Eyidaan a-Sitoq

Dwarven Kingdom of Eyidaan a-Sitoq(1c)

The kingdom is a tradition-bound monarchy(1c) with a culture that places a great deal of importance on place and ritual(1c). The government's symbol is the crown Eyid(1c), which ostensibly passes to a first-born child upon the ruler's death. This rarely actually happens(1c); the kingdom has in fact been subject to a surprising number of both violent and non-violent overthrows in its history(1c), with various schemers and adventurers claiming the crown for themselves. Despite this, the structure of the state has remained remarkably stable(1c): no matter the prior disposition of the inheritor or usurper, the new ruler quickly and invariably comes to see the wisdom of previous generations and very little ultimately changes(1c). The Sitoq generally attribute this to the rightness and superiority of their lifestyle(1c). Almost no-one suspects that the power behind the crown is, in fact, the crown(1c).

The kingdom is isolationist (1), xenophobic (1), and delusionally anachronistic (1). They still believe that Dwarves are the master race and frequently this pride leaves them blind to their hopeless military and political situation... until eventually everything stabilizes again when a new Heir dons the crown Eyid.

Eyid is an intelligent artifact (1) that hides its own existence (1). When usurpers steal the crown, the crowns first act is to secure military loyalty (1) and then execute any collaborators involved in the usurpation (1) which is normally seen as a sign of kingly paranoia (1).

There is an extensive slave-class in Eyidaan a-Sitoq (1).

Over the ensuing decades after a usurpation, the crown Eyid sets about slowly executing, undermining, and expelling any new members of the governing class who are not mountain-dwarves (1). Ultimately reducing members of the invading race to the slave-class (1) by accusing them of sedition and crimes against the kingdom.

The kingdom sits within the Underdark Forest (1), and in fact controls many of its more accessible egresses (1).

The walls of Sitoq fortresses are built high enough that the lower boughs of the forest canopy are woven into their tops and mortared in place, creating singularly impassable barriers (2).

The slaves of Sitoq are devoted to excavating the hearts of the greatest trees of the underdark forest (1). The deepest roots of the oldest trees draw up an ancient power from unimaginable depths (1).

Oh man. Large gnarled tree boles with strange, banded wooden doors set deep between their mossy roots...

Like this, but more menacing:

Duergar use the woods of the forest in interesting ways. Some time ago, it was discovered that certain trees could be cut away from the trunk up and harvested for lumber and suits of fire resistant armor. Duergar will use this armor in attacks on undesirable neighbors by lighting a Flashbright and mopping up any survivors. These warriors are known as Fire Fighters.

Not only is the wood fire resistant, but its heartwood is imbued with extraordinary magical power. It is also so resilient as to be nearly impossible to mine.

Question: Adamantium Trees?

The duergar are currently the only ones capable of producing adamantine weapons and armor.

Quest: House Orin hires you to infiltrate Eyidaan a-Sitoq and recover information on how the duergar are able to mine the trees.

Adamantium heartwood! That'd technically make it a renewable resource, even if the timescale is in centuries and eons.

The Eyidaan a-Sitoq slave classes are fed on certain specially grown types of fungus that keep them subdued and complacent while still capable of the heavy work of mining heartwood. It has a rather pleasant, if bland, taste.

Some years of service in the military is expected of all Duergar Sitoq. This both acts as a rite of passage - which not all survive - and as an effective means of instilling and reinforcing proper Sitoq values among the new generations. Those who choose to remain in the military are given the chance to become Fire Fighters.

The highest value of the Sitoq is obedience. While their military is not the most technologically advanced, and has been bested on many occasions, it has never been routed from the field. Even in defeat, the Sitoq exact a dear price from their enemies.

The last soldier of a defeated outpost has been known to withdraw, conceal himself, seal the exits, and then set fire to his post. Immolating himself and his enemies

As resources are limited in the Inkwood, the enemies of the Sitoq include most everyone else in the forest. They consider every territory earned and due to the distrust of others (cultivated from early interactions where the Dark Dwarves felt taken advantage of) immediately fortify the defenses of any new position. This includes the creation of secret passages to enable self destruct elements mentioned above.

Obedience is ingrained and indoctrinated in every Dark Dwarf since birth. The Crown, as Lawful, institutes a near Spartan society. The Crown also has an air of Covetousness which perpetuates its existence.

Lol, oh man, the covetousness aspect clicks in very nicely, and I feel like it finally adds a darkness to the picture that fits very well.

Warriors of the Sitoq are known for their unique dual butterfly sword style. (Or maybe butterfly warpicks).