Dwarf Species in Aonaran | World Anvil
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Dwarf (DWAWRF)

The Resilient Craftsmen of Andraste

A species of humanoid brought about by a slave tribe in the early stages of the Metallic Age. A slave tribe forced enslaved humans into metal mines, causing them to shrink over generations. After the Dwarven uprising, the mines became the Dwarves' property and they established their own race and government in Iron Valley.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dwarves possess unique anatomical features that distinguish them from humans. They have one head with the standard facial features, including two eyes, two ears, one nose, and one mouth. Their heads are proportionate to their bodies, albeit slightly larger than those of humans. Dwarves' hair, often varying in colour, grows thick and sturdy, with shades ranging from earthy tones such as brown and black to fiery red or pale blonde.
Dwarves have shorter necks compared to humans, resulting in a stout and robust build. From their broad shoulders extend two strong arms, each terminating in a set of powerful hands, each sporting four thick fingers and a thumb for a total of ten fingers. Their arms are well-muscled and ideal for heavy lifting and crafting intricate metalwork. Dwarves' torsos are compact and stocky, contributing to their overall stability and endurance.
Below the torso, dwarves boast two sturdy legs with stout thighs and calves. These legs provide the support necessary for their compact bodies and are perfectly suited for traversing rugged terrains and the mining work that once defined their existence. Each leg ends with a pair of broad feet, each equipped with five stout toes to provide exceptional balance and stability.
The muscular and skeletal structure of dwarves is adapted for resilience and strength, a result of their generations spent as miners and metalworkers. Their skin exhibits various earthy tones, reflecting the regional diversity of their populations. This sturdy anatomy enables dwarves to withstand harsh conditions and laborious tasks, making them natural craftsmen and warriors.
While dwarves lack the unique Arcane Reservoir and Magical Veins found in some of Aonaran's other humanoid species, their physical attributes, combined with their unmatched craftsmanship, have allowed them to excel in metallurgy, engineering, and craftsmanship throughout the ages.

Genetics and Reproduction

The reproductive and genetic characteristics of dwarves are fundamental to their species, allowing for the continuation of their population and the passing down of traits and abilities through generations.

Reproduction Method:
Dwarves, like humans, reproduce sexually through the union of sperm and egg, resulting in the creation of offspring. This reproductive method involves two biological parents contributing genetic material to generate a new individual.

Reproduction Frequency:
The reproductive frequency of dwarves is typically once every 5 to 7 years, with courtship and reproductive activities commencing early in the Bloom Season. Dwarves place great importance on their offspring and provide extensive care and nurturing during infancy and throughout childhood and adolescence. Their monogamous nature and deep respect for their partners further influence their reproductive practices.

Gestation Method:
Dwarves are viviparous, giving birth to live offspring. However, the gestation period for dwarves is notably shorter than that of humans, lasting approximately 5 to 6 months. During this period, the developing embryo is nurtured and protected within the mother's womb, where it receives the necessary nourishment to grow and develop.

Genetics:
Dwarves inherit their genetic traits from both of their biological parents, much like humans. These traits encompass a range of physical characteristics, including stature, facial features, hair and eye colour, and inherent abilities related to engineering and craftsmanship. Genetic diversity among dwarves can be influenced by regional variations within their underground communities, where certain traits may become more prevalent due to environmental factors and shared ancestry.

Parental Care:
Following birth, dwarven parents play a crucial role in caring for their offspring. They provide dedicated parental care, which includes nourishment, protection, and education tailored to the dwarven way of life. Young dwarves are taught the intricacies of metalwork, engineering, and craftsmanship from an early age, ensuring the continuation of their cultural and practical heritage. This parental guidance is essential for the development of the next generation of skilled craftsmen and engineers among the dwarven communities.

Growth Rate & Stages

The growth rate and stages of development for dwarves on Elentiya follow a distinctive pattern, reflecting their unique physiology and cultural upbringing.

Conception:
Similar to humans, a dwarf's life begins at conception when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell, forming a zygote. This initial stage sets the foundation for the dwarf's genetic makeup.

Embryonic Stage:
The embryonic stage corresponds to the first trimester of gestation, which spans approximately 2 months. During this period, the developing dwarf is known as an embryo. Essential anatomical structures and organ systems begin to take shape within the protected environment of the mother's womb.

