Skullcleavers
The Skullcleaver brigade is a dwarven guild with a long history of aiding their fellow dwarves and their allies in the valley.
After much discussion and consideration over many months, they sought and earnt the right to give their allegiance to Eriak Bristlebeard, and now answer to Whurest.
They have never been mercenaries, though their aid has often been requested to assist Sundren and other groups.
Membership is open to all dwarves of solid character. On joining, all members are issued with armor, weapon, helm and either a shield or additional weapon, depending on fighting style.
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.
Recent Activities and Current Goals
Glyir sought an audience with Eriak to discuss matters of common interest. An alliance was offered should the Skullcleavers answer Whurest's call to aid them. This call was sent, in response to the Cold Climb becoming overrun with creatures of the wilds. Skullcleavers with allies from the Exigo and Blackwood ventured north and cleared the pass, defeating the Illithid and Beholder servants of a shadowy being in service of an unknown Power. As promised, Whurest offered an alliance. After long hours spent in council, the answer to this offer had already been decided. Glyir asked on behalf of the Skullcleavers for them to join Whurest.
This was accepted. The Skullcleavers are now considered part of the Bristlebeard clan, with the rights and responsibilities that entails.
Relations and Past Activities
Whurest
Nestled among the peaks of the Spine of the World to the north live the dwarves of Whurest (Bristlebeard's Hollow).
None were more pleased than the Skullcleavers to hear of the opening of the Cold Climb pass, and they have made the long trek to the north many times.
The Exigo are close trading partners with Whurest. The Skullcleavers recently helped collect resources for Exigo towards building a proper trade road through the Viridale to Whurest. This road would have aided their northern kin greatly, but this decision was also driven by a desire to not see the Thayan Enclave succeed in their competing road-building efforts.
Whurest is said to have very productive mines, and Eriak has stated to Glyir that they are self-sufficient and secure. They are dependent upon the difficult and highly-contested Cold Climb pass for trade, which they value.
Glyir sought an audience with Eriak to discuss matters of common interest. An alliance was offered should the Skullcleavers answer Whurest's call to aid them. This call was sent, in response to the Cold Climb becoming overrun with creatures of the wilds. Skullcleavers with allies from the Exigo and Blackwood ventured north and cleared the pass, defeating the Illithid and Beholder servants of a shadowy being in service of an unknown Power. As promised, Whurest offered an alliance. After long hours spent in council, the answer to this offer had already been decided. Glyir asked on behalf of the Skullcleavers for them to join Whurest.
This was accepted. The Skullcleavers are now considered part of the Bristlebeard clan, with the rights and responsibilities that entails.
Exigo Syndicate
Whurest considers the Exigo Syndicate an ally and valued trade partner.
The Exigo is known for it's skilled crafters, and there are at least several dwarves among their number. Skullcleavers have co-operated with Exigo endeavours on several occasions, and some trade-minded members have had closer associations with the Exigo Syndicate in the past even prior to the Skullcleavers joining Whurest.
The Skullcleavers as a whole have tried to stay out of the Exigo-Warden conflicts. However, should Eriak and the Iron Hand or Moradin decide Whurest shall march with Exigo into the Viridale, the Skullcleavers shall obey.
The Skullcleaver members vary in origin and outlook. The brigade as a whole once chose not to seek a formal alliance with the Exigo Syndicate when this was considered in the past. This decision was driven by dwarven traditions plus loyalty to their druidic kin.
Sestra and the Corps de Grace
They have always been close to the Sestra militia, formerly known as the Corsairs, and now known as the Corps de Grace. This was a relationship tempered in the grim struggle against the Naga and Yuan-ti one year ago. This was a time when the Legion was stretched thin, and Sestra looked to it's own for protection. The Skullcleavers aided in battle, and after the struggle aided with equipment, training and patrols of Sestra.
The Skullcleavers gave a sizable portion of their holdings of coin, metal, wood, and crafting supplies to the Corsairs to aid in the rebuilding and re-arming of Sestra. In addition to this a suit of fine Darksteel armor, magical gloves and circlet were given to the Captain as a show of good will and respect for his position. The Corsairs were speechless at the act of kindness and stated that the Skullcleavers' kindness to Sestra would not be soon forgotten.
In more recent times Sestra has typically sought to hold off and not unduly provoke the Slitherscale Lizardmen residing in the Sestra Caves. On one occasion a Skullcleaver mission into the caves to investigate magical crystals led to the commonfolk fearing retribution. To help allay such concerns, the Skullcleavers conducted additional patrols of the town and met with the Corsairs' leaders to discuss their findings. link
Thane Dryn Stonewhisperer has approached the Exarch of Sestra suggesting that the Skullcleavers be given control of the Sestran mine, currently run by the Enclave, but was rebuffed.
With the recent rise of Banite/Myrkulite forces in the Necropolis, and the fall of Mirakus Post, the Skullcleavers re-affirmed their commitment to aid Sestra's defence, and in return they have been granted use of the Corps de Grace barracks. It remains to be seen how long the Corps de Grace's ale stocks can hold out.
The Skullcleavers aided Sestra with training from Brunus and Glyir supervised the preparation of hasty defenceworks. 50 ingots of iron were donated from the Skullcleavers' stocks to Sestra to aid their preparations. Broran provided work on manually triggered rockfalls to aid in the defence of Sestra.
