Rangara

One of the few places in the world that dwarves hail from. The island is home to over 6,000 dwarves. Most are hill dwarves, but around 700 are mountain dwarves. Stoic and hydrophobic, most dwarves never leave the island. They are content to live out their lives with their clan folk and to the best extent possible, request little from the Empire. All of the communities other than the Imperial tradeport are located in caves that are mostly natural, but sometimes enlarged by the dwarves if it suits them.

The dwarves of the island are constantly in demand for making superior stoneworks. This includes everything from pre-fabricated stone buildings to intricately carved stone artwork. The dwarves are also known for the their quality jewelry. They have no ships of their own and if they must leave the island they require the patron to hire at least a 4-masted galley even if just to get to the next island. Hiring a dwarven crafter or work crew is a sign status since the dwarves demand a huge sum of money to even consider leaving the island.

The dwarves count on the Empire to provide a good deal of the food and raw materials for ale. They also are big importers of raw gemstones and precious metals. Rangara is one of the few places in the Empire where the locals refuse to use the glass bead currency. Between themselves they require real gold and silver. Jewels can also buy things. The Empire tolerates this as the dwarves who handle trade within the Empire begrudgingly use the Imperial currency.

There is a king of the island who resides in the king’s palace, an intricately expanded cave mid way up one of the largest mountains of the island. The exact method of becoming king is not known outside of the island. What is known is that the king rules for life and has the final say of all transactions regarding Rangara.