Fetal Stage:
The second trimester, lasting around 2 to 2.5 months, is designated as the fetal stage. At this point, the embryo transitions into a fetus, exhibiting more defined features. Organ development continues, and the dwarf fetus starts displaying movements.

Late Fetal Stage:
The third trimester, comprising roughly 1.5 to 2 months, marks a period of rapid growth and maturation. The dwarf fetus gains significant weight, organs reach full maturity, and it prepares for birth.

Birth:
Dwarves, like humans, are viviparous, and birth occurs after approximately 5 to 6 months of gestation. The newborn dwarf enters the world and begins adapting to its underground environment.

Infancy:
Infancy is the initial stage of life, during which dwarven infants depend on caregivers for nourishment, protection, and care. Physical development progresses rapidly during this period.

Childhood:
Childhood follows infancy and extends into adolescence. Dwarven children learn to navigate their underground communities, becoming proficient in metalwork, engineering, and other practical skills. Education and cultural traditions play a pivotal role in shaping their development.

Adolescence:
Dwarf adolescents experience a transitional stage marked by physical changes and the development of engineering and craftsmanship abilities. They seek independence and identity formation while contributing to the functionality of their communities.

Adulthood:
Adulthood among dwarves encompasses various phases, including early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. Dwarves continue to hone their skills, contribute to their communities, and participate in family life.

Old Age:
In old age, dwarves undergo physical changes associated with ageing, but the pace and extent can vary. They bring a lifetime of experience to their communities and continue to be valued members despite the natural effects of ageing.

End of Life:
Dwarves typically have a lifespan that extends beyond that of humans, often reaching well over a century. The end of life is a stage marked by a gradual decline in physical faculties, culminating in death, at which point the dwarf joins the ancestral spirits in the afterlife.

Ecology and Habitats

Dwarves thrive in the mountainous terrain of Andraste. This rugged environment features iron-rich soil, an abundance of caves and tunnels, and natural defences, making it the optimal habitat for these skilled miners and craftsmen. The mountains offer access to valuable resources like precious metals and gemstones, which dwarves expertly extract and utilise. They prefer cooler climates and tend to live in isolation from other humanoid species, fostering close-knit mountain communities. While dwarves flourish in this habitat, they avoid most of the other regions of Elentiya due to their dislike of the other humanoid species or due to the dominant species within that region.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dwarves, well-suited to the rugged terrain of Andraste, have developed a dietary pattern that aligns with the unique challenges and opportunities presented by their mountainous habitat.

Rain Season:
Diet: During the Rain Season, dwarves take advantage of the increased water flow within their mountainous home. They primarily consume mushrooms, mosses, and lichens that flourish in the damp environment. Fish from underground streams also provide a source of protein.
Hunting/Foraging: Fishing in subterranean streams is a common practice for dwarves during this season. They may also forage for edible underground fungi and mosses.
Storage: Excess mushrooms and fish are preserved through drying and smoking to ensure a food supply during drier seasons.

Leaf Season:
Diet: As temperatures drop, dwarves rely on preserved foods from the Rain Season. They consume dried mushrooms, smoked fish, and stored grains. Meat from animals hunted during the Rain Season or preserved is also part of their diet.
Hunting/Foraging: Hunting for game animals in the underground caves becomes more common during this season. Dwarves may also gather underground tubers and edible roots.
Storage: Food storage becomes crucial during this season, and dwarves use techniques like drying, smoking, and curing to keep food supplies intact.

Frost Season:
Diet: The Frost Season presents challenges for finding fresh food. Dwarves primarily rely on preserved foods, dried meats, and grains. Dairy products like cheese and yoghurt from their mountain goats may also be part of their diet.
Hunting/Foraging: Hunting becomes less frequent, but dwarves may still venture out to trap or hunt animals that remain active in the underground caverns. Foraging for edible underground plants is limited.
Storage: Most of the food during this season comes from storage, as fresh produce is scarce.

