The Island Kings are a dwarven ethnic group that lives on Emperor's Island in southern Vothan. These dwarves long ago left behind their traditional homes in the highlands for a seafaring lifestyle on the tropical coasts, though they remain inextricably tied to the island by their great reverence for their mountain-dwelling ancestors.
History
Emperor's Island has been the home of the Island Kings for as long as they can remember. Though in the modern day their largest communities are found primarily in the tropical regions of the east, ancient half-subterranean ruins dot the highlands, said to have been built by their earliest ancestors. Despite being under the nominal control of the Sangiran Empire from roughly Y6240* to Y9612*, then under Vothan since, the Island Kings have remained functionally independent, governing themselves according to their ancient traditions.
The Island Kings claim lineage from a great emperor from whom their island takes its name.This semi-mythical dwarf whose name has been lost to history is said to have been the first and only figure to bring the Island Kings together into a unified nation, albeit one that broke apart soon after his death.
Geographical location
Nearly all Island Kings live on Emperor's Island or one of the surrounding smaller isles, particularly along the coasts of the eastern half of the island. Their traditions keep them bound to the island, and though some occasionally travel farther afield, few do not return. There are, however, at least a handful of Island King settlements away from Emperor's Island. At least one village each can be found on the Serpent and the Whale, and the nearby coasts of Vothan and Kea Racha have several small towns primarily inhabited by Island Kings.