Stones of the Split

To divide the entirety of Dwarfdom into those who would maintain their traditional lifestyle of mining and living on and under the earth and those who embraced a life at sea and would reside in the islands they claimed for their own.

First it is established that there shall be two Clans of Dwarves that all other Clans shall follow.

Second it establishes that each of these Greater Clan shall be free to determine who shall lead them and how that authority will be passed in the future.

Third it establishes that neither of the Great Clans shall have any obligations to either Clan but a responsibility to Dwarfdom as a whole.

Finally it establishes that any Change to this requires full support of the leaders of both Greater Clans.

Two sets were commissioned and crafted. One for each Clan. Each Clan displays their Copy above the seat of their ruler. This was not required by law or custom. The Clans did this independent of each other and with no consultation. When the Clans learned the other had done so as well their was a lot of shrugging and words along the lines of "Make sense." among the Clans.

The Traditionalists among the Dwarven Clans claimed tithes on mining in order to fund the Clan's government. When the Beardspike opened up the seas of Therador to dwarves it was largely scoffed at by the Traditionalists, mostly male, dwarves. The females, however, saw this as a path of wealth and independence and took it. Tithes on trading and piracy were demanded, low at first since it was seen as not a viable path to wealth but a distraction for the females who were incapable of traditional rolls. The Clan leadership saw this as a way to remove disgruntled elements from their communities.

Soon, however those first beardspikes started bringing in coin and goods. More were constructed and put to see, again with mostly female crews. More progressive males also began to join the crews. Especially younger ones who would have to wait decades before getting mines that were truly valuable given the gerontocracy that permeated dwarven society. Soon more and more increases in those tithes began happening. When more was demanded than what was demanded of those who mined or conducted land based trade the first true dissent began. This, over a few decades, escalated from works in private to shouts and shaken fists in public. The Clan Leaders attempted to maintain control but more and more females and not inconsiderable amount of males protested. Several large fights and a few open battles took place before decisions were made and a great conclave of all dwarves was called to figure out a path forward. At first only males would be allowed to speak but open rebellion was promised if that occurred. The leadership relented and females were given the right to speak. Years of debate occurred until it was agreed that dwarves would be split into two Clans with each clan and community deciding for themselves which Clan they would follow.