Races

Kaal`Kor (Kaalian Dwarves) - by T.A. Saunders ©1997 v2.2

Racial Articles The Culture of the Kaal'Kor

At the beginning of Dwarvish history, there once had been twelve Great Clans, to which all other smaller clans separated their allegiance. After the Great Clan Wars in 9050 BF, only four Great Clans remained: Clan Hammerspark, Clan Dunathyn, Clan Kuergan and Clan Glantheel. Each of these Great Clans is led by a High Thane, who in turn lords over other thanes and their clans. Each of the lesser clans are considered cousins to the Great Clan and all work to bring profit and strength to their particular Great Clan. Because of this arrangement, a Dwarf will have a first name, a last name derived from his lesser clan, then a clan name, which is derived to which Great Clan he or she holds allegiance to. A typical Dwarven name would go to the tune of Tagen Brightforge of Dunathyn, though in informal conversation, it's fine to give one's first and last name only. When being presented in a formal setting, the Great Clan name is always given and to not do so is an insult to the Dwarf, or to the Great Clan if the Dwarf in question does not give it. In the case of direct descendants of a Great Clan, the surname portion of the name is truncated, (ex. Sir Khalag of Glantheel).

Dwarves take their names and their history very seriously, many of whom can trace their ancestors back to the digging of the First Tunnel. While Kaalian Dwarves have free will to choose their own occupations and their own destinies, it is traditional and largely expected that the first born son in any family takes up his father's trade. Breaking with this tradition is frowned upon, but does not usually result in the expulsion of the Dwarf in question from his clan. Dwarvish females on the other hand are far less restricted in that way, but are expected to tend home and hearth before taking up a more traditionally male occupation, such as blacksmithing, architect or warrior. That doesn't mean there are no female Dwarves that follow those occupations, but with so many being very focused on their families and the traditions of their people, it is a rare sight indeed.

As one may imagine, Dwarvish society is a patriarchal one but does not suffer from the illusion that females are inferior providing their women are observing their traditional roles. While women are considered equal to men, it is their accepted social norm that women in general maintain the home, cook the food and wash the clothes while the men work in various industrial capacities. The one area of life this does not hold true is in the Priesthood of Kaal, where there are just as many priestesses as there are priests who serve the Flamebringer. Those ordained in the Church of Kaal are allowed to marry and rear children, though expecting priestesses are not allowed to accompany Dwarvish armies into a brawl or a battle.

Typically, the average Dwarvish family is an extended one, with an average of three to nine children, the parents and the mother and father of the husband all living under one roof. Aunts, uncles and cousins usually live within walking distance, though not always. Dwarves have a keenly strong sense of family and will go out of their way to provide and protect one of their direct blood before all others. Dwarves who betray or are disloyal to their families or their clan are considered worse than thieves or murderers and are often exiled from the underground territory their clan holds. Word travels fast in the Great Below and a Dwarf who has been exiled from his or her clan will be a lonely one, as no other clan will shelter such an individual willingly.