The Golden Peaks

The Golden Peaks are the Dwarven client state of the Theocracy of Cairn Mors. Before the Theocracy, they had been under the patronage of House Telchin for 87 years since the Goldor-Cairn War of 1303TD. The Golden Peaks are ruled by a council of 8 clans who have dominated the industry of the mountains for ages. As far as Dwarven polities go, the Golden Peaks are of a moderate size.

### History

Founded in 453TD, when dwarves discovered new hills to mine in, the Golden Peaks quickly became a large hub of trade due to the deep deposits of Gold found in the mines, from which it draws its name. The economy of the Peaks soon attracted large numbers of Dwarves to move to the area in order to stake their claim in what they foresaw as a great citadel for dwarf kind. For many years they were content to mine in peace.

In the year 1278TD, the prize port of the Golden Peaks was burned to the ground by the Alliance of Gold, with many of its trade ships taken as plunder. Without this port, the dwarves of the Golden Peaks found themselves at threat of famine, as all the farmland surrounding the Peaks was under the control of Cairn Mors who, despite decent relations with the Dwarves, were unable to assist them with enough crop to keep the city running. After 25 years of starvation, they would declare open war against Cairn Mors.

#### The Goldor-Cairn War of 1303TD

The war for the fertile lands surrounding the Golden Peaks was a conflict born out of desperation for the Dwarves, who had suffered from years of famine and scarcity within their mountain halls. The prolonged struggle had left them emaciated and their once-mighty army severely weakened. The war, which lasted for a couple of grueling years, initially saw the Dwarves secure some victories as they cleverly seized Cairn towns by surprise. However, their early successes were short-lived as the Cairn Mors standing army, fully mobilized and prepared, proved to be a formidable adversary, capable of decimating the already vulnerable dwarvish forces.

As the conflict dragged on and a siege loomed over the main gates of the Golden Peaks, the Dwarves recognized the dire need for a resolution. In a desperate attempt to end the bloodshed and avoid further suffering, they dispatched a dwarven emissary to Amara, hoping to broker peace with the Cairn Mors. Both nations agreed to send their diplomats to the neutral Isle of Amara to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the war that had taken a heavy toll on both sides.

Amara, while sympathetic to the plight of the Dwarves, ultimately sided with the defenders but understood the need for a resolution that would ensure the survival of the Dwarven people. They mediated a settlement that saw the Golden Peaks become a tributary to Cairn Mors, providing a source of wealth for the Cairn Mors nation. In exchange for this arrangement, Cairn Mors committed to sharing a more substantial portion of their food resources with the Dwarves, ensuring they would no longer suffer from hunger. Although the Dwarves accepted this uneasy truce, it came with a heavy heart, as they had to relinquish control of their ancestral lands to a foreign power, marking a bitter chapter in their history.

The dwarves have since begrudgingly held onto the peace, and the Golden Peaks, while no longer an independent realm, still stand as a resilient testament to the Dwarves' unyielding spirit and their determination to survive even in the face of adversity and challenging compromises. The scars of this war, etched deep into their collective memory, continue to shape the Dwarves' outlook and sense of identity in the ever-changing world around them.

### Government

The ruling body of the Golden Peaks is a ruling council of 8 clans each of which supply 5 representatives. They are led by a Prince who is selected amongst the Elders of each clan. The current ruler is Prince Dagrand Goldeater.

#### Clans

* Clan Axebreaker
* Clan Firebeard
* Clan Stonepick
* Clan Gemgrinder
* Clan Goldeater
* Clan Seacaller
* Clan Direforge
* Clan Maulfist