Mror Holds

The Iron Council

At the heart of the Mror Holds' governance is the Iron Council. This is not a monarchy, nor is it a parliament elected by the populace. Instead, it is composed of the High Thanes (or Clan Lords) of the most prominent and powerful dwarven clans. Each High Thane represents their entire clan and its associated lesser families and holds.

• Foreign Relations: Treaties, alliances, and declarations of war with external powers (like the other nations of Khorvaire, or the monstrous regiments of Droaam).
• Defense: Coordinating the unified military efforts against shared threats, particularly the Daelkyr abominations and other horrors from below.
• Trade Agreements: Establishing overarching trade policies and managing major trade routes affecting all clans.
• Major Infrastructure Projects: Large-scale mining operations, fortifications, or engineering feats that benefit multiple Holds.
• Dispute Resolution: Arbitrating major conflicts or grievances between the Great Clans that cannot be resolved domestically.

Decision-Making: Decisions within the Iron Council are often reached through intense debate and deliberation, aiming for consensus. While a High Thane commands immense respect, their power on the Council comes from the strength and influence of their clan. Votes are not necessarily equal, with some clans holding more sway due to their wealth, military might, or historical significance.

The High Thanes and the Clan Holds

Below the Iron Council, the true power of governance lies with the High Thanes themselves, each reigning supreme within their respective Holds. A Hold is not just a city or a fortress; it's a vast underground realm encompassing mines, workshops, residential areas, and strategic outposts, often stretching for miles beneath the mountains.

Absolute Authority: Within their own Hold, a High Thane's word is law. They manage all internal affairs, including:

• Justice and Law Enforcement: Dispensing justice, maintaining public order, and enforcing clan-specific laws and traditions.
• Resource Management: Overseeing mining operations, allocation of mineral wealth, and control of trade within their territory.
• Internal Defense: Maintaining their own clan guard and military forces for local defense and quelling internal disturbances.
• Economic Policy: Establishing local tariffs, setting production quotas, and managing the clan's finances.
• Social Order: Upholding ancestral customs, resolving family disputes, and maintaining the intricate social hierarchy.

Sub-Clans and Families: Each Great Clan is comprised of numerous lesser clans and countless families. These smaller units owe fealty to the High Thane and contribute to the clan's wealth and military. They often have their own internal hierarchies and traditions, but ultimately answer to the High Thane.

The Clan System

Every dwarf in the Mror Holds belongs to a clan, and this affiliation is the bedrock of their identity, loyalty, and social order.

Lineage and Tradition: Clan identity is paramount, dictating social standing, marriage potential, and often one's profession. Ancestor worship further reinforces the importance of lineage and tradition, with the wisdom of the past guiding present actions.

Specialization: While not universally rigid, many clans have historical specializations. For instance, the House Kundarak is known for banking and security, while others might excel in mining, smithing, engineering, or combat. This specialization often translates into influence on the Iron Council or within specific sectors of the economy.

Feudal Loyalty: Loyalty flows upwards from individuals to their families, then to their specific sub-clan, and finally to the High Thane of their Great Clan. This system of nested loyalties ensures stability but can also be a source of internal rivalries.

Economic & Guild Structure

The economy of the Mror Holds is primarily based on its vast mineral wealth, advanced craftsmanship, and secure trade.

Mining & Craftsmanship: These are the lifeblood of the Holds, with various guilds (Stonecutters, Metallurgists, Jewelers, etc.) holding significant influence within individual Holds and across clan lines.

House Kundarak: As one of the Dragonmarked Houses, Kundarak plays a unique and essential role, providing banking, security, and transportation services across Mror Holds and beyond. While technically neutral, their interests are deeply intertwined with the overall prosperity and security of the Holds.

Challenges and Dynamics

This elaborate structure, while resilient, is not without its complexities:

Internal Rivalries: Despite the unity fostered by the Iron Council, rivalries and ancient grudges between clans can simmer beneath the surface, occasionally erupting into political maneuvering or even outright conflict.

Decentralized Nature: While autonomy is a strength, it can sometimes hinder rapid, unified responses to unforeseen crises or make large-scale reforms challenging.

Pervasive Threat: The constant war against the Daelkyr and the lingering horrors beneath the mountains acts as a binding force for the clans, forcing them to overcome differences for collective survival.

Dhakaani Empire

The true origins of the dwarven civilization in what would become the Mror Holds are shrouded in the mists of antiquity. While little direct historical record remains from this era, ancient Dhakaani dirges speak of "stone warriors of the North," hinting at a formidable dwarven presence that predates the arrival of humans on Khorvaire. The mere existence of their complex, deep mountain strongholds suggests a society with a long and established history, thriving in the subterranean darkness for countless generations.

