Blackforge

## Overview

   Blackforge is the home of the Dwarves of Dræganwald. It is primarily a mountainous country, with the topography of the land getting closer to water level radially from the highest point of the mountain, which is in the exact centre of Blackforge's borders.

The capital of Blackforge is Greatmountain. This is a series of peaks which acts as a caste system of sorts. Although the general friendly demeanor of Dwarves leads to discrimination being uncommon.

Blackforge is an Alcoholic Meritocracy where the more drink you are able to withstand, the higher a peak you are allowed to live on and visit. This class elevation is done by request to the Eldersmith of any give peak who will officiate the drinking rituals and give notice to a higher peak when someone has passed the required tests.

The form of governance in the written Constitution of Blackforge is stated to be a Theocracy. This is because the most powerful figure in Dwarven society is the Pintifex Maximus, who is the head of the churches of both Thrun and Ivardh. The gods of Alcohol and the Forge respectively.

The darkest secret of Blackforge is that the Pintifex Maximus is actually a teetotaler and does not drink at all. This is how he is able to maintain proper governance of the state.

There are small villages dotted around the base of Greatmountain which make up the rest of the country of Blackforge. This is where all of those who do not drink alcohol reside. Some seasoned Dwarves will descend from higher peaks to set up shop in one of these villages as they tend to be bustling tourist attractions, the highest mountains of the supercontinent are something that is in high demand among the rich.

If in a drunken stupor a Dwarf falls from one of the peaks, this is seen as the greatest shame one can bring upon themselves, their family and Dwarves as a whole. This is refered to as "The Taboo", in history it had an actual name but people were so disgusted by it they never spoke of it, or wrote of it. So now it is lost to history. Dwarves who commit the taboo are at best demoted to a lower caste and at worst exiled. This is dependent on the severity of the blackout and how many peaks they stumble down.

The coat of arms of Blackforge symbolizes the two things most emblematic of the dwarves: alcohol and creation.

## The Smith Tribes

Every dwarf has before their name Xsmith. Where X= the type of drink that they and their ancestors have brewed for generations. Each tribe generally have attained certain skills and abilities which are passed down to every member of their tribe.

### Pintsmith

This is the definition of a jack of all trades. Pintsmiths are adept at brewing and forging almost any drink. Generally these are the dwarves who end up somewhere in the service industry, from the most run-down of taverns in Darkmarsh, to the posh restaurants in Graunt. These dwarve tend to be quite good at doing most things, but dont particularly find themselves excelling at other areas. There is never any shame to being a Pintsmith and the tribe are generally respected worldwide.

### Spiritsmith

Similar to Pintsmiths, these Dwarves are adept at brewing up all types of spirits. However these Dwarves tend to be more shamanistic, as they use ancestral magic to get in touch with the spirits of those that came before to aid in their creation of drink and indeed their day to day lives. As such the name of Spirtsmith is a double entendre. Spiritsmith are well respected and tend to be strong warriors or wise sages or carry the weight of their ancestors with them on their adventures.

### Alesmith

Alesmiths are on average the hardest workign of the dwarves, they are well respected as such. Generally taking up blue collar work or agriculture. Alesmiths tend to have a particular part of their body which is stronger than the other. The famous sports announcer of the *Tournament of the Iron Will,* Ragnir Thunderthroat for example has excellent vocal chords.