Kha-Li-Daz

Kha-Zud-Karn, capital of Kha-Li-Daz

Located in Forestsedge, Kha-Li-Daz is the home nation of the Hill Dwarves, as well as one of the most industrious nations in all of Veiltouria. With its origins built upon the grit and blood of its people, Kha-Li-Daz is a proud nation, whose history and culture are important to them. Founded by former King Thorrik Vok-Kha-Zal, Kha-Li-Daz now sits as one of the founding nations that support the Guardian Council.

## History and Culture

### Stone and Blood

The nation of Kha-Li-Daz can trace its history to the wandering tribes of hill dwarves, who migrated south from The Crown Mountains to more verdant lands. Finding themselves instead trapped between the vampiric nation of Barthum and the ghoul infested wastelands of The Eldritch Citadel, the displaced dwarves were forced into a grueling existence of hardship.

It was from this well of suffering the origins of Kha-Li-Daz itself sprung. Thorrik Vok-Kha-Zal, the nations future founder, was a battleborn child cut from his mothers corpse. He was raised by his father to fear no thing that tread the earth of Veiltouria, and to have only love for his fellow dwarves. Over time, as Thorrik grew and ascended to a position of power, he began to fight back against the forces that oppressed his people. Inch by inch, the borders of Kha-Li-Daz were fought for, and earned with the blood and bodies of the fallen. For decades Thorrik carved out a home for his people and built unassailable fortresses.

In the years that followed, the four great cities of Kha-Li-Daz were built. Huge fortress-cities of iron and stone, they were built as natural barriers, situated on the border lands of Kha-Li-Daz. These cities acted as artificial blockades, allowing the smaller communities and lodges within central Kha-Li-Daz to flourish unimpeded. These four cities are known as:

* Kha-Zud-Karn: The largest city, and seat of the King, Kha-Zud-Karn sits atop a a huge expanse of mines and ore deposits. Rich in wealth and power, Ka-Zud-Karn stands as a staunch reminder of dwarven power.
* Kha-Kara-Dorn: The nations coastal city, Kha-Kara-Dorn is the main defence ghoulish invasion. Constantly facing invasion from The Eldritch Citadel, Kha-Li-Daz's fiercest and most battle tested warriors originate in this city.
* Kha-Vel-Bek: The eastern city, Kha-Vel-Bek is the city of trade and commerce. Flooded with rare goods from the other nations of Forestsedge, all external trade runs through this city. Kha-Vel-Bel also repels the vampires of Barthum, its proximity to the woods of the vampire nation mean tensions are constantly on high during nightfall.
* Kha-Jor-Gin: The southern bastion, Kha-Jor-Gin has in recent years formed a strong bond with the Jotunns of Jotunhall. A colder city, Kha-Jor-Gin is home to many of the nations religious and clerical orders.

### Hill Dwarven Culture

Within the great cities, known as Baz-Kudoom or Strong-Halls as they are called in the common tongue, many old and storied bloodlines of dwarves dwell, each bloodline living within a localized area. As a result, politics and trade can be complex, as families focus on their own interests above all else. Many bloodlines have a history of conflict and outright bloodshed, all held within Ledgers. Ledgers are books that denote each dwarven families relationships and history with other families. Families will often engage in subterfuge and economic warfare against each other, usually employing proxies to do so. As a result, navigating a Strong-Hall as an outside can be incredibly difficult.

Outside of the four Strong-Halls, most dwarves live within Nar-Katerin, or Lodges. Lodges are smaller village like settlements, built into hills and the earth itself. Most lodges owe their allegiances to a Strong-Hall, and pay tithes to their respective lords within. Many of the dwarves seen outside of Kha-Li-Daz are Lodgeborn.

Hill dwarves have a great affinity for stone and earth, and love the nuances that one can find when dealing with the subterranean world below. Above all else, hill dwarves love gemstones, which they view as the most treasured resource imaginable. Used for all manner of purposes, gemstones are the the lynchpin of Kha-Li-Daz.