Chapter 2.4: The Pact of Stone and Leaf
The Struggle for Survival
The dwarves had always been a people of isolation, carving their destiny from the heart of the mountains, never seeking aid from the outside world. But the Second Great War had changed everything.
The humans had proven that even the mightiest dwarven strongholds could be threatened. Their armies were vast, their mages wielded destructive power, and their ambitions knew no bounds.
But they were not the only ones who had suffered.
The elves of the Everwood, long thought untouchable in their enchanted forests, had also been scarred by human ambition. The Empire of Vandraal, the very kingdom that had besieged Karak Dran, had also turned its gaze upon the elves, seeking to burn their sacred groves and claim their ancient lands.
Two proud peoples, once distrustful of one another, now found themselves facing a common enemy.
And so, for the first time in history, a delegation of dwarves descended from the mountains and entered the Emerald Court of the Elven High Lords.
The Meeting at Skyshadow Glen
In the Year of Gilded Chains, the first official meeting between dwarves and elves was held in Skyshadow Glen, a secluded valley between the Titan's Spine Mountains and the Everwood.
• The dwarves, led by High Thane Thrain Gemforge and Keeplord Belgrin Goldvein, arrived in heavy armor, their presence like stone amidst a sea of leaves.
• The elves, led by High Lord Vaelor Sunblade and the mystic seer Lady Sylwen Moondrake, stood with robes of woven starlight, watching their age-old rivals with cautious curiosity.
• Both sides had their grievances—the dwarves saw the elves as arrogant and aloof, while the elves viewed the dwarves as stubborn and destructive.
The talks lasted for seven days and seven nights.
At first, old wounds surfaced. The elves spoke of how the dwarves had once mined too deep, disturbing sacred ley-lines of magic. The dwarves countered, reminding the elves of past betrayals—when the elves had refused to aid the dwarves against the Deepborn in the First Great War.
But by the final day, one truth was clear:
They could not stand alone.
And so, the Pact of Stone and Leaf was forged.
Terms of the Pact
• Mutual Defense – If humans or any other force attacked the lands of one, the other would come to their aid.
• Trade Between Realms – Elven spellsmiths would share their knowledge of arcane forging, and dwarves would provide mithril and rune-forged steel to the elven armies.
• The Guardians of the Wild Peaks – A new fortress-city, Kaer'Thalion, would be built at the border of the Everwood and the Titan's Spine, manned by both elven wardens and dwarven vanguard, to stand as a symbol of unity.
• Marriage Between Clans and Houses – Though rare, diplomatic unions would be allowed, further binding their peoples.
With the pact sealed in blood and stone, dwarves and elves no longer stood as enemies. They stood as allies—not out of friendship, but out of necessity.
Yet even as toasts were raised and oaths sworn, whispers spread that not all dwarves and elves welcomed the alliance.
Some among the Keeplords still held deep hatred for the elves, while in the shadows of the Everwood, elven purists whispered of dwarven greed.
Would this alliance truly endure? Or had they simply forged a blade that would one day turn upon itself?
The Lords of the Holds
The Current Keeplords and Their Domains
Though the High Thane ruled as a unifying figure, true power still lay with the Keeplords, each governing their respective hold, each holding great influence over dwarvenkind.
In the Year of the Rising Oath, seven great Keeplords stood at the helm of dwarven civilization.
1. Thrain Gemforge – High Thane of Khazgrum
• Ruler of the First Hold, Keeper of the Anvil of Creation
• A war-hardened leader, once a mere smith, now the uniting force behind dwarvenkind
• Seeks to rebuild the broken empire and maintain the new alliance with the elves
2. Magrin Stonefist – Keeplord of Karak Dran
• Ruler of the Fortress of Shields, Warden of the Titan's Teeth
• A grim, unyielding warrior, whose hatred of humans burns hotter than his forges
• Though he obeys the Pact of Stone and Leaf, he does not trust the elves
3. Belgrin Goldvein – Keeplord of Dol Khazir
• Master of the City of Jewels, Lord of the Vaults
• The most diplomatic of the dwarven rulers, key architect of dwarven-elven trade
• Seeks to expand dwarven wealth beyond the mountains, seeing opportunity where others see enemies
4. Skorik Icehammer – Keeplord of Grumbarak
• Lord of the Frozen Depths, Keeper of the Frostforges
• Commands the only hold that remains untouched by outside wars, preferring isolation
• Wields the Icebrand, a hammer forged from eternal frost, said to never melt
5. Gorim Deepdelver – Keeplord of Ul'Zanar
• Master of the Hollow Crown, Runepriest of the Sacred Forge
• Oversees the magical traditions of dwarvenkind, balancing faith and innovation
• Feels uneasy about the alliance with elves, fearing their magic could corrupt dwarven steel
6. Borin Stormvoice – Keeplord of Thundrakar
• Ruler of the Echoing Halls, Warlord of the Skyforged Cannons
• A master tactician, overseeing the new dwarven airships that patrol the borders
• Seeks revenge against the humans, but follows the High Thane's decree—for now
7. Durim Blackanvil – Keeplord of Khaz'Zagur
• Master of the Molten Keep, High Smith of the Titansteel Foundries
• Oversees the creation of the strongest dwarven weapons
• Has begun experimenting with elven magic-infused metalwork, a controversial practice
The Future of the Holds
For the first time in history, the dwarves stood together, their holds no longer divided. The alliance with the elves had strengthened them, but at what cost?
• Some among the Keeplords still doubt the elves' loyalty.
• Others believe it is time to strike the humans while they are weak.
• And beneath the mountains, the Deepborn begin to stir once more.
As war drums thunder in the distance, one question remains:
Will the Keeplords stand united when the next great war begins?
Or will old grudges and hidden ambitions tear them apart once more?