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. Each of these was ruled
by a thane, and each had its own interests, goals, even racial
tendencies.
Thorbardin's schisms were aggravated by the absence of
one true monarch to rule the kingdom as a whole. Accord-
ing to ancient legend, Thorbardin would become truly
united only when one thane obtained the Hammer of
Kharas. That ancient artifact, named for the greatest of
dwarven heroes, had been missing for centuries. Untold ef-
fort, treasure, and lives had been expended, fruitlessly, in
attempts to locate it.
Without the hammer to unite them, the nations of the
dwarven kingdom struggled against each other. Spies were
sent to observe the activities of rival thanes. Treasure stores
were jealously watched, because riches - particularly steel
and gems - were a traditional measure of dwarven status.
The Hylar, the eldest of the mountain dwarf races, were
the traditional masters of Thorbardin. Their might had been
severely taxed by the Dwarfgate Wars, however, allowing
other nations to gain increased prominence. Most notable
among these was the Theiwar clan, made up of derro
dwarves and controlled by their magic-using savants
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