Goldhand
The Goldhand Clan is at its core a family of merchants. Those with Goldhand blood have long been amongst the best and most successful vendors in the Dwarven realm, but the clan is not limited to just merchants. The clan includes accomplished architects, soldiers, political leaders, and treasure hunters. Distinguished as a Noble Clan for their accomplishments and long standing support of the Dwarven Nation, Goldhands are proud of their lineage. The blood-bond within the clan is incredibly strong and they always look out for their family members.
History
Aegis
The house originally began in Kal’Urguan where the sons of Tungdil Goldhand proudly and honorably served the nation. As time went on the size and prosperity of the house grew. Sons served in the military or the mines, and daughters married well, solidifying strong political alliances. Many of the stories of the individual house members have been lost over the years to the wear and tear of time, but several journals remain chronicling the participation of the family in great wars, and the proud service to the Dwarven crown.
With the building of Kal’Alras, several of the Goldhand’s saw an opportunity in the making. The fledgling city would need wealthy and powerful Dwarves to make it prosper. Virtually all of the members quickly joined the Guardians, the military of Kal’Alras, to help fight off bandits and other undesirables while the city was formed. As time progressed the family became more deeply rooted in Kal’Alras. Friendships were formed between the Baron and Overseer. The family also had high ranking positions in the military, and a spot on the Council of Kal’Alras.
As tensions against the mother city of Kal’Urguan, Kal’Alrasians prepared for a right against the capital. The city had grown into a multi racial area, and a war between the Humans and Dwarves put everyone on alert. During the attack by the humans on Kal’Urguan, the Goldhands turned out in great numbers to defend their Dwarven home. But when the dust settled it was clear that Kal’Alras was going to secede. A division in the clan was formed as the Alrasian Goldhand’s who had grown in power in Alras decided to stay, and the rest of the clan who felt stronger ties to Kal’Urguan. This division has lessened over time, and while House Goldhand is once again a solid family, many members have not forgotten the disagreement. Forgiven but not forgotten.
With the war over, and Alras declared a new nation, the Goldhands in Alras hung up their axes and turned to the merchant business. Their business flourished and they soon became one of the leading merchant families in the area. Stores opened in Kal’rog, Kal’Urguan, Alras, and Al’Khazar.
Business in all of the stores flourished especially the store in Al’Khazar. The Goldhands became some of the richest Dwarves in all Aegis. The focus on merchant affairs led to political life falling by the way side. The new Alrasian Council was formed leaving out the majority of the old Alrasians, Goldhands included. The name Goldhand dimished in Alras, where once it was a well known name.
The family fell upon hard times. The vast warehouses in Al’Khazar fell to the noxious cloud. Troubles between parts of the Dwarven nation and Alras made the once great merchant city unpleasant for Dwarves. Many of the Goldhands had to choose between their city and their dwarven brethren. The choice was easy for most: honor bound to the Dwarven nation, dismayed that Alras had forgotten its roots, and disgusted by some of the blatant discrimination in Alras, all the Goldhands returned to the home of their forefathers. The halls of Kal’Urguan once again rang with the jingle of Goldhand coins.
The return to Kal'Urguan was short lived. It was not long before the reach of the undead extended to the mighty dwarven capital. Lava fell from the ceiling and over the great fortress. Undead poured down the grand-stairway and flooded from the mines. It was all the Goldhands could do to carry their clan's sacred items from their clan hall. Soon the family became separated as the survivors of Aegis retreated into the verge. Amongst the masses of refugees it was difficult to stay together and in the rush of people to the boats the clan was split.
Asulon
After the disorderly flight from Aegis, the Goldhand's were separated upon arrival. The clan split up heading in different directions and searching for areas of habitation. Some headed for the wilds, others to Alras, and still others to Salvus. It was only after finding the Dwarven capital that the Goldhands were reunited.
After finding the new Dwarven capital, the clan was reunited and a clan hall in the city. Gone were the vast sums of wealth that the cousins had held back in Aegis, but the clan was happy to have good solid stone over their heads and dwarves to rely on. Once again they had a starting point to build up their business once again. Gulroid stepped forward as clan leader and attended many meetings of the dwarves at this time, representing his clan to the best of his ability. He was disgusted however by the lack of productiveness that the clans had, and that none of them seemed to be able to agree.
Just when the Goldhands thought they had a stable place to live once more, a dragon forced the dwarves out of Karik. The clan splintered off, with Rasun and Gulroid heading back to their ranch in the wilds, and Dunhagen and Delios heading to Salvus where the clan owned a small shop. The war with Salvus has hurt the Goldhands as much of their stock in the city has been pillaged or has gone unaccounted for.
