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johnnyko
2007-03-21, 06:38 PM
Background:

Clan Hearthkeeper was small, but proud. These dwarves valued their solitude, preferring mining and crafts to the more "traditional" dwarven mercenary role. The clan was divided among three clanholds in the Swatchil Mountains. The Downcopper Mines, the largest, was a source of iron, copper, silver, and gold, as well as the home of the clan's greatest smiths and forges. Redwall Keep, the clan's trading post, was located near excellent quarries, and was Hearthkeeper's only above ground fortress. The only entrance to Firetender Hall, the final Hearthkeeper clanhold, was through a series of natural caverns high in the mountains. Firetender Hall was home to the ruling elders of Clan Hearthkeeper, dwarves who were well past child bearing age and were deemed wise enough to lead the clan were sent to join the Firetender Council.

In 494 AL Redwall Keep and the Downcopper Mines were attacked by the Feldarin military. Thugh many Feldarin were slain, there were no dwarven survivors. No dwarf knows the reasoning behind these attacks. It may be that some Feldarin noble was angered by the clan's refusal to serve as mercenary warriors, or was jealous of clan's bountiful mines. Perhaps the orders came from a general whose brain was clouded by the Weeping, seeing enemies where they were none. Whatever the reason, only the oldest of Clan Hearthkeeper lived on. Firetender Hall was dark with mourning. It seemed the clan was doomed to die.

Early in 499 AL, five years after the destruction of the two clanholds, Ferrik Smallforge, the greatest surviving Hearthkeeper smith, had a vision. Aulay, the dwarven aspect of the god of War, appeared to him in the fires of his forge, telling him that it was not yet time for the clan to die. "Avenge death by taking life," he said. "Keep to your hearths no longer." That summer, villages near the Swatchil Mountains were raided and burned. The few survivors reported being attacked by a small band of ancient dwarves, fighting as if possessed. By the winter, the renamed Clan Emptyhearth had stopped leaving survivors.

That winter, the clan began rebuilding its numbers. The raiders began taking infants from the towns they raided, only children too young to walk or speak. Children who were hardy enough to survive the journey back to Firetender Hall, nursed on pony or goat's milk, were raised as dwarves. These children are known as the Ben-Na-Var, or "Life from Death," and are believed to be dwarven souls in Feldarin bodies.

Clan Emptyhearth Today:

Since the appearance of Aulay fifteen years ago, no Emptyhearth dwarf has died of old age, and few have died in battle. Many of the clan's warriors are no longer showing their age, able to fight as if they were a century younger. This is believed to be a sign of the gods' favor of their. There are no more than one hundred living Emptyhearth dwarves, and perhaps 60 Ben-Na-Var ranging in age from infancy to fifteen. The oldest of the Ben-Na-Var have begun accompanying their dwaven elders on raids.

The Feldarin empire as a whole is largely unaware of Clan Emptyhearth's existence. Without survivors, the raids are blamed on the "standard" bandits and outlaws that are prevelant throughout the nation after the Plague, and even five years after the Weeping, an empty village is not a rare sight. Rebels, insurgents, and opponents to the Empire have begun hearing rumors of a dwarf clan which fights the Feldarin without a fee, and may propose an alliance.

Clan Emptyhearth's Future:

As the Clan rebuilds its numbers, the focus of its attacks may switch from towns to the military, especially as the Ben-Na-Var begin reaching childbearing age, and kidnappings are no longer necessary to sustain the population. The numbers of Ben-Na-Var are swelling, and they will soon start playing an important role in the politics of the clan. It is possible they will put an end on the raids to their former people, though this currently seems unlikely -- Ben-Na-Var think of themselves as dwarves, not Feldarin. If the clan does begin attacking the Feldarin army, retaliation is likely, as is an alliance with similar-minded insurgent groups.

johnnyko
2007-03-21, 06:39 PM
Dramatic Personae (outline)

Fenrik Smallforge (Expert/Fighter/Paladin, LN)

Fenrik Smallforge was a smith of no small talent before Aulay revealed Himself to him. Now, he leads the growing war parties of Clan Emptyhearth. He firmly believes that the vengeance the clan seeks is just, and that the Ben Na Var are the future of his people.

johnnyko
2007-03-21, 06:40 PM
Placeholder for PrC: Ben Na Var

Prestige Class: Ben-Na-Var Warrior

The Ben-Na-Var are the future of Clan Emptyhearth, kidnapped Feldarin raised as Dwarven warriors. They think of themselves as dwarves, and hold no love for their former Feldarin brethren. Ben-Na-Var Warriors accompany their elders on raids, killing Feldarin adults without mercy and bringing their children home to be raised among them. They are vicious fighters who leave no survivors.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements:
Race: Feldarin
Alignment: Any nongood
BAB: +4
Skills: Craft: (weaponsmithing, armormaking, blacksmithing, bowmaking, or similar military applicable skill) + 6
Language: Dwarven
Feats: Endurance, Toughness, Die-hard
Special: The character must have been raised by the Clan Emptyhearth dwarves, and must have participated in at least three raids on the Feldarin

{table=head]Level|BAB|Ref Save|Fort Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+1
|
+2
|
+0
|
+2
|
Dwarven Weapon Familiarity, Beard Blessing


2nd
|
+2
|
+3
|
+0
|
+3
|
Dwarven Weapon Focus



3rd
|
+3
|
+3
|
+1
|
+3
|
Blahblahblah, bonus fighter feat


4th
|
+4
|
+4
|
+1
|
+4
|
Blahblahblah



5th
|
+5
|
+5
|
+1
|
+5
|
Blahblahblah, Dwarven Formation bonus
[/table]

johnnyko
2007-03-21, 06:40 PM
Placeholder for plot hooks

johnnyko
2007-03-21, 06:41 PM
Placeholder for anything i forgot