Masters of Iron

The Iron Monger Dwarves remain the masters of iron. Mountain Dwarves whose kingdom lies north of the Far Hills, in the Purple Mountains, the Iron Monger Clan continue to thrive the farthest know northern mountain ranges.

Proud, acerbic and confrontational, the Iron Monger Clan rose to prominence because of one thing: Iron, and their ability to to work it.

The Iron Monger iron mines are famous for there depth, complexity and yields. Even more famous are the goods, armor and weaponry that are made with the iron. Iron Monger weapons and armor are highly prized possessions, handed down for generations as pieces of art and war.

The Iron Monger Clans claim the Purple Mountains as their own and have done so for millennia. Rarely coming in to contact with Men or Elves, and certainly rarer the Southern Kingdoms, The Iron Mongers have been waging a continual war for the Purple Mountains against goblinkind, giantkind, and the occasional abomination from the depths and their kin for as long as anyone can remember.

The Iron Mongers maintain various forts, outposts, monasteries, and settlements throughout the Purple Mountains. And as more contact has occurred during the last three incursions, a more diplomatic approach has been used to deal with outsiders. No one would call it friendly, but tolerant is a big step forward to friendly relations with the Iron Mongers.

An occasional Iron Monger will had south and wind up in Javelin Hill. Some are even persuaded to try their hands at adventuring, for stout and hearty material are Iron Mangers made of. The more famous of them: Jory Thunderhands: Karrik Ironfeet; The brothers Anvilpounder, Uddo, Otto, and Fell; and finally the dwaven runecleric Rhudd Fatecaster.

The Iron Monger legacy is strong in the Northern Marches and a strong ally they may become, if they could ever control their goblinoid problem. Assistance may be the way to longer term positive relations.

 - Survey of the Known Kingdoms of the Northern Marches - Furlong Strongheel - Scribe