Dwarves

Dwarves were the first non-reptilian mortal race in the world, although they remained largely unknown to the surface world until after the emergence of humans. Dwarves were created by the titan of earth known as the "Stuntling" and placed deep into the earth. Over hundreds of generations, they burrowed great tunnels and hollow spaces into the world before finally emerging into an already-tense surface world dominated by elves and humans.

Lineages

Mountain Dwarf

Mountain Dwarves are the most common on the surface Seori. They often reside in grand underground halls, but also develop and live in large surface cities, especially those who live and work closely with mortal races. They are often called stubborn, but in reality, they are immensely patient, happy to spend centuries making incremental progress towards shared goals. They are also very resilient, and will often choose to weather burdens and hardships that would cause others to re-evaluate their situations.

Deep Dwarf

Deep Dwarves are by far the most numerous of the dwarves on Seori, but are rarely seen. They are they descendants of dwarves who never broke through to the surface, and have existed in the warm, stable embrace of the depths for millennia. The vast majority of deep dwarves spend their whole lives never seeing open sky --- some aren't even aware of the concept. Some communities of deep dwarves have connections to the surface, often through mountain dwarves, which they exploit for trade. To surface-dwellers, deep dwarves are inscrutable; academics point out that the mannerisms of deep dwarves closely match those of earth spirits. In the past, this was considered a cute point of convergence of theology and arcana, but in the age of artificers binding elemental spirits to metal forms, some radical scholars are taking a second look and questioning how mortal races were created...

Sea Dwarf

Sea Dwarves, also known as Fish Lords at times, are descendants of technologically advanced dwarves who broke away from the rule of Val Farum and the High Kings, choosing instead to live on and under the sea. After catching and subduing the titan Xildra, the sea dwarves used its power to radically alter their own physiology. However, they soon went mad with power and were functionally destroyed during the Ascendant War when Xildra was freed from captivity. The survivors, numbering in the thousands, largely congregated in the south, at the coastal mountain dwarf settlement of Khag Darum. The mountain dwarves here lived a relatively unique coastal lifestyle, and the Sea Dwarf refugees were taken in gladly. In the years since, because of their severance from Xildra, they have lost many of their aquatic adaptations, although some still have gills or webbed feet. They still feel a deep yearning for the sea, and often find work as sailors.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Dwarves reproduce slowly. Most dwarves will not have a new child while they are still rearing one, making similarly-aged siblings exceedingly rare, and strengthening the dwarven familial hierarchies. Twins are not unheard of, but they are uncommon, and are regarded as a poor omen due to the weakening of social order they represent.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dwarves live about 500 years. Their childhoods last about 20 years. Notably among mortal races, dwarves lack any recognizable adolescent phase. Young adult dwarves, however, are known for being brash and headstrong. Older dwarves refer to the almost ubiquitous period of self-inflicted misfortune as "the polishing", and consider it an important part of dwarven culture and heritage. It can take anywhere from a few years to a few centuries for a dwarf to complete the polishing. Dwarves are generally considered elderly at about 300 years, but dwarves don't experience the weakening of the body associated with age as other races. Their physical appearance ages as usual, however.