Bloom Season:
Diet: With the arrival of warmer weather, dwarves enjoy a more diverse diet. Fresh mushrooms, mosses, and lichens become abundant, along with stored grains and preserved meats. Dwarves may also consume fresh cheeses and yoghurts.
Hunting/Foraging: Hunting in underground caves is less necessary, as fresh underground plant foods become readily available. Dwarves focus on gathering wild underground fungi, mosses, and lichens.
Storage: Food storage is still utilized, but less intensively, as fresh food is readily available.

Sun Season:
Diet: Sun Season is the most abundant time for food. Dwarves feast on fresh mushrooms, mosses, and lichens, along with grains and a variety of meats from animals raised or hunted during the previous seasons. Fresh dairy products like cheese and yoghurt are common, as well as honey.
Hunting/Foraging: Hunting may become more recreational, and dwarves focus on breeding and raising mountain goats and other livestock for meat. Foraging for rare underground delicacies might be a pastime.
Storage: While less storage is required during the Sun Season, dwarves still preserve some of the harvest for the upcoming Leaf and Frost Seasons.

Biological Cycle

Dwarves, resilient to the ever-changing seasons of Elentiya, adapt their lives and biological cycles to thrive in their mountainous abode within Andraste.

Rain Season:
During the Rain Season, the dwarves experience an increase in water flow within the mountains. They use this opportunity to replenish their water supplies, filling underground reservoirs. The damp environment allows them to expand their mushroom farms, a staple in their diet, while also fostering the growth of mosses and lichens used in various crafts. During this season, they celebrate the birth of their young, who will grow and learn in the nurturing underground environment, ensuring the continuity of their unique culture and way of life.

Leaf Season:
As temperatures cool and the surface world prepares for colder months, dwarves take advantage of the reduced snowmelt and focus on crafting and mining within their underground communities. They reinforce their cave entrances to withstand potential winter storms and ensure they have enough stored food to last through the Frost Season.

Frost Season:
The most challenging time for dwarves, the Frost Season forces them to limit their outdoor activities due to extreme cold and heavy snowfall. Many dwarves hibernate for extended periods, entering a deep slumber in specially prepared chambers. Some of the hardiest individuals, however, remain vigilant to guard against threats from both nature and potential invaders.

Bloom Season:
With the arrival of the Bloom Season and warmer temperatures, dwarves emerge from their hibernation and begin the awakening process. This is a time for rejuvenation and repairing their underground homes. The melting snow contributes to the flow of underground streams, providing the dwarves with a steady supply of fresh water. Dwarves engage in courtship and reproductive activities early in the season, with the anticipation of newborns later in the year.

Sun Season:
The Sun Season is the dwarves' most active time, characterized by extensive mining operations, crafting, and resource gathering. They make the most of the warmer weather to explore deeper into the mountains, extracting valuable ores and gems.

Behaviour

The behaviour and psychology of dwarves are strongly influenced by their resilient nature, their isolated mountainous habitat, and the seasonal shifts within Andraste. Dwarves exhibit a unique blend of traits and behaviours shaped by their environment.

General Behaviour
Intraspecies Interaction: Dwarves are known for their close-knit and cooperative communities. Living in the challenging terrain of Andraste, they rely on strong social bonds to ensure their survival. These bonds extend to family, clan, and community, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support.
Predator and Prey Relationships: Dwarves have adapted to their mountainous habitat and are skilled at crafting weapons and defensive structures to protect against predators. While they are not at the top of the food chain, they have developed strategies for both hunting and defending against potential threats.
Cultural Traits: Dwarves in Andraste are characterised by their industriousness, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for mining and metallurgy. They take great pride in their iron-rich mountains and excel in crafting tools, weapons, and intricate works of art from the precious metals and gems they unearth.

