Verkal Kozenad was a dwarf hold in the West Dwarovar known as the Citadel of Fate, the home of spymasters, fate and thievery, many Opal Dwarves held positions of intrigue of skullduggery either known officially or in secret. It also housed many thieves and assassins in the Dwarovar, who provided their devious services to any dwarf who could afford the price. Known to have believed in fate and the "Grand Scheme", the Kozenadi were seen as superstitious, yet also proved themselves to have notoriously bad luck, revealing plots prematurely even with their notoriety for intrigue.
Culture and Customs[]
Verkal Kozenad was extremely flexible with their laws and policies both in proposal and acceptance, allowing them to pass new laws and reforms quickly, much to the jealousy of their neighboring holds. However, in reality, the officials did not enforce the new laws nor obeyed them themselves, rather using the renown to seem that they are above the common quarrelsome dwarves. The Opal Dwarves utilized brothels to expand their spy network where the term 'ladies of the opal calling' still exists to this day amongst the dwarven people, and refer to Verkal Kozenad's many skilled and notorious brothels where much information was exchanged.
Verkal Kozenad’s notoriety for thievery was widely spread as many infamous thieves were from the hold. One famous example was Bozan Kezdori, who stole a train full of gold tithe from Verkal Gulan, abandoned it, and nearly crashed the dwarven economy due to hyperinflation. The thieves acted independently from the hold but it was scrutinized for not handling the problem by the surrounding holds. The Opal Dwarves were not known to be the most loyal bunch, often being bribed by the clans of other holds to side on Amlharaz debates or clan feuds. This made them untrusted by many but also served as useful accomplices in the passing of vital reforms which were at a deadlock, but only if the Opal Dwarves were offered the most competitive prices.
It is said that the Kozenadi had notoriously bad luck, it seemed that in the history of Verkal Kozenad any plot within the state came out prematurely. It was said that Morzad Ringbeard, an aspiring thief planned a heist to rob the Aegis of Arg-Ôrdstun before it was added to the Dwarovkron. The Aegis was kept in a vault within its hold, guarded by one hundred of the greatest Diamond Dwarf soldiers. However, Morzad had found a way in using a tunnel that had not been collapsed after the building of the vault. Surprised, he and his men entered the tunnel to find a way into the vault when he noticed that many supports had been removed from the tunnel. Fear overcame him and as he shuffled around, he kicked some dust in the air and let out a sneeze, which echoed out in the tunnel which triggered the last support to collapse, burying the thieves under the vault which in reality was just a decoy.
History[]
Ducaniel’s Arrival[]
In 5998 BA, Ducaniel’s Orc horde had reached Verkal Kozenad, catching King Mufnir VII off guard and besieged the hold. Mufnir however surrendered to Ducaniel soon after and promised to support him with supplies as he marched north to besiege Er-Natvir. Knowing Verkal Kozenad was the first in the way to the crucial rail hub of the Dwarovar, Mufnir hoped to fake his assistance to Ducaniel to betray him with a surprise attack once he had the chance.
The Final Kozenadi Betrayal[]
In 5990 BA, Mufnir found the chance to cross Ducaniel and attacked his Orcish forces at the southern gate of Er-Natvir to relieve the siege, however the orcs vastly outnumbered the dwarves and crushed them. Ducaniel was furious at Mufnir’s betrayal, but was preoccupied with the siege of Er-Natvir, only in 5970 BA did he manage to send a large host of orcs to Verkal Kozenad which wiped out every single Opal Dwarf remaining in the hold. Making it the first to be attacked by the orcs, first to attempt peace, and first to betray it right after.