Nightward

Long ago, dwarves had empires that spanned the entirety of Eidos and Kourath, the cold wastes of the North populated still by the hardy dwarves. Though there is little detail on why - certainly, dwarves do not entertain questions on the subject - these empires eventually collapsed, and the dwarves were forced to relegate themselves to going no further than the Frostbite Mountains. All that is known is the cause of the collapse was Eldritch in nature, and for this reason, the dwarves now maintain an eternal vigil over the north - one day hoping to return, but mostly making sure nothing follows them further south. No defence is impenetrable, however - even that of dwarven stone walls - and the occasional threat and abyssal creature makes its way past the mountains. In this event, the dwarves rally hunting parties to slay such a creature before it can nest and wrought the same fate for Eidos that transpired for those in Kourath. The title finds its origins as the name of the order of dwarves that hold the mountain pass; and those that slay such a creature in the south, regardless of race, are given an honorary induction into the order and given the title of Nightward.

To be a Nightward is to be honoured within dwarven territory for their contribution to the eternal vigilance of their kind. They are permitted access to town leaders and nobles to confer and offered great hospitality. To be a non-dwarven carrier of the title is more impressive still, and whilst not exceedingly rare, it is still demonstrable of uncommon valour. To be a Nightward is also considered a great honour in many other cultures - Spellbreakers, for example, who earn the title are often placed on a fast track to captaincy. Staldor Nightwards are exceptionally rare, but those who journey far north enough are seldom close to their respective tribes at any rate. Amusingly to some cultures, the Hobgoblins' strict codes of honour and emphasis on glorious achievements means Hobgoblins are surprisingly more common than expected (though still reasonably rare) in the north, as they chase whispers of eldritch nature in the hopes of achieving the title. The dwarves, at any rate, hardly mind that the martial prowess of the Hobgoblins frequently rallies against their greatest foe.