Ironspine Clan

The Ironspine Clan is a clan of Dwarves who settled in the western mountains of Tirisfal, south of the Vale of Mynydd, after the War of the Three Hammers. The Clan originally descends from the marriage of a Bronzebeard Clan -- the Ironstout Clan -- and a Wildhammer Clan -- the Burnspine Clan. The two clans intermarried before the war and fled when the fighting broke out. Once they arrived in Lordaeron, the two clans declared the Ironspine Clan to be one clan with all its followers to no longer be part of the Bronzebeards or Wildhammers.

Since then, the Ironspine Clan has carved out a small kingdom in the mountains, cultivating a new cultural identity separate from that of the Bronzebeards and Wildhammers. With them came the Ironstout's impressive ram cavalry and the Burnspine's gryphon riders. They immediately forged a relationship with the Mynydd, who have maintained friendly relations throughout the Ironspine's existence.

The Ironspine Clan and its kingdom is ruled by a High Thane and is traditionally passed down to the eldest child of the High Thane. Lesser clans have come and gone, all owing fealty to the Ironspine Clan as they crop up.

Naming Conventions
Unlike most other Dwarves, the Dwarves of the Ironspine Clan use patronymics, largely adopted from the Mynydd.

Dwarf boys take on the last name of [Father's name]sson

Dwarf girls take on the last name of [Father's name]sdottir

Denoting bastard status, interbreeding with another race, or having no father in general typically uses the mother's name instead of the father's.

Burial and the Dead
Burying the dead in large familial tombs is the most common way to bury the dead. However, there is only one place where the familial tombs are located -- a mountain known only as Death's Tears. Death's Tears has been carved into, running deep caverns from which only the Dwarves could possibly navigate.

An order of Ironspine Dwarves who have forsaken all familial ties maintains the tombs and mountain, known as the Deathkeepers.

High Thane
Penultimate leader of the Ironspine Clan, all clans of the kingdom owe fealty to the High Thane. Ruling from the seat of Highreach, the High Thane rules like a king, equal to that of the other major clans. The High Thane as almost unrestricted power if he or she wished to seize it, but largely acts upon the will of the Senate.

Thane
Typically the patriarch/matriarch of a lesser clan, the Thanes make up the important senators. Each Thane rules over a lesser mountain, but there are some cases where two clans rule over the same mountain and simply split the mountain in half.

Gesith
Personal bodyguard and professional soldier of the High Thane or a Thane.

Sky Reeve
Law keepers, tax collectors, and gryphon riders of the Ironspine Clan. They wield mighty stormhammers and are some of the greatest gryphon riders in the world, second only to the Wildhammers. Sky Reeves are typically appointed by the High Thane or the Thanes.

Senator
Officials (sometimes elected, sometimes appointed) from the clans who act as the governing body of the Ironspine Clan. Most live at Highreach if they do not have any other important titles.

Death's Tears
=History=