The Dwarves of Locus: The Mountainhome's Children

The dwarves of Locus are a fascinating race, diverging significantly from surface dwellers in biology and society. Their civilization is centered around subterranean Mountainhomes, vast city-complexes carved deep within the earth. While others are rumored to exist, the most prominent and integrated within the known world is Beinne Dachaigh, nestled in the Murus Mountains. They are renowned for their unparalleled craftsdwarfship, resilience, and a societal structure as intricate and rigid as the mountains they inhabit.

Biology and Lifecycle: A Colony's Rhythm

Dwarven existence is fundamentally different from mammalian life. They are egg-laying vertebrates, reproducing asexually through a singular matriarch. Their society mirrors that of eusocial insects, like ants, organized into distinct biological castes.

Reproduction: The Brenhines (Queen Mother) is the sole reproductive individual in a Mountainhome. All other dwarves are, in essence, her genetic clones, variations arising only through minor mutations during development. Dwarves lack biological sex; gender is a concept applied externally by other races, often defaulting to 'male' due to appearance, except for the Brenhines. Once mature, a Brenhines is immobile, the living heart and mind of the colony.

Lifecycle:

• Egg: Dwarven eggs are soft, cocoon-like structures, carefully tended by the Gofalwr caste for three months before hatching.
• Larva: Emerging greyish-white and genderless, larvae are extremely vulnerable, especially to sunlight (lethal exposure under 10 minutes). During this stage, the Athronydd caste assesses their potential based on subtle physical traits and the Mountainhome's needs.
• Pupa: Selected larvae undergo transformative alchemical/biological procedures administered by the Athronydd, akin to how royal jelly creates a queen bee. This determines their future caste. They are then trained and indoctrinated by the Canllaw and adult members of their designated caste. A larva might be specifically transformed into a Tywysoges (Princess) if a new Queen is needed, either for succession or to potentially found a new Mountainhome.
• Adult: A final neurological concoction is administered by the Athronydd upon completion of training. This toxin inhibits the ability to learn skills outside their designated caste, solidifying their role and completing indoctrination. Lifespan varies drastically by caste (from 2 to 500 years), likely due to residual toxicity from transformations or harsh environmental factors specific to their roles, rather than innate aging differences.

The Caste System: Function and Form

Each dwarf is biologically and socially locked into a specific role:

• Brenhines (Queen Mother, ~500 years): The sole, immobile matriarch and central intelligence. Possesses the greatest autonomy and intellect. Hidden from outsiders for security.
• Athronydd (Philosopher/Wizard/Alchemist, ~300-400 years): Advise the Brenhines, oversee caste determination and transformation, practice magic and alchemy. Possess significant autonomy and are allowed to leave the Mountainhome.
• Diplomydd (Diplomat/Soldier, ~100-120 years): Uniquely tolerant/immune to sunlight (developed through careful exposure training). Handle all external communication, trade, and now serve as the Mountainhome's trained, specialized soldiers for external warfare/Imperial duties. Nearly all dwarves seen outside a Mountainhome are Diplomydd.
• Canllaw (Guide/Teacher, ~100-170 years): Responsible for indoctrination, moral/religious guidance, and enforcing caste boundaries.
• Gofalwr (Caretaker, ~30-50 years): Non-verbal, instinct-driven caste dedicated to caring for the vulnerable eggs. Highly regarded despite limited conventional intelligence.
• Crefftwr (Crafter, ~200-400 years): Skilled artisans specializing in one trade for life (e.g., Crefftwr-Saer for carpentry, Crefftwr-Gof for smithing). Their roles have expanded significantly with technology.
• Saer Maen (Stonemason, ~60-100 years): Carve the tunnels and structures of the Mountainhome with unparalleled skill and artistic pride, focusing only on the stone structure itself.
• Tyfwr (Cultivator, ~4-8 years): Grow subterranean mosses/fungi and prepare the basic, functional food for the colony. Possess little sense of taste, like all dwarves do.
• Sborionwr (Gatherer ~30-50 years): Gather surface materials such as wood, clay, lye, and animals; as well as alchemical ingredients for the Athronydd.
• Cludwr (Porter, ~10-15 years): Historically managed internal logistics. Largely obsolete due to industrialization.
• Trefnus (Orderly, ~5-8 years): Clean and maintain the Mountainhome, disposing of waste externally in large, designated dumps. Recycling is practiced for hard-to-get resources like wood.
• Glöwr (Miner, ~2-6 years): Possesses one arm transformed into a mineralized bone tool for breaking rock, incapable of grasping. Remain acutely sensitive to sunlight throughout life.
• Milwr (Warrior, ~1-3 years): Discontinued caste. Formerly ferocious, animalistic shock troops used in undisciplined hordes. Rendered obsolete by Imperial military technology. Now only bred occasionally for combating subterranean threats.
• Amherffaith (The Imperfect, ~500 years): Dwarves whose caste development/indoctrination failed or was disrupted (often due to external interference like egg theft for research). Killed on sight within the Mountainhome as they represent an ideological threat to the hierarchy. Survivors outside integrate into other societies (often human), sharing little culturally with their kin. Possess the full potential lifespan, lacking caste limitations. Their numbers remain extremely low (<100).
• Tywysoges (Princess): Created specifically to replace or supplement the Brenhines. Also killed on sight by most castes due to the threat they pose to the current Queen's rule. Only Athronydd typically have the will to protect a pupa Tywysoges they intend to nurture.

