Introduction
The Dwarves of Gero are organized on an interconnected
struture of clans. These clans define the major occupational
fields typically found in Dwarven society.
When a Dwarf comes of age, he or she seeks to apprentice
himself to a particular clan (most often his father's) for a
period of five years, learning the secrets of the trade.
Following his apprenticeship, the Dwarf is then free to make
his way in the world.
Marriages and Names
Dwarven marriages are generally exogomous between clans,
meaning that they usually marry someone from a different clan.
Dwarven names follow a formulaic structure:
Unmarried Dwarves: Personal name-Clan, Maternal family
name
Married Dwarves: Personal name-Clan, Spouse's
Family-Maternal family name
Thus, when Dora-Mak Dourgen married her husband,
Tourak-Ken Gendol, she became Dora-Mak Gendol-Dourgen. Their
child is Avend Dourgen, and when she comes of age, she will
train to become a gemcutter and become Avend-Ken Dourgen.
The Clans
The major clans are listed below. While most major
Dwarven population centers (called Holds) will have residents
from all the clans, smaller Holds will often be lacking in one
or more. These smaller Holds are always willing to welcome
someone from a new clan.
Clan Field Ornamentation NWP
Mak Weaponsmith Miniature Daggers Weaponsmith
Pak Armorer Chainmail Links Armorer
Rak Fletcher Feathers Bowyer/Fletcher
Lak Brewer Pewter Thimbles Brewing
Ten Blacksmith Iron Slivers Blacksmithing
Pen Leatherworker Leather Straps Leatherworking
Fen Gold/Silversmith Gold and Silver Thread Metalworking
Ken Gemcutter Ornamental Beads Gemcutting
Zen Stonemason Stone Chips Stonemasonry
Mor Trader Copper Disks Appraising
Tor Miner Yellow & Black Streaks Mining
Kor Soldier Red Dye Endurance
Por Scholar/Loremaster Ink on Tips History/Ancient
Dor Entertainer/Artist Multicolored Dyes Artist/Musician/Singer
Gor Engineer White Chalk Engineering
Each Clan has a required Non-Weapon Proficiency. Any player
character not one of the 'Clanless' (see below) must select a
clan, and *must* spend enough NWP slots to get the first level
of that Clan's proficiency. If the PC is not of the
appropriate class, then they must also spend the extra slot to
acquire the NWP. For instance, a Dwarven Thief of Clan Mak
must spend four slots to acquire the first level of
Weaponsmithing. If he doesn't have at least an 8 Intelligence
(to get an additional NWP slot), then he cannot be in Clan Mak
after all (this is the only class/clan limitation).
Ornamentation refers to the decoration applied to the beard
and hair braids of each clan. Wearing another clan's hair
ornaments is a severe crime in any Hold, and the offender must
often face numerous challenges to duels.
In addition, there are three 'Clanless' groups of Dwarves:
The Shorn is the name given to Dwarves who have been found
guilty of disgrace, or who feel that there is no other way to
maintain their honor (for instance, a Dwarf who has sworn
allegiance to a Hold-King, only to be ordered by that King to
perform an action he considers dishonourable). As their name
implies, they shave off both beard and scalp hair, as a visible
sign of their crime.
The Totemic Priests of the Dwarven Race wear no ornaments of
any kind in their beards. Since they also renounce their family
names, they are introduced simply by their personal name,
followed by the honorific "of Konig" (Dwarven for King).
The Knots of Genveer, the Ascended Dwarven Diety of Vengence
and Justice, snarl their beards in hopeless tangles. Like the
Totem Priests, they give only their birth name, followed by
"of Genveer".
Non-Totemic Priests, even those of Genveer, still retain
their clan affiliation.
Society
Dwarven Holds are typically ruled by a non-hereditary King.
Smaller Holds may swear fealty to a larger Hold, and the local
leader is then given the title of Steward. A King is obligated
to aid Vassal Holds in times of war, famine or plague, and
Vassal Holds usually have to pay some sort of tithe to their
King's Hold. If a Steward dies or steps down, the King
appoints the successor.
If a King dies or abdicates, then a Council of all the heads
of the Clans in the Hold, with the chief Totemic Priest
presiding, selects the heir to the throne. Only Knots and the
Shorn are excluded from consideration.
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