Clan Herewydd

Clan Herewydd: The Golden Rams of Abercarr

Overview

Clan Herewydd is a proud, albeit minor, Imperial Dwarf clan residing within the great hold of Ganekhaz in the lands of Abercarr. Staunch traditionalists and loyal subjects of King Golloch, they are known for their resilience, their mastery of highland warfare, and their distinctive heraldry: a Golden Ram's head set against a field of deep forest green.

While they may not boast the overflowing treasuries of the great clans of the central holds, Clan Herewydd is respected for its unshakeable reliability. When the muster of Ganekhaz is called, the Golden Rams are always the first to form their ranks.

Heraldry and Motto

●     Sigil: The Golden Ram’s head on a green field. The green represents the high alpine pastures of Abercarr that the clan traditionally guards, while the Golden Ram symbolizes stubbornness, hard-headedness in negotiation, and the wealth they pry from the rock.

●     Motto: "Firm as the Mountain Roots." (Often shouted as a war cry: "Herewydd! Firm and Fast!")

History and Origins

The clan traces its lineage back to Herewydd "Iron-Brow," a legendary Shieldbreaker Thegn of the ancient days. Clan lore dictates that during a massive Orcish incursion into Abercarr, Herewydd was disarmed in the thick of battle. With no weapon left, he famously headbutted the Orc Warlord with such force that he cracked the beast's skull, though the impact permanently fused his own helmet to his head.

The clan was granted minor nobility and lands in the upper reaches of Ganekhaz for this feat. They adopted the Ram as their symbol in honor of their ancestor's "hard-headed" tactic, a trait they proudly claim to have inherited both metaphorically in their stubbornness and literally in their thick skulls.

Domain: The Upper Reaches of Ganekhaz

Ganekhaz is a sprawling hold, and Clan Herewydd occupies the "High Halls"—the levels closest to the surface and the mountain peaks.

●     Guardians of the Peaks: Because of their location, they are the first line of defense against threats coming over the mountain passes rather than from the Deep Roads. They are acclimated to thinner air and colder surface temperatures than most deep-dwelling Dwarfs.

●     Economy: The clan controls several rich veins of malachite and copper (contributing to their green clan colors), but their unique trade is the herding of Steinor Goats—hardy mountain beasts that can eat nearly anything. Their wool is tough as wire, and their meat is... an acquired taste, but it sustains armies.

Clan Structure

Clan Herewydd adheres strictly to standard Imperial hierarchies, finding comfort in the rigid structure of Dwarf society.

The Clan Chief

The current ruler is Chief Brokk "Gilded-Horn" Herewydd. He is a stern, pragmatic Dwarf who lost an eye fighting Trolls in the foothills a century ago, replacing it with a multifaceted gemstone of green malachite. He is fiercely loyal to the lord of Ganekhaz and, by extension, King Golloch, though he frequently grumbles that the "soft-bellies" in the capital don't appreciate the harsh realities of life in Abercarr.

The Thegns

Chief Brokk is supported by a council of three prominent Thegns, each representing the major families that have married into or sworn fealty to Herewydd over the centuries:

●     Thegn Valara Stonehallow: Matriarch of the mining branch of the clan, responsible for the copper output.

●     Thegn Orin Highclimber: Overseer of the surface patrols and the goat herds.

●     Thegn Duregar Ironbrow: A direct descendant of the founder, he commands the clan's standing household guard.

Military Doctrine

Clan Herewydd fields a textbook Imperial Dwarf army, valuing discipline and heavy armor over experimental tactics. Because they often fight on the uneven, rocky slopes outside the hold, they have a higher proportion of ranged troops to cover the treacherous approaches.

●     Ironclad (The Ram’s Horns): The core of any Herewydd force. They favor heavy, green-lacquered shields embossed with the golden ram.

●     Ironwatch: Due to their role guarding the high passes, Herewydd Crossbowmen are famed for their ability to judge windage in gusty alpine conditions.

●     Shieldbreakers: In honor of their ancestor, the clan maintains a large, elite force of Shieldbreakers who often lead their counter-offensives.

Clan Chief Brokk Gilded-Horn Herewydd in the Clan Holds Main Hall