eternally in the Nether because of that diabolical art we study. Necromancy kills the soul. I advise you, my dear and only friend, to turn away from that abominable magic and to seek, serving Wyrvun and the Brathmordakin, the atonement of your sins by means of religious life. -Tell me, my friend, what must I do to save my soul? The voice of the chained ghost was muted by the booming voice of Dungrimm coming from the statue. -The only way to save your soul is the Redeemed Order. Of all sinners, those of this path are the least condemned, as through their service to the Brathmordakin and Wyrvun our ally. The ghost of the dead beardling disappeared with his torments, and the living, following the advice of the horrifying vision he had just had, immediately left the study of necromancy and entered as a novice in a brotherhood of the Redeemed Order. Some time later he continued his duties as an initiate in the Ar Yemarin Anaros and eventually was made a priest. It is not known where and if he died; if he went by popular belief he died in the siege of Kal'Tarak. Some would see this as a story to teach about overcoming the mistakes of the past no matter how awful, some however, prefer the story and prefer to believe that the priest failed to fully atone for his sins and after abandoning the path of Wyrvun and the Brathmordakin his soul was unable to enter Khaz'A'Dentrumm. But just as it is a mystery how many snowflakes are on a mountain peak so too is the ending of this story. -Written by Inkbeard. [!] Artistic rendition of Nubirous the necromancer. *(art of Jakub Politzer)

In Honor to all the Blackroots, to those alive, to those yet to be born and to those watching over from the realms of the Brathmordakin. Our journey will is long, let us not forget where we come from so we may know where we are going. -Mao Blackroot Clan Blackroot is a dwarven clan that has derived from the Cottonwood Clan. The clan was legitimized as a proper forest dwarf clan by the current High Chief of Hefrumm at the time; Beorn Cottonwood. The founder of the Clan, Beorn's cousin; Karl Blackroot, was a Seer of Hefrumm at the time and the de facto Religious leader of the village. Because of this Beorn offered the creation of a new clan where the focus of hunting (from the cottonwood clan) would be switched to spirituality. Soon enough when it came to spirituality, the clan Blackroots led Hefrumm’s faithful. Like any other Clan of Hefrumm, the Blackroot clan keep track of history by keeping track of the rule of their High Chiefs. The Blackroots are proud of their history and records. To better know the period of time historians speak of for each High Chief the Blackroots give an Animal Character, which is used as a symbol for said High Chief, and for each High Chief an age is dedicated At first what would be the Blackroots were just Cottonwoods and some other forest dwarves that sought to learn from the world the path of the Brathmordakin. Soon this group formed the Dverga eron da Kirkja Rhun, an early form of the Hefrumm Seers. Eventually these individuals grew close and branched away culturally from the cottonwoods. Hence, the group now called Blackroots asked for Maggie's blessings to break away into a new clan, the Cottonwood clan mother accepted glad to see the Hefrumm develop culturally. In this way the Blackroot Clan is one derived from the Cottonwood Clan. After some time the Blackroot clan proved to be reliable, bringing its dwarves to events and holding events for the folk of Hefrumm. To no one’s surprise the clan was legitimized as a proper forest dwarf clan by the current High Chief of Hefrumm at the time; Beorn Cottonwood in Arcas. Beorn decided to accept his cousin the Seer Karl Blackroot was chosen as the first chief of the Clan and considered its founder. The Blackroots became the de facto Religious head of the village. To avoid hoarding this power non-Blackroot seers were encouraged to join the order. The religious presence the Blackroots had on Hefrumm was seen as dangerous by some dwarves, especially those composed of the Kirkja Dverga leadership. This led to multiple clashes between the now formed Seers and the Clergy of Da Kirkja Dverga. To the Chief of the Blackroot the attempts of the clergy to regulate Hefrumm’s culture was unacceptable. This was an addition to the fact that it seemed to the Chief that the clergy was chasing him down after having chased his father who was the previous High Preceptor from Da Kirkja Dverga. With these two relative truths in mind Karl became an isolationist and only left Hefrumm if it was to accompany the High Chief to the Capital. [!] Depiction of an argument between the High Chief and the High Prophet. These events caused the Blackroots to be considered an odd group of people that practice exotic rituals, and have traditions alien to the dwarves of the Capital. To the dwarves of Hefrumm however the Blackroots were viewed completely differently. As an offshoot clan of the Cottonwoods the two got along quite well, and this rippled to the other clans of Hefrumm. Those in Hefrumm appreciated the activity the clan brought to the village, and they enjoyed having religious dwarves teaching them. For many years some dwarves in Hefrumm had felt a sense of abandonment by the clergy which tended to focus its sight on the dwarves of the capital, and when they came to Hefrumm seemed to ignore any cultural differences between the culture of the capital and hefrumm. [!] Depiction of the High Prophet Norli angered at High Chief Karl’s Seer activities. Eventually elections were called on the 3rd of Sun’s Smile, 1768, with over 200 forest dwarves attending the grand hall of Hefrumm to listen to both Beorn’s speech and those of the two contestants, Karl Blackroot and Ordvair Emberhorn. It was that day that Ordvair Emberhorn got elected as the Sixth High Chief of Hefrumm. [!] The Golden Tusked Boar, the Blackroot character for High Chief Beorn. For decades the Blackroots continued their labors in Hefrumm, growing in number. Sadly, during the rule of Odhavir the Sixth Hefrumm fell into decadence. Chiefs of Hefrumm disappeared with only the Chief of the Blackroots being left. This left the clan as the main power of Hefrumm. The Blackroots during these times continued to teach their folk and were the main source of events for the clans. It was the Blackroot clan that through Karl Blackroot created Hefrumm’s first constitution under decree of the High Courts of Urguan. It was shortly after the completion of these documents that new elections were called for in the absence of Ordvair who had not been seen in years. Both Chief Karl Blackroot and Chief Bodhi Cottonwood ran during these elections. They would promise to return Hefrumm to its former glory, though Karl offered more specific ideas of how to do so, which resulted in his victory in the year of 1780. Although Karl’s victory met criticism for his appearance from some dwarves of the capital as he had been touched by the Fae a few years prior, having a skin of bark and a beard of vines, he did bring new promises and hope to the village of Hefrumm and its forest dwarven kin. [!] The Ember Horned Ram, the Blackroot character for High Chief Odhavir. During Karl’s rule as High Chief the rank of Chief of the Blackroots was unofficially left vacant. Since the Chiefs of the other Forest dwarf clans were unavailable to lead Karl asked the Folk Council for it to take the powers of the Chief’s Council until Hefrumm had more chiefs. In this way the voice of the clans was kept safe, and the tyranny of a Chiefs’ Council led only by the High Chief was avoided for prosperity. The Blackroot clan did not grow much in the Age of the Magpie, it mainly just picked up the numbers lost in the previous age. It was not until the arrival of the Seer Yazmorra Blackroot, that the Blackroot clan was able to elect a new chief of the Clan. Karl created the legislative skeleton of Hefrumm and was a strong protector of Hefrumm’s autonomy and rights. Due to this stance some individuals that preferred a centralized nation opposed Karl’s reform from the outside, vetoing Hefrumm’s proposals any time they could. The Chiefs Council was during this time weak with barely any power. This resulted in very little communication between the chiefs of the clans and the High Chief. [!] Depiction of High Chief Karl leading the settlement of the new continent. This eventually ended up in the High Chief and the Clan Chiefs having different goals in mind, with the friendly feedback from some clan leaders of the capital as well as those that sought to taken advantage of the incongruence to damage Hefrumm’s unity as well as it as an opponent in the political arena. Eventually Chief Yazmorra Blackroot and Bhodi Cottonwood met with Karl and suggested it was time for change. Karl accepted the event as a proposal for a vote for the election. With this mindset Karl called for a Folks Council where there was a general agreement to hold a new election to legitimize the High Chief if he was reelected, or replace him if someone else held the support of the people. Knowing he would lose such a vote, the reason for the process was just to make sure that the democratic tradition of Hefrumm was upheld and for the sake of following tradition. In his speech the High Chief gave his last words to the public, thanking Hefrumm for allowing him to achieve the goals he promised to achieve when he was elected. During election time Karl had gone missing, it would have later been assumed that he had died. Once his death was known the race became one of two candidates, Yazmorra and Bhodi. The Chief of the Blackroots was able to gain the necessary votes of the people, and a few days later she would be crowned as the Eighth High Chief of Hefrumm. [!] An artistic interpretation of Karl killing a beardless dwarf as Urguan authorities watch, with the spirit of Urguan behind approving of the act. [!] The Wooden Beaked Magpie, the Blackroot character for High Chief Karl. Breaking with Blackroot tradition Yazmorra held both the title of Clan Mother of the Blackroots and the title of High Chief of Hefrumm. Yazmorra was the mother of the village, with no one having an ill image of the High Chief. During her rule she adopted and raised Mao Blackroot the reincarnation of the former High Chief Karl Balckroot. [!] High Chief Yazmorra sitting with her adoptive child Mao Blackroot. Yazmorra married Levian'Tol Grandaxe who would later become Grand King of Urguan, making her Grand Queen through marriage. This made the Blackroots the first forest dwarf clan to ever hold the title of monarch of Urguan. During her reign the number of Clan beardlings rose drastically. To this age the clan remained the biggest clan in Hefrumm thanks to the increase in births of new dwed, many children of the High Chief. Yazmorra continued to do her duty as Clan Mother, High Chief, and Grandqueen at the same time. Despite being able to do her duties Yazmorra’s strength wavered and she saw it best to give up some of her duties. With this in mind she gave up the title of High Chief. [!] The Wooden Sparrow, the Blackroot character for High Chief Yazmorra. The age of the Monkey is the time of the rule of Qrue Grasswhistle. In his rule Hefrumm’s dwarves witnessed the war against Krugmar. Controversially the High Chief during this time tiptoed between a neutral stance to the war and approval of it, indecision that displeased all parties. Despite this Qrue’s allies were able to keep him in his position as Hefrumm was not in a situation for inner turmoil. During his rule there was a point made to continue to have the tavern of Hefrumm in use, something that was successful for the most part. In the age of the Monkey the seers continued to grow however their role in developing the culture of Hefrumm was hindered by the lack of political leadership of this age. The action of individual seers were able to increase the prevalence of the Green Collective in Hefrumm, leading to an increase of Bryophites, as well as the restoration of the Hefrumm library. Another success of the High Chief was the restoration of the puffden, an honored tradition in Hefrumm since the times of Arcas. With the increase of intellectuals and savants in the Blackroots there was an increase in numbers for those learning the Druid path. [!] Depiction of High Chief Qrue seeking council from the Blackroots. During this time the presence of the Chief of the Blackroots was noticed. Grand Queen Yazmorra was still the Chief of the Blackroots, but her role as Queen of the dwarves was, according to some, taking her attention away from the wellbeing of the clan. For this reason and according to tradition an election was called with the blessing of Yazmorra. In the elections there were three candidates; Yazmorra Blackroot, Mao Blackroot, and Celeste’Tol Blackroot. Celeste’Tol won the elections with both Yazmorra and Mao eventually supporting her claim. [!] Results of the Blackroot elections during the Age of the Monkey. However, the age of the Monkey burned too bright and soon its light burned out. The Blackroot clan was left with the task of holding Hefrumm together as the sole clan of Hefrumm with any political weight. The end of the Age of the Monkey was a dark one, one with very little hope. Celeste’Tol Blackroot called for High Chief elections in the 45th year of the second age, as it was her right. Mao Blackroot, Celeste’Tol Blackroot, and Buske Silvervein. Qrue oversaw the elections, for the most part they went without any problem. With the exception of Thorin Treebeard burning the voting booth. Thorin wrote a letter showing anger towards the process not following the law of election for Hefrumm established by High Chief Karl Blackroot and the individuals running, making Buske Silvervein leave the run. Celeste, Mao, and Qrue agreed to start over the elections due to the votes being burned, Buske leaving the race, and to appease Thorin. During the election meeting for nominations Thorin Treebeard tried to call for a vote to change the law, since the election already started as per the law and tradition Thorin wanted to follow to begin with the proposal was rejected. In the meeting the Blackroots were represented by Mao Blackroot who nominated Celeste’Tol. No other clan nominated any other person, with the exception of the Treebeards represented by Thorin Treebeard, sources are unclear if he nominated an elf or a halfling. What is noted is that said elf/halfling showed clear uneasiness to even run in a chance to run Hefrumm. Celeste’Tol ended up winning the High Chief elections. [!] The Winged Stonehands Monkey, the Blackroot Character for High Chief Qrue Grasswhistle The rule of Celeste was called the age of the owl, the current age we are in. During her rule Celeste tried to bring Hefrumm back to its former glory. In many ways she was successful, with the castes becoming active again creating new structures for them. Despite this her rule still suffered from the Hefrumm population decline from the monkey age. The decline of population also affected the Blackroot which despite all odds continued to represent the largest and most dynamic part of Hefrumm. Celeste, like her mother, kept the title of Blackroot chief while acting as High Chief, this caused a complete change of tradition as now it was completely up to the High Chief /Chief of the Blackroots to choose to keep both titles and responsibility. Time will tell what the age of the owl brings, but with the blessing of the tribunal we shall overcome. [!] The Flamewinged Owl, the Blackroot Character for High Chief Celeste’Tol Blackroot. Karl Blackroot, First Chief of the Blackroots, Seventh High Chief of Hefrumm Yazmorra Blackroot, Second Chief of the Blackroots, Eight High Chief of Hefrumm, Grand Queen of Urguan Celeste’Tol Blackroot, Third Chief of the Blackroots, Tenth High Chief of Hefrumm

[!] Mao Blackroot read the letter. "A' wesh Bjor wes a candidate. Bat 'e es dead lad..."

