Dwarf

The dwarves, or dwarva, as the dwarves refer to themselves, are one of the major humanoid races of the Dragon Age setting. Strong, stocky, and shorter than any other humanoid race, the dwarves are skilled builders and boast a long tradition of courage and martial skill that has served them well in their millennia-long battle against the darkspawn. They once developed a huge, great empire which spread across vast underground networks of twelve great thaigs that spanned the breadth of Thedas with its population outnumbering both the humans and the elves. However their world was all but destroyed during the First Blight, and they are now a race in decline.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Unlike the other races, dwarves do not naturally enter the Fade as they do not dream and lack magical ability. However, they are not completely barred and may enter it in exceptional circumstances. This is reflected in their resistance to magic, and accounts for their high tolerance to lyrium exposure.

Civilization and Culture

History

Tens of thousands of years of dwarven history are stored in the Memories. Some Shapers claim that they date back to the founding of the first thaig, while other sources state that the first dwarven kingdom was founded so long ago that even Memories do not record it.
The Shaperate speaks of a Thedas entirely devoid of humans, a time when elves reigned over the land and dwarves ruled the underground.[14] In -4600 Ancient (-3405 TE) the elves of the great elven kingdom of Elvhenan are said to first make contact with the dwarves, 1,500 years before the arrival of humans. However much has transpired that has not been recorded in the Shaperate's Memories.

Scientific Name

Dwarf