Kordelvar (Grey Dwarves/Duergar)

Written by tgriff02

Basic Information

Biological Traits

The Kordelvar darkvision functions mechanically similar to night-vision/thermal imaging goggles but with a bit of infrared/thermal vision. They can also go invisible for very short bursts when threatened. While this ability appears to function mechanically almost identically to the spell of the same effect, it functions in area where magic normally wouldn't.

Ecology and Habitats

Kordelvar almost exclusively deep underground in the most isolated regions of mountain ranges. They dislike open spaces and avoid large caverns, chambers, chasms; preferring to delve their cities and grand halls from solid, living stone.

Dietary Needs and Habits

To accommodate their subterranean lifestyle, the Kordelvar have mastered the cultivation of all kinds of edible mushrooms and fungi, as well as husbandry of subterranean herd-beasts, along with some trade from the Fendelvar to supplement their diets.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Clans are ruled by a male Thane and a Female Thrane. Typically one ruler will have absolute authority over economic and domestic policy while the other commands military, law enforcement, and foreign affairs; divided according to individual competence.

Facial characteristics

Kordelvar appear much as other dwarves except that it is exceptionally rare for their females to have facial hair. Their hair is almost always snow white. Males have a very elaborate language of braids and plates (with beads and clips) used to denote clan and family affiliations, personal prestige within a community, professional affiliation and rank, as well as lifestage accomplishments. Women have a very similar system involving dividing their hair into 3 interwoven braids.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Kordelvar have the ability to see in the dark as easily as humans can in broad daylight. This darkvision, as it's known as, is black and white but otherwise functions just like normal vision, it also causes their eyes to give off a faint red luminescence in the dark. Other than this their senses are identical to their parent species.

Civilization and Culture

History

During the highpoint of the War of Destineis, Thane Krad Felhammer and his wife Thrane Vay Felhammer rebelled against High Clan Oredepth and forsook the war effort. seeing large numbers og dwarven dead and a growing list of mines that had either failed or were on their last gasps and not enough scouts to see new veins. They refused to send any additional forces or resources to the front. When Oredepth sent an enforcement force to collected the owed weapons and fighters, they were dismayed to find that an alarming number of additional clans barred entry to their own tunnels and in order to shield the Felhammer clan. As more and more clans announced their own challenges, Oredepth realized they were in a dangerous position. Old family and clan feuds began to rise back to the surface under this standoff and Oredepth was no capable of leading the dwarves in a godswar on one front and a civil war on the other.

The thane and thranes of Clan Oredepth and Felhammer agreed to meet to negotiate an end to the standoff, but both sides planned duplicity and the Betrayal of OreHammer is still avoided in polite conversation among dwarves to this day. The Oredepth clan planned to take the Felhammer leaders hostage and use them as collateral to bring the rest of the clans back into line. Meanwhile the Felhammers never planed to take the negotiations seriously and sent magical simulacrum in their places, using the negotiations as a diversion to move their people, supplies, and supporters into new territories and away from the other clans. The Felhammer plot was the more effective as the two as by the time the Oredepths discovered the trick most of the felhammer halls had been emptied, but the simulacrum failed when the Oredepths attempted to seize their guests and dispelled their magical wards. Kharen had put in an appearance at the negotiations to lend her support for a mutual solution. Upon discovering the mutual duplicity she ordered the conflict to be ended as the felhammers had successfully escaped the war, while the Oredepth troops arrived at their halls in time to seize most of the weapons and finished trade goods that had not been moved yet.

Approximately 2000 years later the Fendelvar discovered the deep delvings of the Kordelvar and the two races were reunited. Tensions were high at first, but when the Kordelvar learned that their cousins did not seek retribution, they began the slow process of reconciliation. Although they scoffed at the idea that any non-dwarven deity had any authority to either forgive or condemn their actions; they were still eager for the tales of dwarven valor and honor won in the time after they left. Trade was slowly re-established over the next 500-600 years.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dwarf (Parent Group)

Scientific Name

Terras Sapient (Korda)

Origin/Ancestry

Broke away from the main population of Dwarves during the War of Destinies and moved deep underground, becoming their own separate people.

Conservation Status

While their numbers and relevance have declined drastically, they are not concidered to be in any danger of dying out.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Kordelvar have skin of a deep ashen grey, they are not prone to freckles or other skin markings.