Dream Poetry: World of Tomorrow Mao Blackroot I dreamed of a world where dwed No other would scorn, Where Anbella’s love will bless the earth And peace the roads of Belka will adorn A world where all dwed Will know the sweet taste of freedom, Where comunal greed cures the soul And where avarice does not blight our days. A world were all dwed are equal, Whatever type they are, We will share the bounties of the earth And every dwed is free, Where Khorvad will fade, And the blessing of the Brathmordakin, Will attend the needs of dwedmar That was the dream, a world for my kin

Beards, Pride, and False Idols Acolyte Thesis written by Acolyte Brodeon ‘Wyrbal’ 4th of The deepcold, year 35 of the second Age. “The first wyrm is Vargengotz, and he goes forth to conquer and to rule. His six heads bear six crowns, which are the great kingdoms of the world, and he lets no evil be spoken of him.” (Scroll of Auspice 1:5-1:6) God blessed the dwarven race with many talents to help his creation. He made them strong and hardy. But in their greed the Elder clans of the dwarves fell to the embrace of Vargegotz. The gifts given to the dwarves by god are hence tainted by the dwarven greed and desire to dominate. Even then mercy is granted to those that back away from such primitivism. If one is able to follow the Holy Scrolls and learn to live virtuously they can be forgiven, but they most likely never will. While we faithful get baptised and use it as a symbolic connection to god, the dwarves and their pagan faith have similar -though wrong- connotations with the beard. The beard is what connects the dwarf to his honor and its care is important in the eyes of their peers and their false gods. This absurd pride in facial hair has caused the dwarven race to kill each other as well as killing others. In a way facial hair in dwarves is a sign of the temptation of Vargegotz. The beard of the dwarves was also supposedly given to us by the pagan deity of Yemekar, who they claim created all things and rules over the other gods. I ask our warriors of faith to aim at this symbol of sin and to purge their pagan souls by purging their beards as our scriptures say “You shall not be idle, nor forget your duties in favor of sloth.” (Virtue 4:8), all dwarves in the service of our faith should shave, as this will be a symbol of their loyalty to the true God over the false pagan deities of the dwarves. This way we will be able to save the dwarven race from Vargengotz. But the beard is not the only thing that clings the dwarven race into sin. As the Epistle to the Dwarves says “The Lord is the Lord GOD without peer, but you have divided his infinite authorities among many beings, and in such you profane what is holy”, the dwarves have disfigured the image of God into multiple parts. Their religious leaders play with the image of God for their own twisted ends. The destruction of their idols is important if we wish to guide their souls back towards God, from which all creation originates. As the Epistle to the dwarves continues to say “So to you Sons of Urguan, who have fallen to other faiths, I admonish: GOD is able to do all things. For His power is not parted among His many servants, but imitated, and in His multitude of ways, He is above them all.” Through teaching good behaviour and punishing sinful and heretical action we will be able to bring the faith back to all the razes of this world.

The Green Collective For over 9 decades the Green Collective has been a home to all forest beings. Especially to us bryophytes/epiphytes/sporophytes. Our folk lacked protection, and Hefrumm allowed us to unite and protect each other through the Green Collective. Not only does the Green Collective create a common front so we can protect each other from possible threats, we are also protected and ensured protection from our brothers and sisters of Hefrumm. Hefrumm also grants our people a full vote in their Folk Council, welcoming us with open arms into their unity. This peace will allow our people to be able to achieve personal development, raising their own adoptive families, finding partners, etc. Ensuring that our people are able to fit into the norms that the descendant razes follow. This allows us to continue the collective goal of the Green Collective, spreading our knowledge, our peace, and our fraternity. By joining our ranks you are ensured to learn deeper knowledge of our reality and how we should live in this world. History of the Green Collective Our Green Collective was formed in the year 1742. Back then Hefrumm had many residents of fae relations, it was a decision of the Folk Council of Hefrumm as proposed by the High Chief to allow our folk to prosper and grow in Hefrumm, protected from those that would seek our destruction. For decades we have prospered with our fellow forest kin, our people intermingling, creating adoptive families and coexisting with the non-afflicted. During the war against the Inferi the Green Collective assisted Hefrumm in pushing back the demons to the High Hells they came from. However, we have always preferred diplomacy. It is true as well that sometimes war is the only way to survive. The Collective eventually solidified its ideology and belief in the great balance. Liking the idea of balance, multiple members of the collective joined the seers of Hefrumm to help teach the population and guide the village in their quest for knowledge. Joining the Green Collective as bryophytes/epiphytes/sporophytes To join the Green Collective one needs only to contact someone that is already a member. If you do not know anyone , you will need to go to the village of Hefrumm. This is the home of the forest dwarves, the hosts of the Green Collective. To arrive at this village one only needs to follow the road to the capital of Urguan. Once you reach the gates of the capital, turn around and you will be facing the town. (IGN of People you can contact for help to get there and/or to join: mateolog, Xergarok, MrPurplez, Lady_Dietz) Joining the Green Collective as non-bryophytes/non-epiphytes/non-sporophytes One must be a bryophytes/epiphytes/sporophytes or any other fae related individual to join. To this end those who can have to be willingly turned into a bryophytes/epiphytes/sporophytes or they will not be allowed to join the collective. (ING of People you can contact for help to get there and/or to join: mateolog, Xergarok, MrPurplez, Lady_Dietz) Teaching The collective follows the teachings of the Seers and/or the ones of the druids. However, only a Seer or a druid that is a bryophytes/epiphytes/sporophytes can Mentor pupils. Once a pupil is found fit to move by becoming seers/druid they will be made Mentors themselves. Ensured Rights Members of our comunity are ensured certain rights by Hefrumm law. Knowing them allows our people to live free from trouble in their village. These are those rights: -=- Right to be protected from physical harm and persecution -=- -=- Right to work in Hefrumm -=- -=- Right to trade -=- -=- Right to Parent (have an adoptive family) -=- -=- Right to Ancestry (An individual has the ability to identify as the race they were born in) -=- -=- Right to live in Hefrumm -=- -=- Right to vote for a Chosen of the collective -=- Ranks Chosen: Chosen Representant of the Collective Mentor: Member of the Collective, the Chosen can only be a Mentor. Pupil: Initiated into the Green Collective Wanderer: Non Green Collective Members Chosen of the Green Collective 1st Chosen; Karl Blackroot 2nd Chosen; Mao Blackroot 3rd Chosen; Asketil Blackroot 4th Chosen; Khazaefrom

Baldin Frostbeard hears of the news in horror. "A' thought a could finally give up mi 'atred ef thes race tainted by Khorvad, bat a' see et es imposible. These things ar bat animals now, far from whot Yemmekar made them as. A swear uppon Yemekar tha the uruk race well pay. A' shall ensure tha death ef any Uruk, gobo, er olog ef Krugmar tha dares to step en tha line ef sight ef mi er mine."

A dwarf would note that this other dwarf has a strange view of what philosophy is and isn't.

- Baldin "Ironside" Frostbeard The Path of Karumolival Da Karaad and Da Varekan, Dor and Krav Karumolival (they who see) is the title for someone who has achieved true sight and awakening, through this awakening they have achieved being beyond our reality. The title is most commonly used for Wyrvun. But beings like Urguan who have been able to achieve this highest spiritual state of being are also called Karumolival. Wyrvun is Da Karaad (the fire) and Igor Ireheart is Da Varekan (the light). Da Varekan and Da Karaad are in a mutual cycle of enlightenment where one helps the other elevate their consciousness until both become Karumolival. The opposite of the Da Karaad and Da Varekan are Dor and Krav. These titles change during one's life, but when one dies the cycle stops and one cannot evolve any longer as they are already gone. The examples we have for these two terms are Ondnarch as Dor (despair) and Kjell as Krav (anger). Like Da Karaad and Da Varekan these two are also in a cycle, but this cycle is one that lowers the spiritual enlightenment of both individuals. In these cases the cycle continues in the descendants of those that formed the cycle until someone in the cycle becomes the Da Varekan. Da Varekan will be able to influence Dor and turn them into Da Karaad, then Da Varekan will in turn raise Da Karaad into Karumolival and then the Da Varekan who is now the Karumolival will raise Da Karaad also into Karumolival. This event closes the cycle for the two individuals but also serves as a catalyst for others to become Da Varekan. When someone dies the part of themselves that stays behind remains Da Karaad, Da Varekan, Krav, or Dor. Because of this, beings that live longer have a higher chance to become Da Karaad and Da Varekan while beings that have shorter lives are more likely to continue in the cycle and make slow progress. This is one of the reasons why humanity tends to live in eternal war with each other. In addition, war can also serve as a setback to the enlightenment. In the same way as the creation of a Karumolival is a catalyst for the creation of Da Varekan, war and other traumas are catalysts for the creation of Dor which inturn fuels the creation of Krav. [!] Depiction of the cycle of rebirth. The Brathmordakin The brathmordakin do not exist in our plane of existence. They belong to a higher plane, however, they are so powerful that they are able to influence our planes of existence without the need of being physically present. In this sense the Brathmordakin exist in our realms in a state of incorporeality. Through their influence in this world the Brathmordakin can cause catalysts that create new people to become Da Varekan. Yemekar As Demiurge of all creation Yemekar observes and maintains the cycles so they work as intended. For Yemekar the goal is for all the cycles to end so a pure world of higher consciousness can be achieved. Khorvad Khorvad fell from a tool of Yemekar to end cycles into the opposite. It became a destroyer. Khorvad seeks the continuation of Dor and Krav. To this end he seeks to make the cycles that keep them in the world from being closed. Khorvad like the Brathmordakin is not a corporeal being and hence has to influence others into disrupting the end of the cycles. From helping individuals to cling to “life” through dark magic, fueling strife between the descendants, to sending dark minions like Ibliss to destroy the continents of the descendants so that they cannot find peace, Khorvad will stop at nothing for the cycles to continue. Kronetok In the doctrine there are the two most known Kronetok are: Wyrvun and Igor. These two individuals from different realms of existence, different beings, and different histories are the ones that enabled us to find the process of Yemekar-unn (Yemekar’s Balance). To find enlightenment from them people try to revere them and act in ways to honor them and keep Yemekar-unn. [!] The four brothers; Krug, Urguan, Oren, and Malin are all considered Da Varekan and Da Karaad to each other. Nations Like deities and individual nations can also serve the same effect of Da Karaad, Da Varekan, Dor, or Krav. This depends on the spiritual maturity of the nation. Rituals The doctrine of the Path of Karumolival has multiple rituals each of them intended to serve as a possible catalyst event for the creation of Da Karaad and Da Varekan, as well as, the prevention of Dor and Krav from manifesting. Rituals tend to be in honor of Da Karaad and Da Varekan. Groups like the redeemed do in some cases have rituals around Dor and Krav but those rituals tend to be ritual warfare where the goal is the extermination of the sources of both Dor and Krav. [!] Ritual in honor of Igor Da Varekan. Religion The Path of Karumolival is a universal doctrine. It acknowledges that different races are spiritually more enlightened than others but does not restrict the individual based on their race. In addition, the Path of Karumolival is a doctrine that can be easily attached to any religion as most deities would fall under Da Karaad, Da Varekan, Dor, or Krav. Organisations The path of Karumolival is open to any and all who seek it. Because of this there is no institution that represents it. However, there are some organizations that require its members to follow it. One of these is the Redeemed, an order in service of Wyrvun. [!] Symbol of the Redeemed

