Bonus Content: The Dwarven Realms of Eldoria

The Kingdoms Beneath the Mountain

The dwarves do not rule a single kingdom but rather a vast network of strongholds, mines, and cities carved into the very bones of Eldoria. Each hold is ruled by a Keeplord, independent yet bound by tradition, honor, and the authority of the High Thane in Khazgrum.

The dwarven realm is divided into seven major regions, each with its own strongholds, industries, and warlords.

The Seven Great Regions of the Dwarves

1. Khazgrum, the First Hold – The Heart of the Dwarves

• Region: The Titan's Crown

• Ruler: Thrain Gemforge, High Thane of Khazgrum

• Specialty: The First Forge, Seat of Power

• Notable Locations:

• The Hall of Kings – The grandest chamber in all dwarvenkind, where the Council of Keeplords convenes.

• The Anvil of Creation – The first forge, said to still burn with the divine flame of Dorammir.

• The Grand Vaults of Khazgrum – Holds the ancestral relics of the first dwarves, including Oathbinder, the hammer of the first High Thane.

Khazgrum is the center of dwarven culture and politics. It is a city of massive stone halls, towering citadels, and underground highways that connect to other holds. The High Thane rules here, the closest thing the dwarves have to a king, though he wields influence, not absolute power.

Might:

The warriors of Khazgrum, known as the Stoneguard, are the best-armored soldiers among the dwarves, wielding rune-etched plate and unbreakable shields. They fight in disciplined formations, crushing foes like an unstoppable avalanche.

2. Karak Dran – The Fortress of Shields

• Region: The Western Gates

• Ruler: Magrin Stonefist, Warden of the Titan's Teeth

• Specialty: Defense, War, and Unyielding Strength

• Notable Locations:

• The Titan's Teeth – Massive gates carved into the mountains, reinforced with magic-infused steel and runic barriers.

• The Iron Bastion – The strongest fortress ever built by dwarvenkind, a city-fortress where no enemy has ever won a siege.

• The Warfoundries – The greatest arms-manufacturing center in all of Eldoria, where battleaxes, siege weapons, and golems are forged.

Karak Dran is the first and last line of defense for the dwarves against the outside world. Its warriors, the Iron Vanguard, are the most disciplined soldiers, and their siege engines have broken entire armies.

Might:

Magrin Stonefist is a legendary general, leading unstoppable phalanxes of shielded warriors. His smiths craft indestructible armor, and his war golems—animated statues of stone and steel—stand as eternal guardians.

3. Dol Khazir – The City of Jewels

• Region: The Glittering Deeps

• Ruler: Belgrin Goldvein, Master of Trade and Wealth

• Specialty: Commerce, Jewelcrafting, and Diplomacy

• Notable Locations:

• The Vaults of Dol Khazir – Holds treasures that could rival the hoards of dragons.

• The Gemforge – The greatest jewelcrafting workshop in the world, where mithril and enchanted gemstones are refined.

• The Grand Market of Eldoria – The only place where elves, humans, and even orcs trade under dwarven protection.

Dol Khazir is a city of gold and gemstones, built within a vast cavern where crystals glow with an eternal light. Unlike other dwarves, the people of Dol Khazir are more open to outsiders, though they never forget a debt.

Might:

Belgrin wields wealth as a weapon, using mercenaries, contracts, and trade agreements to control human and elven economies. His elite guards, the Goldvein Sentinels, wield mithril swords enchanted with elven magic, making them faster and deadlier than normal dwarves.

4. Grumbarak – The Frozen Depths

• Region: The Frostfang Mountains

• Ruler: Skorik Icehammer, Warden of the Winter Forges

• Specialty: Coldsteel Weapons, Frost Magic, and Isolation

• Notable Locations:

• The Frostforges – The only forges capable of crafting Coldsteel, a metal that never melts and can freeze enemies on contact.

• The Ice Caves of Dorammir – A sacred site where frozen relics of the First Age are buried.

• Stormspire Keep – A watchtower city that monitors the borders for invaders from the north.

Grumbarak is a harsh and unforgiving land, where only the strongest dwarves survive. Skorik Icehammer and his people are hardened by the cold, wearing fur-lined armor and wielding weapons enchanted with frost runes.

Might:

The warriors of Grumbarak, known as the Winterborn, use Coldsteel weapons that shatter normal steel and freeze flesh upon impact. Skorik himself wields Icebrand, a hammer forged from eternal frost, which can summon blizzards on the battlefield.

5. Ul'Zanar – The Hollow Crown

• Region: The Deep Roads

• Ruler: Gorim Deepdelver, Runepriest of the Sacred Forge

• Specialty: Runic Magic, Ancient Knowledge, and Religion

• Notable Locations:

• The Great Library of Ul'Zanar – The largest collection of dwarven history, magic, and lost secrets.

• The Hall of Echoes – A sacred place where runepriests commune with the spirits of ancient dwarves.

• The Shadowvault – A forbidden chamber containing weapons too dangerous to be used, including artifacts from the Deepborn War.

Ul'Zanar is the spiritual and mystical heart of dwarvenkind. Unlike other holds, its people are more scholarly than warlike, though they wield runic magic capable of reshaping stone and steel.

Might:

The Runepriests of Ul'Zanar can imbue weapons and armor with powerful enchantments, making warriors stronger, faster, and nearly invulnerable. Gorim himself is said to command the very earth, shaping the battlefield to his will.

6. Thundrakar – The Skyforged Citadel

• Region: The Thunderpeaks

• Ruler: Borin Stormvoice, Master of the Skyforged Cannons

• Specialty: Artillery, Airships, and Stormforged Weapons

• Notable Locations:

• The Skyforges – Where lightning-infused weapons and airship engines are crafted.

• Stormwatch Tower – A floating fortress powered by captured lightning, capable of striking down armies.

• The Cloudway – A network of dwarven airships used for travel, trade, and war.

Thundrakar is the most technologically advanced hold, known for war engines, airships, and gunpowder weapons.

Might:

Borin commands the first dwarven airfleet, using floating warships to bombard enemies from the skies. His Thunder Cannoneers wield lightning-infused firearms, making them the most feared marksmen in dwarvenkind.

Final Thoughts

The dwarves of Eldoria are not just warriors; they are engineers, smiths, and magi, each hold unique and mighty in its own right. As war looms, will the Keeplords stand together? Or will old rivalries fracture the mountain once more?