The dwarven empire is made of many great clans, each with its own kingdom. Each king forms a council of kings that reports to one emperor, whom the other kings elect from among their ranks.

1. Clan Greatstone

The most renowned clan, associated with kingship and the first great mountain citadels. Their legacy defines dwarven authority and endurance.

Reputation: Kings, builders, lawkeepers
Symbol: Crowned mountain
Colors: Azure blue, gold, granite
Saying: “Stone bears the crown.”

2. Clan Ironforge

Legendary smiths who perfected deep-ore smelting, crafting many of history’s greatest weapons and tools.

Reputation: Master weaponsmiths
Symbol: Hammer striking an anvil
Colors: Iron gray, ember orange, steel
Saying: “By fire and forge, iron is destiny.”

3. Clan Deepdelve

Pioneering miners whose tunnels reach the deepest places, with unmatched knowledge of underground riches.

Reputation: Deep-earth explorers
Symbol: Downward pick over cavern
Colors: Black, deep violet, silver
Saying: “Where the pick points, the mountain yields.”



4. Clan Stonehammer

Master builders of bridges, gates, and fortifications, shaping the architecture of ancient dwarven kingdoms.

Reputation: Engineers and siege architects
Symbol: Hammer crossed with chisel
Colors: Slate gray, bronze, steel
Saying: “Stone answers the hammer.”

Clan Blackanvil

A secretive forge-clan specializing in rune-bound war gear and enchanted metal.

Reputation: Rune-smiths and war-forgers
Symbol: Dark anvil with sparks
Colors: Obsidian, crimson, gold
Saying: “Runes bind what fire awakens.”

Clan Emberforge

Keepers of sacred furnaces tied to primordial fire, often near magma vents.

Reputation: Flame-smiths and forge priests
Symbol: Ember-lit forge
Colors: Flame orange, black, brass
Saying: “From the first fire, all craft flows.”

Clan Goldvein

Legendary prospectors and merchants who uncovered vast gold lodes.

Reputation: Wealth, trade, jewelcraft
Symbol: Golden vein in stone
Colors: Black, gold, amber
Saying: “Gold sleeps where patience digs.”

Clan Runecarve

Lorekeepers who inscribe runes into arms, armor, and vast stone records.

Reputation: Rune magic and history
Symbol: Rune-carved tablet
Colors: Violet, silver, pale blue
Saying: “Stone remembers what men forget.”

Clan Frostbeard

Northern dwarves of harsh mountains, hardened by cold and constant threat.

Reputation: Survivalists, monster-slayers
Symbol: Snow-crowned axe
Colors: Ice blue, white, steel
Saying: “Cold steel and colder resolve.”

Clan Bronzebanner

A highly martial clan known for disciplined armies and battlefield command.

Reputation: Warriors and generals
Symbol: Bronze war banner
Colors: Bronze, crimson, iron
Saying: “Stand fast and raise the banner.”

Clan Deepforge

Masters of massive foundries producing armor and war engines in great numbers.

Reputation: Industrial smithing
Symbol: Deep mountain forge
Colors: Dark iron, ember red, brass
Saying: “The deep fires never sleep.”

Clan Stoneward

Guardians of dwarven strongholds and sacred halls.

Reputation: Sentinels and wardens
Symbol: Stone shield
Colors: Granite gray, gold, dark blue
Saying: “Stone does not yield, and neither do we.”

Dwarven Legend & Rivalries

The Twelve First Clans formed the foundation of dwarven civilization, with all later clans tracing lineage to them. Greatstone is most often named first, tied to the first High King.

Rivalries:

Greatstone vs Ironforge: Crown vs craft; rulers vs arms-makers

Deepdelve vs Blackanvil: Resource control vs magical use

Bronzebanner vs Frostbeard: Discipline vs rugged strength

Greatstone Dominance:
Largest population, oldest cities, and most High Kings. Even united forge-clans rarely surpass their influence.

Saying:
“Iron arms the kingdom, gold fills its vaults—but stone bears the crown.”

Dwarven Speech & Sayings

Dwarven language is formal, practical, and rooted in stone, craft, and kinship.

Common Greetings:

“Stone and steel to you.”

“May your halls stand strong.”

“The mountain keep you.”

Friendly Phrases:

“What news from the deep roads?”

“Have the mines been kind?”

Farewells:

“Walk steady under the mountain.”

“May your halls never fall silent.”

Sayings:

“There’s gold in that thought.” (good idea)

“That tunnel runs crooked.” (dishonest)

Tradition:
“The mountain still stands.”
“Then so do we.”

Clan Greeting Style

Greetings reflect duty:

Smiths: fire and steel

Miners: stone and fortune

Warriors: honor and banners

Guardians: endurance

Example:
“Good ore to your forge.”
“May the gates stand strong.”

The Four Great Houses

The High Alliance (Crown and Hammer)
Greatstone, Stonehammer, Stoneward, Bronzebanner
�’ Rule, defense, and armies

The Forge Concord (Makers)
Ironforge, Emberforge, Deepforge, Blackanvil
�’ Weapons, armor, and craft

The Deep Guild (Delvers)
Deepdelve, Goldvein
�’ Mining, wealth, exploration

The Loreward Compact (Stewards)
Runecarve, Frostbeard
�’ Knowledge, survival, preservation

Proverb of the Twelve

“Twelve were the first beneath the mountain.
Stone crowned them, fire armed them,
Rune guided them, gold sustained them.
So long as the Twelve endure, the halls shall never fall.”

Tavern Chant (Condensed)

Raise the ale and sing once more—
Stone and steel forever endure!
Greatstone crowns and Ironforge hammers,
Deepdelve digs and Stonehammer shapes!

Blackanvil sparks, Emberforge burns,
Goldvein gleams and Runecarve learns!
Frostbeard stands, Bronzebanner leads,
Deepforge roars, Stoneward defends!

“FOR THE TWELVE AND THE MOUNTAIN FOREVERMORE!”