Frostbeard Culture Baldin “Ironside” Frostbeard I- social behavior Clan Government Led by the Clan Father, makes sure to protect the culture and peoples of the clan. The Frostbeards are notorious for their rebellious tendencies. This starts with the clan government itself. The Frostbeard branches have different preferences for electing their clan father. Traditionally however, the Frostbeard Elders elect the Clan Father. Elders can be removed and added depending on the need of the Clan Father. Because of this Elders have a tendency to keep power within their family, and the Clan Father has the interest to keep the power of the elders within the family. When a clan member is of political importance to the Clan Father they are made elder while they are useful, this tends to be done with care to avoid taking power away from the ‘main’ family. Elders hence can be divided into three groups; Elders of the main family, Temporary Elders, and Rebel Elders. Elders of the main family are the ones that help keep power within the family. These are usually chosen by a Clan Father as they ensure the continued legitimacy of their rule. Once a family grows big enough some of its branches might try to gather power towards their own family, or try to oppose the status quo in a way that the Clan Father is against. When this happens Elders that support those actions might lose political standing or become a threat to the source of power of the Clan Father. Due to this they tend to be removed as Elders as a way to keep power, these are considered Rebel Elders. Rebel Elders are also the Elders that fought/opposed the main family during a conflict or supported a different Clan Father different from the ruling one. Temporary Elders are individuals who have achieved popularity in the clan or are of use to the ruling clan father. Once their utility is fulfilled their rank is removed or they are made into Bearserkets. Bearserkers are considered by the clan’s culture to be individuals who have proven their loyalty to their Clan. While Rebel Elders tend to be removed from Elderhood as to avoid potential loss in power, Temporary Elders tend to be made Bearserkers. By giving Temporary Elders this position they can be made Elders at any moment depending on how politically convenient it is for the ruling class of the clan to do so. In most cases, once a Rebel Elder is removed from their position they are purged from the main clan in an attempt for the current government to keep power. When the Rebel Elder holds more popularity than the ruling Clan Father they tend to leave the clan with its members and declare themselves the new Clan Father. When this happens the Clan falls into an inner Rebelion. Historically speaking the Frostbeard clan has been the one to rebel the most in dwarven history against the dwarven nation. Before the clan rebels against the nation an inner rebellion needs to occur. When an inner rebelion is successful the center of power shifts to another family, sometimes bringing a more democratic rule to the clan, and others making it a full autocracy. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard Civil War. Settlement/City Government Frostbeard settlements/cities are governed traditionally by Jarls. The first Clan Fathers of the Frostbeard Clan were actually the Jarls of Jornheim. Theoretically the Jarls are loyal to the Clan Father. Like within the Clan, Elders can council Jarls, however, Jarls do decide at times to possess a different group of advisors. A good relationship between a Jarl and a Clan Father tends to be very important to avoid possible Clan Rebelions. Defeated Clan Elder and Clan Fathers tend to create settlements to consolidate their power, becoming Jarls in the process. Doing this allows them to keep gathering forces until one day be able to oppose the Frostbeard group that removed them. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard Jarl. II- Believes & Religion Clan Beliefs The members of the Frostbeard clan, while all being individuals in their own sense, hold to a certain amount of beliefs that are shared among all of the clan's folk. Despite their well known behaviour of undermining each other the Frostbeards share a strong familial bond. This familial bond is actually so strong that it creates a sort of tribalism within the clan. In the harshness of the mountain tops only the strong survive. Through this same mentality, beardlings of the clan are made to battle a bear alone. As this is a trial the bear is expected to be faced head on in such a form that the bear has a chance, and so that the beardling can truly prove their skills. [!] Depiction of different families in the Frostbeard Clan. Religion Like all Elder Clans (with the exception of the Ironborn) the Frostbeards worship and are raised in doctrines influenced by the faith of the Brathmordakin. Yemmekar’s balance, the sanctity of the beard, and the importance of the dwarven race, are all very important to the Frostbeards as a people. This said, individuals in the Frostbeard clan have been recorded putting the faith and clan belief’s behind for the sake of ‘larger personal goals’. Due to the Frostbeard’s harsh history and climate where the clan was born the Frostbeards are very aware of the powers that impact their world. For this reason the Frostbeards ceremonially burn their dead to avoid the body being raised by a user of the dark arts. Through the same practical knowledge came the worship of Wyrvun among some clan’s folk. [!] Depiction of Wyrvun. III- Customs Bearskins The most well known custom of the Frostbeards is the iconic bearpealt. To a Frostbeard the bear pelt is a symbol of their faith and loyalty to the clan, becoming a physical embodiment of the individual’s identity as a member of the Frostbeard Clan. Symbolically when a Frostbeard gives their pelt to someone else it is the greatest gift one can receive. This would obligate the Frostbeard to kill another bear to regain a new skin. In an opposite sense, dwarves that are disillusioned with the clan have also been recorded giving up or even burning their pelt. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard beardling before his trial. Masons & Scholars Frostbeards have a great culture as scholars and intellectuals. These have a lot of time to cause debates between different ideologies. The traditional way the Frostbeards keep their records is through Mehnir carving. These Mehnirs are monuments that remain in the lands the Frostbeard settle, ensuring their lost brothers and sisters can find their way back to the clan, no matter the continent they are in. Out of all Mountain dwarf clans the Frostbeards are by far the most famous stone workers. Their hands crafted multiple capitals like Kal’Omith and Kal'Tarak. [!] Depiction of a story carved on a Frostbeard Mehnir. Trade & Mercenary work Traditionally the common Frostbeard would make their wealth out of trade or working as a mercenary. Due to the close ties the Frostbeards and the Goldhands have and in addition to their origin as trading folk of Jornheim, the Frostbeards are admirable merchants. However, Frostbeards are just as remarkable as mercenaries. The mercenary work some Frostbeards took up enabled them to possess allies in various mercenary groups through time, depending on the ruling group of the time. [!] Depiction of Frostbeard mercenaries. Magic & Bards Frostbeards have a natural interest in magic. From a Jarl wanting to show off their power by having mages in their hall, to a wise Frostbeard that seeks to learn the secret arts, Frostbeards have a good opinion on magic. Bards are honored in the same way as wizards. Having a bard to tell tales is a sign of cultural health for the Clan. While the Frostbeards cannot claim to be great magic users in relation to the other dwarven clans, they can claim to be the most musically attuned. The Frostbeard Clan has had more bards in their history than any other clan. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard bard. Tattoos & Warpaint While the bear pealt allows the Frostbeard to represent their Frostbeard ancestry physically, warpaint and Tattoos allow for individuals to show off their accomplishments, beliefs, and overall individuality. In addition, the paint and tattoos are available to beardlings, allowing them to form a self identity early on. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard getting tattooed.

Homeless Baldin Frostbeard chuckles "ef ye think power comes frem properties then ye have net been payin attention."

Dwarven Story: The Trial of Acacios Frostbeard ~By Baldin 'Ironside' Frostbeard [!] Depiction of Acacios Frostbeard. A long time ago in the powerful city of New Jornheim there lived a young dwarf named Acacios Frostbeard. The beardling dwarf had just turned 100 years old and the time had come for him to be tested. Tested through his people’s ancestral trial, a trial meant to show his clan members through skills and will he is willing and able to serve the clan and his kin, in honor to his ancestors. He was to be sent to the cold mountains to be left there and hopefully come back with a trophy that will impress his clan brothers. Acacios’ family was not a rich family within the clan, however, they did work closely with more powerful families and at times gained their favor. Through the connection to these other families Acacios became friends with a slave of Edel Frostbeard’s family. The slave was a halfling called Erik Leafhair. Despite the circumstances Erik cared about Acacios and believed him to be an outstanding individual, and hence did not wish any ill will towards him despite his own situation. Erik and Acacios met before the departure into the mountain. “Acacious, I found your axe in the armory.” shouted Erik Towards his dwarven friend. Acacious noticed the halfling calling him and soon came towards him to retrieve his axe. “Thank you, I was looking for it.” as Acacios thanked Erik he took his axe looking at it. It was the axe of his father and his father’s father. An axe that for generations had been used for the same trial as he was going to go through. He felt he had to find a beast that would be as big or greater to the ones his ancestors defeated. With the weight of surpassing his predecessors on his shoulders Acacious started to feel great anxiety. He looked at Acacious and thanked him “I appreciate your work Erik” he said. “But I cannot stay here, I need to meet my father and mother before I leave.” Acacious waited for Erik to complain about missing his friend for such a long time, but he said nothing, just nodded in acceptance. Acacios went to the shrine of Wyrvun on the tallest peak on the mounts surrounding the city, he knew that his parents must be there giving tribute in exchange for safe passage for him across the mountains. His father was on his knees with some gems that had been placed at the feet of a sculpture of a drake, one of the ways Wyrvun was depicted. His mother was sitting on a stone close by asking the brathmordakin to bless a shield she had on her lap. As soon as he got close enough for his footsteps to be heard crushing the snow his father stood up. He seized Acacious by the shoulders and looked at his son in the eyes. His face was badly damaged from a lifetime of battles fought for the glory of the Frostbeards, despite that his satisfaction could clearly be seen in his blue eyes. The mother also stood up with the shield leaving it next to her husband. With a stern face she said that she will miss her son, as if it were the last time she would see him. Abit offended at the assumption that he will be killed in his trials Acacios opened his mouth to counter his mother’s words. However, he was interrupted by his father who handed him the shield. “Thes shield es enchanted, as long as ye carry et weather ye our family’s luck will follow ye. May tha Brathmordakin guide ye mi son, may Wyrvun grant ye safe passage.” Grabbing the shield the young dwarf banged his head against his father’s as a sign of appreciation. “I will be back father, I will be back and make our family proud.” As this was said he said goodbye to his mother once more and then departed. [!] Depiction of the Acacious walking towards the shrine of Wyrvun. Acacious was led by an Elder of the clan across the mountains as is tradition. Eventually when Acacious got used to the rhythm of the hike he looked around to find the elder who watched over his travel but could not find him. The trial had started and the Elder had ditched him to fend for himself. The young dwarf felt alone, more alone than he had ever felt. The cold of the snow was penetrating through his leather boots stabbing his feet, and the wind fought back any movement he attempted to make to continue his way. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a branch snapping behind him. Without hesitation he turned around and threw his axe towards the direction of the snap. The sound of a body falling to the ground was heard and then the voice of his friend Erik. The dwarf rushed towards the sound to check he did not just kill his friend. Thankfully when he got there he noticed Erik seating down in shock. Acacious look at him and then around, that is when he noticed his axe embedded in the skull of one of Edel’s ponies. “I stole it from my master” said Erik as he tried to catch his breath. “I figured that I could follow you in your task and make sure you don't get killed. I didn't mean to scare you.” Acacio felt honored to have such a kind friend, but at the same time he was angered that Erik would get in the way of such an important trial. Nonetheless, it was getting dark and at that moment their survival was more important than pride. Both of them chopped the pony into pieces and started walking together. After an hour of walking against the snowy wind the pair found a cave where they could rest. There they set up a fire and Erik started cooking some of the pony. They filled themselves up with the roasted pony and soon went to sleep. Erik tried to converse with Acacious about the senselessness of the trials but Acacio would not hear any of it and told him to go to sleep. During the night they could hear noises coming from inside the cave. They tried to ignore it but eventually the sounds started to seem closer and closer. Eventually, the sound of crushing bones could be heard where the two had left the remains of the pony. Acacios took his axe and rose from his sleep, as his eyes adjusted to the shadows the shape of a bear could more clearly be seen. It was a bear as dark as the shadows and if it were not for the light of the moon it would have looked like a shadow demon. Acacious woke up Erik telling him to leave the cave. As soon as the bear noticed the two of the it stood up roaring towards them. The thunderous voice of the bear was amplified by the cave making the Acacious ears and heart tremble. Erik turned his back and ran towards the outside, without hesitance the bear followed. In that instant when Acacious noticed the bear’s intentions he leaped on the back of the bear and plunged his axe on the bear’s shoulder. To the dwarf’s surprise it did not stop the creature and now he was hanging for dear life to his axe which was in turn stuck to the bear’s shoulder plate. The bear tried to bite at the halfling, however, through luck the halfling was able to dodge the bite, stumbling to the ground and starting to roll down the snowy mountain until the bear could not see him any more. Acacios released the axe and swiftly dismounted the bear returning into the cave. There he took hold of the shield his parents had given him. As soon as he placed his hands on the grip runes appeared on the shield. They shone bright red. The bear turned around and started pacing towards the light emitted by the runes. As soon as the bear was close enough to the shield, runes appeared on the axe on the bear’s back. It looked like ambers had been placed in the shape of runes on the axe, and sure enough after a second a bright flame started to come from the runes coating the axehead in flames and torching the bear. While the bear was being burned alive Acacios tried to find safe cover from its freenzie. This was to no avail as the bear was soon too close to dodge. The bear slapped the dwarf with his massive paws sending him flying across the cave and into its walls. With multiple fractures and part of his body clawed by the bear Acacios could feel his consciousness leaving him. The last thing he saw at that moment was the bear soon dying from the flames. [!] Depiction of the burning bear. When he opened his eyes again he noticed he was on a wagon, and a heavily beaten up Erik was setting next to him. “Whot ar we doing ‘ere? Is this Kaz’A’Dentrumm?” Asked Acacios. Erik just smiled at him. “I doubt your gods would grant me such honors, no. We are alive. A Goldhand caravan found me on the edge of the road and helped me. Once I woke up I led them to you.” Acacios smiled at his friend at looked at the front of the caravan, there he saw a blond dwarf holding the reigns, the dwarf just looked back for a second at Acacios and nodded as he turned his eyes back to the road. After a couple of hours the pair returned to New Jornheim beaten and with the taste of defeat in their mouths. Acacio dragged his feet as he walked towards the clan hall not wanting to face the shame of failure. When he entered the hall he could see the elders of the clan alongside his parents. The young dwarf looked down in shame as he was called forth. “Acacio Frostbeard.” said one of the Elders, “you come without the ‘ide?” Acacio shaked his head at the question “I passed out before I could have the chance.” as he answered the Elders discussed between themselves. Eventually the elder that took him across the mountain came forth and unveiled the hide of a hairless bear. “A’ ‘ave been watchin ye lad. Et wes quite tha interesting show ye gave.” The elder placed the skin of the bear on Acacio’s shoulders. “Ye ar net a soldier tha es for sure.” hed state, Acacio’s heart would sink in shame. “However,” continued the Elder “ye ‘ave shown bravery and tha the Brathmordakin favor you, ef tha wer net tha case tha bear would ef killed ye. Instead Yemekar willed it tha the bear wes defeated by ye. An so as yer observer en thes trial, a’ declare tha ye ‘ave passed yer trial.” Acacious stood up with his bald bear skin. He was happy. The clan elders started to cheer for him. He looked at his parents and he could see his father smile, and then he saw that for the first time in her life his mother was crying out of joy. [!]Depiction of Elder Frostbeards judging the results of the Trial.

