Dwarven History: A History of Shanatar

[MShady]

Hello,

While I'm not one to really share my writings, I thought I would post this as I'll be including the history on a new website I am working on: www.dwarfhome.com. With luck, it will be the most comprehensize site for dwarves in the Forgotten Realms.

While this piece is a history that involves Clan Jilker, they are collectively a "point of view" faction in this tour of dwarven history. Unlike alot of Elven history, I always felt dwarven history was incredibly vague and wanted to fill in the gaps. Where there were huge holes, I try to make sense and fit in my own pieces. It's not canon per se, but I've tried to stay as close to all the canon that I can find. The biggest hole was that of the Great Crusade itself and the fall of Shanatar. What would prompt such a massive social movement? There must have been a good reason and I take a stab at it here. The same for Shanatar itself. What were the consequences of two of the eight sub kindgoms following Diirinka and Diinkarazan, whoses followers become the Derro and infamous Mad Beards? You'll see the origins of many Clans, including that of Battlehammer and Ironstar, to an extent.

I hope you enjoy it and any feedback is greatly appreciated. I will be posting it by the section over the next few weeks...

[MShady]

Bhaerynden and the Rise of the Shanats

The history of Shanatar begins with the launching of the Great Crusade in -11,000 DR by Taark Shanat. Shanat was part of Bhaerynden, a vast multi-clan empire founded in -14000 DR under the Shaar and the first organized dwarven civilization. It sat in the center of a larger region simply known as Great Bhaerynden. Taark Shanat was from a minor noble family and a Paladin of Moradin, a rare choice in Bhaerynden where religion had only modest influence with the dwarves. After a particularly vicious battle against an orc horde, the young dwarf lay mortally wounded while defending Thuulurn. He offered a fervent prayer to Moradin asking for salvation so he could continue his service. Moradin had taken a personal interest in the battle and Taark’s wounds were miraculously healed. Considered favored by Moradin, Taark became a respected leader in Bhaerynden. The Great Thane of Bhaerynden, the closest thing to a leader there, saw to it that the Shanat family’s status and wealth was greatly improved. His brother Barak, also a very pious dwarf, progressed rapidly within Moradin’s clergy as well, although they had a reputation for corruption and more temporal than theological concerns.

Several years later, Taark started to receive a series of visions and signs from Moradin. He retired to Thuulurn, a monastic city dedicated to Moradin and the center of all dwarven religion. The visions told Taark to lead a great migration westward from Bhaerynden to spread the dwarven race across Faerun. Moradin also foretold that one day Bhaerynden would be torn asunder because of the moral and religious decay of its inhabitants. Moradin commanded Taark to lead an army against the powerful Cloaker kingdoms to the west and found a new dwarven civilization there. The dwarven pantheon had long been in conflict with the Cloaker’s alien God. Breaking the power of the Cloakers, who controlled many of the hospitable caverns, was an imperative if the dwarves were ever to expand. Taark Shanat’s visions, recorded by Thuulurn’s priests would form some of the first true holy texts based on Moradin’s will.
Taark and his brother preached about Moradin’s Crusade to all dwarves who would listen. They called for all faithful dwarves to join them on their holy mission to a new promised land. Actual signs given by Moradin during some of these preaching only reinforced the Shanat message. Taark Shanat’s recognition as the Chosen of Moradin would give his message ultimate credibility. Nonetheless, dwarves are stubborn and resistant to changes and it would take over a decade to launch the Crusade.

The nobles, clergy and merchants of Bhaerynden reluctantly embraced this call for a Crusade, but only to relieve the growing population pressure. Much of the wealth and skilled trades had been concentrated in the hands of the nobility, exclusive trade guilds and a few merchant families. The rest of the population was treated as peasants in feudal Bhaerynden. They lived as chattel to the nobility and were barely educated, existing only to live and die in the dangerous mines, manual labor and serving in conscript armies as fodder. The sheer number of dwarves available exceeded the ability to work for them all. This made them a great burden on Bhaerynden’s food and water supplies and labor so readily available, all of the peasants were treated cruelly and barely paid. Loyalty was commanded by tradition and force of arms. If Taark Shanat wanted to relieve Bhaerynden of its burden by throwing barely trained conscripts at the greatest power in the Underdark, he had the Thanes support. It was cheaper to give the Shanats the money they asked for than support feed the surplus population. Taark shrewdly accepted the support, even if he was considered a pious fool trying to lead a death march.

