Clan Dustcloak

## Description:

The ancient and mighty Clan Dustcloak is a nomadic Clan of Dwarves that travels the Sahara Desert in search of trade, water, and food atop their colossal Sand-Cities. Clan Dustcloak, like many factions that inhabit the Sahara, dedicates its resources to the survival of its people; secondarily, Clan Dustcloak has been charged with the protection of the Sahara from forces which would seek to conquer or control its immense power. Clan Dustcloak maintains relatively positive relations with other Dwarven Clans, very positive relations with Egypt and the nations of the Mediterranean Sea, and perpetuates an extremely close alliance with several large Scorpionfolk tribes; Clan Dustcloak also has many enemies, including the enclaves of Wad-Thet and Sun Elves of the Phirecian Empire.

Despite their importance to the geopolitics of the Sahara, few people outside of Northern Africa ever hear of Clan Dustcloak. While not explicitly a secret, the group does nothing to advertise its existence to outsiders.

### Organization:

#### Capital: Sand-Cities

Clan Dustcloak operates across four (4) Sand-Cities, each of which operates as an independent city-state; each Sand-City is a giant mobile settlement which rides atop liquidized sand dunes and serves as an equivalent to a standard Dwarven Stronghold and is ruled by a King. The Sand-Cities are separate from one another in many ways, including geographic position, but maintain a mutual understanding and alliance between them all that prevents in-fighting and guarantees cooperation; each King is allowed to govern how he sees fit without disturbance from the other Kings of the Clan, but each King is expected to come to the aid of the others should the need arise. Beside each King sits his Queen (or vice versa, depending on who rules the city); underneath the monarchy sit the representatives and advisors who inform the King's decisions and stand in for groups of interest. These advisors, led by a Grand Vizier, are often comprised of Guild representatives, military leaders, wealthy individuals, religious leaders, diplomats, economists and analysts, etc. Below the advising council sit the priests of Clan Dustcloak, almost all of whom subscribe to a special denomination of the Faith of Iron, commonly termed the "Faith of Dust" by outsiders; the priests comprise a large portion of the city's Magic-users and lead the city's Dwarven inhabitants in spiritual and moral matters. Notably, the King is an entirely secular position within Clan Dustcloak and is prohibited from participating in any organized religious ceremonies, including those of the Faith of Iron and those of foreigners. Next in the social hierarchy come the wealthy members of the Sand-City, the merchants and brave heroes who have accrued substantial fortunes for themselves; these individuals are often treated with a degree of disdain by other Dustcloak members, as merchants do not make anything themselves but instead resell the products and legacies of others. Below the wealthy class sits the rest of Dustcloak society, comprised of everyone from the soldiers to the lowly peasants. Socioeconomic mobility is very high in Clan Dustcloak, as long as one is either a Dwarf or a Scorpionfolk.

Clan Dustcloak does not officially recruit; only those Dwarves born into the Clan are considered citizens while everyone else is considered an outsider. While Clan Dustcloak is known for its close ties with many Scorpionfolk tribes, even those closest of allies are still considered outsiders; those born outside of the Sahara Desert are discriminated against the most, considered ignorant or naïve children by those who were born amongst the dunes.

A large portion of Clan Dustcloak's resources are dedicated to the survival of their Clan; the hostile environment, dangerous flora and fauna, and constant threat of attack by the Phirecian armies leaves Clan Dustcloak with little else to worry about besides their safety. Hunting parties mounted atop specialized, handmade skiffs are sent out to fetch food from the desert, geomancers within the Sand-Cities are responsible for dowsing for underground wells of water which the city harvests, other Magic-users draw grains of metals from the sand and refine them into useable ore, etc. Militias and well-trained professional soldiers keep careful watch over the surrounding region and the skies, looking out for signs of raiders, Rocs, or Saharan Dread Worms. While not accustomed to raiding or banditry, Clan Dustcloak is known to turn to such unsavory methods of survival if the conditions require such measures; as such, the more "civilized" groups of the Sahara often stereotype Clan Dustcloak as savage thieves and scavenging assassins.

#### List of Social Classes:

1. Monarchy
2. Advising Council
3. Religious Leaders (Faith of Iron)
4. Citizens
	1. Wealthy Citizens & Soldiers
	2. Other Citizens
5. Outsiders
	1. Non-Clansmen
	2. Outsiders born outside of the Sahara Desert