The Stone Laws
The Stone Laws are a revered set of 29 sacred edicts believed to have been carved by the Stonefather himself after shaping the first Dwarven clans. More than rules, these are principles—guidelines to help the Dwarves understand their place in the world, uphold the dignity of their labor, and ensure the strength of their people.
Each law is metaphorically tied to stone, metal, or gem, reflecting both moral virtues and cultural values. They are ritually recited at clan gatherings, etched above mine entrances, and whispered over the forge at the start of a smithing apprenticeship.
Purpose
Core Themes
- Respect for Craft – Every Dwarf must respect their tools, trade, and time spent in creation. Nothing made with care is ever worthless.
- Kin is Stone – The bond of family, clan, and community is sacred. Fracture within must be mended as one mends cracked stone.
- Honor in Labor – Idleness is the enemy. All honest work is equal beneath the mountain.
- Truth is a Chisel – Lies are like fault lines—small at first, then ruinous. A Dwarf must speak as if carving their words into granite.
Historical Details
History
Origin
According to myth, after the Stonefather shaped the first Dwarves from clay, ore, and gemstone — using a vessel some argue was a forge crucible, others a sacred cooking pot — he realized they would need guidance to thrive in the harsh lands of Largitas. Sitting by the first flame, he inscribed the Stone Laws into a single slab of fire-hardened granite using only his fingernail.
That slab, known as the Rootplate, is said to lie beneath the ruined Temple of First Stone in now-lost Kaldur Hollow.
Public Reaction
Modern Controversies
The Living Stone School has reinterpreted some of the Stone Laws as metaphors for change, suggesting the Stonefather intended Dwarves to adapt over time. Traditionalists reject this, insisting the Laws were meant to anchor Dwarves against the tides of chaos.
Some clans have added local interpretations or minor edicts, but the original 29 are universally accepted by all Dwarven cultures in Largitas.
Legacy
Cultural Practices
- Etched Oaths: Major life oaths (marriage, apprenticeship, adoption) are made beside a tablet bearing the Stone Laws.
- Lawkeeper Role: Every major Dwarven hold has a Lawkeeper, a priest-philosopher responsible for teaching, interpreting, and maintaining copies of the Stone Laws.
- Ceremonial Stone Reading: Recited aloud during key feasts, especially during Founding Day and the Feast of the Firedrake.
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