The Exile of the Twelve

For untold centuries, the deep domains of the dwarves thrived in their self-sufficient glory, until an era known as the Exile of the Twelve. During the reign of the venerable Lord Kordran Mror, an uprising of a significant number of warriors erupted within the deep domains. While the exact cause and full ramifications of this unrest remain unclear, its severity was profound enough to compel Lord Mror to take a drastic measure: the banishment of twelve of the uprising's leaders to dwell in the harsh, untamed surface areas of the mountains.

Upon their banishment, potent magical seals and wards were set in place, designed to prevent the exiled leaders from returning to the deep domains. A dedicated clan of wardens, later to become the esteemed House Kundarak, was tasked with maintaining these arcane protections, ensuring the banished could not return until they had proven themselves worthy of the kingdom below. These twelve exiled leaders would go on to become the powerful clanlords whose lineage continues to shape the Mror Holds to this day.

The newly formed clanlords spent many arduous years striving to prove their individual worthiness, each seeking to be the one to break the magical seals. It is during this fiercely competitive period that the monumental "mighty face of Lord Mror" is said to have been constructed, a defiant symbol of their ambition. However, this intense competition, rooted in a desire for re-admittance, eventually devolved into bitter infighting amongst the clans, drawing out into prolonged and destructive feuds that would cripple their unity for generations.

The Karrnathi Conquest

As human civilization began to spread across the vast reaches of Khorvaire, the feuding dwarven clans in the Ironroot Mountains remained largely overlooked. Their secluded mountain strongholds offered little immediate appeal to the burgeoning human kingdoms. However, this oversight changed dramatically with the rise of Galifar. Karrn ir'Wynarn, the ambitious son of King Galifar I, sighted the formidable mountains and recognized the immense riches they surely contained. With his father's permission, Karrn launched a relentless campaign to raid and subjugate the dwarven strongholds.

Weakened by their centuries of internal feuding and disunity, the Mror dwarves were ill-prepared to resist the organized might of Karrn's forces. They swiftly fell, and their ancient lands were absorbed into the burgeoning Kingdom of Galifar, formally becoming territories of Karrnath. Paradoxically, this subjugation proved to be an unexpected boon for the dwarven population. The enforced peace of the Galifar monarchy compelled the warring clans to set aside their petty squabbles and, for the first time in centuries, work together under a common ruler.

Reconnection Under Galifar

With their petty squabbling finally suppressed by Galifar's reign, the Kundarak dwarves, who had faithfully served as the keepers of the Wards protecting the deep kingdom, deemed the surface clans worthy. They released the magical seals, allowing passage to the long-lost kingdom below.

However, the reunion brought a sobering revelation: all was not well in the deep domains. Over the many centuries of separation, the inhabitants of the kingdom below had fought a brutal, protracted war with the Daelkyr, the alien aberrations from Xoriat, and had ultimately lost. Much of the ancient dwarven cities, once proud bastions of their civilization, were now claimed by these grotesque invaders. Despite this daunting new challenge, the dwarven clan lords, embodying their people's inherent resilience, immediately set about the monumental task of reclaiming the former glory of their people. Importantly, even in the face of this internal struggle, the dwarven clans remained fiercely loyal to the Kingdom of Galifar, honoring the oaths of fealty sworn by their ancestors.

The Dawn of Independence

The binding loyalty to Galifar, however, was destined to be shattered not by internal conflict, but by the cataclysmic Last War. As the glorious Kingdom of Galifar tore itself apart and ultimately ceased to exist, splintering into five fractious nations, the dwarven clanlords found themselves released from their ancient pledge. Their oath was to Galifar, the kingdom, and with its demise, their duty was fulfilled.

Seizing this unprecedented opportunity, in 914 YK, the Mror dwarf lords convened the very first meeting of the esteemed Iron Council. With one resolute voice, they declared their independence, establishing the sovereign nation of the Mror Holds. This hard-won sovereignty, a culmination of millennia of history, was later formally recognized by the other nations of Khorvaire with the signing of the Treaty of Thronehold, solidifying the Mror Holds' place as a proud and independent power among the nations of Eberron.

• Dwarf 65%

• Human 12%

• Orc 10%

• Gnome 8%

• Other 5%

Over the past millennium, the tenets of the Sovereign Host have taken root within the Holds. No longer isolated from the broader world, the Mror dwarves have found solace and guidance in the established pantheon. Kol Koran is by far the most popular deity, a natural fit for a culture built on shrewd trading, and the pursuit of prosperity. Kol Koran's principles of ambition, and the accumulation of wealth resonate deeply with the dwarven spirit.

