Dahlian Dwarves
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Torrga, Oriff, Ovina, Riswynn, Sannl, Therlin, Thodris, Werydd, Whurdred, Yurgunn.
Masculine names
Orsik, Oskar, Rangrim, Reirak, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin, Thradal, Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Uraim, Veit.
Unisex names
Golmotaine, Khersetryd, Nekheline, Fofriline, Moznubera, Reilgaeni, Krozmeat, Skanden.
Family names
Dwarven clans are often compound names made up of something that the clan was particularly good at. The most common dwarven clans have names related to martial endeavors. Clans like the Redhelms, Battlehammers, Goblinbanes, and Ironfist are good examples of this. Some of the more crafting mannered clans have names like Brawnanvil, Fireforge, Goldfinder, and Hammerstone.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
There are three dialects for Dwarves which are born out of the separation the original tribes went through.
Darahlian, as it is known today, is the language of what the other tribes call the "City Dwellers" the primary political group in Tog Darahl.
Uggarhi is a combination of Giant and Dwarvish spoken by several of the hill tribes.
Eekash is a version of Undercommon adopted by the tribes that dwell in the underground.
Shared customary codes and values
The Dahlian Dwarves have developed a very strong familial bond that is usually not shared with their more nomadic cousins in the hills and the underground. They believe in honoring themselves and their community through their work. The Dahlian Dwarves pay the most patronage to Khezotz so they put a lot of value on their artistry.
Common Etiquette rules
Dahlian Dwarves are very formal to visitors and strangers. Their hosting traditions are a carefully choreographed dance that is often overwhelming to those that are not familiar with it.
Common Dress code
When it comes to clothing dwarves are very practical. Almost all of their clothes double as work attire. There isn't much in the way of noble clothing or high fashion in their culture.
Art & Architecture
Dwarven arts can leave a lot to be desired to outsiders. There is not much in terms of paintings, plays, and songs which most of the other cultures consider their high art. For dwarves almost all of this effort is devoted to architecture and smithing. This does make temples and holy sites in dwarven sites a majestic sight to behold.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
When a dwarf child is born the community gets together and throws a large feast. Each head of a family presents the parents with an item crafted by their family. The items usually represent the expertise of the gifting family. A child is considered bonded to another family if they express special interest in the item gifted by them. In such a situation the families often seek a way to make that bond official through marriage or apprenticeship.
Coming of Age Rites
In an echo of the birth feast, when a child comes of age their family organizes a feast. Though the main purpose of this feast is to convey to the rest of the community the child's chosen path. The child is expected to return a crafted item to every family who gifted them one on their birth. The feast then culminates with them giving a tool to a guildmaster as they ask for admission into the guild.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Dwarves don't consider them superficial people. For them beauty is not in a person's physical appearance but in their care and prowess in their craft. Whether this means a strong-willed warrior that has slain hundreds, or an accomplished smith that has made swords worthy of kings and emperors.
Gender Ideals
Dwarves make little distinction between the sexes and given their physical appearance it's not straightforward for other people to assign a gender to them. Dwarven clothing, hairstyle, and facial hair knows no distinction between the genders. And female dwarves are just as likely to be accomplished warriors and smiths as the male ones. A lot of dwarves dedicate themselves to their craft so much that they make that their defining trait, preferring to be seen as an artisan than a man or a woman.
Courtship Ideals
For many traditional dwarves Khezotz is part of their courtship rituals. The god of crafts is invoked as the courter seeks to craft something to demonstrate their skill in the craft and devotion to both the craft and courted. These creations are referred to as Monuments of Love and often take months to finish, during which period the couple has limited socialization that mainly consists of getting to know each other families and figuring out how their respective crafts fit together for each clan.
Relationship Ideals
To outsiders Dwarven marriages often look more like business partnerships than romantic relationships. Dwarves put a lot of emphasis on the couple's skillsets and their benefits to their clans and the community as a whole. After the courted has accepted the Monument of Love what follows is a period of partnership where the couple preliminary lives and works together for several months. Should the couple decide to continue their partnership for the rest of their lives they enter a prolonged ritual for Khezotz. Members of each clan chosen by the opposite member of the couple all join together to work on one big project. The project becomes the couples' shrine to Khezotz and is the center piece of a feast that seals their bond of matrimony.
Major organizations
Parent ethnicities
Related Organizations
