THE CLANHOMES [BROWN] Banner  - Bloodstained, battered
battleaxe grasped in a bloodied hand held high, lightning playing
off of it, on a grey field.

FACTS IN BRIEF - Located in the mountains surrounding the Prelacy
of Camon (The Wolfhead Mountains, the Northern Fangs, and the
Southern Fangs), the Hellstorm Mountains, the Black Mountains, The Forges, and the Stoneheart Mountains.  These are the places where dwarves
live freely; there are many clans that live as slaves to the Empire
far to the north.  Craftsmen, engineers, and miners primarily, but
warriors first thanks to thousands of years of practice.  Their
race is only now beginning to struggle back from near extinction. 
They are ruled by clan chieftains, although the highest of the
chieftains is called the King of the Dwarves.
     Role-playing Notes - Like the Fae, dwarves in this world do
conform to many classic conventions.  They wear their hair and
beards long, have a fondness for minerals and machinery, and tend
to be more pragmatic than artful when it comes to planning
something out.  They are, however, master craftsmen when it comes
to building anything, and they respect family ties above all else. 
It should be noted here that 1) there are dwarven women and 2) they
are normally as attractive as any other humanoid female; they do
not have facial hair.  It should also be noted that there is no
particular difficulties between dwarves and Fae; both species, in
general, respect each others' accomplishments.  Dwarves do bear, as
a general rule, a particular dislike for the goblinesh species
(mostly due to the endless wars they have fought), and dregordians
resemble Dragons too much for most dwarves' comfort.

     There are those that believe that dwarves were the first
sentient species to set foot on Shaintar.  Certainly they have left
their mark in ancient ruins and long-lost subterranean communities
throughout the continent.
     However, their time (at least as a free species) almost came
to an end during the Dragon War; it turned out that dwarves were a
particular delicacy to the great beasts.  It did not help that many
goblinesh clans conspired to "supply" various Dragons with dwarves
in return for their own safety.
     Dwarves have great control over much of the mineral wealth to be found south of the Empire, putting them in a particularly powerful bargaining position with the Southern Kingdoms.  Although things have always been pleasant with the Kingdoms, tensions boiled with the Prelacy as the Church seems more and
more inclined to claim land within the mountains.  There have been
numerous skirmishes as Camon mining companies move further and
further into the foothills, protected by Camon soldiers.
     By necessity, dwarven society has taken on a very militaristic
tone; various collections of clans are organized like army units,
and everyone is trained to defend their home.  It is virtually
impossible to be raised in the Clanhomes and not learn something of
warfare.  However, they have struggled hard to maintain the artisan
skills as well; dwarves seem to have an almost mystical affinity
for machines and technology.  This is just as well, as dwarves have
all the magic potential of a lead weight otherwise.  This both
helps and hinders them; they are difficult to affect with magic,
but they have difficulty wielding pure essence.
     The King of the Dwarves presides over the largest clan; this
would change if ever another clan became more numerous.  This
competition of population is quite intentional, for if the dwarves
are to survive they must replenish their numbers.  The Mid-Spring
Census, done over the months of First Hunt and Golden Eagle, is a
very serious and revered custom, and the Great Feast held on the
first day of Planting Moons is one of their most important holidays
(as well as one of the biggest parties in all of Shaintar); it is
here, at Castle Gorgon, that the results of the Census are
revealed.
     The Ruling Clans are the eight largest clans; each holds
mastery over one of the dwarven urban centers.  The Chieftain of
each of these clans presides as ruler over that area; below him are
Elders who advise and assist him.  There are very few other ruling
titles of note, mostly because dwarves don't seem to care much for
that kind of thing.
     However, job titles are another thing entirely.  Each dwarf
takes on a mantle when they come of age (usually around 40 - 45);
this new name includes their Born Name (their first name), their
Clan Name, and their Calling (their job title).  For example, one
dwarf might be named Granag Homewall the Warrior, while another
might be called Dayla Forgeheart the Steelsmith.  These are very
formal names that are not to be taken lightly.