Skullcleavers
The Skullcleavers are a dwarven guild with a long history of aiding their fellow dwarves and their allies in the valley.
They are not mercenaries, though their aid can be requested to assist Sundren or any other group. They make regular patrols of Sestra and the Viridale Forest and have eventual plans to set up a post somewhere around Sundren.
Purpose
To responsibly and reliably provide kin within the Sundered Valley with banner, shelter, arms, and armor. In doing so, provide our fellows within the Sundered Valley with aid and protection, and Sundren's artisans of magick, cloth, gem, wood, and stone a network on which to rely.
Activities
The Skullcleavers were active in the fight against the Lizardmen in Sestra. Afterwards they made efforts to resupply the local militia, then known as the Corsairs, and have conducted numerous patrols of the town.
They make regular patrols of Sestra and the Viridale Forest and have eventual plans to set up a outpost somewhere around Sundren.
Relations
Sundarian Legion and Arbiter's Alliance
The Skullcleavers have typically enjoyed good long-term relations with the Sundarian Legion and Arbiter's Alliance. There have been rumors of strain between the Skullcleavers and senior members of the Legion of late, for reasons that are not widely known by others.
They have always been particularly close with the Sestra militia, now known as the Corps de Grace. This is a very suitable choice for a Skullcleaver PC wishing to establish membership in another faction.
Wardens of the Vale
The Skullcleavers have a couple of members who are both druids and members of the Wardens of the Vale. The Skullcleaver dwarves vary in both origin and outlook, but due to this influence the Guild as a whole has historically been relatively sympathetic towards the views of the druids. Conflict does still occur between individual members of both groups though, and the wise dwarf keeps a wary eye out for trouble when venturing into the Viridale.
Thayan Enclave
The Skullcleavers are hostile towards the Thayan Enclave. The Thane has approached the Exarch of Sestra suggesting the Skullcleavers be given control of the Thayan-run mine there, but was rebuffed. There have been no confirmed episodes of open conflict, but there have been recent rumors of dwarven miners being "accidentally" injured in the Zinc mine.
Exigo Syndicate
The Exigo Syndicate seek to exploit the resources of the Viridale forest on a large scale. The Skullcleavers are on the whole traditional and oppose taking "beyond their measure" of the earth's bounty. This plus loyalty to their druidic kin has prevented close association with the Exigo Syndicate, though they are by no means hostile towards them. The Exigo are close trading partners with the dwarves of Whurest to the north, and this may yet cause difficult decisions to have to be made by the Skullcleavers. One rare recent episode of assistance was collecting resources in aid of Exigo's plan to construct a trade road to Whurest, nestled in the Spine of the World. But this was driven largely by a desire to oppose the other main contender for this prize, the Enclave.
The Forces of Darkness
Relations between the Skullcleavers and the many factions hostile to Sundren are typically of the "Kill them on sight" variety.
History
The Skullcleavers were originally a band of Dwarves rallied together by the Dwarf known as Gael Ironhide. Ironhide formed the Brigade as a homage to his days at Citadel Felbarr and the many patrols of the orc-claimed lands surrounding the citadel. Upon the loss of too many of his patrols Emerus Warcrown ordered for the patrols of the outer lands to stop and Gael was reassigned to the halls of the citadel, where he grew tired of his duties and longed for the thrill of battle. Upon arriving in Sundren he formed the group consisting of possibly eight dwarves (none of which were openly recorded).
The group formed on several occasions and lead many successful patrols of the Viridale Forest and Sharahan Hills. Some time after the group's formation the bands leader disappeared (believed dead) and thus the keystone of the Skullcleavers was removed. The dwarves once again took their seperate paths.
Eventually the cup of the Skullcleavers was taken up by a Dwarf known as Glagnur Frostfury. He managed to gather a few of the dwarves for a short time before he too dropped the cup. The next attempt to rally dwarves was from a female dwarf by the name of Boflasia Glimmerstone, who offered her services as a healer to any dwarf in need.
Finally after many failed attempts it seems that it was a human that reignighted the flames of the Skullcleavers. Master Pentec, friend of Brorgor Ironfist offered to his friend to fund and aid in the assembly of the dwarves to the only known dwarven banner in Sundren, The Skullcleavers. He paid to have the armors and arms for ten dwarves commissioned and made to match. This original pattern was a dark armor with spiked pauldrons. It bore an Insignia on the center of each set of Platemail. The Skullcleavers' armor is as much to give the dwarves that wear it pride as it is to strike fear into who would oppose them.
Governance
(Excerpt from the 'Foundations of Stone')
"Skullcleavers shall be governed by a selected body of seven wardens presided over by a single thane. Wardens shall be elected from, and by, the body of the Skullcleavers and given dominion over seven areas: arcanum, spirit, nature, order, battle, munitions and acquisitions, and craft-works. By the will of this council, and its thane, the Skullcleavers shall be guided in their inner and outer workings."
"During times of particular urgency the Warden Council may elect to temporarily surrender their governing power to the currently appointed thane. In doing so, all governance and direction will be set forth by the thane. It shall be the Warden of Order's duty to enforce that after such a period of urgency has passed that dominion be restored to Warden Council."
Thane
Currently Dryn Stonewhisperer serves as Thane
"Appointed by the Warden Council, the thane occupies the highest post within the Skullcleavers. It is the explicit role of the thane to preside over the Warden Council and ensure that the council not only performs its duties, but that it does so to the safekeeping and best interest of the Skullcleavers. Votes cast by the thane during gatherings of the Warden Council shall carry double the weight of any single council member."
"The role of Thane shall be carried out by the appointed until they can no longer perform their role or the council deems the current thane has, or is, failing to perform their elected duty."
Warden Council
"Wardens within the council are granted dominion, by the body of the cleavers, over areas of clan interest. All votes cast by wardens of the council council shall carry the same weight."