Grokon of Dol'Barr

The Grokon are an ancient subterranean race whose ancestral homeland lies beneath Athosia. For generations, their civilisation grew through vast underground halls, mines and settlements shaped from the stone itself.

At the heart of their civilisation stood Dol’Barr, the ancestral capital of the Grokon. Other great settlements such as Bal’Berg and Gal’durr formed part of a much wider Grokon realm beneath the mountains.

Grokon culture places enormous importance on craftsmanship, memory, duty and keeping one’s word. Stone is more than simply a building material to them; it is something through which generations leave their mark, preserving the deeds and knowledge of those who came before.

Their underground civilisation also became closely connected with Cantanite, an ancient gift of the Mother found deep within the earth. Its discovery shaped parts of Grokon history, craft and society, although strict traditions developed around its use and control.

Grokon society is built around Clanz and families, whose histories can stretch back through generations. Some became particularly influential within Grokon history, including Frostspike, Gloomhold and Ironspire, but they are only examples of the many Clanz that have existed among the Grokon.

Traditionally, wider matters were discussed through the Hall of Clans, where the great Clanz could be represented and decisions affecting Grokon society could be considered. Within this system, the Four Great Offices carried important responsibilities within Grokon leadership. These positions helped oversee different aspects of Grokon society rather than placing all authority in the hands of a single ruler.

A Grokon's family and Clan can be an important part of their identity, but their own actions, craft, duty and the legacy they leave behind are equally important to how they are remembered.

FamilyFrostspikeMaintained Dol’Barr’s coldest galleries and became specialists in studying and safely storing Cantanite. Their sealed, chilled vaults helped prevent separated crystals from drawing together.

FamilyGloomholdWorked within Dol’Barr’s tunnels, shafts and hidden passages, mapping Cantanite resonance throughout the mountain. They designed concealed routes, caches and storage systems to keep the crystal safely scattered.

FamilyIronspireMaster builders and smiths who raised Dol’Barr’s great halls and carved its Memory Walls. They upheld Ulkarth’s Decree through reinforced vaults, guarded transport and strict traditions surrounding Cantanite.

Grokon are a short, broad and sturdy people, physically adapted to generations of life beneath the mountains. They typically stand between 3'5" and 5'0", with skin ranging from deep stone-grey to muted earthen tones. Their eyes often catch and reflect light like polished minerals, while many Grokon possess natural ridges or plate-like growths along the brow or forearms. These features vary between individuals and family lines.

Grokon commonly live for around 200–250 years. Their long lives contribute to a culture where patience, experience and the preservation of knowledge carry considerable importance. Life underground has also left them with strong constitutions and excellent low-light vision, making them naturally comfortable in caves, mines and other subterranean environments.

Stone holds a special place within Grokon culture. Their histories are preserved through spoken tradition and carved Memory Walls, creating records intended to endure long after those who made them are gone. Many Grokon believe that something of their ancestors remains within these stones, although whether this is literally true is a matter of faith.

The Grokon also remember legendary figures known as Earthshapers. Among the greatest was Ulkarth the Earth Shaper, a historical Grokon whose deeds earned him enormous reverence — but Ulkarth was not a god. Central to his legacy is Cantanite, an ancient gift of the Mother found within the mountains of the Grokon homeland. The strange crystal could resonate and, under certain conditions, separated pieces would begin drawing together and attempting to fuse.

Recognising the danger this posed, Ulkarth issued a decree that would become an enduring responsibility of the Grokon

Cantanite should be separated, carefully stored and watched. This principle became known among the Grokon simply as:“Scatter what must not gather.”

A Grokon character would generally know:

• Dol’Barr was the ancient subterranean capital and ancestral heart of the Grokon.
• Grokon civilisation extended beyond Dol’Barr, including great settlements such as Bal’Berg and Gal’durr.
• The Fading reached beneath the mountains, causing crystals to dull, stone to destabilise and the familiar resonances of the deep to change.
• Not all Grokon agreed to leave. Some sealed themselves within their ancestral halls, determined to remain beneath Athosia.
• Other Grokon chose survival and joined the exodus, eventually reaching Alphos.
• The Grokon founded Gúldir, a new partially subterranean settlement built to carry their traditions forward.
• An unrefined vein of Cantanite was discovered beneath Gúldir. Why Cantanite exists so far from the Grokon homeland remains unknown.
• Every Grokon would know Ulkarth's Decree and understand that Cantanite must never be allowed to gather.