Khro Ardol

Guild Details
Founded	March 3rd 5457
Symbol	Three crossed hammers
Triumvirate	Ranmur Karaad
	Thoryl Bands
	Kathselle Ithrun

History

During the Guild Wars, the Battle of the Axes completely decimated the clans of Kirkja Karaad (Holy Fire), Amoruk Unrol (Heart Stone) and Khro Ithrun (Iron Sword).

After a long period of negotiation the clans decided to unite under a single banner “Khro Ardol”, or “Iron Blood”. The intention was to unite the dwarvish people, both strengthening them against other enemies and halting any further conflict between them, which would have almost certainly meant the end of all three clans.

The First Triumvirate

The main goals of the first Triumvirate were to rebuild after the Battle of the Axes and establish Gathernotch.

Their plans were often thwarted by splinter groups of dwarves who did not wish to unite under one banner. The pain and loss caused by past violence led them to reject unification. The first Triumvirate responded with force which began the Khro Ardol Civil War.

On April 7th 5534, Kordelda (Kirkja Karaad), Triumvirate, was killed whilst returning to Gathernotch by a group of Khro Ithrun warriors who had refused to fall under the banner of Khro Ardol.

The Second Triumvirate

Daernis, daughter of Kordelda of Kirkja Karaad replaced her mother on the Triumvirate.

The new Triumvirate brought an end to the civil war twelve weeks into their reign, having committed large numbers of forces to wiping out the remaining splinter groups.

With the end of the war, the Triumvirate returned their focus to Gathernotch, building the first brightsteel, copper and electrum mills in Gathernotch.

On August 14th 5512, Dardram of Khro Ithrun died in an industrial accident while inspecting construction of the first bronze mill in Gathernotch. Hot metal from a replication hopper escaped and set two supporting beams alight, causing the entire structure of the building to collapse, and fourteen neighbouring buildings to be lost in the flames.

The Third Triumvirate

Ebnar, son of Dardram of Khro Ithrun replaced his father on the Triumvirate.

After the fire, the Triumvirate introduced a new policy that buildings in Gathernotch must either be built or clad in metal. The concept of the “Hammer and Tongs” was introduced, with “The Hammer” being the industrial district where building requirements are stricter, and “The Tongs”, the residential district, where buildings are only required to have their outsides clad in metal. The Amourk Bridge was also completed during this time.

The Khro Ardol declared war on The Hallowdawn after two Khro Ardol dwarves attempted to break into their Velour headquarters and steal a magical artifact. The dwarves were caught and publicly executed, which enraged the Triumvirate.

Daernis of Kirkja Karaad and Lyesgiel of Amoruk Unrol were both killed in The First Battle of Gathernotch by Hallowdawn spies who had disguised themselves and slipped into the ranks of the Khro Ardol warships.

Ebnar managed to lead the Khro Ardol to victory and forced the Hallowdawn to pay reparations both for the death of the two dwarves in Velour, as well as for Daernis and Lyesgiel.

The Fourth Triumvirate

Misthel of Amoruk Unrol and Baerdren of Kirkja Karaad were elected to the Triumvirate.

Misthel ran on a mantra of “Khro Ardol first”, often appearing publicly with Ebnar of Khro Ithrun during campaign events. Scholars often cite her campaign as one of the key shifts in the culture of Khro Ardol to a more unified society, as opposed to a federation of clans. As the son of Daernis, Baerdren ran a more traditional campaign, presenting themselves as a vote for independence of clan culture, as well as acting as a continuation for the representation of Kirkja Karaad interests on the Triumvirate.

In office Misthel introduced laws that promoted cultural learning and understanding in an attempt to better integrate the different clans that make up the Khro Ardol. Her crowning achievement was the construction of The Grand Library of Gathernotch, which to this day, still contains all of the cultural histories of the clans that make up the Khro Ardol.

Misthel died a martyr on June 6th 5612 after being assassinated in Gathernotch by a Kirkja Karaad dwarf who disagreed with her politics and saw it as a dilution of their clan. After her death, a brightsteel statue of her was installed outside of the The Grand Library.

The Fifth Triumvirate

Armrum replaced Misthel on the Triumvirate and continued her policies of integration.

Almost immediately after the election, the Khro Ardol joined the Fourth Great War of the Guild Wars.

During The Second Battle of Gathernotch, Ebnar was struck with a ballistae bolt while on the front line. He died a hero, having served Gathernotch in both of its great battles. A statue was erected outside of the Grand Library next to Misthel’s in his honour.

