The Dwarves inhabit and guard the Northern Pass, a land which connects Ra’Isha to the southwest of the Desolate Lands. The Northern Pass is a mountainous land which has a very large valley hidden somewhere inside. They have built a large civilization in the valley which spans inside the mountains.
Contrary to most men's belief from childhood stories,that Dwarves are small blustering drunks who think of nothing but ale and rocks. They are actually a quite advanced society mainly due to the lack of alcohol consumption. Their kind, while world renowned brewers, have sworn off of alcohol. This isn't known by most and is a great surprise to people when they actually meet a dwarf. They don't often venture out of the mountains except for political figures to attend government events and merchants who travel to Ra’Isha for trade. This is because Dwarves have a very stuck up personality and think the other races of the world are beneath them.
They are the ancient guards of the Northern Pass but do occasionally take in some countries and mercenaries armies to train in the mountainous environment, for a large amount of coin that is.
They are one of the oldest races of Solivity and while they used to be a society of blustering drunks have climbed their way to the top of the evolutionary scale. They don't worship any gods they believe more in science and it's foolish to think anything else. They're governed by an elder and a council all chosen during a large election. If any decision is seen as major or could affect all their people it must be voted on unanimously, while some would see this way as the council members being bought out, that isn't the case. Dwarves are very Noble and just the thought of taking a bribe sickens them to the very core.
Different Types of Dwarves
Average Dwarf
Most men are between the heights of 4'5" and 5'5" while the women are between 4' and 5'5", height isn't a very important to dwarfs though, if you're shorter or taller it isn't a sore spot for anyone. They're a prideful people and will adapts however they need. They'd see something like getting embarrassed about being short as an act of cowardice in not accepting themselves for who they are.
Dwarven Society
Miners
Dwarves are experts in a lot of trades, they are some of the best stone masons and brewers in the world, as well as miners. Most men and women decide to work the mines as they feel more at home in the mountains. You won't meet a dwarf who doesn't have a close relative that's a miner, it comes naturally to them. The mines are owned by the state and after 3 years of working in the mines a dwarf will receive an etched pickaxe, the pick is practically indestructible and able to break through the toughest of rocks. Gaining your pick is an extremely important milestone for a young mine worker.
Brewers
Brewers are more of an elite trade, it takes years, decades even to become considered a master brewer. They still stay true to their heritage in producing the finest ales the world has ever seen. All brewers start off as an apprentice to a master brewer and work their way up the chain learning the trade. These apprenticeships can last up to a decade making it a very hard job to land yourself.
Military
The Dwarven Military, while not on the same level as a group like the Wolves. Is a formidable force to say the least, they specialise in long range and guerilla warfare. The mountains in the Northern Pass offer those familiar with it a great advantage when it comes to attacking from the peaks with their enhanced Long Rifles. Their stature and knowledge of the valleys and passes also allows them to employ hit and run tactics and ambushes.
There isn’t too much to say here in regards to recruitment, it is similar to most military structures, young Dwarves are recruited into the military. In extreme circumstances conscription has been required. They can work their way up the ladder to higher positions, favoritism isn’t condoned however. No matter your social standing, everyone starts out at the bottom of the barrel. It doesn’t matter if your father is a general. You’re gonna be a recruit for a couple of years.
Military's are often sent to train with the Dwarves in the mountain environment but it’s commonly useless and an expensive waste of money. Regular humans just don’t fair well in the environment, it’s too harsh for them and they aren’t dexterous enough. The exception is when the Black Wolves come as part of their training. They are the only humans/elves that are able to keep up and fair well under the conditions.
Scholars
Dwarven Scholars are some of the most world renowned scholars outside of the Academy. The study the sciences and engineering. They’ve been the key minds behind weapons such as Long Rifles. There is no age limit on when you can start studying under a Scholar, as long as one accepts you as a ward. It’s advisable to start as young as possible as it means you’ll be ready to take your own apprentice sooner. Scholars are paid by the state, mostly. There are some private institutions but mainly they’re employed by the Dwarven Library. A large dome shaped building built into the mountain city, filled with an assortment of books that could possibly rival even the Academy’s collection. They spend their days researching and that's pretty much it. If they have construction ideas they can either build them or employ the offshoot Engineer Dwarves to build it according to their requirements. If magic is needed there is a dwarf Wolf employed as well by the Library to aid in any projects.
The Council
Council members are the most revered members of society. There is a large election every six years where 5 council members along with an elder will be voted on. Anyone over the age of 30 and with the endorsement of a member of each of the four guilds and the non-guilded may enter. There is a council member chosen for each guild. The Scholars, the Military, the Miners, the Brewers and finally the non-guilded (Those who have retired not chosen a guild yet). An Elder is also selected and they must be non-guilded; there are always two Dwarves on the council not affiliated with guild to ensure fairness and to not allow the guilds to pass damaging acts, that will benefit just them and not the people as a whole.
Merchants
Merchants don’t have a dedicated guild and are apart of one of the four guilds, Scholar merchants tend to sell texts and items, Miners sells gems and ingots, Brewers sell alcohol and the Military merchants sell weapons and in some cases arrange for Dwarven mercenary groups to be hired by kingdoms.
The Beard
To a dwarf their beard is everything even females have a small amount of hair upon their faces but nothing compared to a male dwarf. Insulting a dwarfs beard is tantamount to disrespecting every member of their bloodline in the most heinous ways. They're religiously maintained and vary in great ways, no two beards are alike.
If you are voted onto the council you are required to shave your beard off and can never grow one while on the council. It shows what you're willing to do for the people. You are willing to give up the key, most important symbol of your pride and heritage in order to keep your people happy and safe. It shows that you're deserving of being a leader and that you've earned the people's respect.
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