Brogendenstein - Trials to Thanedom
: I : Introduction
A common mischaracterisation of the Dwarven people by outsiders across the Isle is that of a folk who view each other as equal purely out of their ownership of beard and battleaxe. Though there is no doubt that many 'Samman' (Meaning: Shield Brother/Friend) might believe this to be true, the primary ideal of Brogendenstein society is that of attaining recognition through achieving honour-bound pursuits of clan, kin and kingdom within its rigidly traditional structure of governance, in which significant change is infrequent or incremental. The demise of Umbrick's Halls was and forever shall be the greatest crisis we Stout of Arelith have faced, during which the concentrated royal blood-line of the Old Crown was all but destroyed along with the Underkingdom itself. Born from the horrors of the "Spire's Lament" was a community which retained its strict traditions, with a lesser focus on the shattered blood-line of Kings, in favour of the merit-based successes of Thanes and Thanesses.
Though the leadership of Brogendenstein is at essence monarchical, in place are an aggregation of balances to the power their sovereign leader possesses - both structural and traditional. Each of these weights twist and pull on each other in a regimented dance to ensure leadership, the traditions, the clans, and the Morndinsamman (The Dwarven Gods) each hold sway to the direction of Brogendenstein's greater course.
The writings henceforth shall explain the complexities and simplicity of Brogendenstein's unique political foundation of leadership, which has guided it through the mire of near-extinction to a place of great prominence on the Isle of Arelith.
: II : Low Mortals & High Tradition
Lo, at the time of writing the Dwarfs of Brogendenstein mark an end to the first year of regency under Falgrim of clan Vintergard, who had served the long-standing Thane Ghestaldt of clan Blimth in the lower echelons of his governance, as Thane's Warden. The system that made Falgrim of clan Vintergard our honoured Regent is one that has bore most-all the Thanes in our history, but not every Regent was born to be Thane.
The position of Regent in Brogendenstein can be attained through two separate processes. Either by securing the majority-vote in the election cycle that Dwarf citizens have come to call the "Rolling of the Stones", or by the Official Decree of a Thane who cannot for whatever reason complete their duties and requires a Regent to rule in their stead. Only the death or abdication of the standing Thane can grant a Regent, either by the Stone's Rolling or by official decree, a path to their own Thanedom.
Regency is often viewed by the Dwarven people as a temporary stage of leadership, which shall either deem them worthy of the title of Thane or determine them to be unworthy in the eyes of the Morndinsamman who judge their children with a 'High Tradition'. This dynamic makes the tenure of regency a more precarious one with each passing month and year in which the acting Regent has not been judged as worthy of Brogendenstein's highest authority of Thanedom. These times are often unsettling for the Dwarf people, with potential to split the clans in their backing of the right leader to take the Golden Halls forward, into a new era. Dwarves are however a hardy people regardless, who near-unanimously understand that such times hold a potential that true leaders and future Thanes may thrive on.
: III : The Thane-Maker
Away from the fine details, this overarching dynamic is simpler to summarise. Brogendenstein must have a Thane. Every moment that it does-not, should be spent in the pursuit of coronating a new one, for it has long been written that the Thane is the last line of defence for the Golden Halls.
The process by which a Regent's eligibility for the crown is assessed is referred to as "seeking the High Blessing" and can only be undertaken by the acting High Cleric of Brogendenstein. Though the High Cleric is most-commonly devoted to the teachings of the All-Father Moradin, it is no scandal should they be a priest of any of the Morndinsamman. Unquestionably however, the teachings of a High Cleric's chosen deity may hold great sway over the conditions they shall need fulfilled by their Regent before being sated enough to grant them the High Blessing. The length and scope of the seeking is up to the High Cleric's liking, and the ultimate decision lies with them on whether a Regent is suitable for carrying the burden of Thanedom.
