Dwarf

Dwarves are a race of humanoids native to the continent of Crestfall, most notably within the mountainous region of Kovia. The dwarves are a famously long-lived race, coming second only to the elves in terms of longevity.

Appearance

On average, adult dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and weigh around 150 pounds. Dwarves may express a wide variety of skin tones, ranging from pale white to dark brown, with a similar degree of variation in hair and beard color.
Both male and female dwarves are known to grow facial hair; while some are known to shave their beards, this is considered a faux pas in dwarven culture and is frowned upon at best.

Traits and Abilities

Dwarves are famously known for their strong wills and stronger constitutions. As a possible nod to their Underdark origins, dwarves have developed a potent metabolism, allowing them to consume many foods which would be poisonous to most humanoids; nightshade, for example, is a popular garnish for dwarven cuisine. As a side effect, this resistance to poison means that dwarves have a difficult time getting drunk, resulting in dwarven alcohol commonly being made at a high enough proof to be lethal to most non-dwarves even in relatively small doses.
In addition to these common traits, the deep-dwelling duergar have been known to express innate abilities which do not manifest in their surface-dwelling cousins. Quasi-magical abilities such as invisibility and size manipulation are not uncommon inborn abilities for the Duergar, and while the reasons for these abilities are not fully understood, it is suspected that the Duergar's past history may contain an incident in which contact was made with some manner of psionic entity within the mysterious depths of the Underdark.

Civilization and Culture

History

According to their own creation myth, the Dwarves first came into existence deep underground, living as blind, bestial creatures in total darkness. This changed with the arrival of the dwarven pantheon, known as the First Fathers; these dwarven deities are said to be responsible for granting dwarves the gift of sight as well as guiding them from their underground caves and tunnels to the surface world above.
Not all dwarves chose to follow the First Fathers to the surface, however. Some found the bright lights and open skies of the surface to be harsh and frightful, and thus returned to the underground to continue their subterranean lives. The dwarves that abandoned the surface became known as the Duergar, who still dwell in Crestfall's subterranean Underdark to this day.

Society and Culture

Dwarves are among the most populous races of Crestfall, and their cultural traditions of trade and commerce often result in dwarves being found far and wide throughout the continent. Nevertheless, the largest populations of dwarves in crestfall can be found in the following locations:

• Kovian Dwarves, also known as mountain dwarves to some outsiders, make up the majority population of the mountainous region of Kovia. For generations, the dwarves of Kovia have held a deep pride for their craftsmanship, which over the years has evolved their ancestral homeland into an industrialized region of factories and mining facilities.

• Wieglish Dwarves, also known as hill dwarves, are the descendants of dwarves who migrated from Kovia to the neighboring region of Wiegland. Perhaps as a result of Wiegland's cleaner air and water compared to the smoggy, industrial lands of Kovia, Wieglish dwarves are known for their famously hearty constitutions, even by dwarven standards.

• Duergar, also known as deep dwarves, are the pale-skinned descendents of the dwarves which never left their subterranean homes in favor of the surface. These dwarves dwell within the Underdark of Crestfall, as well as subterranean cities such as the Drow-ruled city of Deepscar.

Notable Dwarves

Player Characters

• Faren of No Clan: A gloomstalker ranger, vigilante, and employee at the Twisted Knuckle tavern in Drakmort.

• Kursk Theorsson: A gunslinger and member of Team Dustbowl.

• Sindri: An alchemist artificer and a member of the Witch Hunters.

Lifespan

350 years

Average Height

4-5 feet

Average Weight

150-180 lbs.

Geographic Distribution

• Crestfall

Related Ethnicities

• Duergar
• Kovian Dwarves
• Wieglish Dwarves