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House Name: House Delver
House Words: "Hands of Mole, Backs of Bear, Hearts of Stag"
Coat of Arms: A golden painted mountain range, backed by stripes of verdant green and dark red

Seat: the Great Mountains, the Low Lands, the Ashen Pit (Clingmans Dome)

Titles: 
* Foremost-Man of all Diggers
* Lord of Appalachia 
* Protector of the Great Mountains
* Favored of the Mountain Mother  

History: House Delver has been the unflinching, stalwart leader of the Great Mountains for around 400 years, and shows no sign of stopping. Long ago, when House Deveram called for support against the righteous revolution, the lazy and drunken once-lords of House Stiller decreed that all noble Appalachian clans take up arms with the loyalists. The matriarch of clan Delver at the time, the great Mountain Mother Anastasia Delver declared that they would have no part in defending such a callous and cruel empire, and brought many other clans into an alliance which would oppose any support of House Deveram. House Stiller paid little mind to those who refused to sally to war, and brought forth the Great Mountains antiquated military at the time, ill trained knights and conscripted foothill-men to battle. When the majority of the “knights” of Appalachia had left, it was then that the great alliance of clans struck. Sneaking through the mountain forests, at home in the cliffs and trees, the clansmen led by Anastasia slew the fat lords of Stiller, and declared that Appalachia would no longer be a place of intoxication and gross laziness. Under the watchful eye of the Mountain Mother, and due to her blessings, the mining industry was revitalized due to the rise of Stone-Whisperers, who could commune with the earth and discover places rich in ore and gold. It was also House Delver who instituted the “Bear in Cave” doctrine, which led the military of the Great Mountians into one of less than significant offense, but frighteningly efficient and deadly defense, utilizing guerrilla tactics and extremely well trained archers. 

Head: Foremost-Man, Amicus Delver. 

Heirloom: The Plucking Whistler, The 4 Ores Necklace, the Metal Mole

Traits: Delvers are typically quite tall and broad shouldered in stature, but perpetually hunched over slightly due to being in the mines more often than not. All are brown or black haired, with dark colored eyes ranging from dark brown to a verdant green. Delvers are quite honest and typically polite, but are not trained in matters of decorum or state craft most often. They manage to be quite brusque, and also proficient businessman as well, using uncompromising tones and supreme confidence in their wares (usually because they dug it up themselves.)

Misc:  
 
* Delvers, as a matter of tradition must always have a pair of working gloves either on, or somewhere on their person, even when dressing nobly. 
* Foreigners are generally prevented access to the actual mountain range, as a matter of principal. Little is known to even the common folk of Appalachia about the locations of fortresses, or particularly important mining locations within the dense forests and tall cliffs deep within the range. 
* Alcohol is widely available and widely traded, and known to be the best in all the kingdoms. However it is against the law to bring “Shine” into any mining site. 

Quote: 
[i]"I know that when I was a young lad, I too wondered just what the Mountain Men were hiding in those tall, misty peaks of theirs. But I’ll tell you boy, I’ve known a few who stepped to close to those wooded trails, and arrows appeared at their feet as if by magic, no archer in sight. Best to stick to the foothills anyhow, all the Shine you could barter for and besides, the ore from the mountains will end up in the lower markets come it’s time."[/i]
- A trader speaking to his apprentice

[i]"The House Delver is blessed by the Mountain Mother, you all remember that now. It was them who’s drove out the Stag Tribes, it was them’s who started digging into the ground, and sure as the Foremost-Man done Pluck the Whistler, they’ll be leadin this’un kingdom till we’re all minerals ourselves.”[/i]
- An Appalachian Learner, speaking to a bunch of Little’uns

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As requested, moved to the general interest check!