Deep Dwarf
Deep Dwarves are an ancient and reclusive subrace of dwarves who dwell far beneath the surface, in the endless caverns, forgotten halls, and mineral veins of the Underdeep—the subterranean realm that sprawls like a second world beneath the earth. Shaped by a life of shadow, stone, and silence, Deep Dwarves are secretive, stoic, and unfathomably enduring. They are the most traditional of their kin, believing themselves the closest to the First Mountain and the truest heirs of the Stone Father's breath.
They view the surface world as a fleeting blaze above the eternal depth, and though they rarely seek war, they are formidable defenders of their darkened holds and prized relic
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Skin: Ranges from slate gray to deep obsidian, with a rough, stone-like texture. Some develop faint vein-like patterns that shimmer faintly in low light—evidence of mineral-rich diets or magical exposure.
- Hair & Beards: Typically white, silver, deep auburn, or black, often worn long and braided with metal clasps. Beard decoration is culturally significant.
- Eyes: Pale shades—silver, violet, faint gold, or milky white—with excellent low-light vision. Their eyes glow softly when exposed to magic or emotion.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
- Deep Dwarves practice a unique form of magic known as Stonebinding, which allows them to manipulate minerals, reinforce structures, or commune with the echoes of ancient stone.
- Their armor is legendary for being lightless and silent, reinforced with deepcrystal, void-iron, or singing stone—materials only found below.
- Artifacts created by Deep Dwarves often hold echo-bound enchantments—activated through sound, vibration, or touch, rather than sight or speech.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
- Deep Dwarves venerate the Stone Father above all other forms of the dwarven creation myth. To them, the deeper into the earth one lives, the closer they are to His divine will.
- Their society is built around endurance, precision, and memory. Every event is recorded in Runewalls, and history is as sacred as faith.
- They believe in The Stillness—a spiritual discipline centered on inner silence, stone-bound patience, and mastery of one's will.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
- Deep Dwarves organize their cities into strata, with each deeper level reserved for higher rituals, rarer ores, or greater societal standing.
- Stonewrights and Crystalshapers form the backbone of their artisanship, crafting impossibly intricate works in total darkness.
- Delve-Sentinels serve as elite guardians and pathwatchers, trained to fight without light and track intruders across echo and vibration.
- Their rulers are often called Thanes of Depth or Voice-Keepers, chosen for wisdom, memory, and spiritual stillness more than political might.
Historical Figures
- Vardun Hollowvein, Runeseer who deciphered the Echo Tablets—allegedly left behind by the First Dwarves.
- Thane Delgar the Still, who sat unmoving for twelve years to absorb the vibrations of the Wailing Chasm before leading his people to safety from a collapse.
- Kyrra Deepglen, a Crystalshaper whose luminous carvings map both known and unknown sections of the Underdeep.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
- They rarely interact with surface races and are suspicious of all light-dwellers, including their Emberkin and Skyforged kin, whom they view as "weather-worn" or "heat-addled."
- Frost Dwarves are seen with more sympathy, as their struggle against eternal cold mirrors the Deep Dwarves’ battle with crushing silence.
- Many Deep Dwarves believe the surface world is fading, and that the true future lies deeper, where the bones of the world remain untouched.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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