Though a rare occurrence, the seeking of the High Blessing holds a clear potential to throw up its own crisis and controversies, for it is a High Cleric's foremost responsibility to act as the citizen's emissary to the teachings of the High Dwarves. Being so it remains imperative that a Regent or Thane's appointment or removal of a High Cleric is not seen as some petty political manoeuvring when compared to the High Traditions of the Morndinsamman. Humorously it would regardless be dire politics for a Regent to elect or remove a High Cleric for the single purpose of seeing them coronated as Thane. This action could bring under great scrutiny the legitimacy of their call to the crown, perhaps more-so than a Regent who has long been denied the High Blessing yet remains respectful of the process it takes.
For a Regent who has been granted the High Blessing to be successfully coronated as Thane, the crowning ceremony must be presided over by the Elders as the representatives of Brogendenstein's Low Mortals, and their High Cleric as the representatives of the Morndinsamman's High Tradition. Refusal from either party to participate in the ceremony by tradition shall keep it from going ahead and likely plunge a Regent's future into a state of limbo, where they must work to earn the blessing of both whilst fending off potential challenges from Dwarfs and Clans vying for authority of their own.
: IV : Usurpation
Usurpation of the Throne is a threat that looms ever-present amongst any settlement in and outside of the Isles of Arelith. Affinities towards greed and power not only ensure that every leader must be vigilant of nefarious figures amongst them, but that they nurture a steady march away from the same leanings. Though Brogendenstein's history is far less scattered with stories of betrayal than the likes of Cordor, the foundations of its order and leadership has in past been rattled by illegitimate seizes of the throne and crown which has only led to shame, and through this shame, the wisdom to no longer forsake our honoured traditions to the benefit of despots and tyrants.
The most notable usurpation in Brogendenstein's time is that of Glemli of clan Ruhn, who in his youth rallied enough of a backing to illegitimately claim by "Royal Decree" the throne from the absent Gorann of clan Bloodletter. Though Glemli rose to power under the same promises a legitimate candidate for Thanedom might speak, they proved to be only the deceitful words of a scoundrel. The young Usurper-King proceeded to cleft Brogendenstein's once stout community in twain with a campaign of demands and threats towards the greater Isle's towns and cities, including heavy demands of their vassal in Guldorand which lead to a near full-scale revolt against their Dwarven Rulers.
Though only a moment in Brogendenstein's storied history, there is no doubt the lessons of this depraved leadership were swiftly recognised and learned. The young Usurper-King's rightful successor was Regent Cornee of clan Keglighter, who restored normality to the shaken-folk of the Golden Halls with the aid of future Thane Doili of clan Troff. Shortly afterwards, Yurna of clan Glanbryn is written to have herself struck a plot to become the Queen successor to Gorann of clan Bloodletter, but his timely return to our homehold lead to Yurna's making flee for safer shores, away from any possible declarations of her treason and the deserved justice that would bring.
: V : Closing
The titles of "King" and "Queen" of the Golden Halls had by decree of Thane Gorann of clan Bloodletter (the successor to Brogendenstein's first King and founder, Belrun of clan Battlehammer), been retired in favour of the titles "Thane" and "Thaness". This change became so with view to distance the Dwarf people from a time where Kings and Queens could not only be found in the palaces of Cordor or the dreary corners of the Undercaverns, but in most settlements of the Isle. It also aided in acknowledging the end of the royal lineage tied closely to the Underkingdom in favour of merit-based leadership.
The story behind Brogendenstein is one of great figures who have accomplished their honour bound pursuits of Clan, Kin and Kingdom with the security provided by their forging traditions, which ensure they act with the interests of the low mortals in one hand, and the Morndinsamman in the other.
The moments as-yet played out, in the history books as-yet written, are sure to tell the tale of what the future holds for the Dwarven leaders of Arelith, should they embrace proudly the processes that have served them so well for generations or march away from the wisdom we draw from them.
Written by Dokh of clan Himral-Hand, during the 1st Year in Falgrim of clan Vintergard's Regency.