Saltbeards

Clan Creegon, known colloquially as the Saltbeards, is a group of dwarf defectors living on the northeast shoreline of the People's Democracy of Korth. They are the only group the country to not be completely won over by the rebellion. Unlike most dwarves, the clan has no problem taking to water, often going on reaving missions where survivors describe them as brutal and sadistic. Their weapons are often covered in rust, due to their undisciplined nature and vicinity to the water.

History

The Saltbeards are a group of dwarves originally belonging to the Holderheck clans centuries ago that were exiled due to their barbaric nature. They discovered common interest with the Reavers of Korth and revelled in the rape and pillage that accompanied it. Joining the Reavers, they set up a new home living in the caves of the cliffs that face the Wrinkled Tide which have since been named the Bloody Cliffs.

Unlike most dwarves, the Saltbeards managed to adopt to a life at the sea. As many of their cave homes frequently flood, they are excellent swimmers; as well as shipwrights and even notorious sailors. Their discipline is lacking, with only loose organizational structures, usually following the strongest clansman out of fear. A maritime lifestyle is not the only thing separating them from your average dwarf, Clan Creegon is more or less amoral. They believe that the harsh life of the see is only suited for the strong, and that morality has nothing to do with it. A common adage from father to son may be "a wave doesn't care about the actions of the man its drowning, only if he can swim". This brutal Darwinian outlook leads to the dwarves being very unpleasant, often taking what they want by force, and having no concern what so ever for laws or customs. In their viewpoint, if a person is not strong enough to protect their life or property, they don't deserve to have it.

While the Mertieul's ruled Korth, many noble families were regularly displaced or murdered based on the whims of the tyrants. However, no family consistently held their favor like Clan Creegon. When the rebellion was clearly lost and Shamash Omar took over the capital, any remaining Saltbeards retreated to their cliff side homes with their ships. They have remained since, not being conquered by the rebels, but not antagonizing them either. War weary from a thin margin victory, Shamash and his troops dare not approach the Bloody Cliffs.

DM Notes

Saltbeards were inspired by and utilize the saltbeard dwarf rules from Stormrack when playing in 3.5, mixed with viking lore (dwarf culture is already inspired heavily by Norse mythology) and of course a bit of the Iron Island culture from the Greyjoys (which itself was somewhat inspired by vikings).