Drokathen

The People

Stereotypically, the subjects of Drokathen are believed to be primarily dwarves. In reality, this is a falsely skewed perspective brought on by the previous name ‘The Dwarven Kingdoms’, though the King of Drokathen is a Dwarf, not all subjects are. However all subjects of Drokathen are expected to behave in a manner that would bring honour to the Kingdoms.  

At first glance it can look as though the people of Drokathen are brash, sullen or overly reserved. They treat life with a seriousness. In truth, they desire nothing more than efficiency and diligence. They are blunt and to the point, not wanting to beat around the bush or use subtle manipulations to get their way. They don’t particularly like overly flowery language or overly long conversations. They will not be waylaid or distracted from their task or goal.  

However, festivals, important events and celebrations are carried out with great enthusiasm. There are no half-measures and the people of Drokathen thrown themselves into celebrations with the same effort they give everything else in their life. And they give all of their effort all of the time. To work, to family, to relaxing - there is nothing they don’t give 110%. 

They are broadly mistrustful of magical items, supposedly as a leftover from the Dwarven leaders aversion to magic items, such tools are regarded as taking the easy way out, or as cheating the system and use of magical items is frowned upon. They have intricate, efficient systems in place to avoid having to use magical items.

Popular Clothing 

Life underground is harsh, the air is cold and the people need to dress accordingly. Sturdy fabrics, fur linings and trims. These are what keep the people in Drokathen living in comfort. Coats are more common than cloaks, as cloaks take up too much space in narrow corridors and are too likely to snag or pull on loose rocks. 

However, despite the need for practicality, the citizens of Drokathen don’t let this impact their personal style- bright colours are common, clashing colours even more so and it is often offset with metallic embroidery, jewellery or trinkets that can reflect in the dark tunnels. 

Armoured headwear is considered common and sensible. Helmets in the deep tunnels are a must-have accessory to protect heads from low tunnels or falling rocks. 

Metal armours are often worn by the warriors, or anyone who wants to protect themselves, however these armours are usually a mash-up of individual pieces of different materials, not because they can’t craft a whole suit but because using different metals and colours is considered better for showing off your wealth.

Culture and Customs 

Drokathen has a culture of hard work, efficiency and giving your all. They do not do things by halves, nor do they expect others to do things by halves. To fail to do a task correctly first time through laziness is to cheat yourself and anybody who was relying on you. 

Customarily, citizens of Drokathen are given runic marks to signify things that are important to them, prior to coming of age these runes are usually just the name of the citizen’s mountain home and a rune to signify their parentage, but once they come of age they go through a trial, or a series of trials referred to as ‘earning your mark’, this is not a pass or fail kind of trial but is instead designed to assess an individual’s capabilities, personality and beliefs so that this can be better reflected in their marks. 

These marks were once limited to Dwarves only but now any citizen can receive them by undergoing the trial. However, non-dwarf citizens are limited to having the marks placed on their hand, rather than on their face as dwarves can. 

The runes are different for each mountain and there have been many debated about the ‘true’ system of runes. They can be used to denote any number of things including rank, achievements, marital status, crimes, jobs or ambitions. This all depends on which mountain the individual is from and what they want displayed. Most citizens display between one and four runes. 

One of the most popular holidays in Drokathen is Dwarven Trick Night or Nacht Khazzad Dum, a holiday where gifts are given and good natured tricks are played. Refusing a gift is considered to be in poor taste and refusing a trick, or refusing to learn from a trick is considered ‘Bad Grace’. Engaging with the holiday, playing tricks or allowing tricks to be played is considered ‘Good Grace’. 

History

Once the Dwarven Kingdoms were scattered across the mountains. The Twelve Mountains squabbling and fighting over anything that mattered and everything that didn’t matter. Their wealth was squandered on petty wars and frivolous pursuits.

Liberata, under the leadership of the Black Inquisition, militarized and used an abominable mix of demonic and voidal powers to take over the Dwarven Kingdoms. Dwarves were used as slaves in the mines to feed Liberata’s ever growing war effort. 

