Traken

The earliest known records of Traken date back to the early years of the First Age. At first, the great hold was little more than a cave hidden behind a waterfall, a resting place for the Dwarven Traakirrien tribe to recuperate after the last remnants of the Forgotten were finally sealed behind the great Gates. 

The large cavern, positioned at the mouth of the Fleetfooted River, proved to be an easily fortifiable position and allowed the Trakenen to farm the river banks as well as extract raw materials from below to kickstart Traken agriculture. 

However, according to Trakenen myth, there is another reason why they stayed. 

The story states that Grennen; wife of the clan thane at the time, was watching the flames of their cook fire the night they first settled in the cave when she offered a prayer of thanks to the ancestors for the shelter and the warmth of the cave No sooner had the words left her lips, her eyes began glowing a vibrant magma-orange and she screamed a terrible scream. Small rivers of fire began to run down her face like tears, charring the skin of her cheeks black.

Her husband, Thane Rykanen, pulled her from the fire and doused her in a nearby pool of water. When her flaming eyes met the water, it is said two spirits sprung forth from the falls and flew through the cave, one glowing bright gold, the other a deep blue. 

These spirits acknowledged the clan, even as the Dwarves drew their weapons. They introduced themselves as Flir and Khar, siblings of the mountain, and asked who the Dwarves why they had nestled in their home? 

Drawing his massive hammer, Rykanen stepped forward, demanding to the spirits what they wanted and why they had injured his wife. The spirits looked to each other and apologised for the confusion. They said they were thankful for the Traakirrien, that the presence of the Dwarves had pleased them greatly as they were no longer alone. Moreover, the Dwarves had given them fire, the sibling's most sacred symbol. As such, they wanted to offer the clan a gift in exchange.

It was then that Grennen straightened, revealing orange eyes and blackened cheeks. However, she wasn’t in pain - more in awe. She revealed that her mind was now full of great secrets, magics and knowledge not tied to the Forgotten Ones. 

The spirits offered to teach more of the clan, so long as they brought fire and life to the cave, and kept them as company. After much debate, Thane Rykanen agreed. His people had no home left after the war with the Forgotten, and so the Traakirrien settled permanently within the cave, beginning the great hold.

Throughout the First Age of the Elderkin, the Dwarves of Traken slowly constructed the foundation of their great guildhold, guided by the strange spirits Flir and Khar, who they began to revere as deities. 

The Guildhold of Traken resides within the Red Mountains, a temperate environment that divides the continent of Ciradon in half. The Guildhold itself is located on the southern edge of the mountain range, directly above the mouth of the Fleetfooted River. 

Mt. Traken, home of the Guildhold, is roughly 3,600 metres tall with snowcaps year round. It is rich in iron, gemstones and Aurite, though the mines have grown much more widespread as the neighbourhoods of the city expand deeper and deeper. 

Traken is a multi-levelled cylindrical city that extends deep into the Red Mountains, existing mostly within and below Mt. Traken itself. The primary entrance is a set of great doors located behind a great waterfall, guarded day and night by Traken's finest. The doors are made of black granite etched with gold and sapphires, and is often the only view of the Guildhold most outsiders will ever see.

Within, the Traken interior features extravagant masonry such as granite columns, archways, bridges, and buttresses, all of which is lit using ever burning Fieldic torches placed throughout the city. 

Traken is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by a singular ruler known as the 'Grey'. 

This is because, in order to hold the throne, one must be 'grey headed' by the ancient ways. Put simply, the Traken Monarch cannot be young or otherwise inexperienced, and more contemporary laws have specified that a ruler be at least 200 years of age before being eligible for the throne.

The current Grey is Karadon Brakk, a stoic lady in her elder days who has ruled Traken for the past seventy years. It was by her order that Traken remained mostly removed from the War of the Dawn, saving them from much of humanity's backlash in the years that followed.

Much of Traken's economy stems from the vast network of mines spread throughout the Red Mountains, and the influx of precious material that the Trakenen draw from deep within. 

Their Flaremasters and the magical runic equipment they create are also highly sort after by other Dwarven holds.

All Trakenen, regardless of status, are granted a set of facial tattoos when they come of age. These tattoos, also called Weeping Marks, are typically positioned below the eyes, resembling tear stains. 

The designs of these tattoos can vary depending on the individual and their clan affiliation. Some of the most powerful families have ancient, intricate designs that their members proudly wear. Some Trakenen instead choose Marks denoting their professions, and others still have the Marks twisted to showcase Runes or other symbolic lettering.

The mythology of these marks dates back to the myth of Grennan, the first Flaremaster, and the blackened streaks that Flir and Khar carved into her face. In solidarity, many of the Trakenen at the time marked their faces as well, and the tradition has continued.

In the modern day, the tattoos are a symbol of remembrance of the ancestors and the heritage of the Trakenen people, as well as a status symbol within the Trakenen hierarchy. They are also a representation of tears shed in sadness for those that have fallen before their time, and that those tears will never be forgotten.

Much of the Trakenen military relies on the Flaremasters and the overall strength of the Trakenen magic and runic equipment. The Flaremasters will frequently wreath battlefields with the Deepflame, unleashing great torrents of jets of superheated liquid death. 

Otherwise, most of the Trakenen rely on melee weaponry, predominantly hammers, shields and axes. They do utilise crossbows when needed, but they rely much more upon magical counterspells and shielding as protection until they can close the gap to the enemy. 

• All artwork generated using Bing Dall.E and edited by The_Werewolff