[Dimmie Dunce]

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"Rock and Stone."

Beneath the very soil of Eternia is a network of underground tunnels and caverns. Sprawling with beasts, undead, demons, and in some cases even goblins and drakanites, these pathways form the aptly named ‘Deep World’ and the ‘Deep Roads’ respectively. It is said that all such paths of the Deep World will inevitably lead to the mountainous fortress of Ganlodur, the capital and supposed birthplace of the Stonefolk, better known to the rest of the world as the Dwarves.

Eons have molded and shaped the Ganlodurian culture into a primarily isolationist and colonizer society that honors Ancestry, Craftdwarfship, and Legacies. Ganlodur is filled with dwarven clans which work as groups that share common goals or beliefs. It is quite rare for a Ganlodurian Dwarf to use a surname, with many preferring to use their clan name to show whom they represent. Although there are many clans, there are three in particular that stand out as the ruling parties of Ganlodur.

The Underforge who focus on craftdwarfship and the creation of legendary tools, armaments, and strongholds, the Mittelhau who focus on revering and keeping maintenance of Ancestral resting grounds alongside that of reapplication of Oaths and Grudges, and lastly the Crownforge who primarily focus on leadership, such as bureaucracy and colonizing efforts. It is not uncommon for those of the Crownforge Clan to lead expeditions, however that is not always the case. Although all three (And to a degree, all other lesser clans) participate in the vast and dangerous political battlefield within Ganlodur, the Crownforge clan is considered the true ruling party which instates an active King or Queen that has the ultimate say on matters.

As an isolationist society it is rare that the whole of Ganlodur will bother with the politics of the outside world. Tending to allow their expeditions and newly formed dwarven colonies to govern and fend for themselves. Dwarven strongholds requesting aid from Ganlodur is not unheard of, though it is left to the individual dwarves on if they wish to go. This usually ends with the younger generation of dwarves leaving Ganlodur to pursue glory and riches in foreign lands to secure a legacy and become an Ancestor worthy of being revered. While the elders remain within Ganlodur, coveting knowledge and coin to strengthen their clans of choice.

Beyond the internal politics, there is also an extreme emphasis on Grudges and Oaths as both a form of power and a way forward. It is not an uncommon practice for a Dwarf of Ganlodur to have etchings upon their weapon to denote both their grudges and strikes to mark how many they’ve repaid thrice-fold. Or for the scholars and priests to adorn themselves in ornate chains to express their oathbound ways. An Oath or a Grudge is almost always at the forefront of a Ganlodurian dwarf's mind, with Grudges and Oaths falling unto the shoulders of the next generation should the head of a family be unable to complete them within their lifetime.

In the beginning the dwarves of Ganlodur worshiped the First King, Galnur, alongside that of their blood ancestors. Yet as the dwarves dug deeper within their mountainous home they would soon unearth hidden truths. Artifacts relating to what those living in the above world referred to as ‘Gods’, Vdali and Ualdir had been resting beneath their very feet for eons. However, instead of revering them as Gods the Ganlodurians would come to view Vdali and Ualdir as Paragon Ancestors. Dwarves of exemplary status and size that all of their kind descended from, with Galnur being the first King crowned by Vdali and Ualdir. Such stories were only reinforced when tales of the Allfather of Meranthe expedition and his prophetic visions regarding Ualdir in his early life reached Ganlodur proper.

This belief only strengthened the Ganlodurian dwarves ancestral worship as they view the likes of Vdali and Ualdir as individuals to emulate, rather than Gods to be worshiped. Simultaneously, it solidified their hatred of necromancy. Viewing the act as a defilement of the earthen body, the celebrated spirit, and the resting soul. Which lead to a burial practice to ensure necromancers could not revive their dead while preserving their ancestors. This practice was the act of encasing their ancestors in amber, or in some extraordinarily rare cases, melting down their bodies to be used in weapons, armor, or statues.

Needless to say there is some controversy with news from Meranthe. More traditionalist Ganlodurian Dwarves view the rhetoric of Vdali Reborn as Vinaska as little more than heretical nonsense and view her existence as defilement of Vdali’s well earned rest, some clans even going as far as to invoke an Eternal Grudge until she is ‘dealt with’. But more open minded dwarves view the rhetoric as their Ancestor returning from his rest within the vessel of another to guide them into a brighter future, even going as far as to heed Vinaska’s wisdom in times of need. It is rumored that both sides have near equal footing within Ganlodur, and that a civil war may be an inevitability over the matter.

The Relationship that the Stonefolk have with the world above them is a strange one. Most societies tend to not even realize a Dwarven Stronghold has been erected until non-dwarven beings dig too deep into a mountain. This ultimately leads to confrontation over land rights and violent clashes as the dwarves are far too stubborn to back down from their claims. However, as seen with both the Underforge and Crownforge expeditions into Meranthe, political talks have proven to bear fruit for dwarven kind.

As for Ganlodur itself, it is for the most part barred from upworlders. With a select portion of land outside of the gates to the mountain fortress-city dedicated to trade with nearby non-dwarven settlements. Any non-dwarven kind that enters Ganlodur has either obtained a writ of entrance or has managed to illegally enter the fortress, those that enter legally are scrutinized and watched intensely, while those that manage to sneak in are hunted down if ever caught.

Some may say the risk is far too great to sneak into the heavily fortified dwarven capital, but the potential for powerful relics of Vdali and Ualdir coupled with masterful dwarven creations has motivated many to try.

All dwarves hold ancestry from Ganlodur, but not all dwarves are born within nor hail from the city directly, instead some reside in other strongholds located within vast mountain passes. These strongholds, some said to be hidden throughout all sides of Eternia, are many in make and yet few in population. Such has caused the dwarves that have settled within the mountain passes far from Ganlodur to take in local customs, traditions, and in some cases even religions. Leaving the stocky and sturdy race to be as versatile as humanity when it comes to their beliefs.

But one thing always stands true… Regardless of where a dwarf hails or what gods they worship, they always hold a deep and innate camaraderie among each other due to their ancestry. Which has lead to “Rock and Stone.” becoming a common phrase that all Dwarves recognize regardless of their origins. It is believed that the phrase is used to remind them of their ancestral ties to Ganlodur.

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Notes:

1. Not all dwarves are from Ganlodur (Though their far-back Ancestors are!), they can hail from pretty much anywhere that has Mountains, and their culture and belief may differ from Ganlodurian Dwarves because of this. My intent with that is to make the race versatile in regards to how they take their oaths, grudges, and perceive faith. While maintaining the original lore's emphasis on ancestral worship.

2. All Dwarves respect their Ancestors, it is not uncommon for distant dwarves to make a pilgrimage to Ganlodur’s Halls of the Ancients.
3. I tried to take from my experiences rping with two dwarven expeditions (One character having moderate ties, the other had strong ties), as well as the existing lore dwarves had, with my own added flair.
4. I am not the best at making things looking pretty but I tried no bully me plz…

5. If I get any formatting errors while posting this I WILL cry.