Gilden

Dwarves are the second most populous race of the known world. Their ancestral homeland is the nation of Gildenhome which they have occupied since before written records and where nearly all Dwarves still reside. Delvers of deep places in ancient times, a great cataclysm which destroyed the Mountainhome drove them to the surface and now they are at best a semi-subterranean species, often carving shallow fortresses into mountains and hillsides, and then using the excavated material to construct above ground commercial and craft centers. Over the centuries following that catastrophe they have expanded to control the large northeastern peninsula of the Mainland.

Master craftsmen, expert bankers, and skilled tradesmen, bands of Dwarves can be found in most any major urban center, often living in (or confined to) ethnic districts. Dwarven goods are accepted as the pinnacle of craft, and are much sought after by the wealthy. Nations rely to one degree or another on Dwarven gold to function and while Dwarven banks are trusted, Dwarven bankers are often seen as shrewd and legalistic. The general Dwarven philosophy is one of resilience, stoicism, and pursuit of personal excellence.

Dwarves have long been a powerful bloc among the leadership of the Alexandrian Church and following the splitting of the church now make up most of the leadership of the Eastern Church. The recent elevation of a young Dwarf as Arch-Warden to succeed another Dwarf seems to indicate they intend to hold on to the position for many years.

Halflings travel across the roads and rivers of Gildenhome much as they do across the Human nations. Boat Halfling families that have been established across decades are often considered more reputable and trustworthy over Road Halfling and Human traders who will rarely be seen again.

Gnomes have a particularly complicated relationship with Dwarves mostly dating to the Gnomish Vassalage and exacerbated more recently by the Gilden-Gnomish War, but prejudices vary from Gnome to Gnome. Many Gnomes and Dwarves are still alive and have memories and grudges from the recent troubles between Hakan and Gildenhome.

Gildenhome allowed slavery of Kobolds and Goblins from the Scar following the Gnomish Vassalage until the end of the Gilden-Gnomish War. Following that conflict and the collapse of much of the Fresian border areas many Dwarven cities and enclaves instead make use of Human indentured servants and short-term contractors to cover non-desirable jobs especially in agriculture. Kobolds, Goblins, Hobgoblins, Orcs, and other Servitor groups within the Scar are still frequently in armed conflict with Dwarves.