Dwarven

Unlike any other sapient species on Miranda, the dwarves on Miranda exist almost exclusively as a mono-culture. No sub-set of ethnic culture exists within the dwarves. While there are independent dwarves that exist outside of their dwarven culture, they mostly subsume themselves within another culture rather that forming an independent dwarven ethnicity.

The reason for this was the purpose of their creation. The Ancient Dwarf was created to maintain the world exactly as it was created by the Earthmother. The influence of the True Elf was beginning to have a large enough effect on the world that it threatened to tear the prison apart and unleash the power of Mir's Heart on existence. Continuity, discipline, immutability are not just words to the dwarves, but core spiritual ideals.

Name

Clan

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sitz

The caste system of the dwarves is not absolute in teams of no amount of social climbing. Instead it is absolute in terms of a dwarfs current station in life. It is considered a grave insult to not offer respect to those above you or generosity to those below you. That dwarf that ignores the pleas of those below them is just as treacherous as one that disrespects those above them.

The highest position in any clan is that of the Jarl. The Jarl is the head of the clan and is the only member of the clan that can commit the clan through oath to another clan or cause.

A large clan is actually comprised of many smaller clans bonded by oath or blood to a central clan. The Ironblood is a large clan, but the Stoneshard, Kipheart, Blackdust, and Shieldbreaker clans all have clan oaths bonding themselves and their progeny to the Ironblood clan. The Jarl of the Ironblood clan sits over everything, but there are still Jarls for the Stoneshard, Kipheart, Blackdust, and Shieldbreaker clans.

To identify themselves the only dwarf allowed to put Jarl before their name is the Jarl of the highest clan. All other Jarls put the title between their name and clan name. If Donnet Stoneshard is the Jarl of the Stoneshard clan, then his title would be Donnet Jarl Stoneshard - calling himself Jarl Donnet Stoneshard or Jarl Stoneshard would be a challenge and insult to the Ironblood clan. The Jarl of the highest clan is commonly just called Jarl by those of the clan. Henrietta is the Jarl of Ironblood - she will be referred to as either Jarl Ironblood or Jarl Henrietta by those of the clan depending on their familiarity with her.

Also spelled Thegn, or Thayn, depending on translation used. A thane is a high-ranking retainer or servant of the Jarl. This roughly translates to a series of positions that are served by nobility or high-ranking servants in many other cultures. Instead of having a Chaplain, Castellan, Exchequer, Keeper of the Privy Seal, or Lord High Steward; the dwarves that preform these roles are called Thanes.

The specific nature of the job assigned to a thane becomes part of their full and proper name. So if Kanteg Ironblood is given the task of keeping the finances and records of the clan, then his full and proper name would be Kanteg Ironblood Thane of Gold.

Among other cultures most Thanes use Thane as a title before their name as if the human custom. So, among human cultures Kanteg Ironblood Thane of Gold would better be known as Thane Kanteg Exchequer of Ironblood.

A karl is the equivalent of a yeoman, master craftsman, knight, or low ranking noble among other societies. A karl has been raised above a Verkare by

The largest number of dwarves fall into this category. These are the workers, simple craftsmen, farmers, merchants, cooks, and all of the dwarfs that work to make society function.

Dwarves of this social class do not have a title, so are simply referred to by name and clan. As an example Yolinda Stonethunder or Leescrag Stonehefter.

The lowest of the low - a permanent underclass. A thrall is not a slave - they do have rights and the beliefs of the dwarves do not permit any dwarf to simply kill or main a thrall. However, they are outside of society and if they are dwarves their clan is never mentioned for doing so would shame the clan.