Sundarian Legion and Arbiter's Alliance
The Skullcleavers have typically enjoyed good long-term relations with the Sundarian Legion and Arbiter's Alliance. Legion and Skullcleaver membership are mutually incompatible, but there has been a great deal of co-operation. Dwarven mages have often chosen to join both the Hands of Mundus and the Skullcleavers.
There have been rumors of strain between the Skullcleavers and senior members of the Legion of late, related to the treaty signed between the Skullcleavers and the Veritas. This is not common knowledge.
In the aftermath of the signing, the dwarven mage and Hand of Mundus Abathor Deepbender spent some time in a Legion prison designed to hold mages. Also, at least one senior member of the Legion has recently demanded that adamantine be made available to them. It remains to be seen what else may come of this.
Wardens of the Vale
The Skullcleavers try not to involve themselves in Exigo-Warden conflict, but should Exigo decide to go once more into the Viridale forest, and should Whurest decide to march with them, the Skullcleavers shall march.
Over the years the Skullcleavers have had a number of members who were both druids and members of the Wardens of the Vale. This may cause very difficult situations should Exigo once more attempt to exploit the resources of the Viridale.
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 between Skullcleavers and individual Wardens has always been possible, and the wise dwarf keeps a wary eye out for trouble when venturing into the Viridale.
Glyir's stated position on the Wardens of the Vale is "Never fight an elf in a forest".
Veritas Syndicate
The Skullcleavers have led many assaults on Mount Schild in the past. However, following negotiations led by Thane Dryn Stonewhisperer and his kin Gromlin Onxylum of the Veritas, a treaty has been concluded between the two groups, allowing the Skullcleavers free access to the adamantine deposits in Veritas territory. The existence of this treaty is not common knowledge.
Predictably, the Sundren leadership and Legion were most displeased when they heard of it.
There have been rumors among the dwarven community and from the Four Lanterns Inn that the Skullcleavers and the Veritas came to the very brink of a war that could only see a gruesome and violent outcome. The exact nature of events and their current relationship, if any, is not common knowledge.
Thayan Enclave
The Skullcleavers are hostile towards the Thayan Enclave. There have been no confirmed episodes of open conflict, but there have been rumors of dwarven miners being "accidentally" injured in the Zinc mine in the past.
The Black Hand
Scarcely over one year ago members of the Black Hand ambushed three members of the Skullcleavers in the Caves of the Viridale and cut off their beards in the name of Bane. For as long as a Skullcleaver draws breath such deeds shall never be forgotten, for the memory of dwarves is long, and their axes sharp. link
With the recent rise of Banite/Myrkulite forces in the Necropolis, and the fall of Mirakus Post, the Skullcleavers have made preparations to face this threat more directly. A recent raid by four Skullcleavers on Mirakus Post was defeated by undead forces led by Clive. They may not have recognised him in their desperate fighting retreat.
The Remaining Forces of Darkness
Relations between the Skullcleavers and the other 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. The mage Harg 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
"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."
Glyir Belindorn serves as Steward of the brigade. They are now sworn to clan Bristlebeard of Whurest under Thane Eriak. Glyir has set aside the mantle of Thane, as there can be only one Thane.
and before him (in descending order):
Dryn Stonewhisperer, Gloirin Ironforge, Kilinar Klenk, Brorgor Ironfist, Boflasia Glimmerstone, Glagnur Frostfury, and the founder Gael Ironhide
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."
Roll of Honor
The records are incomplete, as much was lost in the grim struggle against the Naga. The following dwarves are known to have served with the Skullcleavers, either currently or formerly:
Abathor Depthbender
Aerum Warhammer
Albert Steelaxe
Boflasia Glimmerstone - Thane
Brogor Ironfist - Thane
Broran Blackhammer
Brunus Ironbreaker - Stonewarden, Orcsbane
Bulinus Stonehammer
Deli Wakenk
Dergil Stoneswill - Ogresbane
Dimitri Darkforge
Dordleton Grumblestout
Dryn Stonewhisperer - Thane
Durlig Orcslinger
Durin Rustbeard of Mithral Hall/Adbar - Second Axe of the Captain's Iron Wall
Durin Stonebreaker
Ebannon Shalemalus
Fenbarr Galedeep
Folina Nixiestone
Gael Ironhide - Founder
Glagnar Frostfury - Thane
Glaran Orcsbane of Adbar
Glebur Scarletrock
Gloirin Ironforge - Captain
Glyir Belindorn - Thane
Gorgrim Ironstar - Ogresbane, Orcsbane
Helga Agleh
Jazpyr Silver-Anvil of Mithral Hall
Kagan Whiteaxe
Kilinar Klenk of Mirabar/Silverymoon - Steward and re-Founder
Klausus Stonesoul of the Vast - Mossclaw Hacker
Krak Ironshield
Lagnar Thundercrest - Mossclaw Hacker, Ogresbane
Logan Stoutshield
Noli Stonehammer
Obanon Granforge
Ordin Nurduum
Orlin Foehammer
Oskar Silverbeard
Pebble Axewhistle - Ogresbane
Peeli Pebblepounder - Mossclaw Hacker
Raggard Haffee
Ruby Ironforge - Ogrebane
Semli Thunderin
Thain Axbreaker - First Axe of the Captain's Iron Wall
The Skullcleavers are always eager to hear word of the fate of their brothers and sisters, and it is hoped that this list may be made complete.