Dwarfs

The dwarfs, also called subterraneans or Stout Folk, are common found in mountains realms. They are a species of artisans. explorer, miners, builder and traders skilled at metallurgy. The only species yet to master ironwork on the edge of a industrial revolution with a love of gold and jewels that drives them to live underground cities where they dig deep and greedy.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dwarves are a short race, as their name implied, standing from 1.1 – 1.4 meters on average. What Dwarves lacked in height they made up for in bulk; they were, on average, about as heavy as humans. A dwarf could weigh anywhere from about 73 – 100 kg. Dwarven males were a bit taller and heavier than their female counterparts.

They don't create pigment as they live underground and the sun never reaches them. Because of this, they cannot be in the sun for a long time, and many dwarfs believe that if the sun's light touches them, they will turn to stone but it is a myth. Besides the common two legs, two arms and one head, the dwarfs have big hands used to dig. It is considered shameful to dig with your hands in the modern age, but instead use shovel and chop.

Male dwarves were often bald and grew thick facial hair sometimes used to display social status. This hair was often dark in hue, and dwarves took the care of facial hair to an extreme, carefully oiling and grooming it, with some adding perfume and ornaments.

Dwarves have dense bodies and are difficult to push around as a result, as well as having the capacity to bear loads that other races might find hindering with little ill effect.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dwarven sexual reproduction quite readily mirrors human sexual activities, suggesting a distant, common ancestor. Dwarven pregnancy lasts roughly 10 months in which the newborn Dwarf will be born blind for several days to weeks before learning to see, mostly due to their history of low-light conditions. Infancy lasts roughly 3-5 years with adolescence reached at about 8-12 years old. Dwarves commonly reach adulthood in roughly 35-38 years, commonly indicated by excessive facial and body hair growth in males and breast growth in females. Toughening of the skin becomes apparent and nearly visible to the human eye.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dwarves are a long-lived race, and reached physical maturity somewhat later than humans. A dwarf are traditionally considered an adult once he or she reached age fifty. Dwarves age much like humans, but over a longer period of time, remaining vigorous well past 150 years. Most dwarves lived to see their bicentennial and a few lived to be over 400.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Most dwarves prefer living in underground cities near the surface. They build around mines that provided much of their livelihood. Carved into stone, these cities might take centuries to complete but are practically ageless once finished.

Those who live in surface could make themselves quite comfortable. Most who do make a living as mercenaries, traders, smiths, or artisans of various kinds. Dwarves are eagerly sought after as warriors, their reputation of courage and loyalty making them excellent choices for bodyguards.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The dwarfs have bad eyesight and much better hearing than the other species. Instead they use echo localization and are able to produce a wider range of audio.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

Miner's Guild
The Miner's Guild is responsible for mining and excavating ore and mineral as well create new passages in the Deep Road network or new craves for settlements
Explorer's Guild
The Explorer's Guild mapper unknown areas both underground and overground and exploring every corner of the world. Explorer and Traders are the only few dwarves who traveled to the surface.
Stonemasonry's Guild
The Stonemansonry's Guild creating buildings, structures and sculpture using stones. They clean passages up, maintenance craves and turn those into livable homes
Gem Cutter's Guild
Gem Cutter's Guild cut and form minerals and gemstones into decorative items such as cabochon, engraved gems and hard-stone carving. They work close together with goldsmiths.
Goldsmith's Guild
Goldsmith's Guild works with gold and silver and turn them into hollow ware, cutlery, other articles of household silver, sculpture and as well jewelers. They work close together with gem cutters.
Blacksmith's Guild
Blacksmith's Guild works with iron ore and produce ironwork such as light fixtures, furnture, sculpture, tools, decorative, cooking utensils and as well Armour and weapons.
Historian's Guild
Historian's Guild archives and documented lore of their cities, Clan history and genealogy. History is crucial to the dwarven society and can provide legal precedent and historical records going back millennia.
Merchant's Guild
Merchant's Guild are involved in long-distance commerce and local wholesale trade between the holds and the surface. Together with explorers, they are the most visible dwarves on the surface.
Warrior's Guild
Warrior's Guild are highly know for their strong martial traditions. While the guilds are made of mostly soldiers in the Mountain's army, a lot of dwarves join to go out to the surface and serve as mercenaries.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The dwarven society is organised around numerous subterranean city-states named Hold connected though a network of Deep Roads with each own unique government. The Hold's government is decided by different businesses, trade or craft guilds, some more prestigious than others forming into a council leading by Guild Masters and Clan chieftains in a dual house legislature headed by a constitutional monarchy with an tight caste system.
When a Hold become too big, a group of clans and guilds will break off and establish a new one somewhere in the Deep Roads, prefer near a valuable area.

Lifespan

350 years

Average Height

1,1 - 1,3 meter

Average Weight

73 - 100 kg