The Mror Holds are known as the homeland of the dwarves. Not only is the Mror Holds one of the few dwarven lands in Khorvaire, but it is estimated that no fewer than 455,000 dwarves live there; many more than any other known location. However, the dwarves aren’t the only inhabitants of the mountainous region. The Mror Holds population consists mostly of twelve clans formed when they were exiled from the deepest domains of the dwarves. There were previously thirteen clans, but Clan Noldrun has since been destroyed in a mysterious cataclysm. Since 106 YK, Clan Kundarak has been House Kundarak and like all dragonmarked houses, has remained neutral and participates in the Iron Council of Clans only as observers, though they still govern their ancestral estates of Kundarakhold.

Brief History

Although little is known about the earliest periods of time, there are several references in Dhakaani dirges of the “stone warriors of the North” and the mere presence of the dwarves in their complex mountain strongholds before humans had come to populate Khorvaire alludes to the fact that the dwarven cities have been around for quite some time.

During the reign of Lord Kordran Mror there was an uprising of a number of warriors in the deep domains of the dwarves. Although it is unclear exactly the cause or the effects of the unrest it was severe enough for Lord Mror to exile twelve of the leaders of the unrest to dwell in the surface areas of the mountains. Upon their banishment magical seals and wards were set in place to prevent the banished leaders from returning to the deep domains and a clan of wardens were sent to ensure the magical wards remained in place until the dwarves had proven they were worthy of the kingdom below. The twelve exiled would become the twelve clanlords. The clanlords spent many years trying to prove their individual worth. It is said that at this time the mighty face of Lord Mror was constructed. Eventually the competition to prove which clan was most worthy of the deep domain lead to infighting amongst the clans drawing out into longstanding feuds.

When the humans first spread out across the reaches of Khorvaire they paid little attention to the feuding dwarven clans in the mountains. However, as time passed it wasn’t long before Karrn ir’Wynarn son of King Galifar I saw the mountains and their riches as a possible boon to the empire. With his father’s permission he set out to raid the dwarven strongholds. Weakened by their own feuding the dwarves fell to Karrn’s forces and were soon subjugated under the Kingdom of Galifar and the lands were added to Karrnath’s territories. However, this was actually a boon to the dwarven population who were now forced to work together under the peace of the king.

Finally having put away their petty squabbling the Kundarak dwarves, the keepers of the Wards protecting the kingdom below, released the magical seals and allowed passage to the kingdom below. Unfortunately, all was not well in the kingdom below. Over the centuries the inhabitants had fought a long war with the daelkyr and had lost. With much of the ancient cities now claimed by the daelkyr the dwarven clan lords set to reclaim the former glory of their people. The dwarven clans were still loyal to the kingdom of Galifar refusing to go back on the word of their ancestors who had sworn fealty to the kingdom.

It was actually The Last War that released the dwarves of the Mror Holds from their duty to Galifar. Since Galifar, the kingdom, no longer existed the dwarven clanlords were released from their pledge and in 914 YK at the first meeting of the Iron Council the dwarf lords declared their independence. This independent nation was later recognized with the Treaty of Thronehold.

Notable People and Organizations
Iron Council
Torlan Mroranon, Arbiter of the Iron Council
The Jhorash’tar

Notable Locations
Krona Peak
Korunda Gate
Goradra Gap
Frostmantle
Fist of Onatar

Back to Khorvaire