During this period, an unknown party made a deal with the Fae. The Fae would aid Drokathen in resisting Liberata, however for an undisclosed amount of time, all of Drokathen’s land above ground would become hunting grounds for the Fae. Those who kept to the path were safe, but all who strayed would be fair game.

As the oppression of the people of the Dwarven Kingdoms dragged on, their collective desire to battle their oppressors, and a small spark of the divine, summoned a long dead hero known as Bloodaxe. In life, he had been a general who had previously fortified the Liberatan border against their invasions. As a result of his leadership, the Liberatans were driven from the Dwarven Kingdoms, and Bloodaxe ascended to become the Amrothian aspect of Tactics and Strategy.

Eventually the Fae relinquished their control over Drokathen, as their deal ran its course.

The division of the Dwarven Kingdoms finally came to an end when Paravel invaded and took the north east most mountain of the Dwarven Kingdoms. Each peak had been believed to be unassailable since General Bloodaxe had built his fortifications, but now that reality was shattered. After all, those fortifications were designed to protect against Liberata, not Paravel. Paravel has kept control of this mountain ever since.

A meeting, known as the Gathering of the Peaks took place between the Eleven Mountains Kingdoms of the Dwarves. Too many times had the Dwarven Kingdoms experienced loss and suffering from an outside threat. The Eleven Mountain kingdoms decided to unite and form the country of Drokathen. 

With their unified defensive might, aversion to magic and an economy fueled by each mountain’s bounty, Drokathen has stood strong until the present day. It has notably kept to itself during world ending conflicts, but as a result it has survived even the Demon War relatively unscathed.

During the War of 1125AC, Drokathen declared neutrality. However the Eleventh Mountain, furthest south of Drokathen, known as Tor, broke away from Drokathen and fought alongside Noria. It is now separated from Drokathen, technically considered a part of the Middle Kingdoms.

Leadership

Drokathen is ruled by an Absolute Monarch, who rules from a Capital Mountain of Drokathen. The current ruler, King Fulgrim Half Hand, rules from his home mountain, the Capital Mountain hold of Khrovlokon.

The Monarch of Drokathen is a position that serves for life, but it is not passed down upon the King’s death. Though the children of the previous monarch are usually in a favourable position to succeed the throne, the ruler of Drokathen is decided by another Gathering of the Peaks, where each of the ten Lords of the Mountains discuss and decide upon their next ruler.

Should there ever be a tie, the Lord of the last Capital Mountain, sways the vote.

The new Monarch’s home mountain then becomes the new Capital Mountain.

Religious Beliefs 

Amroth, since Bloodaxe became the Amrothian Aspect of strategy, has had a prominent place in Drokathen. He is a national hero to them, and is deeply revered and respected. However as time has gone on, as more and more in Drokathen, having turned to a more isolationist philosophy, have begun leaning towards Heimdalla, the Defender Aspect of Amroth. Or away from Amroth entirely due to her stand on taking the fight to evil, not protecting one's own.

The Mountains of Drokathen include Volcanoes amongst their number, so it is no surprise how quickly worship of the Volcano God has taken root, and the prevalence of crafters in Drokathen has caused its worship to rise faster than any other.

Trickster Followers have long had a place within Drokathen, particularly those more drawn to the Aspect of the Old Man. In fact it is traditional to even dress up as the Old Man for Trick Night. To be tricked is to be taught a lesson, and to learn is an essential part of any Drokathian’s life.

The people of Drokathen remember how much their country has suffered subject to the powers of magic left unchecked. Arioch is seen to encourage reckless uses of magic that leads to more harm than good.

The Sea God has always been seen as a greedy god within Drokathen, who claims all the water touches is his. Drokathen is land locked and includes Volcanoes and as such does not see any merit to the Sea Gods claims. This puts many at odds with the Sea God himself, but many have respect for his followers who admirably follow their tenants and do their duty. It is a shame the Sea God is too fickle to follow his own rules. 

Disliked in a similar vein to Arioch, yet even more so, Keesoth encourages not only unchecked power, but encourages unchecked power unleashed, without any restraint or order. Many who have sought to lay Drokathen low, claimed Keesoth as their god, particularly Liberata before the demon war. There have been calls to outlaw Keesoth worship, but no law has yet come into effect.