Dwarf

A race of short, yet stocky, humanoids. Dwarves are a stone anchor in the politics of the continent. Well known for their stubborn and haughty attitude. They are uncomfortable around other races and would prefer to be left alone, yet always seem to be active in the affairs of others.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The dwarves are a short, yet stout, humanoid race. Shorter than humans by a foot but weighing the same; they are a hardy race. They also are well known for being nearly impervious to poisons and toxins.

Genetics and Reproduction

They reproduce sexually, reaching puberty at 15. Gestation is six months and produces a single child.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dwarves age at a slightly slower rate than other sapients. A child can walk, talk, and eat solid foods by around five years, reaching puberty at 15. They are considered adults by 20. They reach their prime at around 40 and start to feel old age at around 60.

Ecology and Habitats

Dwarves, with their hardy constitution, are capable survivors in most environments. Notably, they are very resistant to poisons and toxins which implies that early in their evolution they lived in more hazardous locales.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They are second only to humans in terms of the variety of their diet. For a species with such rough features, they are delicate eaters and enjoy food that is prepared lightly—they just happen to eat vast quantities of it. A single dwarven meal can last nearly two hours, with courses of appetizers, primos, secundos, desserts, and digestifs. A dwarven feast is a sight to behold and can last for days.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Dwarves are very collectivist in nature and attitude. They are a "community first" species and don't take well to insubordination or individualism. A common expression is, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down". Even outside the Dwarven Reach, they are well known for having rigid family structures and roles.

Facial characteristics

by Maynard Owen Williams

Males often grow long thick beards. They are exceptionally well groomed and a sign of virility, class, and personal pride.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The majority of people of the stone currently reside in the westernmost quadrant of the continent. The Verdant Coast, with its stately ocean cliffs and hills, features the hill dwarves, while the Gates of the Grasses mountain range (and capital region of the Dwarven Reach) is home to the mountain dwarves. Populations of dwarves also live in the Pax Nevarra and the Radiant Empire.

Average Intelligence

Average when compared to other sapients.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Despite being mostly diurnal and surface dwellers, dwarves have darkvision and can see perfectly well in the dark. They also have an ability they refer to as "ishi no kenshutsu" or "stone sense", which allows them to have an almost innate understanding of stone and the story behind it. This sense is sometimes described as the "stone singing".

Civilization and Culture

History

The earliest period of time where dwarves emerge in the historical record, is alongside the humans during the great exodus after the collapse of The Lost Kingdom. Their population was low and was at greater risk of extinction than their human counterparts. Evidence also shows that they migrated at a slower rate and did not venture as far afield as the humans successfully did. Evidence shows dwarves colonized the most southern points of the Verdant Coast by -1300 AN.

It is alleged that in -500 AN the legendary hero, Masune The Thunder Which Shakes Mountains in Two, led a company of warrior-brothers to conquer the lair of the red dragon, Hanshi. Myth holds that the battle so was fierce that the mountains themselves would move to make clear for their warfare. In the end, Masune defeated the great beast. In victory, Masune took the dragons lair as his own and began to remake it in his own image. This was how Votendenes was founded. To this day, the city's seal is the red dragon to honour its origin.

With the mountains subjugated, the dwarves turned outwards once more. They looked upon the fertile land in the valleys below and saw the horror that the orcs inflicted upon the small and defenceless human and dwarven clans. It was here where the first recorded multiracial alliance was made. The "Old Alliance", as it became to be known, united the dwarves and the humans against the orcish hordes which brought only war, blood, and slavery. In -275 AN, the first battles began. Though the orcs were fearsome and savage warriors, the dwarves and humans were young, strong, and disciplined. They steadily pushed the hordes back and back, further north. Eventually, the orcs were driven into the sea and the blackened ones retreated to their barren islands to wallow in impotent shame. One of the times the dwarves were challenged most was during the Blight, which swarmed over nearly every city. It was only thanks to the dwarves stalwart defences that they were able to survive. The 20 Year Siege of Votendenes is considered legendary, and no dwarf doesn't know the heroes of that war.