Duergar

"A duergar is no better than a common beast. The Allfather shows them mercy for their crimes by letting them exist as they do" - Rune Priest Balhof Heirrak

The Duergar or Grey Dwarves are the lowest caste of Dwarven society, asides from those dwarves who have been exiled. Duergar are inherently mistrusted by other dwarves due to their seeming disregard for craftsmanship and their latent psychic abilities. The Rune Priests teach that long ago the duergar cast aside The Allfather and made pacts with devils for these powers, so The Allfather cursed them, taking their sight and turning their skin to ash. For these crimes, the duergar must forever be in servitude to the other clans and are used to carry out menial labor, usually in unsafe conditions. On rare occasions, a duergar may work as a servant in a prestigious clans household.
It is not uncommon for duergar to attempt to escape their dwarven masters, but this is harshly punished. Those who succeed will travel deep into the Underdark in search of the legendary Stronghold of Undrummkulaz. Some will venture out into other lands but will always have to be cautious of the Heuskhauzi, who hunt down or kill any duergar they find.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Unlike other dwarves who use their clan name, Duergar instead are forced to use their occupation to identify themselves. Examples of this include Gedi (Miner), Klaennag (Cleaner), Smiddat (Smithy), and Smeri (Servant).

Other names

The given name of a duergar, regardless of gender, is that of the clan they are in servitude to.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The primary language of the duergar is known as Duergan which is closely related to the Dethek language of other dwarfs. Many are also fluent in Undercommon

Shared customary codes and values

The duergar are fueled in all their actions by two pervasive feelings: ambition and greed. Though they might scheme and plot at great lengths to gain treasure or prestige, success is never a cause for celebration. No matter how much wealth or power they gain, it's never enough. When the duergar wage war on other races, they demonstrate that the weak aren't fit to possess that which is meant for the strong.

Common Etiquette rules

Any show of weakness is a mortal sin among the duergar. Displays of happiness, contentedness, and trust are shunned if not outright forbidden.

Common Dress code

The average duergar typically wears drab clothing designed to blend into stone. On rare occasions they wear jewelry but it is simple and utilitarian in design. In battle, they wear heavy armor and hateful, scowling masks that hide their identities.

Common Taboos

The act of drinking is forbidden among the duergar. Even free duergar tend to refrain from drinking as they have learned from bitter experience that those who drink too much risk awakening deep racial memories of their ancestors' cruel treatment. The psychic agony that these memories evoke manifests in a severe flight-or-fight response

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

The duergar hold little esteem for beauty favoring practicality instead. Both male and female duergar tend to be bald and males grow out their beards in an unkempt fashion. On the rare occasion when a duergar does grow out their hair it is often styled into spinelike quills.

Gender Ideals

There is little distinction between duergar when it comes to the tasks they are assigned. Both males and females are expected to carry out hard labour although there is a tendencay for those duergar in a household role will be female.

Courtship Ideals

Traditional courtship is forbidden amongst duergar. Instead, if two duergar wish to marry they must get the permission of the head of their clan.