Dwarves

"I was in the Jeweled Peaks on diplomatic business, and their stubborn ruler had our discussions leading nowhere. Despite the struggling discourse, they still convinced me to stay the night and join in their feasts. Their rowdiness and unruly behavior was intimidating, but I must say, they did know how to hold festivities. So much so that their fine foods and ales was enough to convince me a trade deal which my overlords found most diplorable" - A Sun Elf diplomat from Nythlhaven

Dwarves are among the most common and powerful species of Aleron, at the foothills and peaks of great mountains, where ores and gemstones are ripe for mining. Of the four major races, Elves, Orcs and Man, Dwarves are the architects. Renowned for their sprawling mines, huge fortresses and mounds of treasure, Dwarves have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, despite their small stature. The homeland of the dwarves surrounds the illustrious Jeweled Peaks, a great mountain which Dwarves fight fiercely to defend. As people, Dwarves are willfull, sturdy and skilled artisans, with unrivalled loyalty to their families and clans. Most dwarves live in the north of the continent, the colder climate being friendlier to their hairy bodies, however several clans have spread into the Great Mountains, as well as southern Khajren and Malabor.

Physical Traits

Dwarves stand between four and five feet tall with a wide, stocky build, and weigh on average 200lbs. A dwarf's enhanced constitution makes them hardy in the face of pain, resistant to various poisons and immune to many diseases. They are notoriously hairy, sporting immense beards, burly chests and long manes. Their hair never stops growing, and while hair and beards are regularly trimmed and groomed to remain fashionable, a dwarf's eyebrow truly highlights their age and wisdom. Dwarves mature slightly slower than humans, reaching their adult form around 25, and live for much longer, with many dwarves living to see their 300th birthday. A dwarf is considered old after reaching 200, and a dwarf is deemed eligable for placement in a guild of wisebrows after surviving to 300.

Society and Culture

Bold, Stout and Stern

Despite their small stature, dwarves are formidable warriors. They are brave and courageous, often the first to strike in conflict. Dwarves are blessed with an enhanced constitution, resilient to disease and bearing a tynacity to fight through any physical injuries. They are often described as stern, even grumpy, in their behavior. While a dwarf is known for their ability to celebrate with grand feasts, unruly behavior, they are wary of outsiders and can frequently be poor with words and diplomacy.

Clans, Kinship and Honor

Dwarves are in many ways comparable to bees - anything to aid their clan. A dwarf's purpose in life is to serve their clan, be it through building, mining, farming or through battle. The kinship of dwarven society is unmatched, for their walk their lives together through thick and thin. Honoring a dwarven heritage is paramount when interacting with dwarves, and dishonoring their people is a crime worthy of death.

Social Structure

Dwarves live in a meritocratic society, meaning that the position of a Dwarf in their society is deemed by their worth to the clan. Every clan, settlement or kingdom has a body of Wisebrows (or Elders) that choose amongst them who of the clan should be in charge in a sort of gerontocracy. Wisebrows are the supreme court of the dwarven clan, in charge of grander decisions and in electing a ruler for the clan. Usually, a Wisebrow would either pick the heir of the past leader, or a great warrior of the clan. Destiny versus free will is irrelevant for a dwarf, as usually dwarves act entirely for the benefit of their clan, be it building up its infastructure, or adventuring out to gain honor for their name.

Miners and Artisans

Nothing compares to the craftsmanship of a dwarf. Be it a forged suit of plate armour, or a sturdy dwarven keep, Dwarves honor is often pinned on their globally renouned artisanery. Dwarves have a deep connection with rock and earth, beyond even their own comprehension. Rocks, ores and gemstones are a dwarf's calling, and hence dwarves have adapted to be the most profficient of spelunkers. Dwarves revere the bounty of treasures and minerals that can be unearthed from the depths of Aleron, which a dwarf sees as all theirs for the taking.

Naturally Greedy

Dwarves are a greedy kind, whether its for power, fortune, or shinies unearthed from deep under. A dwarf's greed and beligerance is often marked as one of their greatest downfalls, and is frequently how a dwarven clan meets it's demise.

Feasting

After a hard days work, typically in the early to mid evening, dwarves would flock to large feast halls where long tables, upwards of 40 meters, would be laid out besides one another, and house great feasts on a nightly basis. They are all you can eat buffets, where dwarves would throw some pennies into the centre of the table and begin tucking in to the immense display of food and ale before them. Dwarves would typically much rather spend their nights in feasting halls then taverns, although many dwarves still indulge in the diversity found in taverns over the largely dwarven dominated feast halls.

Relationship with Magic

Dwarves have a naturally poor grasp on etherium, and hence a dwarven wizard is few and far between. Hence, and due to its chaotic nature, dwarves in general have a distrust for magic. Dwarves are more interested in magic artifacts, and thus enchanting is a magical discipline taught amongst capable dwarves. When it comes to magical exploits, a dwarf would most likely turn to a Gnome as both species have a tight bond, and Gnomes have a very strong power of wielding etherium. Those that can wield magic are known to be untrustworthy; the dwarven god of magic, Ymercur, is known for his dishonrable, trickerous ways. Dwarves that attempt to wield magic are seldom resilient to it's corrupting nature, and are often consumed with a greed for more magic power.

Perception

By other species, dwarves are seen to be a hardy folk with strong fighting capabilities. For the species of man, dwarves are often held in high regard, seen as a resectable group of honorable warriors that know how to knock back a few drinks and have a laugh. To others, particularly elves, they can often be regarded as an obtuse, grumpy folk that are blind to the powers of the natural world. However, war with a Dwarf nature is never considered lightly, for dwarves are often feared due to their sheer strength on the battlefield, despite their small size. One thing all dwarves are given credit for is their esteemed craftmanship. As much as it pains High Elves to admit, dwarven crafted weaponry and armour is unparalleled in quality, sturdyness, appearance and effectiveness.
Dwarves look upon the other species of Aleron with a cautious glare, for they are most territorial and protective of their mountain keeps. They are often found among humans, for they know that humans appreciate their handiness with a hammer and forge. Meanwhile, for more magical species such as Elves, they are most distrustful. Due to its chaotic nature, Dwarves have an instinctual aversion to magic casters for they have a strong distrust for acts of the arcane. Dwarves have a deep hatred for Orcs, despising their chaotic and destructive nature, as well as their ability on the battlefield. Many believe this stems from the arival of Orcs in the old world, with Dwarves still disgruntled over the Orc's destruction of the cities and lands they built. In the dwarven lands, they can be notoriously cruel to other species, even when they are accepted into their clans; Beastfolk are particularly persecuted and untrusted by the eyes of Dwarves. However, outside of dwarven clans, settlers of dwarfs tend to be much more accepting.

Religion

Dwarves worship their own pantheon of gods, much like the other races of Aleron. Dwarves believe that their gods created the mortal world atop Mount Forge, casting the lands from iron and silver. After death, dwarves believe that the god they served grants them entry to the Great Halls of Karagrund, where they are united with their fallen ancestors, and spend the remainder of eternity watching over generations to come. Besides their pantheon, dwarves are also known to honor their ancestors in divine worship. They look upon their forefathers for guidance and strength, and fight hard to maintain their principles, traditions, and ambitions, as well as righting the wrongs that they faced.