Shieldbearers of Mithos

### Symbols and attire

Heavy shields and stone plates engraved with runic symbols, boar hide capes and armored kilts in various metallic colors and some type of small jewelry in Vonrimian design

### Rivals

Gobbo Tribe, Ratfolk Clans, Deep dwarves of Stygian Abyss

### Motto

"Stern, strong, unyielding"

The Shieldbearers of Mithos is an ancient order, perhaps the oldest currently known as it was founded sometime after the Splitting of the Races, when the mountain dwarves of Vonrim rose and claimed the southeastern mountains as their own. Their founder Boragus was known as the Mountain King, the first king of Vonrim and the one who built the foundations of this new kingdom, cleansing the land and venturing deep into the heart of the mountains. For over 3000 years the Shieldbearers have defended Vonrimian lands from wild goblins and orcs, skittering ratfolk and now even deep dwarves. The shieldbearers are totally dedicated to their defensive duties and generally don't venture far from their homeland. However, they have shown interest in forming some kind of alliance with the Order of the Radiant Sun and are also interested in lending whatever aid they can to Isqarioth's Bastion.

Because of continuous ratfolk infestations and goblin harassment, the Shieldbearers have their hands full within the Kingdom of Vonrim. Their nationalistic ideals and tendencies are what have confined them to this singular purpose of ridding Vonrim of these pests forever. That is why the Shieldbearers are not commonly seen in other parts of the world, unlike members of the Radiant Sun and the Black Star. However, they are more numerous than other orders because of their age and most members of the Vonrimian military are also Shieldbearers. Even the current heir to the throne of Vonrim, prince Thorgrim III Ironfist, has taken the position of a common Shieldbrother among this order as he looks to rise through the ranks and eventually lead the order towards their ultimate goal.

As their name implies, the Shieldbearers of Mithos congregate around the Vonrimian capital of Mithos which houses the bulk of their forces. They defend the city from all threats, train recruits and regular members of the military and perform other duties instructed by the king of Vonrim. A smaller portion of Shieldbearers perform similar duties in Dungorholde and also act as guards within Deeprock Prison. Highcliffe Castle in the northern mountains is usually a good place for fresh members to gain some experience in the art of war as the surrounding mountains and caves are home to many goblins, ratfolk and other wild races. In particular, the Gobbo Tribe is a large group of goblinoids that have banded together to fight the dwarves and those within Highcliffe Castle clash with them frequently. The greatest fortification of the shieldbearers named Boragus Fortress lies directly east of Drystunkel Mines. They have the duty of guarding the widest passage into Vonrim and also keeping the various beasts living around Tunnels of Torim in check. Some members have begun fortifying the area around the Stygian Abyss, as the growing number of aggressive deep dwarves rising from these deep caves has caught the attention of the Shieldbearers. Lastly, more curious dwarves might find themselves dealing with the Bastion Defenders in Fort Gryphon as the order looks to expand its influence. The Shieldbearers have also started to occasionally show up in Antar, as they sometimes take part in diplomatic meetings within the city.

Shielbearers most often prefer martial classes, as that is their intended role within Vonrim. Foehammers and stonelords are both very common and classic paths that a shieldbrother might take. A slightly more magical approach within the Shieldbearers might be a runesmith or a forgemaster. They are also needed in helping their shieldbrothers understand the ways of Boragus and to offer guidance to the whole organization. Clerics that follow either Torim or Boragus are also welcome to serve within the Shieldbearers and they have the same role as the forgemasters, even if they are slightly less respected. Shieldbearers do not often have room for any arcane casters among their ranks as they find this kind of magic easily corruptible, hard to control and destructive within their cavernous environments. The runesmiths are a special case as their arcane magic is more in line with the ancient runic magic of the dwarves.

Even as the dwarves of Vonrim have taken a more passive position in southern politics after the Second Demon War, they have finally started to open up. This has given the Shieldbearers of Mithos some diplomatic duties as well since the Empire of El Sherdan and Isqarioth's Bastion have both presented themselves as potential close allies. They are still doubtful of the elves, but would like to remain on neutral ground with them. Ultimately, the king of Vonrim will decide what their fate will be and where their future duties will lie.