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 Heart of Mir on existence. Continuity, discipline, immutability are not just words to the dwarves, but core spiritual ideals.

Names are very important to dwarven society and is used as a measure of where a dwarf stands within their clan and family. Dwarves do not have surname as many other cultures, but instead use a clan name along with occasional patronymic or matronymic.

Most dwarves are commonly called by simply their Given Name or Given Name and Clan. Examples include Tarrick, Tarrick Flintstriker or even Tarrick of Flintstriker. Among the dwarves themselves the full and proper name of a dwarf is incredibly important. Depending on the greeting a dwarf's name can take several minuted to get through.

A dwarf's Given Name is the center of their full and proper name. Those honorifics or monikers that are more important than the dwarf will be said before the given name, while those of clan, family, and lesser honorifics will follow the name. The same honorific can appear on either side of a given name depending on how important the honor to the individual. The vast majority of honorifics are listed after the given name.

The dwarf's Clan Name always follows their given name. If the clan is small or unrecognized then the dwarf may attach a more important clan name that their clan owes fealty too. As an example if the Flintstriker clan is small and owes fealty to the Stormshield clan, then Tarrick could use the name Takkick Flintstriker Stormshieldklan or Tarrick Flintstriker klan Stormshield. The second form is considered more formal.

A dwarf's caste is used when the formal recognition of that caste is required. As an example if Tarrick was Jarl of the Flintstriker clan when he is acting in his formal position he would be Jarl Flintstriker or Tarrick Jarl Flintstriker.

The addendum als is used when a dwarf wants to identify themselves from a given location. Typically this is done with the smaller crofthold dwarves. This allows a dwarf to identify themselves even if another clan dwarf has a similar name. As an example Tarrick Flintstriker is from Hearldsing Rock. So, when at a large clan meet he could use the name Tarrick Flinstrike als Hearldsing Rock. This term is not in common practice as it can identify a dwarf as an outsider.

The addendum sitz allows a dwarf to identify a place of residence that is neither croft or clan. Most of the dwarves that use this addendum do so because they live among non-dwarven societies where they have obtained honorable standing. As an example, if Tarrick lived in the royal city of Celinus then he could use Tarrick Flintstrike sitz Celinus.

If a dwarf as a particularly close ancestor they wish to identify with the terms -son and -dóttir can be attached to the name of the ancestor. As an example, if Tarrick was close to his grandfather Snorri, then he might use Tarrick Flintstriker Snorrason. This is often bastardized by other cultures into simply Tarrick Snorrason.

For those dwarves that have earned an honorific, a very rare occurrence, they will shorten the honorific and attached the prefix dyd to the end. As an example, if Tarrick is honored for his heroics at the Battle of Blackrock Pass then he might call himself Tarrick Blackrockdyd to announce the honor he was given.

To the dwarves their bonds tie them together against the evils of the world. “For Piety and Clan” is a common phrase among the dwarves. They are not just strongly religious but loyal to those who stay true to their oaths and blood.

An oath is not simply a way to bind dwarves together, but it is heavily formalized and said before as many dwarves as possible. A dwarf can pledge their strength, sword, hands, wealth, or simply service. The dwarf accepting this service them swears to uphold the oath with honor and piety.

Some of these oaths are for a limited time. Typically phrases for a number of years or for a war campaign against their enemies. Should the condition of these oaths be met - the oath is finalized during a ceremony where the dwarf releases their vassal, typically with a gift of money, land, or livestock.

Blood is the strongest of the oaths that a dwarf may carry for it generations. A blood oath not only bonds a dwarf, but all of that dwarf's progeny. At one time blood oaths were common among the dwarves - now they are only used when the gravity of the oath calls for a permanent bond.

The oldest clans all have blood oaths tying them together after the catastrophe of The Brother's War nearly destroyed them. The interlock oaths of peace and brotherhood have dominate dwarven political culture for tens of thousands of years.

A clan is simply a strongly interlocking set of oaths that bind an individual dwarf to the clan. In return the Jarl of the clan declare their honor in return for the oath. The oath of clan runs both ways. An individual not only has the responsibility to honor the calling of their jarl, but the jarl must respond to the calling of their vassals. The humans were taught a feudal structure by the dwarves - they considered it necessary or the humans would kill themselves and all of those around them in their constant warfare.

When a dwarf is born the jarl speaks their oath to treat the dwarf with justice. When that dwarf reaches adulthood they stand before the jarl and speak their own oath to answer the summons of the jarl.

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 obtainment of recognition before the Thane they will serve as well as the Jarl. A karl must be assigned to serve a Thane, just as the Thane serves the Jarl.

A select group called housekarls are the most elite knights of a clan. They traditionally take a oath of service for as long as they live, only death releasing them from service. It is the housekarls that are permitted to carry the battle honors of the clan.

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.