02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

348 Iron Kingdoms
108.1.141.197
families. Clan lords are given respect and deference
proportionate with the size, prosperity, and honor of
their clan. The most powerful of the clan lords are
known as the Stone Lords, and they form the ultimate
authority in Rhul. They are responsible for the defense
and prosperity of the dwarven people and handle all
interactions with foreign ambassadors and sovereigns.
Their unbroken tradition as paladins has prevented
corruption and maintained the continuity of Rhul.
Not all Stone Lords are equally talented, intelligent, or
suited to their position, yet each is descended directly
from one of the Great Fathers and proven worthy
by the edicts of the Church of the Fathers. It is well
known that the Stone Lords are blessed with longer
lives than most dwarves, and they outlast their peers
sometimes by decades.
Each of the original clans has traditional
responsibilities passed down by their progenitors.
In cases where these tasks are ill-suited to the
paladin code, subordinates are appointed among
close relatives. Appointees must obey the orders of
their Stone Lord, but they often enjoy considerable
personal discretion.
The authority of clan lords over their families is
absolute, but they must obey the laws of the Codex and
heed the commands of the Moot and the Stone Lords.
Clan lords may declare feuds with one another over a
variety of disputes and can lawfully engage in battle to
resolve these problems. Clan lords are allowed to name
their successors from among their kin but traditionally
pass the title to the eldest male offspring.
Clan lords are advised by master builders, martial
champions, and priests. Master builder is a special rank
given to a highly educated and skilled dwarf, often the
eldest and wisest of the clan, who helps plan long term
strategies. They are responsible for ensuring the clan
is involved in ongoing building projects. Dwarves treat
the construction of buildings as a sacred covenant and
are allowed to fight over building rights and disputed
land claims. Champions trusted to execute the plans of
their lords are veteran campaigners who have fought
in many duels or feuds.
Throughout Rhulic history, strong clan lords have
banded together to share leadership over lesser clans.
A council of the most prestigious local lords presides
over the counties and most towns and cities in Rhul.
The most important collection of clan lords is the
Moot of the Hundred Houses in Ghord.
The Moot is Rhul’s central legislative and judicial
body and meets frequently to discuss the concerns of
the kingdom. Only the top hundred most powerful
clans can send speakers to attend. Membership
changes periodically as clan fortunes rise or fall,
but most of the top clans have held their status for
centuries. Moot judges are special experts appointed
by the Stone Lords. These are well-educated wizards,
priests, or scholars who spend their working lives
studying the Codex, a single body of lore containing
all legal precedents in Rhul’s written history. Moot
Judges have jurisdiction over entire clans and can
pass judgment on clan lords. The core of the Codex
is both a sacred and secular document called the
“Edicts of the Great Fathers.” The priests of the Great
Fathers are respected as arbiters of dwarven honor and
jurisprudence. The thirteen members of the Tribune,
the highest-ranking priests, are frequently consulted
in matters of state.
Most of the bureaucracy of running Rhul
including creating and interpreting laws and solving
inter-clan disputes is left to the Moot. The Moot is
only subordinate to the thirteen Stone Lords. The
Stone Lords are able to make the final call on issues
where the Moot is divided and are trusted with
ensuring the ongoing safety of Rhul and its relations
with foreign powers.
Most Rhulic ogrun are full members of dwarven
clans and are thus subordinate to a clan lord whom
they consider a korune. In some purely ogrun
communities, one or several ogrun korune will speak
for their vassals. All ogrun communities in Rhul have
at least some ties of loyalty or friendship to nearby
dwarven clans.
Rhulic Hierarchy
table 8–1: RhuliC hieRaRChy
Title By Definition
Stone Lord
Clan lord descended
directly from the
Great Fathers
# in
Kingdom
13