Stendahl

The Duchy of Stendahl is the current longest-standing peerage within The Kingdom of Stone Bay. It was founded several centuries ago as The Kingdom of Stendahl, based out of its capital city of Dhara upon the gifting of The Earthen Crown to the first Underking Smaugburg Steelhide. Upon the Blackrock Clan's defeat in the Battle of Gullgacks Gorge, the Steelhide family secured their position for centuries to follow.

Currently, Duchess Koibi Blackrock rules over Stendahl.

The First Age, The Age of Legend

The First Age marks the founding of Stendahl, when the scattered dwarven clans were unified under one kingdom and one banner. True unification came during the reign of the first Underking Smaugville Steelhide, who defeated the rival Blackrock Clan in the Battle of Gullgack’s Gorge. Outnumbered and weakened, the Steelhides held their ground in the narrow gorge, using the terrain to trap and decimate the Blackrock forces. After five grueling days, with the enemy starving and cornered, Smaugville launched a final attack that ended with the death of the leader of Clan Blackrock and the crowning of the Steelhide legacy.

Among the heroes of this age was Balin Bronzebeard, whose valor at the gorge earned him a place in legend. This era, later known also as the Age of Heroes, gave rise to figures like Tayeli and Vaenbarek the Sober, and it is from this age that many of Stendahl’s oldest clans claim their ancestry.

The Second Age, The Age of Crystal

The Second Age began with the reign of Underking Crystalbeard Steelhide, who shifted Stendahl’s focus from warfare to knowledge, invention, and magic. This era saw peace and innovation flourish, giving rise to the Crystal Order, a group of elite dwarven mages who hoarded magical secrets and rose to immense power. Their crowning project, Moder’s Heart, was a device intended to extend life through magical means.

After six generations, the Heart was completed—but its activation caused a catastrophic explosion, destroying the Order and their vast library. This event shattered dwarven faith in pure magic and marked the rise of Dwarven Machinima, a blend of magic and technology that defined the upcoming Third Age.

Unknown to most, the Crystal Order’s actions were influenced by Moder Jord, a goddess-like being once believed to be sent by Gunterra who turned from her divine purpose. She slowly drew dwarven worship away from Gunterra, twisting the Order’s work to serve her own ends. The legacy of the Second Age is one of brilliance, ambition, and hidden betrayal.

The Third Age, The Age of Machinima

The Third Age of Stendahl was marked by immense technological progress and deepening isolation. Under the reign of Underqueen Viruhna the Great, the dwarves entered their golden era of Dwarven Machinima—a fusion of magic and machinery. They created iron golems, magically enhanced forges, and complex systems far beyond traditional engineering. It was a time of industrial brilliance, even as fear of pure magic lingered.

During this period, the dwarves emerged from their mountain halls to make contact with the surface world. Diplomatic missions were launched, including one to the enigmatic Drenorans, but records of that encounter are scarce. Their most ambitious outreach ended in disaster after conflicts over magic and religion, particularly devotion to Moder Jord, sparked hostilities. Violence and betrayal, including the murder of a dwarven diplomat by elves, led Stendahl to shut its gates once more, fostering a lasting distrust of surface dwellers—especially elves.

Though brief, the Third Age left a powerful legacy. The failed surface journey stained Viruhna’s reign, but also planted the seeds of changing attitudes toward magic, ultimately ushering in the Fourth Age: The Age of Discovery.