The Sixth Triumvirate

Kathselle was elected as a replacement for Ebnar. She was another milestone as the first member of the Triumvirate to have been born into the clan of Khro Ardol. Her ancestry was still Khro Ithrun, however she would set a precedent that would continue with future Triumvirates of breaking away from the clans of old.

The sixth Triumvirate oversaw the end of the Fourth Great War and introduced a radical expansion of Gathernotch, building over 65% of the buildings that remain today.

Armrum died on April 5th 5695 after being poisoned with mercury at dinner. The culprit was never caught.

The Seventh Triumvirate

Thoryl Bands replaced Armrum on the Triumvirate. Thoryl was born into the Khro Ardol, and they do not have ancestry from any of the three original clans that formed the Khro Ardol. There were some complaints from elder Amoruk Unrol over the appointment but in general the arrangement represented another step forward in the unification of the clan.

The Seventh Triumvirate ruled over Khro Ardol during the Last Great War of the Guild Wars. Gathernotch saw the bloodiest fighting it had ever seen since it’s creation during The Third Battle of Gathernotch.

After the end of the war, Khro Ardol were instrumental in the formation of The Federation, acting as an example for other guilds, showing how long lasting peace could be achieved through unity.

Baerdren died on October 19th 5782 at the age of 347. His reign was the longest of any member of the Triumvirate at the time.

The Eighth Triumvirate

Ranmur Karaad son of Baerdren was elected in a fiercely competitive election.

As the period of peace grew longer, Gathernotch transformed itself into the metallurgy hub of the Seam, rapidly expanding the number of factories in The Hammer from fourteen to over seventy.

Culture

Post war, Khro Ardol is a multi-clan society. Khro Ardol members often practice the traditions of the clans of their ancestors as well as traditions unique to Khro Ardol that have developed since it’s founding.

Dwarves who join the Khro Ardol from other clans typically keep their old clan names. Similarly dwarves who have been around since the original merge of the three clans also keep their old clan names (eg. Kordelda of Kirkja Karaad).

Dwarves born into the clan are named of the Khro Ardol, however many are encouraged to either take their clan name as a surname, or develop a family surname. Often family surnames are chosen based on an occupation, such as “Band” or “Roller” for those dwarves that work on the conveyor belts in the metal factories.

Creed

Any dwarf is welcomed to join the Khro Ardol, as long as they agree to live by the creed. There have also been non-dwarf members that have been fostered by the clan as a reward for greater contributions made to the clan. Fostered members have full voting rights and can be buried alongside the dead of other clan members. The only difference is that they cannot be elected to the Triumvirate.

The creed is as follows (translated):

I will protect the clan with Iron.
I will protect the clan with Blood.
I will serve no other, nor allow another to break service.
Your blood is mine, is yours, is Iron.

Politics

Khro Ardol is ruled by a Triumvirate, whom are elected for life by the Clan. The first Triumvirate was made up of the leaders of the Kirkja Karaad, Amoruk Unrol and Khro Ithrun clans. However, there is no requirement for newly elected members to continue along the same clan ancestry.

Triumvirate				Reign Start	Reign End
1	Kordelda / Kirkja Karaad	Lyesgiel / Amoruk Unrol	Dardram / Khro Ithrun	March 3rd 5457	April 7th 5478
2	Daernis / Kirkja Karaad	Lyesgiel / Amoruk Unrol	Dardram / Khro Ithrun	May 23rd 5478	August 14th 5512
3	Daernis / Kirkja Karaad	Lyesgiel / Amoruk Unrol	Ebnar / Khro Ithrun	September 1st 5512	January 18th 5587
4	Baerdren / Kirkja Karaad	Misthel / Amoruk Unrol	Ebnar / Khro Ithrun	February 25th 5587	June 6th 5612
5	Baerdren / Kirkja Karaad	Armrum Amoruk / Amoruk Unrol	Ebnar / Khro Ithrun	July 12th 5612	November 30th 5654
6	Baerdren / Kirkja Karaad	Armrum Amoruk / Amoruk Unrol	Kathselle Ithrun / Khro Ardol	December 21st 5654	April 5th 5695
7	Baerdren / Kirkja Karaad	Thoryl Bands / Khro Ardol	Kathselle Ithrun / Khro Ardol	April 29th 5695	October 19th 5782
8	Ranmur Karaad / Khro Ardol	Thoryl Bands / Khro Ardol	Kathselle Ithrun / Khro Ardol	November 3rd 5782	Present