More recently there have been new additions to the clan. Algoda Goldhand survived the flight from Aegis and the undead threat and was welcomed with much feasting and ale drinking. Moruk and Gorum Goldhand married into the clan helping to solidify the strong dwarven blood as Frostbeard and Goldhand blood were merged. The clan has retreated to their holdings in the wild as plague has griped the land. Having found an abandoned fortress, the clan is restoring it, and giving the Goldhand heirlooms a proper place of honor once more.
While the Goldhands were constructing the fortress the situation in Alras deteriorated. The death of High King Syrio sent a shockwave through the members of the clan who had once called Kal’Alras home. Suddenly there was hope kindled as it was clear that Alras was fading quickly. The reign of High King Aislin was short. Gorum and Moruk were present when the new High King succumbed to madness. Through diplomatic and military strength the Nation of Alras was once again under Dwarven rule and in the hands of the Goldhands.
With power of Alras given to the Goldhands by Paragon Kjell. The Goldhands went about dismantling vast parts of the city which had long been abandoned. The underground Dwarven District would become the new Goldhand Clan Hold and the outer city would house the inhabitants of other races who had long called Alras home. There were other changes as well. Under Rasun’s rule, the city restored its old flag and colors and reclaimed it’s long abandoned name: Kal’Alras.
Not all was easy for the Goldhands during this time. There was unrest among the clans and the Dwarven nation was under severe strain. The Noble clans ended up in a position where they controlled and ran their own holds as city-states, each having separate representation, military, and social structure, but uniting when there were outside threats. And these threats did rise. Most recently a long and bloody war with the Orcs cost the lives of many Dwarves. The capture of the farms by the Orcs forced the Goldhands to relocated the farm land. This area was eventually recaptured but scaring to the land due to the tolls of war were immense.
The Dwarven treaty with the Orcs, ending the bloodshed between the two races did not sit well with many Goldhands who felt that the other clans were dishonoring their ancestors and the dead who had so valiantly fought the Orcs. But in a meeting with other clans and the new Rex of the Orcs, the Goldhands were outvoted and the Dwarven Nation as a whole declared a truce. This was partially due to the threat of the human nation and also a rising sense of darkness and foreboding coming from the sightings of necromancers roaming around the reaches of Asulon. As the ink dried on the truce between the Orcs and the Dwarves, war began in the south. The insults of the Teutans could not be ignored and a bloody battle was sparked that ended in catastrophe. The battle left the Dwarven army in retreat and the whereabouts of many Goldhands unknown. During this tumultuous time the Goldhands were approached with an offer that they could not conceivably refuse. Queen Kyral Hightower brought an offer to buy the city of Kal’Alras the much of the surrounding land. Due to the relocation of the Dwarves to Kal’Karik, and geographic location of Alras, the Goldhands accepted the trade. Most recently the Goldhands have supported the dissolution of the Noble Council with the election of King Hiebe and the restoration of a powerful monarchy to once again lead the Dwarves to a golden age.
After the trade of Kal'Alras, and the Dwarves returning to their ancient city of Kal'Karik amongst the mountains, the Goldhands resided in the noble district of Clan Goldhand. There housed many of the Goldhands that came on the journey to their ancient home. After years of peacefully residing in Kal'Karik, Gulroid the former Clan Father has fallen ill and sick. He retreated to the ancient hold of the Goldhands near Kal'Anart and lived there for the time being. During this time, the Goldhands had fallen into disarray as the leadership of the clan slowly deteriorated. In this time Rasun Goldhand also vanished. The knowing of him being alive or dead is not known, and the only note of Rasun, is that he vanished into the wilds and was to be never seen again.
The dark days of the Goldhands loomed over the clan and the clan fell into darkness without leadership. The Clan Father Gulroid had fallen ill, and the one who many Goldhands looked up to, Rasun has gone missing without a trace. The remaining Goldhands that still reside in the grand halls of Kal'Karik grow weary of the disappearance of leadership among the clan, and soon later William of the Goldhand Clan called forth a meeting with his kin to discuss the current happenings of leadership, and the future of the clan.
After days of discussion in the Goldhand Hall in Kal'Karik, it was decided that Thoak Goldhand would venture forth and make way toward the ancient hold of the Goldhands, and consult with Gulroid in his current state about the future of the Goldhands. There it was decided by Gulroid himself that Thoak becomes the new Clan Father and that Gulroid would step down because of his current state of illness. Thoak Goldhand himself promised that he would bring back the nobility of the clan, and pride and honor that the clan once held.
Anthos
Nothing much can be said about Elysium. It was said that Thoak Goldhand established a small settlement outside of the Urguan Hold near the mountains for those seeking work outside of the small hold. It was great while it lasted, however most of it was wiped out due to the great volcano nearby erupting sending the village to its fiery doom.
Athera
The clan has been mostly inactive, with only a few Goldhands trying to revive the clan. The latest Goldhand, Finian, rose to the challenge of trying to officially revive the splintered clan.