Taark and Barak would soon marry prominent, likeminded, priestesses of Berronar. The Shanats now began preaching against the inequities the majority of Bhaerynden’s dwarves lived. All who followed them to the west would have a new beginning and be treated not as peasants, but part of his extended family. The Shanat message was the beginning of the Clan system as not just a familial arrangement but a governing system. This was a very attractive proposal to the dwarven peasantry. It was both a promise of better treatment, but also of a share of the Clan’s wealth that they helped create, even if they still lived under a monarchy. Berronar’s clergy, long displeased with conditions for most families in Bhaerynden. They supported the Shanat message but instead of trying to rally a Crusade, they demanded Bhaerynden adopt a similar system. In practical terms, this required replacing the existing nobles.

Bhaerynden’s rulers were deeply suspicious of the Shanat’s now, worried they would launch their Crusade against the ruling Thanes instead. Unable to move directly against them, they simply hoped the Crusade would leave soon and offered increased financial support they would do though soon. Taark Shanat, realizing he still had more of a mob than an army, declined. Until he was ready to leave, he would push for change in Bhaerynden. Indeed, a plot by a group of Crusaders and clerics of Berronar to overthrow Bhaerynden’s ruling thanes was discovered. These greatly exacerbated tensions, especially as the plot was led by Barak Shanat’s wife Outia Shanat who intended to install her husband as Emperor of Bhaerynden, although without his apparent knowledge. Both Shanats were furious about the plot and quickly disavowed any knowledge of it.

[MShady]

The Call of the Crusade

This plot finally caused a schism within the Church of Moradin in Thuulurn, splitting it between Crusaders and Traditionalists factions. Barak Shanat would serve as the High Sonnlinor of the Crusader faction of the Church of Moradin, claiming Thuulurn and driving out the Traditionalists who supported the nobility. With the increased tensions after the coup plot and subsequent schism, the ruling thanes chose not to execute or imprison the conspirators, including Barak Shanat’s wife, for fear of starting a war. While the other conspirators were released, Outia Shanat was kept as a hostage to ensure the Crusader’s good conduct until such time they departed. This did not stop other plots by the increasingly populous Church of Berronar, but none would approach the scale of the first plot.

While the Shanat message caused throngs of new followers to join the Crusade, relatively few had basic military training or a skilled trade. To entice skilled soldiers and tradesman to join their Crusade, the Shanats promised territory, wealth and equipment to all who served. While the inclusion of professional soldiers, albeit often more mercenary than Crusader, was crucial to establishing the Crusader army, it required strong leadership to maintain discipline. A heavy dose of religious indoctrination was also provided. To entice prominent generals to help command the Crusade, Taark Shanat offered to adopt them into his family and bequeath up them their own independent kingdoms in the newly conquered territories. Four prominent Bhaerynden generals joined Taark Shanat and brought with them their own armies. None were the first born in their noble families; this meant they had no inheritance but a duty to serve their eldest brother, stake their own claim or join the priesthood. Indeed, one who joined was a son of the Great Thane himself, Falthen Duergar. The eight sons of Taark Shanat, true and adopted, each raised the banner of one of the eight children of Moradin. The message to the rest of Bhaerynden was clear; the entire dwarven pantheon stood united behind the Shanat Crusade.

Bhaerynden life was increasingly fraught with peril after 3000 years; while religion was respected, it had been reduced to just another tradition in a civilization more concerned with status, power and greed. This was largely due to the Churches in Bhaerynden traditionally supporting the nobility, serving as yet another means to collect taxes by calling it a tithe. The result was chaotic, occasionally violent and an effectively soulless society. Bhaerynden had long been ruled by a Thane from the nobility, which also controlled the military ostensibly, the merchants and the trade guilds. Each Thane was elected via a Moot, but it was effectively a hereditary title. A Great Thane, traditionally the noble faction’s Thane, was also technically the ruler of Bhaerynden. However, he possessed little real power beyond an ability to organize a consensus amongst the other Thanes, still necessary for major decisions.

