Durfaern Pact
Government
Military Council. Grand Duchy. As per the terms of their induction into the Empire, the Durfaern Pact may send a representative to sit upon the Emperor’s council.
The Durfaern Pact is governed by a council of its highest ranking Dwarf and Giant Kings. The council must vote on any pressing matter that concerns the entire nation, but are generally free to manage their own states as they wish.
Capital
Nolarum is a craigy fortress on the south side of a valley in the middle of the Durfaern Pact. It is a mess of walls and buttresses large enough for giants to tread. The aging Bordmir the Bitter rules there, still vying for power with his rivals. The architectural marvels of Nolarum are rivaled by its college of magic which is adjacent to it on an island of floating rock.
Demographics
The Durfaern Pact is mostly inhabited by Dwarves. There are also Giants, Goliaths, and Humans. Deep in the mountains there are Ogres and Ettins, who still live wild lifestyles away from society.
Culture
The Durfaern Pact is dominated by Dwarves, Giants, and Giantkin. The few humans and other races which live in the region integrate with dwarven culture, live on the outskirts, or are wanderers.
The Dwarves hold a traditional Dwarven clan structure. Their clans are groups of loosely related people and adoptees who live in a particular region. Most small settlements will be made of a single clan with some outliers, and most holds are dominated by a single clan that makes up 20-60% of the population. Members of a clan are expected to strictly obey the clan leader making sacrifices for the clan as needed and placing the clan above outsiders.
Dwarves value family, honor, truthfulness, and hard work above all else. Paying proper respect to authorities, and elders (even venerable outsiders) is paramount. They detest liars, cheaters, slavers, and thieves above all else. They are open about their tastes and not afraid to offend those who they disagree with. Tact is not a strength of the Dwarvish people, but their bluntness comes with dependability when they make a promise.
Giants and their kin have clans like the Dwarves. Instead of vying for control, Giant clans are governed by a social rule called “Ordning”. Ordning ranks the clans and races in order of Maat/Maug (the giant equivalent of good and evil). Good (Maat) to a giant is an act which honors a high ranking giant, displays bravery, or honors the gods. Evil (Maat) are acts including a violation of the Ordning, showing cowardice, theft (especially stealing land), and lying / betrayal.
All members of the Durfaern Pact despise dragons with burning passion and are known for keeping ancient grudges.
Religion
Dwarves worship Moradin and few other deities. The giants and their kind worship the Norse Deities and some of their own ancient ancestors.
Locations of Interest
Halde Haal-Lan is a hold that was thought to be extinct for ages until it was found that its inhabitants tunneled deep enough to enter the highest reaches of the Underdark. The cavern they found was uninhabited, and large amounts of lichen grew there sustaining a small population until it was found by the Pact and sent reinforcements. Now it trades with the Drowned Country of the Deepwood, selling refined gold for use in its temples.
Halde Efterkant is the greatest hold of in the north of the Durfaern Pact. It was founded and expanded in 5118, and quickly became a major hub due to its abundant gold deposits. Strangely, whoever lived there long ago didn’t mine out the gold.
Halde Ritter-Lan is an ancient Dwarven fortress in the Western foothills. It’s outer gates bristle with ballistas and its slopes are honeycombed with bunkers with blast doors. Bombarded by Dragons for centuries, it never forgot. For years the dragons did not return, but in 5100 the floodgates opened once again and the dragons poured forth upon the city, but it did not break. Halde Ritter-Lan is filled with marvels of engineering and teaches its ways to anyone who promises to deal death and loss to a dragon.
Halde Sudlik-Lan is the regional Capital of the Southern Durfaern Pact. It is extremely old, and houses many great libraries, temples, and universities hoarding knowledge from far and wide. Halde Sudlik-Land created its own coalition starting in the early 4000s, but joined the Durfaern Pact when the Deepwood Veil and New Tekathy menaced it in the Third Moon Dragon War (5354).