Dwarf

Carved from the bedrock of the universe, Dwarves endured an age of servitude to giants before winning their freedom. Their mighty mountain fortress-cities testify to the power of their ancient empires. Even those who live in Humans cities are counted among the staunchest defenders against the darkness that threatens to engulf the world. As of Year 2264, Era of Chaos, the Orc God Gruumsh put out an extinction order on Dwarves. This lead to them being forced into the mountains of Emeria on Tandris. Only in the last few decades has the Dwarven population begun to rise as they have expanded throughout the continents again, under the protection of the Venerable Sorcerer.
Sometime near Year 243, Era of Civilization, a powerful Lich Sorcerer approached the Dwarven Settlement for aide. His army of Goblins, mostly still alive, were building a fortress in the Hedon Peaks and he wished to strike a trade deal with the Dwarves. The Dwarven leaders agreed and eventually their partnership blossomed into a freindship. The Lich sorcerer realized the utility of the Dwarves, their ability to locate the rare mineral Danmid, and went about the process of relocating them throughout Morad. They are guarded under his protection as well as small battalions of Goblins.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dwarves average about 4 1⁄2 feet in height and are very broad, weighing as much as an adult Human. Dwarves have the same variety of skin, eye, and hair colors as Humans, although dwarf skin is sometimes gray or sandstone red and red hair is more common among them. Male Dwarves are often bald and braid their long beards into elaborate patterns. Female Dwarves braid their hair to show clan and ancestry. Dwarven attire and equipment, including weapons and shields, are decorated with bold geometric shapes, natural gems, and ancestral faces.

Biological Traits

Dwarves average about 4 1⁄2 feet in height and are very broad, weighing as much as an adult human.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dwarves reproduce through sexual intercourse and a pregnancy period of 8 month

Growth Rate & Stages

Although they reach physical maturity at roughly the same age as Humans, Dwarves age more slowly and remain vigorous well past 150 years of age, often living to see 200.

Ecology and Habitats

Dwarves were known for being able to withstand the toughest environments, preferring to live in deep monster infested caverns or the peaks of wind swept mountains.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dwarves are omnivores but prefer meatier options when they can get them.

Biological Cycle

The only sign of an aging dwarf is the speckled flecks of grey that infest their beard and long hair when they are nearing the age of 150. A Dwarf at the end of their natural lifespan looks as healthy as one in their 50's just with lower energy and a gravely raspier voice.

Additional Information

Social Structure

All Dwarves worship their creator god Morad, though some Dwarves also worship other gods. Morad has been in a great slumber for thousands of years, and rarely manifests his powers anymore so the more divine Dwarves are forced to worship a secondary God or Goddess to maintain their strength, though they never forget their roots.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Before Great King Hamwell's reign, the Orc clans of Morad were given a divine goal sent by Gruumsh, to rid the world of Dwarves. The previously warring Orc clans were united overnight by their one goal and the destruction of the Dwarven race was swift and unprecedented. As news of the slaughter reached Dwarven cities, they tried to protect themselves inside their cave towns and mountain homes, but it was to no avail. Only the Dwarves of the Hedon Peaks, Dwinlar in their native tongue, were able to seal themselves into their mountain before the nearby Orc clans learned of them.
Now the only Dwarves in Morad are found within Dwinlar. Recently, The Skulled Director has taken a personal interest in repopulating Dwarves around the world under his protection.

Average Intelligence

Dwarves are intelligent creatures capable of speech, civilization, and trade, though tend to anger easier than most other races.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dwarves are very similar to Humans in their sensory abilities, though many humans swear that the taste pallet of Dwarves is muted.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Dwarven last names are their clan names. All Dwarves from the same clan have the same last name, regardless of parental last names. Dwarves that marry into other clans will often change their last name, this is not seen as breaking ties with their old clan but instead reforging bonds with a new clan. Some Dwarves that don't want to offend their family members will keep their clan name or take both clan names if they marry into another clan.

Major Organizations

Today the only Dwarven civilization is in the Hedon Peaks, and any small mining camps distributed by the Venerable Sorcerer.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Dwarven

History

Dwarves were created alongside Morad by the Dwarven God of the Land, Moradin the Allhammer. After Moradin created Morad and an species in his image, he entered a deep slumber, one that he is still in to this day. Many Dwarves quest in the hope that one day they can find their creator God and wake him from his divine rest. During the Era of War, Dwarves distinguished themselves as hearty warriors capable of surviving in the toughest of lands. After the Planar Separation, Dwarven civilizations were able to expand and prosper throughout Morad. They intermixed with Humans and when inevitable some fell in love, Halflings population increased to match that of other common species. Brodroda Hillspine played a pivotal role in breaking apart the Living Gate and reuniting the planes once again. Though this turned out to be the beginning of the end for the Dwarven race. Throughout the Era of Chaos, Orcish Horde clans hunted down any Dwarven population with religious vigor, as they were told to do by Gruumsh the Ruiner. Their last settlement in the Hedon Peaks of Emeria was looking to be a final stand against invading Horde clans, before Great King Hamwell brought peace to Emeria, and end to the Era of Chaos, and the beginning to the Era of Civilization.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The few remaining Dwarves often despise any Arcadian race due to their connection to Orcs and are untrusting of any species except Humans, who they tend to get along with.

Genetic Descendants

• Halflings

Scientific Name

Pumilio Homonis

Origin/Ancestry

Mountain, Hill, Cave, Dark

Lifespan

200 years

Conservation Status

Dwarves are critically endangered, being relegated to the mountain range of the Hedon Peaks in Emeria.

Average Height

4' 3" - 4' 9"

Average Weight

160 - 200 lbs

Geographic Distribution

• Emeria