While Taark Shanat focused on organizing and recruiting for the Crusade, Barak Shanat pushed to be declared the Fourth Thane of Bhaerynden. The position of the Fourth Thane had long ago represented organized religion in Bhaerynden. The position was traditionally held by the High Sonnlinor of the Church of Moradin in Thuulurn, which Barak now was. It had fallen into disuse after organized religion ceased to be a political force in Bhaerynden, as the nobility of Great Bhaerynden co-opted Thuulurn’s independent role. As most of the clergy were also of noble blood, they sold their independence for titles and land. This ensured the preeminence of the nobility in Bhaerynden politics during a time when power was split between the Four Thanes. With the collapse of the Traditionalist faction, Barak Shanat revoked the agreement with the nobility that allowed them to represent the political interest of organized religion.

With enormous popular support, both from Crusaders and their supporters who would stay on in Bhaerynden, the Great Thane had no choice but to accept the change. Indeed, Barak Shanat viewed the restoration of the Fourth Thane position as an inheritance left for those who supported the movement but would stay in Bhaerynden. He hoped the power of a revived, independent, organized religion could be used as a platform for much needed reform. Until the Crusade departed, Barak intended to use the position to push for reforms himself. Barak Shanat’s first act was to refuse to cooperate with the other Thanes until the release of his wife, however. As any major decision made by the Thanes required a consensus, it paralyzed the Council. With little alternative if he wanted the government to function, the Great Thane released Outia Shanat from her prison. Upon her release, Barak Shanat stated that he would work towards the goals that prompted her actions, but through legitimate means.

The restoration of the Fourth Thane position, held by Barak Shanat, quickly lead to a political crisis even after Barak ended his initial obstructionism. Barak Shanat used his position as Thane to rule over his supporters from Thuulurn, much as the other Thanes did within their own factions. While the other Thanes were largely interdependent, the Religious faction was supported by a majority of the population and was self sufficient, with its own military, skilled tradesmen and assets. Large and self-sufficient, Barak Shanat increasingly marginalized the other three Thanes which had been previously relied upon for protection, trade and skilled workers. While they hardly had a majority of the population’s support, they did control a majority of the wealth and assets in Bhaerynden. The sheer size of the Crusader faction and numbers taken from not just the peasantry but the other Thane’s own faction had changed the political equation as well. While before, the Crusade was merely taking away the excess population on a fool’s errand, by now the loss of so many would greatly harm Bhaerynden’s economy and dangerously weaken it militarily.

As the Shanats were less than moved by these concerns as their mission was one from the Gods, the other three Thanes took other measures. They cut off any financial support and refused to donate or sell the required pack animals, food, supplies or armaments that were crucial to the Crusade even embarking. By cutting off the necessary supplies, they hoped to cripple the Crusade, regain the loyalty of their followers and prevent the mass exodus. Deeply angered and facing food shortages, the Shanats openly questioned the faith of the other Thanes and their supporters, proclaiming they were more interested in power and wealth than serving the will of their Gods and heading Moradin’s visions. As the Chosen of Moradin, Taark Shanat’s words were devastating to the Thanes.

Supporters of each faction regularly debated the Crusade now, from rowdy tavern arguments to sharp, public debates between the Thanes and their immediate supporters. These debates further strengthened the Crusaders to the point that the Trade Guilds fragmented badly, switching their support to the Shanats. The dialogues of Taark and Barak Shanat would be preserved and later serve as a foundation for several chapters in the growing holy books of the dwarves.
The Noble and Merchant Guilds Thanes became increasingly worried that the Shanats would turn their Crusade on Bhaerynden instead. This was increasingly probable, if not inevitable, as their support grew and marginalized the nobility and outnumbered the standing military. Many pressed for Barak Shanat to declare himself Emperor of Bhaerynden while Taark left to lead the Crusade. A single ruler of Bhaerynden was nearly unprecedented due to fears of a strong, central leader. Previous attempts in Bhaerynden’s history had all ended badly and bloodily. The closest thing to it was the Great Thane position, which was intentionally weak.

Sensing defeat, the Noble and Merchant Thanes finally capitulated as the tensions threatened to turn violent. They provided all of the support requested by the Shanats to lavishly fund, arm and supply their Crusade. By this point, the nobility especially was willing to do almost anything to see the troublesome Shanats gone. This largely involved the nobility forcing the merchant guilds to drain their own coffers to meet the request. The only attached condition was that the Shanats restrict the size of the Crusade to avoid devastating Bhaerynden. The Shanats accepted the support and agreed to limit the size of the Crusade, but none the less refused to leave quite yet.

