Dwarven Freeholds

The Dwarven Freeholds are a federation of Dwarven cities on the continent of Sarenia bound together in a defensive and economic alliance.

Geography
The Dwarven Freehold cities lie within the Giant's Towers mountains. They stretch from Khaz Vylian in the north to Khaz Shandar in the south. As such they border all three of the large nations (Honoria, Flachland and the United Duchies) The cities are linked by the old Dwarven Tunnelroads that wind throughout the eastern part of the range. The climate varies depending on where you are in the Freeholds but given their montane location, all are fairly cold, with the exception of Khaz Vylian which lies at sea level in the northern part of the continent. The Neufluss River starts from a spring that lies just outside of Kar Dunsar.

Government
The Freeholds are independent city states that are part of a larger federation. Each city is completely autonomous but are allied for defensive and economic purposes. An attack on one is an attack on all the cities, and the full might of the Dwarves will be levelled at any agressor. Additionally each city, while competing with each other for external trade, has completely free trade between each other. The Federation Council, which debates matters that affects its members, is comprised of the Thanes of all the cities. The president of the council is the Thane of Kar Dunsar, by virtue of being the oldest of the Dwarven cities and having the Council chambers within the city. They are given the title of High Thane to denote their seniority. The current High Thane is Vyran Granitehelm.

Major Cities
The "capital" of the Freeholds is Kar Dunsar, but this is mostly a formality. Although it is the oldest of the Dwarven cities and hosts the Council Chamber, it holds no more power than any of the other cities in the Freehold. The other cities are:
 * Khaz Vylian
 * Kar Harren
 * Khaz Shandar
 * Kar Pyrol

Religion
Torag is the predominant religion amongst the cities of the freehold, although other deities are worshipped as well. This is particularly true of Khaz Vylian, the port city of the Freeholds as it receives more non-Dwarves than any other city.