Boragar The Elder

Long has the wisdom of Boragar the Elder guided the fate of the Skyiron Dominion. Indeed, so deeply entwined with the Dwarf kingdom’s future is the venerable runekeeper that some claim that he will only perish when the mountains crumble and fall, bringing an end to Dwarf-kind and the world itself. Ancient records, of which Boragar himself is the foremost keeper, tell that he was born into a long lineage of runekeepers, those Dwarves who show a particular affinity for the language of runescript and have also learned to harness its magical properties for the betterment of their kin. It is not without good reason that many runekeepers also hold roles as advisors or royal confidants, for the learning required to master their craft leaves them with a knowledge few bar the Elven scholars of Aravia can match. Their role is an important one, for advice is often needed in the Skyiron Dominion. Though claiming to be a kingdom occupying the great range of the Cloudspire Mountains, in truth the cantons that comprise the Dwarven state are run in semi-autonomously. While they appear to be unified in the face of outsiders, it was common – and, indeed, encouraged – practice for the various jurisdictions to compete with one another, laying claim to contested mines and vying for production and trade. A good deal of negotiation was therefore required among the various jarls, kings and nobles that comprised the Dominion’s ruling elite. In this regard, the runekeepers have always been invaluable, not only giving advice but acting as go-betweens and keeping relationships smooth. Boragar was born into such a life. When his father, himself an aged and highly-respected caster, passed away, Boragar assumed his duties as chief councilor to Elg Goldbeard, jarl of one of the Dominion’s largest and wealthiest cantons. And Boragar ensured it remained wealthy. He took on more and more duties, rising through the apprenticeships of the runecast rites to become a master, and notably being installed as the Stave Bearer of the Moot, the overseer of the great council that brought together cantons to form overarching Skyiron policy and settle wider debts and debates. Boragar came to be considered one of the greatest Dwarves then living in the Dominion, respected throughout the cantons. Besides his measured council, he was also responsible for training new generations of runekeepers in the twinned arts of magic and diplomacy, keeping them as a caste above party politics. Despite such authority, Boragar never overreached the limits of his roles, and confined himself to charting the ongoing prosperity of the cantons he served. Over time, external events tested Boragar’s abilities. The power of the Mikage Autocracy to the east and war between the Telerian League and the Gaellen Pact put great strain on the Skyiron Dominion. It was Boragar who helped mediate the creation of the Nyresan Union. To the Sylvan he is known as Boragar of the Golden Face, after the ceremonial Mask of a Thousand Ancestors that he wears when representing the Skyiron Dominion abroad. The world continued to change, and conflict seemed to be the only constant. While Boragar’s direction opened the Dominion to trade to others beside Gloomdeep Hold, it has also made the peaceful and wealthy future of the Dwarves more fraught. Bringing seclusion to an end always creates uncertainty, and expanding trade also guarantees more disputes and attracts unwanted attention and jealousy from other powers. Boragar has no intention of standing by and running the risk that events will outpace him, even at his venerable age. Feeling that he had spent too long advising from the feast halls and throne rooms of the Dominion, Boragar has taken up the Rune Stave of the Moot and his golden mask. He now ventures forth with Dominion expeditions and diplomats throughout Teleria, sharing the values of the Dwarven way. In doing so, he will help to impose the will of the greatest Dwarf kingdom beyond the Cloudspire Mountains. As war rages in Anhelt, guidance and wisdom are needed more than ever, and few are better able to provide it than Boragar. The aged Dwarf knows in his heart that it is not only the fate of his people that will soon hang in the balance, but that of all Teleria.