[!] Walking to the top of Rhewenholm you notice a series of stone pillars aligned around you. A small stone lays in front of them with runic inscriptions that read: In honor of Rhewen ‘the great’ Frostbeard and all those brothers and sisters that have fallen in the name of prosperity for the Frostbeard Clan. May their souls live eternally in the Halls of Kaz’A’Dentrumm. [!] You approach the first menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: DISCLAIMER The tales, information, and histories are recompilations, disseminations, and analysis of different first and second hand accounts of the history of our people (the Frostbeards). Some of these accounts have been twisted in the past for political advantage. As a simple mortal dwarf I can only work with the information Ogradhad has allowed me to collect, as well as my first hand experience. In the spirit of our ancestors and our ways I ask those that read these runes to keep an open mind, and at the same time I ask them to keep a critical mind. Such is our way. - Baldin "Ironside" Frostbeard. [!] You approach the Second menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: PREAMBLE Back when I was a young lad, before I bore the colors of the Frostbeards I had a dream. I dreamt that the whole world was condemned to a terrible new strange plague that had come to dwarvenkind from Korvad. All were to be destroyed except a very few chosen. Some new sorts of illness were attacking the bodies of dwarves, but this disease was endowed with intelligence and will. Dwarves attacked by it became at once mad and furious. But never had dwarves considered themselves so intellectual and so completely in possession of the truth as these sufferers, never had they considered their decisions, their righteous conclusions, their moral convictions so infallible. Whole villages, whole towns and families went mad from the infection. All were excited and did not understand one another. Each thought that he alone had the truth and was wretched looking at the others, beat himself on the breast, wept, and wrung his hands. They did not know how to judge and could not agree what to consider evil and what good; they did not know whom to blame, whom to justify. Dwarves killed each other in a sort of senseless spite. They gathered together in armies against one another, but even on the march the armies would begin attacking each other, the ranks would be broken and the soldiers would fall on each other, stabbing and cutting, biting and devouring each other. The warhorns blew all day long in the cities; dwarves rushed together, but why they were summoned and who was summoning them no one knew. The most ordinary trades were abandoned, because everyone proposed his own ideas, his own improvements, and they could not agree. The land too was abandoned. Dwarves met in groups, agreed on something, swore to keep together, but at once began on something quite different from what they had proposed. They accused one another, fought and killed each other. There were conflagrations and famine. All dwarves and all things were involved in destruction. The plague spread and moved further and further. Until only a few could be saved in the whole world. [!] Depiction of my dreams. [!] You approach the Third menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Aegis - Da Karik Kargol - The Ancient Time Our records start with Urguan creating the first Kingdom of Urguan. Under his reign, the dwarves prosper. Our ancestors lived in various settlements across the lands. One of these settlements was Jonrheim. It was during this time that the Empire of Khorvad rose out of a weakened Kingdom of Urguan, the Ironborn Dynasty with the assistance of the fallen Brathmordakin Khorvad. During the period of 'Great Collapse' Emperor Thorngar Ironborn starts to destroy all records and knowledge of the past Kingdom. This left the dwarves after the fall of the Empire to be forced to fill in the gaps in their knowledge. The end of the Empire came at the hands of the mountain dwarves of the north, many dwarves this loosely confederated group of holds was what was left of the Kingdom Urguan. United under the leadership of a dwarf named Simppa the united forces of the Mountain dwarves marched to liberate their kin from the treacherous Ironborn. [!] Depiction of a Jornheim Frostbeard fighting an Ironborn dwarf. The history of the Frostbeards as we know it was passed down by the old Jarls of Jornheim. Jornheim was one of the dwarven settlements that remained far out of the grasp of the Ironborn. Be it because of the harsh climate of the surrounding area, or because of the ferocious spirit of its inhabitants, the Ironborn were unable to have any meaningful control on the Frostbeard folk. An example of this is given in the records which tell of the time when Karl Frostbeard and his son Gorum were journeying to the town of Rukok. On the road they were ambushed by a gang of Cave Dwarves from the Empire. According to the tale Gorum drew his blade without hesitation and charged them, killing every single one of them while his father sat back, laughing and cheering his son on. When the Frostbeards founded the first town of Jornheim, they started as a small fort and then slowly increased their trade and customs allowing more people to join the Frostbeards or letting them live inside of Jornheim. From their own sources the Jarls were considered to be quite generous and fed as well as sheltered any traveler and merchant expecting nothing in return. The truth behind the generosity of all the Jarls can be disputed by any measure of criticism. What we can say however, is that the Jarls of the time did not fear foreigners and actually saw the benefits these people could bring to their towns and peoples, a positive trait to have in a leader nonetheless. [!] Depiction of the town of Old Jornheim. The previous paragraph’s information was disseminated from records created by Karl Frostbeard, the first recorded Clan Father. We get another part or perspective of our origins through the tale of the Elder Clans where Kazulrah is the first Frostbeard. Kazulrah’s position as the first Frostbeard is questioned when one reads the old Tolta’s texts. In the text, Kazulrah is said to come from a family of heroes, and that he was a cowardly dwarf. One that only found bravery thanks to a divine being that granted him a magical sword that gave him courage. The tale claims that the sword was broken when Kaz’Ulrah acted dishonorably, cursing him to a life of weakness. The story says that Kaz’Ulrah had a brother and that after his curse they both left Kal’Urguan to Jornheim where their uncle ruled. This story is the one they tell for the foundation of the Frostbeard Brotherhood, an order created by the Uncle of Kaz’Ulrah according to the tale. Without seeking to be too speculative, it is possible that Kaz’Ulrah and his brother Kaz'Urdan were the forefathers of the Domnu and the Dechtires. Kaz'Urdan would eventually give the sword of his brother to the Jarl after his death. In the year 1336 after witnessing the conflict outside of Krugmar, Grand Councilor Valen Blackaxe with Karl Frostbeard avoided capture by the orcs. Together they find out that the orcs intended to rally an army to siege Kal'Urguan. [!] Ancient depiction of Jornheim’s feast hall in Aegis According to the mythos of our clan the Frostbeards were a group of Dwarves who lived within the mountains of Aegis, isolated from all other peoples be them dwarves or other races.This peaceful isolation allowed the clan to grow a distinct culture based around the arts, creating beautiful songs and crafting great runestones that told of our past through myths and tales. Things changed in an unknown time in our history, when our late ancestors made first contact with travelers that came to the Frostbeard town of Jornheim, seeking refuge from the harsh storms that the Frostbeards and their town were so used to. Inevitably, some travelers grew to appreciate the Frostbeard way of life and settled, they brought with them their gods, and their skill in trade integrating both into the Frostbeard culture. With the exponential growth of the city more travelers arrived. The differences between the locals and the foreigners became more and more evident and inevitably conflict emerged. According to our sources the fighting was noticeable around the marketplaces where folk argued about the costs of the goods being sold. The chronicles tell of two sides that were the main instigators of the conflict, supposedly without the Jarl knowledge. One of these sides were the Domnu and the other the Dechtires. Not much is known of these two groups as the information is scarce. What we piece together is that both sides were Frostbeards or dwarves integrated into the Frostbeard Clan. What the old tales state flatout though is that the animosity of the two sides eventually led to a civil war in the town of Jornheim. In what we can assume was fear of losing all he worked so hard to build, the Jarl attempted to bring an end to this war by hiring mercenaries. This led to more violence between the dwarves of the town. As with the merchants it can be stipulated based on the warrior culture of modern (post Aegis) Frostbeards that some of these mercenaries also became (or were) Frostbeards. With more violence trade became harder and more dangerous causing those merchants and travelers that had not fully integrated into the Frostbeards to leave. This atrocious hit to the economy of the town forced the Jarl to attempt to have the two sides negotiate peace. According to the tale the negotiations were not going well, but they nonetheless abruptly ended when the Jarl was shot in the chest by an archer, which caused the war to start again. As will be common in our history both sides tried to escape blame for the death of their Jarl and instead focused on blaming the other side. At the end of the war the writings say that only three survived the war but that they seemed to be about to die. This last part of the tale can be considered literal, meaning that the modern Frostbeards were just dwarves that took up the mantle of this fallen civilization, or perhaps the tale tried to make a metaphor. This metaphor would suggest that the cultural pillars that evolved through the time to become a major part of what the Frostbeards are were on the backfoot and close to extinction. Under this view the three dying people would be; The merchant, the warrior, and the artist, with the Jarl that represents the leadership of the Frostbeards being mortally killed from earlier on. I personally like this analysis as it resembles the civil wars the Frostbeards would have in the future, where the first part of Frostbeard society to fall is leadership and then when the clan is divided into different despotic leaders which increase the tensions of the conflict and eventually cause the cultural aspects of the clan to at best become divided into different groups, and at worst die out completely. [!] Depiction of a Dechtires warrior merchant. The Great War of Aegis was the first time all the descendant races fough one another in recorded history. The Rexdom of Krugmar, the Wardens of the Holy Princedom of Malinor and the Teutonic Order were pitted against the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, the Kingdom of Oren, and a rebelling clan of orcs, the Kaxil Clan. In this war like in any other war where the kingdom of Urguan fought the Frostbeard Clan was there. The peak of the Frostbeard war effort was embodied in Karl ‘Orcbane’ Frostbeard who at the time was one of the grand councilors of Urguan under the rule of Thorik Braveaxe. In 1336 Karl Frostbeard is able to warn Urguan of the murder of dwarven officials in a meeting with the orcs. that same year the Frostbeards succesfully assisted the larger Urguan forces in the defense of Kal’Urguan against the besieging armies of Krugmar, Malinor, and the Teutonic Order. It is interesting to note that the Frostbeards as a clan only fought in the siege of Kal’Urguan. This however does not take into consideration the possibilities of Frostbeard mercenaries fighting in the battles. Around this time Algoda Tombstone (later Frostbeard) founded the city of Alras with the goal of it becoming a buffer city to protect the Kal’Urguan. Eventually Alras would become a separate kingdom from Urguan becoming a merchant town with a notable population of Frostbeards and Goldhands. Notable Frostbeards that resided in Alras at the time seem to be Gorum Frostbeard who worked there as a Junior Architect [!] Depiction of the siege of Kal’Urguan. In the year 1338 undead attacks on the dwarven population rose. Multiple Frostbeard families that lived in the outskirts of Urguan territory are forced to flee their homes. A traumatising event that caused the lives of multiple dwarves, especially the old and young that could not survive the journey. During this time the refugees tried to find refuge in Al'Khazar. Sadly, they would soon have to flee again as the undead attacked a few month later. More refugees died in the fall of Al’Khazar one of the fallen was my wife Talia. Those that survived headed to Kal'Urguan going under the protection of the core of the Frostbeard Clan. There was a glimmer of hope once Urguan joined the United Aegis Coalition to fight the undead, but soon Urguan would leave the coalition as the Alrasian and their Ascended and the Ireheart clan had a falling out. Tensions escalated when the Alrasians started hunting down members of the Irehearts forcing the Frostbeards to attack the Alrasian to defend their mountain brothers. With pressure from the mountain dwarf clans, Grand King Thorik Braveaxe is forced to declare war on Alras. [!] Depiction of the fall of Al’Khazar. In the year 1342 soon after the declaration of war, the forces of Urguan siege the city of Alras. Making his clan proud Karl ‘Orcsbane’ Frostbeard led the Legion’s charge on the city. Cleaving through the soldiers of the city Karl’s charge was able to lay a heavy blow to the morale of the defenders of the city. That day the mountain dwarves fought as one defending each other’s honor, the honor that Alras dared to put into question when they placed a bounty on Kjell Ireheart as if he were a petty criminal. Algoda Frostbeard (back then known as Algoda Tombstone according to some sources) seems to have been placed in charge of the city as king, however the records of the city differ with the sources. When it came to the clan at large During the rule of Clan father Liam Frostbeard, Jornheim grew and prospered. they achieved many key alliances, thanks to their mighty Mercenaries. Liam’s role as Jarl and as Grand Councillor within Kal'Urguan opened many new opportunities for the clan. According to the records of the time the Braveaxes, The Renatians, the Starbreakers all were allies of the Frostbeards at the time. It is claimed that back then the Frostbeard clan possessed the ability to smith ice and to craft golems. It also seems that back then the Frostbeard clan had the reputation of winning any war they participated in. One of the main wars during Liams time was one between Hanseti, a war the clan fought with Renatian assistance. [!] Depiction of Frostbeards of Alras under the Goldhand clan. All the power the Frostbeards achieved during this period would be rendered useless against the undead might. Even when the whole dwarven race and the other descendant races tried to fight back against the great plague their power seemed insignificant. Sadly, the inability of the mortal races to bind together to fight the large threat forced all of them to seek refuge elsewhere. It was at their lowest point when the descendants thought their end was near that they found a portal. Without any other choice the Frostbeards joined the rest of the dwarves in a desperate attempt for survival. The dwarven ships took all the artifacts they could and the dwarves that had time to get onboard and sailed into the portal. It is unknown how many Frostbeards were left behind in Aegis. But we do know that the clan along with the dwarven race would have been eradicated if our ancestors had stayed behind. It is known that some brave warriors stayed behind, refusing to leave Kal’Urguan at the hands of the undead. Our records tell of Kjell Ireheart (though he would later come back by dragon back), but it is not improbable that dwarves of less status also stayed behind for similar reasons, among which Frostbeards would most likely have been in their mists. [!] Depiction of the last stand of Aegis. [!] You approach the Third menhir. This one seemed to have fallen over. in common runic writing you could read as follows: The Verge - Between Da Karik Kargol and Da Castkez The path from Aegis to Asulon through the verge was a perilous one. Not only did many dwarves die trying to hold back the undead, giving enough time for the rest of the dwarves to flee, they also had to suffer the wild storms in and around the verge portal. Not as many dwarves died because of the storm as compared to the undead, but the number of deaths was not insignificant. During this voyage the first Doomforged beardlings were introduced to the Mountain dwarf clans.Due to their mixed blood the Frostbeards avoided any form of contact with them despite their Ireheart ancestry, a clan allied to the Frostbeards for many centuries. [!] You approach the Fourth menhir. Unlike the others this one was more of a slab on the ground next to the Third menhir. In common runic writing you could read as follows: Asulon - Da Castkez - The New Age As the Dwarves begin to explore Asulon, they found the Kingdom of Kal'Karik, built upon the ruins of an old Dwarven nation that existed before our arrival there. The arrival to Asulon hit many Frostbeards hard. They had left a continent their people had called home for the past 1351 years. This also meant that many of the relics, tombs, and places that were sacred to the Frostbeards were lost forever. Obviously, this caused a fault line within the clan. Many left society to try to find themselves, some left the clan, and some just vanished. The Frostbeards have never been in such dark times before. At Least during the time of the Khorvad Empire the Frostbeards of Jornheim had each other, but now they were divided and scattered, with no one to assist them in these times. The Legendary Karl Frostbeard tried to bring them together as their clan father, but to no avail. They might have survived the wrath of Khorvad by escaping to Asulon, but the scars were too much for any one dwarf to heal. Eventually Karl himself vanished. