Consortium

Not to be confused with Consortium of Extra-Planar Merchandise Transferral Specialists.

The Consortium, also known as the Dwarven Consortium and Mining Consortium, is a large trading organisation composed of the eight largest mining companies in the dwarven capital city of Keldagrim. Together, the eight companies ruled the dwarven realm until the crowning of Veldaban in the year 169 of the fifth age.

History

The Consortium was founded by King Alvis in approximately 1669 of the Fourth Age, roughly 500 years ago. Originally intended to serve the King, after a time of faithful service it quickly became more powerful than the monarchy. By the time of King Alvis's death, the monarchy was all but useless. After his death, no king was ever reinstated, and the Era of Kings came to an end.

The palace which stretched across the River Kelda was modified to include new features that would aid the Consortium, including eight small offices and the Trade Octagon, an area where the eight companies could trade mass goods amongst themselves.

Keldagrim Trade Octagon — The Trade Octagon, where the Consortium conducts most of its trades.

Since the time the Consortium was founded, the eight companies have changed many times. Some companies were pushed out by larger, newer companies, and others lost so much power they were relegated to being a minor company. No company ever willingly left the Consortium, until The Red Axe during the events of Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf.

The Consortium has brought a new era of prosperity to Keldagrim. Many new advancements have been made, both technological and diplomatic. Most notable is the recent development of steam engine technology. Using heated water, the dwarves have been able to construct many new machines, including steam-powered ships, advanced mine cart systems, the blast furnace, and the Dorgesh-Kaan - Keldagrim Train System. The Consortium has also become involved with the Dorgeshuun, sending Ambassador Alvijar to Dorgesh-Kaan. They also seem to have sent Hofuthand to Varrock to establish ties with the humans in the Grand Exchange.

Current members

There are, as always, eight companies in the Consortium. Each company helps to decide not only what is best for their company's individual needs, but helps to ensure that the city is led properly. The current members of the Consortium are:

The Red Axe (until the events of The Giant Dwarf quest, after which The Orange Flame is admitted to the Consortium)
The Purple Pewter
The Blue Opal
The Yellow Fortune
The Brown Engine
The Silver Cog
The White Chisel
The Green Gemstone

The Red Axe is currently the largest of the eight companies, and has the most political power of the eight. Also, the Yellow Fortune allows only women to join, while the Brown Engine will only accept men. The Red Axe, however, can't be joined, because they have an anti-humans policy, meaning that no human is allowed to join the company, only dwarves can have that right.

Other Dwarven Companies

Although the eight Consortium members are by far the most well-known companies in the Keldagrim, there are perhaps hundreds more that operate throughout the city and the Dwarven Realm. Most have not been identified by name.

The Magenta Accordion

The changes of the Consortium

In King of the Dwarves, Veldaban is crowned king, ending the rule of the Consortium.

In Birthright of the Dwarves, the directors have a meeting about to continue to rule the city. The player has choice of letting a king or the Consortium rule the city.

Quests involving the Consortium

Trivia

It was possible to see the Consortium from the Prison Pete random event with the Orb of Oculus, but not the other way around.
The Consortium might be a republic making it the first republic in RuneScape followed by the Dorgeshuun Council.

Preceded by	Title	Succeeded by
King Alvis	Rulers of Keldagrim and the Dwarven Realm	King Veldaban

Preceded by	Title	Succeeded by
King Veldaban	Rulers of Keldagrim and the Dwarven Realm	Possibly the Consortium or the Drunken Dwarf