Wood Dwarves

On the eastern slopes, where the mountains have begun to give way to the mighty Silvermist Forest, live the Wood Dwarves. The most amicable of the three groups, wood dwarves traditionally live above ground in homes that they craft for themselves, hewing the mighty trees that they draw their cultural name from with the finest axes in the land. Like all dwarves, they are are tight knit in their familial groups, but unlike their western cousins, the eastern Wood Dwarves are less prone to mistrust and competition between their clans.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Carpentry is in the blood of the wood dwarf, giving them a sort of bond with things made of wood unlike many other races. It is said that no self respecting wood dwarf has a stick of furniture in their home that they didn't make themselves (or at the very least cut down the tree for) and so a Wood Dwarf's home becomes a reflection of not only themselves and their clan, but the clan's overall skill with the art of carpentry.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Wood Dwarf children grow up in a communal family, their neighbors almost like aunts and uncles and their playmates like far flung cousins. That is also to say that if one dwarf catches a young one being a brat, the child may be receiving a just spanking from somebody that they share no blood with. This causes some tension when the person administering punishment is too much a stranger to the family, but classically it is simply a fact of their lives.

Coming of Age Rites

Upon maturation, a wood dwarf does not have to go through combat trials, but instead learn to craft in order to be recognized as an adult. A Wood dwarf must first go out into the forest and chop down a tree thicker than his arms can encompass and then using the skills he has learned in carpentry, carve something from that tree. Many young dwarves use this as a chance to show what path they have chosen in life. Would be warriors craft a shield or haft for themselves. Bards may craft an instrument. As usually this crafting requires the purchase of additional components in the form of metal or jewelry, it also shows that a young dwarf is attempting to become fiscally responsible for his own life, as well as planning for the future.

Common Myths and Legends

So great is their bond with wood that there have been whispers of dwarves finding the fault in thick wooden doors with the lightest of taps before sundering the barricade with a strike from their brow. This is, of course, absurd.