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard mercenary. After the initial trauma had passed, Frostbeard took up the responsibility of finding his frostbeard brothers and bringing them to the lands of Kal’Karik. This dwarf was the son of the now disappeared Karl, Liam Frostbeard, my grandfather. Later on Liam’s brother, Goruk Frostbeard, who lived in the nation of Alras, led the Frostbeards that lived there enabling the marriage of his brother Morug Frostbeard to Thaneala Goldhand. A marriage that led to an alliance that allowed the Frostbeards to live under the Goldhand clan now that they needed it most. The alliance with the Goldhands created a lot of blood connections within the two clans, connections that can still be noticeable to this day. Thanks to the bond our clan achieved with the Goldhands, the Frostbeards of Goruk were able to gain much power in Alras, to the point that when Goruk Frostbeard returned to Kal’Karik he was able to give Alras and its lands to Urguan. Goruk soon became the new Clan Father of the clan bringing wealth not just to the clan and himself, but also to the larger kingdom. Soon enough the clan had enough power to leave the protection of the Goldhands and restore their clan hold in dwarven territory. They took inspiration from the tales of old and made their hall accordingly. At the same time they created the Clan sigil of the Frostbeards which represents the hold of New Jornheim in Alras. According to the texts the sigil represents family, blood, and the importance of standing by kin. According to the tomes the Frostbeard clan was persecuted at the time by Gimrik the foul, thanks to the sigil the Frostbeards were able to stand united with a clear sense of connection to their forefathers. [!] Depiction of the Sigil of the Frostbeards created in Aulon. Stronghold Braveaxe is chosen as king of Urguan, however, he decides to hand over the crown to Kjell Ireheart, who according to the sources established a dictatorship over the nation. Morgrim Blackaxe threatens with rebellion and forces Kjell to restore the old political system of the nation. After years of tension caused by the political struggle in Urguan they decide to invade Alras. Thanks to the large inner support for the dwarves coming from the Goldhands and Frostbeards living within the city surrenders with little bloodshed and returns to become part of Urguan. With the nation becoming larger in the form of an Empire, the now Paragon Kjell Ireheart reintroduces the Grand Council allowing him to gain the support of most clans. However the Empire is eventually dissolved and each hold becomes an independent state. Despite being united under one clan father the Frostbears lived in different holds in relative peace despite the decentralized government of the dwarves. King Hiebe Irongut eventually united the city states under one rule once again under Urguan. Soon after their return, the Frostbeards had become so prominent that they were given council positions within the Kingdom. Jarl Goruk the Great was made Lord Marshal of the Dwarves, and Gorum Frostbeard High Ambassador of the nation. The documents say that Goruk inherited a broken and barely functioning Legion from Grimloth Irongut; the precious Lord Marshal. Despite this Goruk was able to create a Legion that was on par with the Legion of old. However, as it tends to be the case with power, once you have it you seek more, and those around you want yours. This was the case here, as with time the Lord Marshal and the King at the time Hiebe Irongut started butting heads. Eventually the Frostbeard Clan attempted to overthrow Hiebe with Goruk and Gorum appealing to the constitution to call for a vote to call for elections. The sources claim that the Frostbeards had achieved the support of the members of the council, however, when the time came to vote in the council the proposal was shut down by the vote results. Seeing this as an insult to the Frostbeards and to themselves Gorum and Goruk Frostbeard stepped down from their positions in the military and government, leaving the dwarves behind in anger. In 1407 The First Heretical Trial happened, where the High Prophet of the Kirkja Dverga, Kazraden Starbreaker, accused Gorum Frostbeard of heresy. The trial was suspended however as the valuables of the clergy vault were stolen. Gorum was hence detained indefinitely, according to the texts of the High Prophet. What is also clear was that the Frostbeard clan showed great unity in the trial, protecting their clan’s folk from the accusations. However, according to the Kingdom’s records at the time the Frostbeard clan was going through a dark time. Clan numbers fell and the clan was no longer considered an elder under the laws of Urguan at the time. This fall in numbers obligated many Frostbeards to be adopted into the Goldhand Clan. The Frostbeard clan was forced to flee Asulon alongside the dwarves and the other descendants due to multiple natural disasters that were making the lives of the people living there impossible. In 1414 the boats of the descendants left the continent eventually reaching Isles of Elysium & Kalos. [!] Depiction of Goruk Frostbeard thwarting an orc raid. [!] You approach the Fifth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Elysium & Kalos - Kargol Eron Drakna - Time of the Drake Weakened by their travels the Frostbeards would still have to face off against a being they knew well; Ondarch, the Lord of the Dark Cold. This being terrorised both their ancestors in Aegis as well as any Ironborn that tried to lay claim to the northern lands. Ondnarch used the power that Khorvad used to corrupt him, to in turn possess the former king Thorik Grandaxe, the former king who was presumed dead. Valen Grandaxe, alongside dwarven warriors, were able to destroy whatever was enabling him to control the king, or at least so it seemed. This achievement was possible through the use of the Hammer of Urguan. With this mighty former king returned to dwarven society, Gorum Frostbeard and Kjell Ireheart decide to place him in power. This move was unsurprising as according to texts Hiebe’s decisions as King were ill perceived with both Kjell and Gorum. Soon enough, Thorik was once again made King. However, soon after his rise to the throne he abdicated and called for elections. This caused Omithiel Strongbrow to be crowned King, and Gorum (who was Omithiel’s son in law) took Omithiel’s position as Lord. During the Grandaxe reign in Elysium and Kalos the dwarves went once again to war with the orcs. Once again the Frostbeards answered the call to arms. Many Frostbeards died at the hands of the orcs, and many more orcs died at the hands of the Frostbeards. When the dwarves moved to Kalos the war continued, and many more Frostbeards lost their lives. Rest could only be found as the Frostbeards voyaged to Anthos with the rest of Urguan, where they settled Kal'Azgoth. [!] Depiction of a possessed Thorik Grandaxe leading the minions of Ondnarch. [!] You approach the Fifth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Anthos - Kargol Eron Velukrumm - Time of Purity When the Frostbeards reached Anthos they were grieved by the disappearance of Goruk the Great. They seemed to have been consoled by the arrival of Liam Frostbeard, the former Clan Father, but he would soon leave again on a great hunt. In Anthos the Frostbeard Clan enjoyed a position of honor and prestige among the dwarves. Our members filled multiple positions of authority in the grand halls of the Dwarven Kingdom of Urguan, and the population of the clan grew. This could be due to the strong ties the reigning King Omithiel Strongbrow had with the Frostbeards as he was in love with a Frostbeard, Moiruh Frostbeard. Gorum Frostbeard easily rose to become one of five Lords of the Dwarves, directly under King Omithiel, and Moruk Frostbeard had become the Grand Merchant. It was also around this time that King Omithiel proposed to Moiruh Frostbeard, making her the queen of the Kingdom of Urguan. The Frostbeard clan was also blessed with the return of Karl ‘Orcbane’ which allowed the clan to also have a stronghead to represent it. With all this prosperity the Frostbeards continued the war on the orcs with great passion, until one day the greenskins attempted to sign for peace. They wanted peace but Lord Gorum Frostbeard wanted only the ArkenStone that was in possession of the orcs. It was so valuable that the orcs refused to hand it over, and the war continued. [!] Depiction of Orcbane slaughtering orcs. The Golden age would be disturned by the re-disappearance of Karl Frostbeard, as well as Gorum’s and Oyvind’s. During these colder times Kal'Halla was abandoned and whatever Frostbeards that would have lived there moved back to the capital, or settled elsewhere. Soon enough the Frostbeards would fall into the second dwarven civil war. It seems that the Irongut’s failed to keep their clan united under the reign of the new Grand King Thorin. Due to this an offshoot branch of the Ironguts named/called the Thunderfists, declared war on the Kingdom of Urguan and the Ironguts loyal to it. Since there are no records of any clan of importance supporting the Thunderfists, it is understandable why they were so swiftly defeated. The civil war against the Irongut branch seemed to have left a sour taste in some Frostbeard’s mouths. [!] Depiction of Frostbeard farmers heading to the capital fleeing Ondnarch's minions. As time passed news came from the mountain that Ondnarch's Minions were attacking Dwarven citizens, some of them Frostbeards. Without delay the clan and kingdom started looking into it. They would not have to look for long, as soon enough Ondnarch laid siege to Kal'Azgoth. The Lord of the Dark Cold was able to control the city for some weeks before the Dwarven Legion and Elvish forces retake it. To the dismay of Urguan the Arkenstone was found missing after Ondnarch's forces left the city. However, Ondnarch was able to gain possession of Kal’Urir, forcing the legion to go retake it. There they found a book that told of the existence of Barrandin’s Hammer, the only weapon that could purify Ondnarch back to the way he was created. Once the hammer was found the Frostbeard joined the rest of the dwarves and joined Igor the wielder of the Hammer to fight Ondarch. Once Igor stroke Ondarch with the hammer of Barrandin Wyrvun was liberated from the cursed placed upon him by Khorcad. [!] Depiction of Igor and the dwarven people fighting Ondnarch's minions. “I am free sons of Urguan, Horen, and Krug, and have purged a great evil from this land. The Aengul Ondnarch is no more, and I, Wyrvun, have replaced him in my pure state. I will continue to watch over the deep frost once again, and make sure it does not consume me again. I have chosen my champion though, and Igor Ireheart shall rise to the Halls of the Brathmordakin as my Paragon, he shall be the avenger of the Dwarves. Ah, and your gifts shall arrive outside your capitals soon. Be aware and watchful, for I fear an ancient evil shall return and bring doom to the children of Urguan once again.” With a new purpose found in protecting the mountain from beings that could corrupt Wyrvun once more, the Frostbeards started actively hunting the remaining minions of Ondnarch's. Eventually the clan would be fully restored by Vulkin Frostbear’s Gorum Frostbeard’s grandson, and Vulkin’s brother and children. [!] Depiction of a follower of Wyrvun fighting a cultist of Ondnarch. [!] You approach the sixth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: The Fringe - Kez Eron Dor - Age of Doom/Curruption Urguan alongside the rest of the Krughanistan Bloc went to war with the Crimson-Silver alliance. Frostbeard soldiers fought on both sides of the war as legionaries or as mercenaries. During and after the war the world got hit by a potent plague created by a necromancer in Alras. Frostbeards living in Kal'Arkon were forced to move to Khaz'A'dar to avoid the plague. Soon after the plague was dealt with, Clan Blackfist was formed by Magnus Blackfist, the bastard son of Karl Frostbeard . The clan is made up of old dwarves renouncing their clan to form a new one, Grandaxes, Ironguts, and Frostbeards alike are claimed to have joined the clan. However, the Blackfists would not fully come together until Thales. In 1454 the Frostbeards officially regained our legal status as an Elder Clan. However, the Frostbeards in the Fringe stayed quite divided with all the families doing their own thing and not really interacting with each other. [!] Depiction of the Fringe’s Plague. [!] You approach the Seventh menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Thales - Kez Eron Threin - Age of Birth Thales was a stale time for our Clan, not many events happened, but life was good. The Frostbeards continued to weaken, with dwarves of the clan spread out around the continent without connection to the Clan Hall and leaderless. This is when Rhewen arrived and soon discovered to be the son of Karl Frostbeard. Trying to make his ancestors proud, and seeing the sad state of the clan, Rhewen sought to have the clan and its culture grow up to the tales he had heard about the Frostbeards of old. His half brother Gorum Frostbeard soon saw Rhwen’s efforts and made him the new Clan Father.The line of Rhewen Frostbeard would become the most powerful line in the clan for the next centuries, keeping its power through the changes in power, be it Urguan or Kaz’Ulrah, the line of Rhewen held a firm grip on the clan starting multiple traditions. The larger clan would be brought back to prominence by Rhewen Frostbeard, creating the Mountain District with the help of his close ally Fimlin Grandaxe. The clans Grandaxe and Frostbeard move to the district to protect and restore the culture of the mountain dwarves and of the clan themselves. During this time the Frostbeard clan made lasting friendships with the Irehearts through Lori, Grandaxes through Fimlin, and the Starbreakers through Darred. [!] Depiction of a young Rhewen Frostbeard. [!] You approach the Eight menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Athera - Kargol Eron Narvak - Time of Glory Despite Rhewen’s attempts to restore the clan to its former glory, the goal was not achieved. By the time the Frostbeards came to Athera in the ships of Urguan the Frostbeards were as lost as a clan as they were in Thales. Eventually Fimlin Grandaxe was elected King of Urguan, it was around this time that Verthaik Frostbeard came to the kingdom, he was the only member of the clan that was residing in the capital at the time. He took over as Clan Father as there was no other and immediately began finding and connecting members into the lineage. Under the supervision of now Clan Father Verthaik Frostbeard the clan prospered. Our clan reached such a high that it was said that for every non-Frostbeard in the capital there was a Frostbeard. Verthaik continued with many accomplishments leading the dwarves to battles and eventually becoming the youngest Grand Marshal of the Legion’s History. Through the population boom of the Frostbeard clan Verthaik was able to create a powerful Legion, despite the small dwarven population of the Kingdom as a whole. [!] Depiction of the Frostbeard Hall in Athera. Eventually Verthaik gained enough prestige in his military career to start getting into the politics of the Kingdom. From what I remember and according to some sources his intentions were pure as he aimed to bring the Frostbeards back to an age of glory and while doing so removing the corruption he saw in the Kingdom. Thanks to the notoriety he gained in the Legion he quickly became Arbiter in the council of Urguan, in no time and after some key deals he was able to bring our clan into the council as a member. During this same time Wyrvun was made the patron deity of the Frostbeard Clan. According to Frostbeard sources written after the time, Verthaik was too busy dealing with humans that were at war with Urguan to notice a plot against him. According to the source a cave dwarf coalition made a power move and removed Verthaik as arbiter. I will not be the one that will try to dissect the intentions of the Cave dwarves as that is not the goal of this story. As retaliation and to protect the clan interests Verthaik made an alliance with the agnarumm clans. This created a clear fault line in dwarven society between the umgorumm and the agnarumm. This alliance must not have achieved the desired effects Verthaik sought, as soon after it was formed he left the Kingdom. Many Frostbeards followed Verthaik into his self imposed exile, but many remained. The Frostbeards were however once more left without a leader. [!] Depiction of Kal’Ekknar. As is often the case in our clan the vacuum in leadership caused some to try to reach for power. If their intentions were pure or not that is something we will never know. One of these individuals that attempted to grasp at the power position of Clan Father of the Frostbeards was Vulkin Frostbeard, the Grandson of the mighty Gorum attempted to lead the clan, but as was/is often the case he lacked any proper legitimacy in the eyes of many to claim to be the leader. His rule of the clan soon ended with not much done. The next attempt to grab the position was at the hands of Rhewen Frostbeard’s son, Rhozan-Krantz Frostbeard and his brother Rhodir Frostbeard. According to the records Rhozan took the mantle of Clan father until his father returned. When Rhewen returned his children had kept the position of Clan Father warm for him, his experience as a leader of his clan helped him in places where Vulkin failed. Rhewen’s rule as Clan Father was able to match and in some ways surpass Verthaik’s. During his time as Clan Father in Athera the Frostbeards once more became one of the largest clans of the kingdom, matching the largest clan of the Grandaxes. During his time Rhewen formed a branch of the legion called the Rune Guard to be in direct service to the crown instead of the grand marshal. They were tasked with seeking out Dwarven Relics and defending the will of the Brathmordakin, in many ways the predecessors of the Legion of Mercy from Arcas. In his time Rhewen also reformed the mountain district in Urguan. In 1508 Rhewen Frostbeard went once again missing, and once again he was presumed dead, a funeral was prepared in his honor. However, he is soon found once more when news of the orc’s plans to attack Kal’Ekknar. It was discovered he was victim of poisoned ale at the hands of an orc. After that traumatic incident Rhewen never drank again. [!] A depiction of a militarized Kal’Eknar. In time the Grand Kingdom of Urguan became at war with the Iron Uzg, and the Kingdom saw the bloodiest war with the orcs since the elder days. Battle of Kal’Ekknar, where he stormed down the mountainside in aid of his dwarven brethren, and led the right flank of his clan along with Verthaik and Kerwyr. From there they were able to see the vanguard charge of a lone dwarf, Baldin. A former orc slave who charged the army of Uzg with only leather boots and a rusty sword. The lone charge confused and distracted the armies of the Uzg who tried to counter the perceived Urguani attack without knowing it was just the one dwarf. Their short sight left their flanks open to a Frostbeard charge from the right, and a charge led by Agor Grandaxe and the Valdovs from the left. On that day orc heads were mounted on the fields of Kal’Ekknar, the Frostbeards had won the day for the Grand Kingdom. After the battle Verthaik, Kerwyr, and Rhewen discovered that the lone dwarf was in fact survived his lone charge against the orc army. They discovered that this brown haired dwarf was the son of Tulip Frostbeard, the granddaughter of Liam Frostbeard. After this the three dwarves declared the brown haired Frostbeard as a clan legend. [!] Depiction of Rhewen, Verthaik, Kerwyr, and Baldin celebrating victory over the Iron Uzg. "The sun was setting low but our moral was high As we sang the song