Singers (Kovokan)

The final "standard" caste of the Khanshael is the Kovokan, or the "Singers." The dwarves that show skill in the Khanshael histories and singing are often pushed towards this caste to become the bards of the Kin. It is the Kovokan that lead the Dwarven war parties in the war chants.

Their training begins like most dwarves, spending equal time in the mine and the forge, though their knowledge of those skills touch only on the most basic and fundamental techniques. They then move to the Nohk'hak, where they are taught combat and weapon maintenance, tactics, and various other skills. Then the most difficult portion of their training begins -- the training with the Magi.

It seems that those Khanshael that are predisposed to being Kovokan also appear to wield some form of magic. There is much debate of this amongst the Dhe'nari, as the dwarves in general tend to be very mundane. The Kovokan are taught by the Magi to enhance their songs of battle and honor with the magic of the essence, creating very powerful songs of magic. The Magi also teach them as many minor cantrips as they can learn. These minor spells usually lean toward the defensive type magic, in order to help them in combat.

When the Kovokan have gained skill in manipulating the flows of essence, they are passed on to the Lorekeepers, where they further refine their song magic, and begin to learn the skill of remembering. It is the Kovokan's duty to recall everything they see and hear, and individual Kovokan often act as messengers and spies for the Dhe'nar. Where the Dhe'nar Lorekeepers lean towards stealth and tact, the Kovokan is aggressive and blunt. When a Lorekeeper would slowly torture a spy until he talks, a Kovokan will often simply beat him, swiftly and brutally, forcing him to talk.

Kovokan are held in high regard among the Khanshael, usually because they are so rare. It is not often that a dwarf is born with the innate skill to manipulate the essence flows with enough potency to suffice for this application. It is even rarer for that skill to be noticed.