I wrote something up. Hope ya like it, and if you want you can vote it.
[X]-Ramblings of a an Elder
"Kingship eh?
I'm not much one for politics, but philosophy and tradition have been on my mind of late, so I think I'll muse on that question for a time. What is kingship?
Well.
Let me tell you about your grandfather, and our first campaign together. We were a mustered throng, going to avenge the deaths and woundings of too many dwarves by the foul Troll enemy. When asked who should lead the throng, I responded that the highest seniority thane/longbeard should lead us as is traditional. Your grandfather took that responsibility, and led us to battle.
We, in the aftermath, now know of the grave threat of the Greed Trolls and the Greedy One specifically. The foul taint and portals which would threaten to tear us apart.
And what happened? When we were sorely tested? A man placed into command of a situation much more dire than any expected?
We fought. He led. We followed. Through personal skill and skillful command, your grandfather smashed the foul trolls apart fast enough for me to do my job. A runelord's job. A smiting of the foulest enemies of the Dawi, and the protection of the Dawi from those enemies.
He did well. Quite well. Later, when he wanted a weapon to commemorate the victory, I thought about the battle. The enemy was worse than could have been expected. The number of trolls was higher than I have seen afore and since. Did our throng acquit ourselves as well as could be expected, or was that day deserving of a grander undertaking commensurate to the effort put forth beyond expectation?
It may be said that I chose your grandfather for kingship, and in political terms that may be true. Your grandfather though, when given a situation where many could die, where many would die, shouldered the burden with distinction and pulled our Throng into greater victory. Dwarves of our Karak lived that could have died. Trolls that could have escaped were exterminated, so that their brood would not feast on our children generations hence. Demons that could have obstructed me, that were obstructing me, were shoved aside and asunder by the deeds of your Grandfather.
The diplomacy. The planning. The Throng's successes with Grimnir. The Karak's success overall. Even the pacts with the Branaroki and the greater reclamation of the Northern holds. These are all things that your grandfather has done, and would have done with or without a crown.
Sure it would have been harder for him, but the man knows that Kingship is a burden just as a Thane has a burden, or a Clan Head has a burden, or a Rune Lord has a burden.
You're a beardling yet, which is as good a time as any to learn of elder issues. When asked for my recommendations, or thoughts on an honored dwarf whom I have seniority to, I ask myself a set of questions. Others may have other questions, but I think you'll find some of these familiar enough.
Are they personally honorable and dependable Dwarves?
Do they keep good account of themselves and those closest to them?
Do they improve their Karak, or the Karak's they visit by their actions?
Do they improve the Karaz Ankor as a whole by their actions and habits?
If their life is studied by the younglings, will the younglings be bettered for that knowledge?
These are changed in tone and purview based upon a dwarf's chosen vocation. I'm not a politician, nor a commander, but I think kingship is not just a mashing of those two duties.
No. When I look at the Ancestor's lives, and the fact that none are King, I think that kingship must then be the organizing and communicating of dwarves with one another. We are a stout and mighty peoples, and through many vocations may we better our kin. Warriors yes, but also the clothier, the trader, the toymaker, each vocation which betters the Karaz Ankor honors the Ancestors.
So what is the King's vocation? The King's vocation is that of an organizer, both of Throngs and of Holds. The King's vocation is leadership, both of youths and of elders. To know when to listen, but firstly one must know how to listen, is as important as the ability to take decisive action. It would be folly to think a King knows more of a craft than the head of a Guild, and yet those Guilds still listen. Why? Because the King knows more of the happenings of the other Guilds, the other Holds, the other needs and strengths of our peoples.
I would not worry overmuch of a youth spent at war. Your grandfather carried those experiences well into the later responsibilities of diplomacy and economics. At the same time, it is good to worry some over the later responsibilities. Your grandfather took to them well, but whether that was talent and hardwork or planning and hardwork or all three I couldn't say.
So I believe that is the answer then. Kingship is the vocation of leading dwarves. A short and simple answer, to be sure, but a sturdy foundation which can be decorated, embellished and built upon by the thoughts of other leaders of dwarves. Clan Heads, Guild Heads, Thanes, other Kings and the Ancestors themselves all also lead Dwarves. As do your father, and grandfather of course.
As for me, I'm more than content holed up in my forge and researching my craft. I've no desire to be embroiled in politics, so perhaps my thoughts on the matter are a bit shorter than I'd like. Still. When I think about whether or not it would be good for future beardlings to ask their elders what kingship is, I think it would be good for those future beardlings to do and a sign that those future beardlings may be well suited to leading.
If they can prove themselves further, of course. A few embers the right shade does not a forgefire make. It would be years before it could be known whether the fire was right-tempered for forge craft. Not to mention the stonework required to house such a flame, or the layers of defensive fortifications that should guard the approach to such a forge. I mean. Making the proper forge is half the battle itself when going about proper runecraft! Only after that does it become important to make sure the fire within is correctly tempered. It is the long work of many years, I'll tell you. Many, many years.
Still. A proper foundation is a good way to start. In fact, it would be the only way to start, if I had my choice of the matter. The world does not always accommodate my wishes though, which is just another reason to grumble at such. It's certainly not stone, nor even a softer metal. Ancestors be praised for carving out the first Karaks, for even if the world is unsteady at least our homes are sturdy and solid.
*grumble a bit longer, harumph, nod and walk away*
"
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