of Baldin our voices reached the sky! − Our fort was strong But their forces grew Trebuchets were deadly with all the rock they threw − The walls started shaking As the dwarfs began to fall In all of that chaos Only one dwarf stood tall − Baldin prepared for battle He charged at full force Even if he died now He had no remorse − A great fight occurred Dwarven bloodlust was fed But Baldin was armorless And we thought him dead − The battle was over Orcs fell like newts But Baldin returned With only his boots − The orcs were falling back Our victory was grand So let this tale last Until the end of our land!" -Hellio Frostbeard [!] Depiction of Hellio ‘the bard’ Frostbeard on a ship to Vailor. [!] You approach the ninth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Vailor - Time of Strife - Kazak Eron Kargol The departure from Athera was sudden, giant worms came out of the earth and forced the descendants to flee. Many dwarven tombs and relics were left behind. This once again affected the morale of the dwarven nation as a whole. The aristocracy of the capital could not deal with chaos and the unknown and so elections were proposed for when they arrived to the new continent, Vailor. Arriving on the realm of Vailor, the Frostbeard Clan was of the largest it had ever been, rivaled only by the clan under Karl’s reign. Rhewen Frostbeard continued to hold the seat as Clan Father. In the elections for Grand King Verthaik Frostbeard ran against Skippy Irongut, and Lathros Irongrinder. According to the delegation designated to count the votes Skippy was the victor. Suspicious of possible manipulation of the votes by Skippy loyalists, Verthaik Frostbeard along with the holds of Tal'Azwyr and Kal'Krest went against the Grand Kingdom in open rebellion. On the First of the Deep Cold, 1518, Verthaik announced the creation of the Mountain Monarchy, with Tal’Azwyr being its capital, and the Blackfist hold of Kal’Krest being it’s other settlement. Almost every citizen of Tal’Azwyr and Kal’Krest enlisted into the Mountain Monarchy Army which was led by Lord Marshall Vorstag II Ireheart. Verthaik’s Frostbeards were joined by other clans like the Blackfists and Goldhands, and individuals from the Irehearts and Ironguts that were disillusioned with the state of Urguan. The Frostbeards that stayed in Urguan were known as the loyalists and consisted of Vidar Frostbeard, Hellio Frostbeard and Algoda Frostbeard, despite the fact that they supported Verthaik’s bid for Grand King. Rhewen disappeared to not have to face his kin. Others like myself continued our duties to Wyrvun, purifying his realm not getting involved in a war that would have no true victor. [!] Depiction of Tal'Azwyr. The Mountain Monarchy’s might cannot be understated, despite many Frostbeards not joining their ranks their population was still large. For a moment the Mountain Monarchy was winning the war on all fronts. It was by what one can call divine intervention that the Legion was able to destroy the rebellion in 1520 by countering an ambush from the Mountain Monarchy where the rebels were outnumbered. The citizens of Tal'Azwyr were put to the sword and the Blackfist clan was whipped out from the face of the earth along with many Frostbeards. Amongst the ones to die was Verthaik Frostbeard, ‘mountain king' to some and ‘kinslayer’ to others. What is certain is that Verthaik Frostbeard left his mark on the mortal realms. Another Frostbeard of renown to be slain in the battle was Kerwyr’s brother Varuk Frostbeard. With the victory of Grand King Skippy his followers planned on burning Tal'Azwyr down. However, the newly appointed ruler of Tal'Azwyr, Erik ‘the cunning’ Frostbeard was able to make peace with Skippy, meaning Tal'Azwyr along with what was left of its population survived. After the war the bodies of the fallen Frostbeards were burned in a pyre in the traditional form of the Frostbeards. [!] Depiction of Deneryn Frostbeard looking for survivors of the failed rebellion. With much of Verthaik’s supporters killed or forced to flee Urguan Rhewen Frostbeard soon took charge of the clan with no opposition.The Edict of Demilitarization and Reconstruction of Tal'Azwyr passed on the 7th of the Sun's Smile of 1519. Rhewen was proclaimed the new Grand Marshal of the Legion, with this he created many reforms and authorized many defenses. During the next war with the orcs Rhewen ‘papabear’ Frostbeard led the Legion to victory against the Uruks and killed their Rex. Azkel, one of Rhewen’s sons was made High Remembrancer after Kirrekith Grandaxe resigned. Upon the death of Midgor Ireheart, Rhewen, Zahrer Irongrinder, and Duren Hammerfist all ran for Grand Kingship. Zahrer and Duren eventually stepped back allowing Rhewen to become Grand King uninpose. Now as Grand King Rhewen was able to use his expertise as Grand Marshal to fight back against the Orenian Empire that threatened all the dwarves. Rhewen Frostbeard disowns around this time Kerwyr Frostbeard, the son of Verthaik Frostbeard. At the battle of Kal’Ordholm, the combined trebuchet teams of Azkel Frostbeard and Tharggus Grandaxe stopped the Orenian’s siege. Through the multiple losses suffered by Oren, Rhewen set his sights past the lands of Urguan, looking to recruit the help of Vandoria to destroy the remaining Orenian forces outside their borders. Subjugating Vandoria under the Grand Kingdom, Rhewen established the Empire of Vandurguan, only the second Dwarven Empire to ever exist. Knowing that they could not beat the Dwarves defensively, Orenian forces retreated and called for a peace treaty ending the conflict once and for all. dissolved the Empire, allowing Vandoria to gain independence from his empire. [!] Depiction of Emperor Rhewen Frostbeard. Back in Tal'Azwyr Varin Frostbeard is appointed Steward of the town. Life starts coming back into the town, with it came more minas and residents. Tal'Azwyr acquired a considerable number of citizens, and expanded slowly, recovering from the war. New races and clans joined the town bringing a new prosperity to the town. Jarl Erik Frostbeard soon reformed the government, and passed many new laws. Erik willingly divided his powers in the city into three, between himself as the Jarl, Varin Frostbeard as the Steward, and Dwalin Irongut as the Commander. However, when one of the surviving sons of Verthaik: Kerwyr Frostbeard returned and became the Clan Father of the Frostbeards of Tal’Azwyr during the reign of Rhewen, the Grandking decided to take the clan's lands and holdings to avoid a rebellion. This would only anger the Frostbeards loyal to Kerwyr as they saw it as the victors of a war beating down those that lost. Nonetheless, a period of peace and prosperity was able to be achieved. Another Frostbeard city was formed by Azkel Frostbeard who established the port city of Kal’Novlar. Eventually, Rhewen stepped down as king and disappeared once more. Azkel created the Frostbeard trading company in 1581. In 1585 Clan Father Duren Frostbeard denied the right of Kerwyr to run for Clan Father of the Frostbeard clan, despite wide support of the clan. Duren goes further and banishes Kerwyr Frostbeard from the clan, warning anyone loyal to him that they would suffer the same fate if they acted upon their loyalties. [!] Depiction of Kerwyr Frostbeard and his dwarves. [!] You approach the tenth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Axios - Age of Pain - Kez Eron Korhelonannak During the rule of Grand King Torvin Grandaxe, the fallen Verthaik Frostbeard was made a hero. Alliance Pact of the Snow Elves of the Princedom of Fenn and The Frostbeard Clan 1599. In 1607 Garrond would form the Azwyr-Akvel, the Frost Guard would be used to serve as both the military and workforce of the Frostbeard Clan within the capital city of Kal’Omith. The Azwyr-Akvel also serves as a brigade within the Grand Legion of Urguan. Although this force is ultimately ruled by the Frostbeard Clan, it is open to all Dwarves and honorary Dwarves who wish to serve in the Grand Legion of Urguan. In 1608 I Baldin would form the Bearguard and serve as the private oathbound guards of Clan Father Kerwyr Frostbeard and the clan fathers that would succeed him. [!] Depiction of Kerwyr’s Frostbeards removing Urguanian forces from the capital of Kal’Omith. In a terrible turn of events, in the year of 1610 multiple Frostbeard Shrines of Wyrvun in Kal’Omith were burned and destroyed against the clan’s wishes. That same year, former High Prophet Aldal Ireheart’s addition of Wyrvun as a Brathmordakin was revoked by the now High Prophet Morug. In addition to this the worship of Wyrvun is deemed as heretical by the High Prophet. Due to this in 1610 the worshipers of Wyrvun went into self imposed exile joining the ranks of Kerwyr Frostbeard in New Jornheim. Despite the damage done to them in 1610 Azkel Frostbeards gave the opportunity to the Frostbeards that left to return to Urguan. None returned as the proposal was more of a threat than a promise for better treatment. When we reached New Jornheim I was made the religious head of the movement and made High Prophet of New Jornheim. Soon after this Grand Queen Olenna Ireheart-Frostbeard daughter of Kerwyr soon would die, and Grand King Bastion Ireheart would soon comite suicide out of grief. The death of the Grand King left the throne empty anda new Grand King needed to be chosen. To choose a new Grand King a large senate meeting was called with all the clans. Oyvind Frostbeard would travel to New Jornheim convinces the Frostbeard elders to vote for a Grand King and to return to Urguan to place him on the throne at the Senate meeting. Oyvind ran against Kerwyr, however he did not receive any support for his claim and Kerwyr won in a landslide. The event that came to be known as the Slaughter of the Senate occurred in the gathering room of the Senate of Hammers in the capital city of Kal'Omith on the 13th of the Deep Cold, 1612. It was the start of the Throne War and the beginning of the period in Dwarven history known as the Unstable Years.Thond Doomforged, Commander of the Grand Legion of Urguan would die in the senate slaughter. [!] Depiction of the Slaughter of the Senate. After we captured Kal’Omith I opened an Orphanage for war orphans in 1613 as High Prophet Baldin. Either out of shame or scared by how things turned out, Oyvind would exile himself in 1614 leaving the Frostbeard Clan and becoming a Goldhand instead. Barradin along with other Frostbeards would wonder where Oyvind would be, since he was the dwarf that convinced the Kerwyr and the large clan of Frostbeards to take the throne by force. That same year Fimlin Grandaxe as Lord Regent of the exiled government of Urguan would send an ultimatum to the Frostbeards of New Jornheim to return the capital of Kal’Omith to Urguan, in addition stating that the rebels will be trialed and have a minimum sentence of exile from the Kingdom of Urguan. For obvious reasons the rebels did not return the city. [!] Depiction of Kal’Omith. In the year 1614 the Doomforges would declare war on the Frostbeard clan. Partly in response to this, and to what Kerwyr loyalists called the Senate Room Rebellion, on 1615 the Legion of Kaz’Ulrah was the main force of the Frostbeard Clan. 1615 High Prophet Baldin Frostbeard is made Steward of Kal’Omith by Grand King Kerwyr Frostbeard. He allows the Ireheart clan to bury Drynn Ireheart in the crypts of the city. 1615 Zahrer Irongrinder invites all the dwarven religious leaders to Arcadia in an attempt to consolidate the faith. Wyrvun is called using the Arkenstone kept hidden by the Irongrinders in Arcadia. Baldin and Wyrvun had a discussion where Wyrvun ordered the High Prophet to unite the dwarves by returning the city of Kal’Omith to the dwarves of Urguan. Faced with the might of the divine and the wisdom of the cold mountain winds I agreed and that night I took a small force of Urguan loyalists to retake the city. With the blessing of Wyrvun the followers of the AenguI broke away from the faith of New Jornheim and became the Redeemed. By opening the gates of the city the civil war came to an end and for a moment it seemed that a bloodless solution to the conflict was found. [!] Depiction of Baldin “Ironside” Frostbeard conversing with Wyrvun. As a reward for his actions in retaking the city of Kal’Omith Wyrvun was made a hero of the dwarven people by High Prophet Fili Grandaxe. In the year 1616 Baldin gave up the titles handed to him by Kerwyr Frostbeard and formed the order of the flame under the blessing of Fili Grandaxe for any dwarf that would like to repent for their sins during the war. Later that same year Kerwyr Frostbeard was handed over to Gror Ireheart who swiftly executed the rebel king. Due to the death of Kerwyr, Rudok Frostbeard becames clan father. This was done with the plan to later hand the clan fathership down to Kerwyr’s secret son Verthaik II once he would come of age to lead. Meanwhile in New Jornheim the images and names of Verthaik and Kerwyr are honored. Worried and scared about this, the High Prophet of Da Kirkja Dverga at the time Zahrer Irongrinder denounced the glorification of fallen Frostbeards rebels and demanded for it to stop. A request that was fully ignored by the government of New Jornheim. Eventually Verthaik II Frostbeard started to accumulate power in New Jornheim as the heir of Kerwyr Frostbeard. He would blame me (Baldin Frostbeard) for the death of his father and vanish me from the clan, as well as taking all my possessions in New Jornheim. Verthaik would try to murder the now Grand King Gror Ireheart, only for his axe to be stoped by my arm, which I had to change later to a golem arm due to the injuries. That same year Verthaik II Frostbeard ordered my execution. I was presumed dead for the next decades. [!] depiction of the Redeemed. In 1624 Verthaik II would declare the independence of New Jornheim from Urguan. Forming the Kingdom of Kaz’Ulrah and becoming High King Verthaik II Frostbeard First King of Kaz’Ulrah. Soon he would start to make key alliances with the enemies of Urguan, in 1628 Rex U’la of the War Nation of Krugmar and High King Verthaik II Frostbeard become allies. The same happened with Abdessamad de Savin, ruler of Santigia and High King Verthaik II Frostbeard becoming allies. [!] Depiction of New Jornheim, the Capital of Kaz’Ulrah in Axios In 1628 Kaz’Ulrah would declare war on Urguan after a supposed attack on Edel Silvervein by the hands of Throri Stonemace. The Silverveins and Stonemaces were both offshoots of the Frostbeards. They were a result of how the civil war had divided the families inside the Frostbeard clan and turned them against each other. Some claim that Throri was actually the one attacked by the Silvervein, the sources differ. Three years later Kaz’Ulrah would ally itself with Norland. Now the young kingdom had powerful allies, a coalition that was one of the most powerful at the time. With my departure from New Jornheim their religious institutions were left empty. That is until 1631 when Ar Yemarin Anaros were formed as the new clergy of the dwarves under Kaz’Ulrah. When war came to the gates of New Jornheim in 1634 the coalition of Kaz’Ulrah and its allies were able to decisively defeat Urguan. The clans of the Blackaxes, Stormfists, Blackfists, Silverveins, and Goldhands would fight in the battle for what they considered was a war for freedom. Eventually Urguan asked for a peace treaty to be negotiated. [!] Kaz’Ulrah’s Loyalist’s depiction of Urguan’s surrender to High King Verthaik II Frostbeard. Two years later Urguan’s government would finally accept the terms of surrender. In them Kaz’Ulrah demanded the dissolution of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. The only thing the leaders of Urguan asked for was that Arcadia (the flying city of the Runelords) was allowed to exist as long as they did not undermine Kaz’Ulrah. In this form the leadership of Urguan allowed all the relics of Urguan to fall to the hands of Kaz’Ulrah and in addition left Kaz’Ulrah free range to torment those that had opposed them that lived in what used to be Urguan. A lucky few were able to seek refuge in Arcadia as refuges after the runelords and the remnants of the Urguan aristocracy approved of them. In1637 Kirkja Dverga was abolished in Kaz’Ulrah by Ar Yemarin Anaros’ High Prelate Thoak Goldhand. [!] Depiction of Arcadia. [!] You approach the eleventh menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Atlas - Kez Eron Enn- Age of Hope The Frostbeard intolerance to Doomforged decreased, meaning some were able to live their lives there. In this same hope, the Stormfist clan returned to dwarven lands. Their presence there was barely tolerated but Verthaik II allowed them to stay and gave them a hall. The leader of this clan was Boreas Stormfist. Boreas found himself at odds with the clan Father of the Silverveins, Edel. Edel’s clan had grown to unprecedented amounts made up of every type of individual that could not find another clan to go to. What the Silverveins did not have was respect. They were just a clan made by Throri who Kaz’Ulrah saw as a fool, a disgraceful dwarf. For this reason, the silverveins were not given a hall, so Edel Silvervein decided to take it by force. Edel took a handful of men and went to the clan hall of the Stormfists. Their hall was quite alien to the Silvervein, telescopes, jacuzzis, and Wyrvun, were not familiar to them, even less familiar was Boreas, a dwarf with pointy ears, snowy hair, and marble colored skin. But nonetheless they were going to take it, they marched up to the throne of the clan father to see Boreas sitting there sipping his wine as he observed the Silverveins while they drew their blades. Boreas chuckled nervously at the intruders. Most dwarves would have cursed Edel and his folk for invading their home and drawing their blades, but that was not Boreas’ way. He slowly stood up and offered Edel and his kin drinks and food. As they feasted in the Stormfist Hall Boreas is said to have talked to Edel and made him the most peculiar of offers. The odd dwarf asked him if he would be willing to merge clans with him. The Silvervein name will remain, but the clan structure of the Stormfist will be the official clan structure and the Cultural clan elements will be mainly overtaken by what was the Stormfist’s culture. Edel, thinking his actions through and remembering the implications of killing a fellow dwarf, accepted the offer and became the first clan father of the new Silvervein Clan. [!] Depiction of Verthaik II Frostbeard as King of Kaz’Ulrah. After a couple of years Kaz’Ulrah started to roll back into its old ways. The worship of Wyrvun once revered by the Frostbeards was now banned, which allowed the dwarves of Kaz’Ulrah to hunt down Stormfists as a sport. At the time the Clan Father of the Silverveins was the Stormfist Boreas, who demanded for the king Verthaik II to allow him to honor duel Hamnil Frostbeard to the death for the murder of his kin. Verthaik approved but only if Hamnil was willing to fight, which he was not. He rejected the proposal and continued to kill indiscriminately, Frostbeards were the law on Kaz’Ulrah. After months of being unable to stop the slaughter of his kind, Boreas was found beheaded in the clan Hall of the Frostbeards. [!] Depiction