Dwarf
Dwarves are a hardy people, well suited to hard work and heavy labor. They also have an uncanny ability to understand mechanisms, placing them at the forefront of every technological advancement since the Age of Lords, along with the Rus.
As a people born of The Great Stranding, Dwarves have a tendency to feel like outsiders. They don't get to experience childhood, parenthood, or other mortal experiences. They can get married if they so desire, but their connections to the mortal world are limited by the fact they are immortal - never to die of age or disease. Getting attached to mortals only serves to break their heart when the mortals pass. Still, there are a fair few that have placed themselves in society, seeking to fill the hole left by their nature.
They are typically not viewed highly by the aristocracy, but common folk revere them for their prowess in trades. If it's possible to be apprenticed to a Dwarf, most folk will jump at the opportunity. Most of this disparity comes from the general belief that Dwarves are stupid. In truth, this is a gross misunderstanding of how their minds work, but it has still been very pervasive. This isn't helped by the - uncommon, but no less affecting - belief that Dwarves are an abomination, as they are not of the mortal realm; they lack a Soul. Especially among the more strict and bigoted of the religious, it is believed that not having a Soul makes one incapable of entering Heaven, and thus unworthy in the eyes of the gods.
Basic Information
Anatomy
They are standard humanoid in basic structure, but their build is far wider with proportion to height when compared to others of the humanoid grouping. Further, their bodies are made of metal. As a Spirit race, they have no biological sex. However, they have adapted the idea of "men" and "women" from the mortals. Still, there are many that choose to be non-binary.
Genetics and Reproduction
Dwarves don't have genetics, as they are not flesh and blood creatures. Rather, reproduction requires them to build a body and imbue it with a spark of their own mana. Over the course of months to a couple years, the crafter will feed the new Dwarf fuel in order to stoke their flame. In time, said spark will draw on its inherent connection to *Ignethon* to attain sentience and become a full Spirit of its own.
Growth Rate & Stages
Their growth from spark to fully sentient Dwarf is a relatively slow process, but nothing when compared to biological maturation. The full time can take anywhere from eight months to two years depending on a variety of factors like proximity to a layline, variety of fuel they are given, amount of spark imbued, and so on.
During this process, they lay mostly dormant, but, at the end stages, they may begin to speak and move about - though both will be somewhat clumsy.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Because food is literally fuel, what they eat must be flammable, otherwise it does nothing for them. This is fine, as most food is flammable, but it does go against the common belief that Dwarves eat rocks. However, this is not entirely false, as one of their preferred foods is coal; because of its great energy and long burn-time, coal is ideal for the Dwarves. If they eat normal food, they have to eat a lot, as the flammable energy is lacking in these materials. This is what led to the Dwarven reputation for gluttony.
They are also able to drink far more than most other races, save maybe an Orc. The only reason they have a limit is the fact that the alcohol burns hot, and can damage their body if unchecked.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Dwarves have a very loose social structure within their own race, as they lack the traditional family structure. There is a bit of a family concept in the idea of "crafter" and "crafted", but this isn't really a parent-child dynamic, so much as a sibling or just general kinship. A Dwarf literally carries the spark of the one who made them, so there is an attachment that exists. The crafter likely made someone from their own flame to be a companion. Likewise, the crafted literally owes their entire existence to the crafter. This creates a social bond that is very difficult to break. However, this is effectively the limit of their social structure.
Facial characteristics
They have very square facial structures, deep set eyes (really just holes in their faces), and prominent noses. "Men" will always be built with beards. These are occasionally made with wire or chain to more closely simulate hair, but it is typically sculpted in some way. The same is true for the hair. They also have large, round ears.
Average Intelligence
Their intelligence is generally below average on a scholarly level, but their understanding of trades is unparalleled. In other words, they're not likely to be lecturing at a university, but they'll beat the socks off any Smith in the country.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Dwarves have no senses in the traditional sense, as they have no organs. There is no sense of touch, as they have metal bodies, rather than skin. This makes them immune to pain, as well as resistant to slashing damage and crippling. They also are immune to becoming blinded, as they use the same Soulsight that other Spirit-based creatures use. However, this does mean that they can have all of their senses removed by anti-magic. They have no taste, either, as eating is literally adding fuel to a fire.
The only sense they have inherently is hearing, and it's actually stronger than most. While all Spirit creatures have a sense of hearing and are able to speak, the vibration of sound is magnified by their metal bodies, making them even better at hearing than many races with organs to do so.
Civilization and Culture
History
Originally a prevalent race of Aberia and one of the vital members of Abian culture, the Dwarves were banished to Baliklav as the last phase of the Great Aberian Banishment. This shifted the entire culture of the Dwarven populace from Abian to Dumylan.
Luckily for the Dwarves, they have recovered completely from the Banishment. In the centuries since, they spread across Wyrth, becoming an integral part Of Kalastrad's working class, as well as respected members of Uirsgeul and even Aberia's populations. They are also responsible for the creation of the *Living Weapons* of the Astozian Knights, having brought the knowledge they obtained in Baliklav and with the Aard. The creation of these weapons would have been nigh impossible without the Dwarves, as it it the process by which they are created that Living Weapons are based on.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Spirtus Dwarvus
Lifespan
Conditionally Immortal
Average Height
3.5- 4.5ft max: 5ft (1.5m)
Average Weight
190-250lbs or 86.36-113.64kg
Average Physique
Though they are not flesh and blood, there is a certain image-of-self that they have, and thus a general form that they tend to be built in. They are typically built very well muscled, especially in the arms. They tend to be wide, even when built with abdominal muscles. However, most have smooth or even potbellies, as it is much easier to make. Still, as making a new Dwarf is a labor of passion, there are often artistic embellishments made.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Their body is whatever color the crafter saw fit to make the Dwarf in question. They may be black iron, bronze, steel, or gold. The options are only as limited as the materials on hand. Still, they will never be made from a flammable material, or one with a low melting point - the flames of a Dwarven Spirit burn at roughly 900 degrees.
As for markings, the crafter will often put small engravings on their progeny. These are not unlike tattoos, and serve as identity for both crafter and crafted. In recent years, they have come to represent a sort of "family" iconography, not unlike a coat of arms, denoting the "lineage" of a Dwarf.
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