However, Kol Koran is not alone. The other Sovereigns also find followers amongst the dwarves, each offering a different facet of guidance. Boldrei is revered for her blessings of community and family, critical values in the close-knit clans. Olladra is sought out for her blessings of good fortune, crucial for a people constantly braving the dangers of the deep earth. Onatar is honored for his mastery of the forge, a guiding spirit for the renowned dwarven smiths. Lastly, Dol Dorn finds worship amongst warriors and those who value martial prowess, a necessary attribute in the often volatile Holds.

But the Sovereign Host is not the only religious force at play. The Jhorash'tar orcs, who share this territory, hold vastly different beliefs. Unlike their western cousins who follow the Gatekeeper druidic traditions, the Jhorash'tar have never embraced a connection to the natural world. Instead, their religious practices are far more fragmented and often darker. Some Jhorash'tar tribes worship the Mockery, embracing violence and chaos. Others delve into the forbidden knowledge of the Dragon Below, seeking power from the monstrous entities lurking beneath the world's surface.

Perhaps most tellingly, a significant portion of the Jhorash'tar population identifies as agnostic. They question the existence, or at least the justice, of any deity. They argue that a benevolent god would never have condemned them to a life of hardship and struggle alongside the dwarves, particularly given the dwarves’ dominance of the coveted Ironroot Mountains. This sentiment underscores the enduring animosity between the two races and highlights the challenges of coexistence in the Mror Holds.

Mining: The Bedrock of Prosperity At the absolute core of the Mror economy lies mining. The Ironroot Mountains are legendary for possessing some of Khorvaire's richest and most extensive mineral deposits. From essential industrial ores like iron and copper to vital metals, the dwarven delves are a constant source of raw materials for the continent. Over the centuries, the dwarves have also unearthed vast veins of precious metals, including gold and platinum, alongside other rare and exotic elements. This ceaseless flow of mineral wealth defines their primary export and forms the bedrock of their prosperity, enabling them to exert influence far beyond their mountain fortresses.

Financial Services: Beyond the raw materials, the Mror Holds have carved out an even more influential niche: finance and banking. House Kundarak, wielding the formidable Mark of Warding, stands as the preeminent example. Leveraging their ancestral wealth and unparalleled security expertise, Kundarak became the trusted bankers of the Five Nations and beyond. Their immense fortress-vaults within Kundarakhold are fabled, holding vast reserves of coin, valuables, and sensitive documents for clients across Khorvaire.

However, Kundarak isn't alone. Other powerful Mror clans have also successfully converted their mineral wealth into financial power. They act as shrewd financiers, significant investors, and subtle power-brokers on the international stage, subtly influencing economies and political landscapes far beyond their mountain realm through loans, investments, and strategic alliances.

Metallurgy and Forging: While mining and finance dominate, a nascent but growing industry is that of metallurgy and smithing. A select few Mror clans have diligently developed a reputation for fine smithing and expert forging. Their craftsmanship is known for its durability and quality, producing high-grade tools, weapons, and armor. However, even their finest artisans and most efficient forges cannot yet rival the sheer industrial might of Breland's mass manufacturing hubs or the intricate, magically imbued artistry of elven craftsmen from Valenar or Aerenal. Their focus remains more on functional, high-quality durable goods rather than mass production or exotic magical items, an area where they are steadily improving but not yet leading.

Agriculture: The Challenge of Sustenance

Perhaps the most striking contrast to the Mror's industrial might is the state of their agriculture. The rugged, mountainous terrain of the Ironroot Mountains offers little in the way of arable land, making traditional farming as practiced in the rich plains of Breland or Aundair largely impossible.

Consequently, the Mror Holds are heavily reliant on trade for their foodstuffs. Vast quantities of grain, produce, livestock, and other necessities are regularly imported through the few accessible mountain passes and via the airship docks that connect their strongholds to the outside world. This constant influx of food is paid for by the ceaseless flow of precious metals from their mines and the highly profitable financial services provided by House Kundarak and other clans.

What little agriculture exists within the Holds is highly specialized:

• Hardy Livestock: Scattered, isolated valleys might support small herds of hardy mountain goats and sheep, providing some meat, milk, and wool.
• Subterranean Cultivation: Deep within the cavern systems and undercities, some dwarves have developed methods for cultivating nutrient-rich fungi, mosses, and other unique subterranean crops that can thrive without sunlight. These provide a limited, if unusual, dietary supplement, but by no means a complete food source for their populations.

Survival in the Mror Holds is a testament to the dwarven ability to adapt – trading the bounty of the earth for the bounty of the fields. Their society functions as a grand, intricate exchange: rare minerals and invaluable financial services flow out, while the food and resources necessary to sustain a thriving, populous civilization flow in.