  Seasonal Behavioural Pattern
Rain Season: During the Rain Season, dwarves are actively engaged in mining and resource extraction. The underground mines are bustling with activity as they extract precious metals and gems, while also caring for their newborns and children. Community spirit is strong as they work together to ensure the safety and productivity of their society.
Leaf Season: As the weather cools and the surface becomes less hospitable, dwarves retreat to their underground dwellings. They focus on metallurgical crafts, refining ores into exquisite works of art and functional items. This season is a time for storytelling and preserving their cultural heritage.
Frost Season: The Frost Season brings its challenges, with dwarves relying on their stockpiled resources, including preserved food, metals, and gemstones. Families and clans come together around roaring hearths for warmth and companionship. Traditional ceremonies and rituals help pass the time and maintain their sense of identity.
Bloom Season: With the advent of warmer weather, dwarves resume mining activities and expand their crafting efforts. They take advantage of the abundant resources available in their mountains. Cooperation and communal living continue to be crucial as they work together to extract valuable materials. Dwarves engage in festive courtship rituals and reproductive activities early in the season.
Sun Season: Sun Season is a time of prosperity for dwarves. Their mining efforts yield abundant riches, and they celebrate their achievements with grand feasts and festivals. Trade thrives as they exchange their finely crafted goods with neighbouring communities. Cooperation remains a hallmark of dwarven society, with clans supporting each other during times of abundance.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dwarves, being non-magical beings, heavily rely on their physical senses and engineering skills to navigate their environment. Their sensory and extrasensory capabilities are finely tuned for the practical tasks that define their lives.
Sight: Dwarves possess keen eyesight, allowing them to see details and craftsmanship imperfections that others might miss. Their vision is well-suited for examining the precision of their metalwork, stone carvings, and intricate mechanisms.
Hearing: Dwarves have excellent auditory perception, enabling them to detect even subtle sounds within their underground dwellings. This acute sense of hearing aids them in assessing the structural integrity of tunnels, recognizing potential dangers, and communicating effectively in their close-knit communities.
Touch: Dwarves have tough, calloused skin that serves as a valuable sensory tool. Their hands are highly sensitive to texture and temperature, aiding in crafting intricate metalwork and identifying the quality of materials. Their tactile perception is crucial for their precise engineering work.
Taste: Dwarves possess taste buds on their tongues, allowing them to discern various flavours in food and beverages. While their sense of taste is not as refined as some other species, it aids them in appreciating the culinary creations of their skilled cooks.
Smell: Dwarves have a keen sense of smell that helps them detect changes in the air, gas leaks, and impurities in metal ores. Their olfactory acumen is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of their underground environments and metalworking processes.
Magic Sensitivity: Unlike some other humanoid species, dwarves lack innate magical sensitivity. They rely solely on their engineering expertise and craftsmanship, making the use of magic in their daily lives unnecessary.
Empathy: Dwarves are known for their strong sense of camaraderie and emotional bonds within their communities. While not necessarily empathetic in a magical sense, they possess a deep understanding of their fellow dwarves' emotions and feelings, fostering strong social connections.
Intuition: Dwarves often rely on their intuition, honed by generations of practical problem-solving and craftsmanship. This innate sense helps them make quick decisions in high-pressure situations and anticipate potential mechanical failures or structural weaknesses.
Sense of Balance: Dwarves have an innate sense of balance, which aids them in navigating the uneven tunnels of their underground homes and maintaining stability while working on precarious metalwork.
Proprioception: Dwarves possess an acute sense of proprioception, allowing them to precisely control their movements while crafting intricate metalwork and navigating through their subterranean dwellings.
Time Perception: Dwarves have a keen sense of time, developed through generations of meticulously tracking the passage of hours and days to coordinate their mining and metalworking efforts efficiently.
Pain Sensation: Dwarves can feel physical pain, which serves as a vital warning system to prevent injury during their laborious tasks, ensuring their self-preservation.
Pressure Sensitivity: Dwarves can detect variations in pressure, an essential skill when handling delicate mechanisms and gauging the proper force required for their intricate metalwork.
Temperature Sensation: Dwarves can perceive changes in temperature, aiding them in adapting to the varying climates and environments found within their underground tunnels and forges.
Thermal Regulation: Dwarves have the ability to regulate their body temperature within a narrow range, allowing them to work comfortably in the extreme conditions of their underground habitats.
Hunger and Thirst Awareness: Dwarves are highly attuned to their hunger and thirst, ensuring they maintain their energy levels during long hours of laborious work deep underground.
Itch and Tickle Sensation: Dwarves can feel itching and tickling sensations, which, while less pronounced than some other senses, serve as protective mechanisms to prevent distractions while working on intricate tasks.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Humanum Nanum
Geographic Distribution

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