Year 1531 A.F.
Continent III — Khar-Durim
Where Oaths Are Forged, Not Spoken
The Continent of Khar-Durim
Khar-Durim was not green.
It was iron, granite, and fire.
Mountain ranges rose like the spines of ancient beasts, their peaks crowned in perpetual snow, their depths glowing with forge-light and molten veins. Entire cities were carved into mountains rather than built upon them. Roads tunneled through stone. Rivers ran beneath the earth.
This was the realm of the Dwarves.
Humans and Goblins lived here as well—but only in the trade cities, clustered near the lower passes where caravans could reach them. Above those levels, the mountains belonged to dwarvenkind alone.
....
Political Structure of Khar-Durim
At the heart of the continent stood the Mountain Empire, unifying the holds through oath and craft rather than conquest.
Beneath it:
2 Dwarven Kingdoms, semi-autonomous but oathbound
2 Forge-Principalities, ruled by Archbishop-Smiths, where faith and metallurgy were one
6+ City-States, each carved into a different mountain, governed by councils of Masters
Titles here did not depend on land.
They depended on craft.
A Baron might control a silver seam three miles deep.
An Earl might oversee five forges producing imperial-grade steel.
A Lord without a forge was no lord at all.
Merchant Houses were not traders alone.
They were banking dynasties—holders of debt, credit, and imperial vaults.
....
The Mountain Throne
Capital: Khaz-Ankor, the Deep Crown
The imperial seat lay deep beneath Mount Ankor, where the Mountain Throne was hewn from a single block of star-iron stone.
Seated upon it was the ruler of all Khar-Durim.
....
The Imperial Family of Khar-Durim
High King-Emperor Borgrin Stonefather IX
Age: 286
Race: Dwarf
Title: Emperor of the Mountain Empire
Craft: Grandmaster Runeforger
Borgrin's beard was braided with runic gold rings, each marking a century of rule. His hands were scarred, thick, and steady—hands that had forged weapons still used by his ancestors' ancestors.
Borgrin Stonefather
"Stone remembers,"
he said, voice like grinding rock.
"And stone does not rush."
....
Empress Hilda Ironvein
Age: 271
Status: Primary Wife
Craft: Master Metallurgist
She stood beside him, broad-shouldered and unyielding, eyes sharp as tempered steel.
Empress Hilda
"But stone cracks under pressure, husband. Humans bring pressure."
....
Imperial Concubines (Alliance-Based, Not Romantic)
Concubine Brynja Goldlock
Age: 243
From the Banking House Goldlock
Represents financial unity
Concubine Thora Deepbrand
Age: 219
From the Forge-Principalities
Represents faith and forge
Concubinage in Khar-Durim was contractual, not indulgent—binding bloodlines to production and loyalty.
....
Imperial Heirs and Children
Crown Prince Durgan Stonefather
Age: 162
Status: Married
Wife: Lady Karla Hammerdeep (Age 154)
Craft: Siege-Engineer & Runecaster
Durgan stood beside a stone table etched with trade routes.
Crown Prince Durgan
"Human marriage alliances shift trade before banners."
Princess Helga Stonefather
Age: 138
Status: Unmarried
Role: Overseer of Merchant Accords
Disposition: Ruthlessly pragmatic
Helga snorted softly.
Princess Helga
"They smile while borrowing gold."
Prince Torvik Stonefather
Age: 119
Status: Single
Role: Commander of Deep Guard
Torvik crossed his arms.
Prince Torvik
"Marriage means roads. Roads mean armies."
Younger Imperial Children
Ages ranging from 94 to 41
Apprenticed as:
Forge Masters
Rune Scholars
Bank Stewards
None were idle.
....
Reaction to the Marriage Proposal
A stone tablet lay on the council table—etched with translated reports from the Human Empire.
The name Lucien Solvanyr was carved deeply.
Empress Hilda tapped the stone.
Empress Hilda
"A crown prince marrying strengthens trade routes."
Princess Helga shook her head.
Princess Helga
"It strengthens debt leverage."
Crown Prince Durgan leaned forward.
Crown Prince Durgan
"And weakens predictability."
Borgrin listened in silence.
Finally, the Emperor spoke.
High King Borgrin Stonefather IX
"Who is the woman?"
A pause.
Princess Helga answered.
Princess Helga
"Lady Aralyn. Court-trained. Observant. No forge ties."
Borgrin's eyes narrowed.
High King Borgrin
"Unowned influence is dangerous."
....
Banking Dynasties React
Deep within Khaz-Ankor, the Goldlock Vault Council convened.
Merchant Lord Ulfric Goldlock
"If the Crown Prince marries wisely, interest rates shift."
Another banker murmured.
Merchant Matron Sigrid Vaultborn
"If unwisely, war follows—and war is profitable."
....
Final Judgment
Borgrin rose from the throne.
High King Borgrin Stonefather IX
"We do not cheer. We do not condemn."
He placed his hand on the stone table.
High King Borgrin
"We prepare."
The council bowed.
....
Closing
Deep in the mountains, forges burned brighter.
Contracts were reviewed.
Credit lines tightened.
While forests watched and courts whispered, Khar-Durim sharpened its tools.
Because when empires married—
Stone counted the cost.