Dwarf
Deeply devout, industrious, hardy, and often incredibly stubborn, the dwarves of Dwarden were the third race to arrive on Llenilan. Their homeland far to the east had no elves or orcs, and so the ancient dwarves approached their new neighbors with caution. The first signs of aggression and war broke out soon after. The sagas and songs of great dwarven warriors tell of the hundreds of years of fighting that engulfed Llenilan for much of 2nd and 3rd eras. Though these are undoubtedly biased looks into the past, dwarven archives and the cultural grudges they keep are invaluable resources for historians and archeologists.
Dwarves are short and stout people - though most are under five feet tall, they can weigh as much or more as full-grown humans. Their compact physique and powerful musculature make them capable craftsmen and warriors alike. Deep set eyes, large, flat noses, and heavy brows are common among dwarves. Dwarven skin colors range from pinks and tans to deep browns, but most common are earthy tans and light browns. Hair is rough and thick, and tends to come in brown and black shades, but paler dwarves often have red hair. Male dwarves will quickly grow facial hair from their adolescence onward, and must shave regularly if they don't want a beard or moustache. Almost all dwarven men take great pride in their beards however, and groom, braid, and trim them to fit popular styles.
Dwarven children are taught to be devoted to four things in order of importance - family, clan, Dwarden, and the divine. Meeting the needs of a dwarf's family should be their primary goal, unless the needs of their clan (extended family and community) clash with the family. In these cases, the clan takes priority. The clan has priority over the family, and the needs of all Dwarden takes priority over the clan. This is most commonly encountered on a city or town-wide scale, those living in Mollowvahn are expected to care for the city before dealing with their specific clans. Above all else is a devotion to the gods and their will - especially the two main dwarven gods, Erathis, the mother goddess, and Moradin, the all-father and god-king.
The dwarves are known as industrious and hard-working people, and for good reason. Dwarven society views working hard as the sole requirement to be a good citizen - if you keep your head down, do your job, and don't cause problems, no one will cause you any. Dwarves also tend to take pride in their work, from something as great an undertaking as carving a statue into a cliffside, to as simple as brewing a nice batch of ale. Some of the finest metalworkers, stonecutters, carpenters, archeologists, jewelers, historians, and scientists Llenilan has ever produced have been dwarven.
Dwarven society and Dwarden as a whole are ruled by the Dwarven Oligarchy, a powerful cabal of the wealthiest clan leaders from across the nation. They meet in the capital city, also named Dwarden, to vote on matters relating the economy, warfare, expansion, technology, and culture. Their rulings are absolute: carried out by writ first, judge second, and blade if the others fail. Those dwarves whose clans are too small or too poor to gain membership to the oligarchy are denied any right to vote or express disagreements, as devotion to Dwarden comes above that of their own clan.
Lifespan
350
Average Height
4'0" - 5'0"
Average Weight
110 - 190 lbs.
Geographic Distribution
Comments