History: Siege, Integration, and Adaptation

Originally isolated with technology comparable to the late Stone or early Bronze Age, Beinne Dachaigh relied on its subterranean self-sufficiency and Milwr hordes. However, from 133 ED to 153 ED, The Empire subjected them to a grueling 29-year blockade. While basic survival needs (food, water, air) remained stable due to internal cultivation (Tyfwr) and subterranean sources, the blockade crippled the upper echelons. Lack of lumber hampered Crefftwr and Saer Maen, lack of sunlight hindered Diplomydd, and scarcity of specific alchemical ingredients likely restricted the creation of higher-caste dwarves. They adapted, using overgrown fungi as wood substitutes, but the resource scarcity was keenly felt.

Militarily, the war was a disaster. Milwr hordes proved useless against Imperial firepower, exemplified by a small Imperial contingent holding off massive numbers for decades with minimal losses. This forced a harsh realization and a shift in military doctrine.

The war ended with the Treaty of Llyn (153 ED), negotiated solely by Diplomydd on behalf of the hidden Brenhines. Beinne Dachaigh was incorporated into The Empire, represented in the House of Rule by a single vote cast by Diplomydd envoys acting under the Brenhines's command ("House Beinne Dachaigh", functions as a dwarven Gentry Unitary).

Post-Integration Era: Technology Embraced, Tradition Held

In the ~350 years since integration, Beinne Dachaigh has undergone significant change:

Technology: Dwarves readily adopted Imperial technology, achieving parity. They hold no philosophical objection to technology itself, viewing it pragmatically. Crefftwr specializations have exploded, incorporating fields like engineering, photography, and horology. The Athronydd view technology as a political and practical tool.

Military: Diplomydd are now highly trained, specialized soldiers fulfilling Beinne Dachaigh's obligations to The Empire. Milwr are relegated to pest control.

Society: While internal social control by the Canllaw remains absolute within the Mountainhome, the increased number and external exposure of Diplomydd have subtly weakened the overall insularity of dwarven society from an external perspective. Access to Imperial trade routes lessened the desperate need for recycling but increased the focus on high-quality craftsdwarfship for export. There might be a growing imbalance of higher-caste dwarves due to easier access to transformative ingredients.

Philosophy: While embracing technology, dwarves retain a potential philosophical conflict with the individualism inherent in Imperial capitalism, contrasting sharply with their own collectivist, hierarchical structure. Dissent against the system remains unthinkable and lethally suppressed internally.

Current Status

The dwarves of Beinne Dachaigh represent a unique, resilient, and technologically advanced society deeply integrated into The Empire's framework, yet fiercely maintaining their distinct biological hierarchy and cultural traditions within the mountain's embrace. They contribute significantly through craftsdwarfship and resources, fulfill military duties via their specialized Diplomydd, but remain an enigma to outsiders, their true societal heart pulsating around the hidden, immobile Brenhines. They navigate the tension between their collectivist nature and the individualistic Empire, a silent, industrious, and ever-watchful presence within Locus.