Considered a subrace dwarves, the malkhazad, literally translated as "true dwarves," are a race of dwarves that have learned to thrive and exist in the deepest places in the world. They see themselves as what iron dwarves should be; dwarves not distracted by such things as artistry or aesthetics. Their creations follow sturdy function rather than form. Artistry is seen as a waste, and when exhibited, is often looked upon and treated with scorn by others of their race. The malkhazad takes pride in their ability to endure hardships, to thrive where others quail and quake in their boots, to exist where most others would perish. They often compete with one another to endure and excel where their peers could not. This sense of competition extends to everything, often culminating in a cutthroat environment in which failure means death. This sense of competition extends only so far as it does not interfere with their duties, and to the common good of the city, and the Empire.
Strength & Stubborn Endurance
To a malkhazad, endurance and strength are a way of life. In some sense, it is a part of their religion, and central to who they are as a race. To show weakness or an inability to endure where others excel is shameful. Often such weakness is preyed upon and cruelly punished until either they show strength again, or die.
Psionically Gifted
When the Drynn discovered the Malkhazad, they sought to enslave them with their psionic abilities as they had all others whom they had encountered. Much to their dismay, the stubborn resolve of the Malkhazad made them almost impossible to psionically enslave, and when they tried the Malkhazad struck back in the only way they know, with strength. The war that followed, the Drynn resorted to using slaves for their fighting force after they quickly realized that the Malkhazad were nearly impervious to any psionic weapons brought to bear on them. Using their slaves, they were able to fight their way to Zalagur, only to be met by the Duke of Below himself where his own psionic gifts which far exceeded theirs. Though a few Drynn managed to escape, most were held in thrall to the Duke and are now considered extensions of himself.
Though the Malkhazad acquitted themselves well against the Drynn, it nonetheless revealed to the Duke of Below a potential weakness, which he worked to correct using the Drynn as a medium. Though it took several centuries, the psionic gifts were eventually unlocked, giving them further utility they did not have before. As a result, Malkhazad often shuns the use of traditional weapons for weapons created as pure manifestations of their psionic abilities. Additionally, these weapons often change at will to suit any given situation, lending Malkhazad warriors adaptability on the battlefield that most would not have. In addition to their ability to form weapons as a manifestation of sheer will, they are able to perform other feats such as becoming invisible, or to temporarily control another creature.
Note: This is a custom/modified race. To see Malkhazad Traits, you must be a player or member!