of the attempted genocide of the Stormfists in Kaz’Ulrah. Kaz’Ulrah was a hereditary monarchy, but since he had not produced any heirs it was decided to do it the dwarven way through elections. In these, Bogdun Goldhand was elected. He had hopes to bring back the dwarven nations back as one as many other leaders during that time. However, his attempts were mainly trying to please the two clans leading the strife in between dwarves: the Irongrinders and the Frostbeards. According to record the Frostbeards saw the Irongrinders as war criminals for their actions in Urguan, however, the Irongrinders and most dwarves outside Kaz’Ulrah through similar things of their Frostbeards. This hate for one another made it impossible for anyone to bring them together. Even less a clan that was seen to many at the time to be the embodiment of the mutation Kaz’Ulrah was having on elder clans. The Goldhands, one of the elder clans of the cave dwarves, had become a mountain dwarf clan, leaning in deep into ideals shared by the Frostbeards. [!] Depiction showing the goldhands losing their cave dwarf appearance. In 1645 the Confederation of Hammers was founded. The torch of Dwarven Freedom was light. Multiple Frostbeards like myself and descendants of Frostbeards moved to the Confederation seeking freedom of worship and a democratic government under the Hammers of the Confederation. In 1645 Verthaik II was slain and Hamnil was elected as the new High King. Hamnil, much more savage than his predecessor, would start a series of attacks from 1645 to1658 against the Confederation of Hammers and other settlements that would be the target of multiple waves of joint Uruk and Kaz’Ulrah attacks. It was a bright day of 1654, the sun gleamed over the hills before the gates of Karaz-a-Azgarum the final lights of the day streaking the crops as a force of 1000 Frostbeards of Kath’Ulrah lead by Hamnil Frostbeard, and Gror Ireheart, approached the gates of the city of the Confederation.This battle was won by the confederation with minimal loss of blood, the soldiers of Kaz’Ulrah were rendered incapacitated by the Confederation or slain by Whitepeak. Some years later Hamnil would offer the pirate of the confederation of hammers; Norkai Frostbeard the position as head of the navy. Norkai refused the offer. [!] Eimar var Burgundar and Gimli Silvervein leading the flanking charge against Kaz’Ulrah. The continuous attacks forced the divided dwarven nations to put their differences aside and the Confederation of hammers, Holm, and the temple of Azadar to declare a ‘Kill on Sight’ for members of the Kaz’Ulrah goverment. Many meetings were held in the Confederation with other holds invited to reunite the dwarves under a just system. In one of these meetings Hamnil Frostbeard was captured. Chaos erupted over his presence until one random dwarf reached for Hamnil’s beard and cut it off. Fearing retaliation Holm in 1667 signed a nonaggression with Kaz’Ulrah under High King Garrond Frostbeard and Consul Dor Irongut. With the Confederation and the temple of Azadar now short of one more member in their stand against a now more serious threat their leader come together and form Ord. The death of Norkai Frostbeard through an honor duel against Hamnil Frostbeard pushes those skeptical of Ord in Confederation to join Ord. A short-lived Kingdom that sought to put forth a common fight against Kaz’Ulrah. Most Frostbeards that were not loyal to Kaz’Ulrah joined Ord. Frostbeards from Holm, Azadar, and the Confederations all came to work together to clear the name of their people, ignoring any political differences they could have. Ord was hastily declared the rightful dwarven kingdom under King Darek Hammerfist and with Gror Ireheart as Marshal of Ord. Despite the attacks of Gror on the Confederation the aristocracy in Ord declared that Gror was just undercover fighting for Kaz’Ulrah. Some Frostbeards of the Confederation did not support the move not just because now they would have a king, but also because someone that killed their compatriots would be placed in charge of Ord’s military, however, they put their trust in Ord and placed all their nation’s resources into building the new kingdom. Sadly, Ord proved to be a waste of resources and a reflection of Urguan’s later years of decadence. Resources were lost, building was slow, and the leadership did not answer to the people. Almost as quick as it started, Ord dissolved back into Azadar and its members waited for someone else to fulfill their goals. In 1665 the Second Confederation of Hammers was founded under the protectorate of Whitepeak which was in turn under Courland. The Frostbeards of the Confederation of Hammers and those descendants of those Frostbeards returned to the lands of their confederation. The Frostbeards were once again divided between those that opposed Kaz’Ulrah in Holm, the Confederation, and Ord, and the Frostbeards of kaz’Ulrah who sought to exterminate any form of threat to the stability of the Frostbeard name. [!] Depiction of a meeting in the Confederation of Hammers with other Holm and Azadar. In 1676 during a surge in optimism for Ord’s future Rhewen Frostbeard returned and disowned all of Kerwyr and Verthaik II’s line, and to put forward Azkel as the inheritor of the Frostbeard Clan. This decision was understood by most Frostbeards. However, some Frostbeards outside of Ord feared that the actions were too similar to that of the Kaz’Ulrah Frostbeards for their liking. Nonetheless, the majority of the clan accepted Rhewen’s selection and Azkel became Clan Father. Some non-Kaz’Ulrah Frostbeards backed his claim while others that had long left Ord in disappointment ignored the proclamation. After years of chaos many Frostbeards learned to live without a Clan Father as none could get a legitimate claim to the position due to the title being passed on and not voted on by the Clan as a whole. Meanwhile, the ones loyal to Kaz’Ulrah remained there and saw the proclamation as an attempt to grab power. In 1692 the now Clan Father of the Ord Frostbeards, Azkel banishes all the Frostbeards that are not his descendants from the clan. Clan Father of the Kaz’Ulrah Frostbeards Hamnil declares the banishment and Azkel’s clan fatherhood illegitimate. Meanwhile the Frostbeards of the Confederation see this as a stab in the back, though they decide to just ignore it as Kaz’Ulrah was a threat to our existence at the time. [!] dwarves of the Confederation of Hammers fighting off Orcs sent by Kaz’Ulrah. Azkel Frostbeard and his followers returned to Holm after the disaster of Ord. According to the records held in Holm by the Frostbeards residing there. Within the Republic of Holm, Azkel Frostbeard established himself and his followers there and continued their struggles there. Not having the same military might as the Frostbeards of the Confederation which could rely on the military power of their Confederate clans, Azkel turned to writing. For decades now he was a renowned scholar and High Remembrancer of the Remembrancer Guild since Vailor. With his writings he sought to slander the dwarves of Kaz’Ulrah, to different degrees of success. What he did achieve in Holm was to establish a multi-national forum to combat the rising threat of the September Prince. Eventually, when the Frostbeards of Kaz’Ulrah got tired of his work attempted to have him killed. They placed a twenty-thousand mina bounty on Azkel’s head. This forced Azkel to spend even more time inside Holm, isolating the Frostbeards of Holm even more from possible allied Frostbeard groups. [!] Depiction of the Confederation Council. Soon the nation of the Confederation of Hammers and Kal’Bogrin united into one nation creating the Kingdom of Agnarumm. The popularity of this newly forged Kingdom attracted many Frostbeards and their descendants to it, starting a golden age for the Agnarumm and soon for all dwarves. Soon enough the Frostbeards from all the dwarven nations started to come to Agnarumm, allowing for the Frostbeard’s who opposed the Kaz’Ulrah Frostbeards to put up a united front. Azkel and the Frostbeard that would follow him were able to leave Holm and headed to Agnarumm. Despite the recognition as 'true' Frostbeards over the 'Blackfist' Frostbeards, the Clan were still given a hesitant look by the Dwarven populace, with many expecting the remaining members to rebel once more. Due to this Azkel Frostbeard despite the skepticism, the Frostbeard Clan reestablished itself into the Dwarven populace, where it was at peace knowing its name could begin to be restored. [!] Depiction of dwarven celebration for the formation of Agnarumm as a Kingdom. Eventually without the support of the agnarumm (the mountain dwarf clans, not the Kingdom) dwarves the Kingdom of Kaz’Ulrah collapsed too big to sustain itself with the few dwarves it had. It was a shadow of its former self and what was left of it was captured by human forces. In 1698 The Frostbeard Removal Act was established, and multiple dwarven nations approved of it. Recognizing how the clan can never adapt back into the Dwarven Populace, The Dwarves of Agnarum, Holm, and both Elder and Regular Clans, decided to follow the banishment of the clan as stated by Azkel Frostbeard. Alongside their removal from the name, they decided through the Frostbeard Removal Act to: banish all Frostbeards that were not descendants from Azkel Frostbeard. Those that decide to stay have the choice to die or change their clan name. This act caused many non-Ulrah Frostbeards to go into self imposed exile, and even turned some of them into supporters of the only nation that would now take them for who they are. [!] Depiction of Frostbeards in forced exile. This boost in Frostbeards emboldened the Kaz’Ulrahremnants and soon they attempted to raid Agnarumm as they did back when the land belonged to the Confederation of Hammers. Despite their high hopes for victory the Kaz’Ulrah raid on Agnarumm of 1698 was a complete failure. Seeing how the new discriminatory laws of Agnarumm could were actually legitimicing the idea of Kaz’Ulrah in the eyes of many Frostbeards, High Preceptor Fili and Preceptor Baldin Frostbeard attempt to reintegrate the Frostbeards (not just Azkel’s line) into Urguan. Azkel is informed and introduced into the plan. Despite trying to have Baldin change his name Azkel’s demands are ignored. The three of them together tried to find a new Clan Father that could serve as a bridge between all Frostbeard groups, as Azkel and Baldin had a distrust for each other’s political beliefs they compromised and accepted that they would both become Elder, and that they would place Argnos Frostbeard as the new Clan Father of the Frostbeard. Despite Argnos being the son of Hamnil it was believed that he would be easily guided by the two ideologically opposed dwarves. The plan worked for a while, the numbers of Frostbeards rose and many that went into exile returned bearing their name with pride. With my work done having returned the rightful name of Frostbeard to the non-Ulrah dwarves I returned to the mountains. It seemed Azkel was also pleased with the results and he too soon left. However, eventually cracks started to appear in the plan. With no one but the clergy watching over the Frostbeards the shadow of Kaz’Ulrah started to loop in once more. Argnos Frostbeard gave the Clan Fathership to one of his brothers. This created a couple of years of doubt within the dwarven population as fear of a new war could be felt. [!] You approach the twelfth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Arcas - Drahgal Kez - Noble Age In 1722 Baldin Frostbeard was made the High Preceptor of the Kirkja Dverga. That same year Clan Father Vithar Frostbeard (son of Verthaik II) declares himself clan father and orders all Frostbeards to be loyal to the newly united dwarven kingdom of Urguan. Time passes and Vithar leaves his position as Clan Father. This allowed Rhewen Frostbeard to become the only unopposed Clan father in decades. The Frostbeards finally were united after multiple centuries of division. One matter that continued to cause issues was that some Frostbeards still believed in the doctrines of the clergy of Kaz’Ulrah the Yemarin Yamaranos. To put up a compromise with them High Preceptor Baldin legitimices the individuals that were in the Yemarin Yamaranos and their legacy. In illness he passes his duties to Norli Starbreaker who would eventually become the next High Preceptor. [!] Depiction of the Council of Da Kirkja Dverga in 1723. In 1757 Garrond Frostbeard is charged with kidnapping of a foreigner and the purposeful torture of such individual with intent on enslaving. In 1795 Oyvind Frostbeard was posthumously placed in the Legion Hall of Fame, his role in the Frostbeard rebellion left unaddressed. Eventually the Frostbeard loyal to Kaz’Ulrah were unable to gain enough support to do anything meaningful inside the clan despite having a clan father that supported their cause. This failure to act caused many of them to exile themselves, an action their clan father would soon follow. The Clan became inactive in the structural sense, but the Frostbeards that remained managed to integrate back into the society they left when they vanished. [!] Depiction of Garrond Frostbeard before his capture and trial. [!] You approach the thirteenth menhir, in common runic writing you could read as follows: Almaris - Casthrein - Rebirth Now in the realm of Almaris, the Frostbeard Clan quickly integrated itself back into society. With many members returning after hearing of the clan’s revitalization, Clan Father Azkel Frostbeard united the members once again with the help of his father Rhewen and grandson Ulfric. In Azkel’s Clan Fathership the clan was once again legally recognised as an elder Clan of Urguan. Around this time Ajax Frostbeard the adoptive son of Verthaik II Frostbeard returned to Urguan from his exile after Edel's debearding. Ajax was soon discoverd to be Rhewen's long lost son. [!] Depiction of a Frostbeard befriending other races. Bojakk Frostbeard’s “That Merchant Life” “ Stretching in bed then I wander into my kitchen Get my self a tankard of ambition I yawn and give Jorin a good morning embrace Hop in the warm bath Trying to get my blood goin' Out to the Hall craftsmen all glowin helping the hold with that Merchant life Workin' that Merchant life Gotta keep the hold a livin' And you know I try Taxes takin' To guilds givin' The accounting work and they never give me credit But those great projects wouldn't be if you didn't That Merchant life, For my clan and Mountain You would think that I, Would earn a plaque on a Fountain Want to move a head With projects but the king won't let me I swear sometimes the men are out to get me.. Mmmmmm. They try to tear you down with a song bout your takin' They think that these building's magically be makin' but you know to make em we gotta pay.. You're in the same boat with all of your dwedmar Workin' for the day That you unveil the Grand Bar And it'll wash all the hate away. Workin' that Merchant life Gotta keep the hold a livin' And you know I try Taxes takin' To guilds givin' The accounting work and they never give me credit But those great projects wouldn't be if you didn't Merchant life, They mock you and they taunt you But you just walk on by Because you know it's not about you In the Khazad's game No matter how much you haul it You'll spend your life Padding Urguan's Wallet! “ - Bojakk Frostbeard *comissioned for Dhaen Grandaxe [!] Depiction of Bojakk“the Poet” Frostbeard. In 1799 Azkel Frostbeard once again states that all individuals claiming the name Frostbeard during the period of Kaz’Ulrah, under the leadership of Kerwyr Frostbeard and his line, or who are not a part of the current Clan in Urguan are hereby disowned from the Frostbeard Clan and its lineage. Said individuals who rejoin the Frostbeard Clan are to never be allowed to lead the Clan. This resulted in some Frostbeards just hiding their origin from their fellow clan members. Ajax Frostbeard adoptive son of Verthaik II Frostbeard is made an elder of the Clan. Eventually, Rhewen becomes Clan Father once again and restores a more united Frostbeard Clan. In his new term as clan father he would restore Baldin’s elder rank. However, the rank would once again be taken away as well as Ajax’s. Soon after this in the dwarven year of 1825 Clan Father Rhewen is burned alive by fire spiders while protecting his Frostbeard kin. Ulfric Frostbeard, great grandson of Rhewen is made Clan father by his grandfather Azkel who was now the only Elder left to make the appointment. A year later a funeral pyre would be made in his honor on top of Rhewenholm the new domain of the Frostbeards inside Urguan. The flames of his pyre would light the night and his friends and clansmen would watch on as the smoke of his pyre rose up into the stars until it reached the halls of Kaz’A’Dentrumm. [!] Depiction of Rhewen Frostbeard’s funeral. Ajax Frostbeard's Roar Great Papa Bear Twas late 29 in the Old Dwarven Hall He was the eldest of Frostbeards by far Tankard in hand Papa Bear sat at the bar Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar For Lucienburg had bore monsters below A cry came out for allies they know "Send us a champion to strike down this foe!" Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar, me boys Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar Khazadmar and men both had answered the call, He was the veteran, who was older than all From the mountains of Urguan, to the lands of snowfall Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar Both Bharus and Throri hefted a stein and walked behind Rhewen deep into the mine What fate lurked below could no dwedmar divine Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar, me boys Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar And It's one for the our kinsmen above Two for the Kingdom We love And it's three for the fire that burns in his soul Roar Greatest Papa Bear! Roar, Great Papa Bear, Roar And It's one for the our kinsmen above Two for the Kingdom We love And it's three for the fire that burns in his soul Roar Greatest Papa Bear! Roar, Great Papa Bear, Roar So come all ye Dwedmar and head the command To retrieve our clan father's remains back to our lands So bear forth both steel and a torch in your hands Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar For the bastard Rakki, wild and untamed Routed the youngers, but they're not to blame As Rhewen stood martyred through an ocean of flame Roar, Great Papa Bear, Roar, me boys Roar Great Papa Bear, Roar And It's one for the our kinsmen above Two for the Kingdom We love And it's three for the fire that burns in his soul Roar Greatest Papa Bear Roar, Great Papa Bear, Roar! *Song in Memory of Rhewen 'Papabear' Frostbeard. Clans that can link their foundation to the Frostbeard Clan: Strongbrows: The result of marriage between members of the Silverfingers and the Frostbeard Clan. Blackfists: Bastard sons of Karl Frostbeard. Stormfists: Bastard sons of Baldin Frostbeard. Stonemaces: Branch from the Frostbeard clan. Silverveins: Bastard branch of the Stonemace clan. Metalfists: Branch of the Silvervein Clan. Stormbreakers: Branch of the Frostbeards. Blackroots: Branch made from the Cottonwood and Frostbeard Clan.

