War Born (Nohk'hak)

Although in practice all dark dwarves belong to the warrior caste, there is a group of warriors that have chosen the way of the axe and hammer above the crafts that most other dwarves follow. To these members of The Kin, war seems to flow in their blood and they forever strive to increase their martial prowess.

Almost as numerous as the Gaer'hak, the Nohk'hak, or "War Born", are the warrior caste of the Khanshael. The Nohk'hak start their lives very early, starting their training as soon as they show the aptitude for the caste. The early years of training usually entail a lot of lectures, and even more polishing and cleaning. When their general combat and tactics knowledge has shown growth, they start their weapons training.

The Nohk'hak are trained in all sorts of weaponry, from daggers and crossbows to greatswords and flails. As their strength and skill progress, they tend to lean towards certain weapon types, normally the blunt, crushing-type weapons they are familiar with, though they can be quite skilled at anything they choose to wield.

When their basic weapon training comes to a close, they are then passed off to the Dhe'nari Warrior Caste, who teaches them how to do combat with, and against the Dhe'nar. This is also where they begin their training in how to combat Magi, having many mock battles with apprentice Magi. It is here that they will spend much of their time, refining their skills to compliment the Dhe'nar warriors

The Khanshael that have a greater affinity with ranged weaponry, comprise a small but very viscous group. They tend to lean towards crossbows, which are easier for them to wield, and do far greater damage than bows. Their position in the army is an important one though; it is with these massive crossbows that they take out any shield walls, or heavily armored warriors. When that task is completed, they tend to become snipers, picking off anyone trying to flee, or assisting anyone in danger.

Generally speaking, but not always, these dwarves are dwarves who have no real talent, at least in Dwarven terms, for typical Dwarven craft. They have little love above the innate Dwarven love of the mine, and their skill at the forge has been called merely "serviceable" by other dwarves. They practice forge-craft simply to be able to repair the blades and tools of the battlefield.

There are, however, other dwarves who join this caste later in life. Often, these are dwarves who have faced severe personal loss, of family or other loved ones. Their lives have become so disconsolate that they have lost their love of their craft, and have taken the way of the axe and hammer as their own, hoping to find vengeance, or absolution, on the battlefield. Also, these elder dwarves are often the leaders of the warrior caste itself, and they often serve as the battlefield generals of the Dwarven troops among the Dhe'nari armies. The sight of an aged dwarf, his skin marred by the scars of innumerable battles, at the head of a dark dwarf regiment, his voice raised in the war chants of the dwarves, has broken the ranks of many Dhe'nari adversaries.

Many times, Dhe'nari nobles and elders will adopt an entire cadre of Khanshael warriors that serve as an elite personal guard. They are often seen guarding important places, quite often standing guard alongside Dhe'nari warriors. Having trained with the Dhe'nar for so long, Khanshael warriors fighting side-by-side a Dhe'nari warrior often resembles something close to a dance, each knowing what the other is capable of, and acting accordingly, in tandem.