Clan Stonehammer

A gray stonemason's hammer upright on a field of green.

An old but fairly large clan with small holdings, Clan Stonehammer is noted for historically producing fine stonemasons, and more recently, stalwart soldiers. The progenitors of the Loch Modan Stonehammers were said to have been one of the first clans to settle the great lake's eastern shore.

Clan Stonehammer has long been part of life around the loch, though in recent years the region and the clan have fallen upon hard times. A series of misfortunes has lead to the end of the main bloodline of thanes and the unlikely thaneship of Muirdan Stonehammer.

## History

### The Origins and Rise of Clan Stonehammer

Thane Hargrim Stonehammer the First is said to have led his clan to Loch Modan and settled on its eastern shore north of what is the modern day site of Ironbrand's Excavation. Clan history is unclear when exactly this took place outside of it being sometime in the early days of the region's settlement.

The lineage of Clan Stonehammer prior to Thane Hargrim the First is unclear. It is unknown whether or not the Stonehammers of Loch Modan possess any relation to the Stonehammer clans of other regions of Khaz Modan given commonness of the surname.

### The War of the Three Hammers

For many years prior to the war, Clan Stonehammer prospered with its large holdings and skilled craftsmen. It became one of the wealthiest clans based around Loch Modan. Several members of the clan earned the prestige of serving as Senators of Ironforge during this time. The clan's wealth often inspired envy in neighboring lesser clans but nothing ever came of such feelings before the war.

The thane at the outbreak of the war, Magnus the Stubborn, was a staunch Anvilmar supporter and refused to bend the knee to King Madoran Bronzebeard when he took the throne of Ironforge, believing him to be an illegitimate usurper. The Stonehammer's neighbors were Bronzebeard loyalists and envied the clan's wealth and prestige. Attacking the clan repeatedly, the Bronzebeard forces killed Magnus’ heir, and seized roughly two-thirds of the Stonehammers' lands. Despite this, Magnus still refused to submit and continued to fight for the lost cause of Modimus' legitimate successor.

Seeing the loss of most of his clan’s lands and the death of his brother due to his father’s foolhardy stubbornness, Magnus' youngest son, Dwain, sought an audience with King Madoran. Before the king, Dwain publicly denounced his father and swore eternal fealty with his sons to Clan Bronzebeard. Dwain married off his youngest daughter, Delilah, to a relative of the king to further demonstrate the sincerity of his pledge. King Madoran accepted his oath and stripped his father Magnus of the title of thane. The king named Dwain Thane of Clan Stonehammer, as well as granting what lands his father still held as his to keep. While many in the region bear the name Stonehammer, the king’s decree abolished all claims to the title of Thane of Clan Stonehammer in Loch Modan to all but Thane Dwain Stonehammer I and his descendants.

Dwain, his sons, and the clans soldiers joined Bronzebeard forces in the fighting against the Dark Irons Clan and performed admirably. His younger son, Baelgun, distinguished himself enough in battle against the Dark Irons that he received recognition and a medal for his gallantry.

### Post War Years and the Orcish Invasion of Khaz Modan

The tasks of rebuilding the diminished clan fell to Thanes Dwain I and Dwain II.

(WIP)

### Rebuilding and the Calamity of the Shattering

Since the end of the Second War, ogres of the Mo’grosh clan have pushed out the native trolls and threatened the lands south of their stronghold, including the lands of Clan Stonehammer. When the Mo’grosh joined forces with the Twilight’s Hammer, they launched a devastating attack which resulted in many deaths among Clan Stonehammer, including then-heir to the title of thane, Baelgun Stonehammer III, his wife, and their two children.

(WIP)

## Clan Society

### Economic Pursuits and Holdings

Clan Stonehammer owns a small quarry and mine in the the mountains on their lands that primarily produce stone and tin, with lesser amounts of copper and lead. In addition to masonry, mining and pewtersmithing are also common trades among the people of their lands.

The mostly forested land that makes up a majority of their territory is a rich source of game and timber, allowing for additional trade in meats, furs, skins, and wood. Small scale and recreational fishing took place as well prior to the Shattering draining the loch.

Traditionally, outside of the bears and wolves native to the region, trolls from the north were the only real threat to the clan's people and lands. The War of the Three Hammers saw a significant increase in the pursuit of martial professions to serve in the kingdom's army and fend off the occasional Dark Iron raiders from the south. Following the Orcish invasion of Khaz Modan, ogres took the place of the once native trolls and have since allied with the Twilight's Hammers.

Ever since the draining of the loch, the movement of goods between Stonehammer lands and the town of Thelsamar has become more difficult and dangerous. Though not impoverished, life for most in and around Stonehammer Hall is far more difficult than it used to be.

Per the conclusions of a mining survey in 34 ADP, rich deposits of elementium have been discovered in the clan's territory. This find is first positive impact of the Shattering the Clan Stonehammer has experienced.

### Culture and Religion

Clan Stonehammer is an old clan whose glory days are long over. While their fortunes are greatly diminished from the height of their power, the dwarves of the clan still take great pride in who they are and what they do. Artisans are one group held in high regard. Stonemasons hailing from the clan are still sought after and pewter goods produced by its pewtersmiths is considered to be of fine quality. Another profession looked upon with pride is that of a soldier. As a result of the tumult from the War of the Three Hammers, Clan Stonehammer has provided a proportionately high percentage of soldiers to serve in the king's army. Initially a show fealty to the new Bronzebeard rulers of Ironforge, the practice soon became a tradition for the clan.

Though not a clan historically known for its religiosity, those clan members that do profess a faith almost all follow the teachings of the Church of the Holy Light. Thane Muirdan Stonehammer is the most prominent member of the clan in recent memory to be known for their faith. He was cleric of the Light and was later ordained as a paladin years before becoming thane.

## Family Line

While many in Loch Modan bear the surname Stonehammer and can trace their lineage to a Thane from the clan's past, only a handful of dwarves possess a valid claim to the title of Thane. Per the decree of King Madoran Bronzebeard during the War of the Three Hammers, only those descended from Thane Dwain Stonehammer I are eligible to claim the title of Thane of Clan Stonehammer.

As of 33 ADP, the main bloodline of the clan is extinct. The descendants of Thane Dwain I firstborn child, Dwain II, have met unfortunate ends by disease, war, and treachery. Those that do still live have married into other clans and as such forfeited in claims to the thaneship. With the end of the main bloodline, the title of thane fell to members of the junior bloodline. The descendants of Dwain I's younger son, Baelgun, comprise the imperiled junior line. Much like the main line, war, disease, and treachery have thinned its numbers. This has resulted in the unlikely thaneship of Muirdan Stonehammer. Should Muirdan pass before siring a child, the title of Thane of Clan Stonehammer will default to the crown, potentially ending Clan's long history as political entity.