Baldin wonders if he will see Rhewen again in life or if he will have to wait for the sweet release of death to see his friend again. Baldin would take a puff from his pipe before exhaling "time shall tell..." hed state.

STEELHEART FOLKLORE: Captain Cloud [!] Captain Norkai Norkai was a great sailor of the time of the confederation of Hammers. During a time of brief annexation of confederation lands Norkai turned to the seas. He Raided the seas and lands of human kingdoms with his crew, at times receiving tribute in exchange for mercy. All the wealth was divided with his crew, and then his personal wealth he gave in offerings to Belka for fair weather, and to Grimdugan for luck and good plunder. The renown of the dwarf came to the ears of the dwarves of Kaz’Ulrah who offered him a position as the head of their navy, a position the captain refused. With help of the human kingdoms that were raided, Kaz'Ulrah was able to lock the ports of the captain and cut his access to resources. His career as a pirate came to an end when he went alone to face Kaz’Ulrah. There it is said he died in an honor duel. Despite his death, rumors continued, and legends emerged. Some claimed that the Soul of the captain could not go to any Brathmordakin as Belka and Grimdugan kept matching their bids. As a resolution they decided to have him serve them in the mortal planes. [!] The Thunderer at work They gave him a ship; The Thunderer, one that could fly on the clouds and navigate under the sea.. Every decade he would have to rotate between the service of Belka and Grimdugan. Sinking the ships that disrespected the seas of Belka for a decade, then he would sink his boat into the sea. The next decade he would spend it under the sea looking for the bodies of those who died at sea. He would take those who died in honor and invited them to join his crew, the rest were returned to shore so that their bodies could be found and buried properly. Those that died dishonorably where flayed, their skin used as sails for the great boat. Their bodies then locked inside a locker for one eternity. [!] Flayed sailor. It is said that Norkai will fight in the last battle against Korvad alongside his kin, and that the great sailors that have died have joined his crew to fight for Yemekar’s greatness and the dwarves. When that time comes the flayed bodies of the dishonored will be released from their locker and they will be given a chance to fight again and regain their honor. Those that agree to fight will have their skin returned, and those who cowared will be placed on the cannons to shoot at Khorvad’s armies. [!] The Thunderer Crew in the Last Battle

IGN: mateolog RP NAME: Baldin 'Ironside' Frostbeard AGE: 385 ACTIVITY REQUIREMENT: Clan Frostbeard CANDIDATE: Levian'Tol Grandaddyaxe

I am Baldin 'Ironside' Frostbeard born in Anthos in the year 1438, Son of Renlak Grandaxe and Tulip Frostbeard, daughter of Festelia Frostbeard and Uldiir Frostbeard, who is son of Liam Frostbeard the brother of Gorum Frostbeard. I fathered multiple children but these are the ones of the Frostbeard line; Gilvar Frostbeard, Hackhen Frostbeard, Hurundum 'Ironclad' Frostbeard, Deneryn Frostbeard. Had Gardalf Frostbeard and Barle Frostbeard with Irnabel Frostbeard. I am the Father of Haddi Sharpblade who had Karaad Frostbeard with Azkel Frostbeard.