Mountain Dwarf

The mountain dwarves are a specific group of dwarves that like to make their homes within mountains and peaks. Mountain dwarves tend to focus more on metal work, forging, and mining. They are more numerous than their hill dwarf cousins, and a lot more sociable. Mountain dwarves also tend to have a heavy focus on trading, and one's own prowess as a warrior. In appearance they're slightly taller than hill dwarves and tend to have lighter hair and skin.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Anbera, Audhild, Bardryn, Bolhild, Dagnal, Eldeth, Eridre, Falkrunn, Fallthra, Gillydd, Gunnloda, Helgret, Kristryd, Marastyr, Morana, Nurkara, Oriff, Therlin, Thodris, Torbera, Tordrid, Torgga, Urshar, Werydd, Whudred, Yugrunn

Masculine names

Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Brottor, Dain, Darrak, Duergath, Eberk, Fargrim, Gilthur, Gimgen, Harbek, Kildrak, Kilvar, Morgran, Morkral, Nordak, Nuraval, Oloric, Orsik, Rangrim, Thoradin, Tordek, Ulfgar, Vonbin, Vondal, Whurbin

Family names

Aranore, Balderk, Battlehammer, Brawnanvil, Deepdelver, Eversharp, Fireforge, Frostbeard, Graybeard, Hammerstone, Ironfist, Orcfoe, Ruby-Eye, Rumnaheim, Silveraxe, Steelfist, Soutale, Strongheart, Torunn, Trollbleeder, Trueblood, Ungart

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Language Family: Dwarvish (Khuzdul) Dialects:

• Blue Mountain Dwarvish (Halk-Khuzdul)
• Caledonian Dwarvish (Calda-Khuzdul)
• Iron Mountain Dwarvish (Guza-Khuzdul)

When the dwarves first arrived in Edda they all spoke one common language; which was Proto-Dwarvish (Khuzdul). In each of their mountain kingdoms, the mountain dwarves started developing their own dialects. These dialects are Blue Mountain Dwarvish, Caledonian Dwarvish, and Iron Mountain Dwarvish. Each dialect is quite similar to the other so, when different dwarves from different mountain kingdoms communicate with each other, they can understand the other's dialect with relative ease.

Culture and cultural heritage

Dwarves highly value the ties between family members and friends. This has helped them form tightly knit clans, in which the elders are expected to provide either leadership, wisdom, or advice. Elders are highly respected along with clan founders and ancestral heroes. This has given the dwarves a bit of a cult of ancestor worship. This reverence for elders seems to carry over into dwarven relations with other races, as dwarves seem to also greatly respect elders of non-dwarven ilk.
Crafting and metalwork also play a huge role in dwarven culture. Mountain dwarves are the most renowned smiths in the world and to attain significant status in mountain dwarf society is to be a exceptionally skilled in either crafting, metalworking, or blacksmithing. Strength is another thing that takes principal in dwarven culture. Not just strength in the traditional sense --even though mountain dwarves are known to field ferociously tough warriors-- but strength, as in strength of character, ideals, and integrity. Drawing strength and being grounded in one's own ideals and moral beliefs is greatly admired, and earns one much respect.

Common Taboos

Turning against one's own family or clan is the worst crime a dwarf can commit. Family and clan are everything. The punishment for turning against one's own family or clan is sometimes death, but exile is the fate that these dwarves meet more often than not. For a dwarf without a clan is a fate worse than death.

Common Myths and Legends

The dwarves believe that they were created by their god Moradin. The dwarves believe that Moradin took the goddess Freya as his wife (even though the Skofnung and Rheged are stark opponents of this belief), and they created the first dwarves from the rocks and mountains: Dain and Vistra. They had three sons, Brottor, Bruenor, and Bairn. Moradin and Freya eventually revealed themselves to the three dwarven sons, and gave them the one time ability to create a mate from the stone and mountains. The three dwarf sons had obtained their wives, and from them the three great dwarf clans sprung, which are still in power to this day.

Ideals

Courtship Ideals

When it comes to relationships and courtships in dwarven culture --not just mountain dwarves-- the female is the one who initiates contact. When a dwarf male fancies or develops feelings for a female he is to make his feelings known to her. If she reciprocates said feelings and wants to begin courtship then she simply lets him know and it begins. Also, later on in the relationship or in marriage, it is only allowed for females to initiate sexual contact.

Major organizations

• Blue Mountains
• Caledonian Mountains
• Iron Mountains

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Encompassed species

• Dwarf