[Curmudgeon]

Nice, Mike. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

[MShady]

The Path of the Pilgrims

While Taark and Barak Shanat led the main host, his own and adopted sons led their own independent armies of crusaders. While this arrangement was occasionally contentious and competitive, it was the only militarily practicable way to manage such a large force. Each of the eight generals marched under both the Shanat banner and that of their patron god. As the dwarves marched to a great war, so too did their pantheon.

It took the Crusaders and their followers several months to pick their way through the Underdark. The paths were unknown and in places, new ones had to be carved. No dwarf had ventured so far from Bhaerynden nor had such a force been assembled before, let alone maneuvered. The Shanats themselves were not true generals, nor were Taark Shanat’s sons. True military experience was in the hands of Taark’s four adopted sons, who marched under the banners of Laduguer, Diirinka, Diinkarazan and Abbathor. They would prove instrumental in maneuvering the dwarves and managing the logistics of the undertaking, but Taark Shanat remained in charge. He insisted all decisions ultimately be made by him as Moradin had chosen him to lead the Crusade. His decision making was not always ideal, however and put the spiritual needs of the Crusade over its more temporal needs. Taark believed that the Crusaders must be pure and faithful before they arrived or the Moradinsamman would desert them and the Crusade would fail.

The great throng moved in increments, often encamping in large caverns while smaller scouting parties sought new trails or foraged for food. The enormous baggage train of each of the armies stretched for miles. Occasional attacks by the Underdark’s other strange denizens were a constant threat; one the bloated dwarven army moving through narrow passes was ill adapted to meet. A strategic surprise of the Cloaker kingdoms was out of the question. As the army finally neared the borders of the Cloaker kingdoms, the army reached a large cavern and set up camp. The cavern was named “Hammer’s Rest”.

Reconnaissance was sent out to determine the final approach. Taark and Barak Shanat used the opportunity to proselytize and give extensive sermons before the assault. While this whipped the dwarves into a religious fervor and pleased the watching Gods, there were other concerns. After such a long journey, the food supplies were nearly exhausted and many were wracked with a variety of diseases. The warm, damp environment of the Underdark was very rough on the dwarves who marched on foot in their armor. Poorly managed logistics and a clergy occupied in preaching instead of tending the injured caused increasing friction. As the Crusaders waited on their scouts and map makers, the issue finally came to a head.

Falthen Duergar, leader of the army of Laduguer, beseeched the Shanats for a change. He demanded they either launch the assault immediately or set up a permanent base of operations to grow food, repair badly worn equipment and allow their troops to recover from exhaustion and disease. When Taark refused the request and insisted they wait, Falthen and the leaders of the armies of Diirinka, Diinkarazan and Abbathor demanded Taark steps down as the commander of the Crusade. Bolstered by his own sons and brother, this demand was also rebuffed. Barak Shanat offered a compromise; split the Crusade. General Falthen Duergar and his supporters would split from the main Crusade and sweep through the outlying Cloaker Kingdoms. The rest of the Crusaders would wait until the scouting was completed and attack the center of the Cloaker Kingdoms. Both General Falthen and Taark agreed to the compromise. Falthen and his supporters departed from Hammer’s Rest, heading for the closest border kingdoms. They hoped to sack the area for its food and plunder in hopes of living off the enemy’s larders. Their departure cost Taark Shanat much of his heavy infantry, most experienced troops and invaluable military leadership. These four armies split into two separate ones, with the Crusaders under Laduguer and Abbathor going in one direction and the armies under Diirinka and Diinkarazan going in another.

The Shanats, while still retaining a strong core of experienced warriors and clerics, the bulk of his force was no force at all. Many dwarven tradesman and poorer dwarves, along with the families of soldiers and civilians alike, remained. With significantly less supplies and a depleted main force, the Shanats were forced to act. With the scouting of the vast Cloaker kingdoms or good maps available, the Shanats would soon press on. The only way to replenish his Crusader army was to arm many more of the tradesman and poor. In practice many already had an panoply of equipment. While poorly equipped and little time for proper training, they were at least fanatical. With this force, the Shanats crossed into Cloaker territory, nearly blind to what they faced but carrying the blessings of the Gods with them.