Kal-Sharok

Codex Entry: Trading with Kal-Sharok
"My approach was carefully observed. This was not a thaig unused to watching its boundaries. I got the impression that if I'd been one of his Orzammar cousins, our meeting would've been swift and bloody. That is, if I'd been allowed to find the passage at all. As it was, he was polite and efficient, and he knew well the current market for everything he offered. Clearly their isolation is not because of fear, and certainly not disinterest. Among his wares, I saw the latest fabrics of Val Royeaux and volumes by a Free Marcher poet three centuries dead. This only added to my doubt of the official year of Kal-Sharok's 'rediscovery' as declared by the Assembly of Orzammar. I didn't mention this to my host. As curious as I was, there was an undercurrent I found unsettling. I must stress that he and his helpers were professional and honest throughout. But there was something I can't describe. While he remained hooded the entire time, he looked me square in the eye when our deal was struck, unashamed.""I lived through a time of Blight. I've felt the gaze of a Grey Warden and seen the corruption of his prey. Why I remembered both in that moment, I still can't explain."— On meeting Novas Sturhald in Kal-Sharok, excerpted from the journals of Ser Evrain Abernache, noble merchant-scholar, World of Thedas Vol. 1 p.127

Overview
The Dwarves of Kal-Sharok are as proud and private as their cousins within Orzammar. Their culture even a greater unknown to Thedas due to their perceived abandonment by Orzammar, a point of strain between the two Great Thaigs. In many ways they are the same, though due to necessity and centuries apart the Dwarves of Kal-Sharok have diverged from the culture and ways that Surfacers have come to hear and pass rumors of. In the recent years the Assembly has become aware of Kal-Sharok's survival and have offered the Great Thaig to join them under their New Empire in Orzammar. Those from Kal-Sharok not only see it as a sleight against their home, as Kal-Sharok had previously been the seat of power for the Dwarves, but also an insult that the way of Orzammar is superior when it is always a nug's leap from tearing itself to shreds.

Caste System
While the Caste systems are somewhat similar by looks alone between Kal-Sharok and Orzammar the largest difference is the absent nature of "the Casteless" and the "Upper Caste" amongst the Kal-Sharok Dwarves as every citizen is important to help run, maintain, and protect the city. The Caste system is mostly absent from Kal-Sharok with the exception of the "Merchant Caste", which is debatably the second most sought after title in Kal-Sharok aside from Paragon-Elect.

Politics
Decisions regarding the fate of Kal-Sharok or policy changes are taken by a vote. Every citizen, no matter Caste, is able to vote on ordinances and changes through a voting box system. The voting box system is runically enchanted using lyrium sigils and lyrium tokens that are unique to every citizen.

There are unofficial leaders within the Castes themselves, these are often the eldest amongst a group, and families can be seen spread out between many different Castes.

Paragons
In Kal-Sharok there are, at any given point, typically three to four living Paragons, with one of them being Paragon-Elect. Paragons are elected based on a vote of the population of Kal-Sharok and what they promise their future deeds will be rather than the deeds of their past. Any Dwarf is able to put themselves up for the choice of Paragon. The Proving Grounds of Kal-Sharok act as a amphitheater when someone puts themselves up for Paragon.

Paragon-Elect
Kal-Sharok abandoned the assembly system soon after they realized that they were left for dead by the Dwarves who fled to Orzammar. They are instead guided by a Paragon-Elect who acts as a deciding vote in matters that end in a draw. They maintain this seat until they pass or decide to step down and allow another paragon to take their place. All houses, regardless of Caste, have a voice in matters regarding the city.