Clan Varkûz, the Gemcut
Type: Founding Dwarven Clan
Material Origin: Gemstone
Virtue: Clarity and Legacy
Emblem: A radiant cut gem within a triangle of chisels
"To shape a gem is to understand what it already is."
Clan Varkûz, the Gemcut, were shaped from the rarest and most refined minerals in the Crucible. They are the keepers of memory, art, and spirit among the Dwarven people, renowned for their precise craftsmanship, deep contemplation, and philosophical depth. Where others see only stone and metal, Varkûz see beauty hidden in structure, and truth encoded in light.
They are historians, artists, spiritbinders, and truthseers—those who believe that legacy is not built through might, but meaning.
Clan Varkûz are the keepers of truth, the chroniclers of wonder, and the soul of Dwarven grace. To earn a Gemcut's praise is to be immortalized in cut stone, remembered for all time.
Physical Characteristics
Varkûz Dwarves often have jewel-toned eyes, luminous skin with subtle iridescence, and precisely groomed hair and beards. Their clothing and armor are symmetrical, adorned with polished stones and filigree. They speak slowly but with perfect enunciation.
Culture
Cultural Traits & Values
- Clarity: In thought, action, and intention. A Varkûz mind is sharp and reflective.
- Legacy: Life is a stone to be carved with purpose, to leave behind more than dust.
- Beauty through Structure: The finest works balance form, function, and spiritual resonance.
Public Agenda
Notable Occupations
- Jewelwrights: Gemsmiths who carve truth, memory, or spellwork into stones.
- Lorecarvers: Archivists and bards who record events through sculpture, poetry, or faceted murals.
- Soulweavers: Spiritbinders who etch names of the fallen into soulstone to preserve their echoes.
- Philosophers: Public debaters who test logic through discourse, often in stone-courts.
History
Role in Early Dwarven History
The first written Dwarven script was etched by Varkûz hands into walls of polished quartz. They created the Crown of Recall, an artifact said to hold perfect memory of all Dwarven lore. They advised kings, judged disputes, and crafted the heirlooms of the clans.
Many of the Stonebound Thinkers and archivists of the early ages were Gemcut Dwarves, responsible for preserving the myths of the Stonefather, the Stone Laws, and the songs of the First Crucible.
Notable Figures
- Elda Varkûz, who translated the first version of the Stone Laws into mirrored runes visible only in moonlight.
- Rhugar of the Veins, a sculptor who mapped a dynasty's rise through a single, impossibly-detailed geode.
- Zinara Gemthief, a folk-hero who stole back dozens of heirlooms looted during the Sack of Kaldur.
Modern Presence
Varkûz Dwarves remain influential in courtly circles, academic forums, spirit-memorials, and archive-halls across Largitas. They are often tasked with commemorating victories, recording truths, and crafting artifacts of remembrance.
They are known to volunteer as mediators in disputes, believing that unresolved conflict creates "cracks in the gem of kinship."
Foreign Relations
Relations with Other Clans
- Durhark (Stonewrought): Respectful disagreement; Gemcutters value introspection, while Durhark prefer direct duty.
- Beldrun (Ironshaped): Philosophical opponents—beauty vs. utility—but often collaborate on enchanted artifacts.
- Tharnûl (Clayborn): Close ties; Gemcutters admire their flexibility, and many Clayborn are trained in Varkûz-run academies.
Sayings and Proverbs
- "A lie reflects poorly, even when polished."
- "Legacy is the light trapped in stone."
- "The deeper the cut, the clearer the song."
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