Dwarf
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Names are of the greatest importance amongst the Dwarves, all honor and dishonor is attached to a Dwarf by their name. Dwarves, like Humans, have two names, a clan name and a given name. At birth, Dwarven newborns receive their given names not from their parents, but instead from a Giver, a high ranking elder that is responsible for deciding the role each Dwarf will play in their colony. A Dwarf's clan name is handed down from their parents and is considered the most important component of their name. In extraordinary circumstances. a Dwarf may have their clan name stripped from them should they bring great dishonor to their clan.
Courtship Ideals
Dwarves don't really engage in the act of courtship, at least not in the way Humans are known to. Firstly, Dwarves do not choose whom they are going to court, that job lies with the Givers. Taking into account hundreds of physical and social factors, including status, skill, and fertility, the Givers match two Dwarves together in marriage based off of the relationship that will best strengthen the colony. Once matched, the two courting Dwarves will be allowed to spend their free time together, to better strengthen their possible union, also so that the Givers may observe any possible flaws within the match so that they may reconsider.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
- Common
- Dwarven
- Under Common
Common Etiquette Rules
In early Dwarven history, the Dwarves were a far-flung and disparate people, with little to no common culture tying them together. This made the Dwarves weak and an easy target for attack from the other three races. This led Mudran Steelborn to set about the work of devising the best way for his people to live. He traveled from colony to colony, studying the best and worst ways that his kin lived, what brought strength and what brought weakness. Eventually the original edition of the Code of Fire & Stone was written, a list of just about everything a Dwarf may do in their life and the level of honor or dishonor each action would bring to the Dwarf and their clan.
The Dwarves quickly grew to accept the Code, exiling those that did not to the surface world. Despite its great importance to the lives of the Dwarves, the Code is not immutable, with many wise Dwarven philosophers altering and adding to the Code over the years, in order to better perfect it. The Code decides everything ina Dwarfs life, from status, occupation, even whom they are to marry. The Code is considered to be the largest written piece of literature in all of Dremlia, though only one copy of the Code in its entirety exists in each colony, as most Dwarves only keep close the parts of the Code that are applicable to their lives.
Common Taboos
The taboos of the Dwarves are too numerous to list, but in a general sense, the greatest taboo is disobedience towards the Code. The greatest specific taboo, listed as the most dishonorable act within the Code, is for a Dwarf to leave their colony and live upon the surface world, without the permission of their elders. Any Dwarf found denying the Code or touching foot upon the surface unauthorized, are forever exiled to the surface, branded with a mark across their face so that all can see their shame.
Historical Figures
- The First Sage Mudran Steelborn
- Deep Lord Orris Smithson
- Henrith Littlevein
- Etc.
Lifespan
400-500 Years
Average Height
4'-5'
Average Weight
150lbs
Geographic Distribution
Related Technologies
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