Dwarf

Dwarves were created by the god Dar and the goddess Beva, and dwelt first in the Godreach Mountains. As such, they are accustomed to harsh, sunless environments, and their culture reflects that. To most, Dwarves are stubborn and rough, slow to trust and slow to forget. To Dwarves, their unwillingness to change is what has kept their society from crumbling. Dwarves work hard, and every Dwarf has a craft they perfect throughout their entire lives. Not having a personal skill to be proud of is the equivalent of not having a life to a Dwarf. Dwarves have a natural affinity for gold and jewels, and this greed has gotten them both exceeding wealth and vast sorrow, for the allure of wealth can be stronger than the allure of good at times. However, Dwarves are still a respected race, as all Dwarves who commit to justice and good commit for life, and a Dwarf is a strong ally to anyone. As they follow a rigid creed, it can take decades just to make a small change to a law or way of life in a Dwarf settlement, and this can be off-putting to other races. Only recently have Dwarves allowed women to take political positions, and Dwarven society is still very patriarchal.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Dwarves have squarer, ruddier faces compared to Humans, and are naturally muscular.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dwarves reproduce the same as any other humanoid species, but the chance of them having twins or triplets is slimmer than Humans, and they tend to have fewer children overall. Dwarves are slightly more likely to be infertile than Humans.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dwarves reach maturity at the same time as Humans but are considered young until around 50 years old. Dwarves typically begin to look aged at around 150. They can live to be 350.

Ecology and Habitats

Dwarves are optimized for underground environments and harsh terrain, and as such live mostly on or inside of mountains and hills. Some, however, live closer to the shores of Ybbis.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dwarves typically eat more than Humans and Elves, if only for the fact that they're usually more muscular. Dwarves living underground eat varying types of cave-dwelling fungi, plants, and animals. Mountain Dwarves also farm, but not as frequently or expertly as other races. Hill Dwarves engage in farming and hunting almost as much as Human or Halfling settlements but also incorporate much trade to sustain themselves. Dwarves living near the coasts primarily fish as a source of food.

Biological Cycle

Dwarves age slowly and look about the same as a 45-year-old Human at around the age of 150. They seem to take on old age less gracefully that Elves, however, and continue to age in appearance quickly after the 200-year mark.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Dwarf society is just as much male-dominated as it is class-dominated. While women in Dwarven society are not seen as useless or without their place, Dwarves typically see women as caretakers in the home and nothing more. However, more and more Dwarf cities are beginning to allow women to attain political influence, though it is still the common notion that women are unfit for either war or politics. Class-wise, a Dwarf is brought-up to believe that they should improve their lives at their current level, not to improve their lives by attaining a higher position. A Dwarf who attempts to gain more wealth and influence rather than improve their clan's infrastructure is looked down upon as a selfish dreamer, which is almost as bad as a clanless Dwarf, because to a Dwarf they might as well be one.

Facial characteristics

Dwarves have ruddier faces than Humans, and most have large noses. Dwarves have an ear shape similar to Halflings but without the slight point. Dwarves grow beards and facial hair easier than any other race, and many Mountain Dwarf females also have the ability to grow impressive facial hair.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Mountains, hills, coasts

Average Intelligence

Dwarves are just as intelligent as the average Human, but may not seem to be. This is because most Dwarves do not engage in any more education than is needed to succeed in their occupation and society, and Dwarves tend to be stubborn and rash in their decision-making.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dwarves can see in the dark due to generations of living underground.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Dwarf names tend to be on the harsher-sounding side of the spectrum, with names such as Bardur, Torren, and Magnik. Female names can be more beautiful in tone, however, despite still sounding tough with names like Brella, Anres, and Nalnia. Dwarves use clan names as their last names. Clan names have two versions: the name of the clan in the Common language and the name of the clan in old Dwarvish, which is used for ceremonies and other formalities. Clan names tend to center around a theme of strength or forging, with names like Heavyhammer, Ironwill, and Steelshield. An ancient and distinguished clan will have their members use the ancient name of the clan when introducing themselves. For example, a dwarf may announce themselves as "Dargram of the Augden (Goldanvil) Clan." If a clan is extremely widespread or the clan name is a common one, a Dwarf can specify the city or village they are from as well in their title to avoid confusion, such as "Anonwyn of the Steelhammer Clan of the city of Badabilg." Dwarves always include their clan name when introducing themselves. Not doing so is considered rude not only to the other person (as the other person's clan may be of a higher class and therefore deserving of more respect) but also an insult to the offender's entire clan for being treated as unimportant.

Beauty Ideals

Dwarves see a well-maintained and skillfully decorated appearance as the most attractive. This means that intricately braided hairstyles and beards as well as perfectly polished, self-made armor are the hottest looks in Dwarf society. Women in all Dwarven ethnicities are expected to look curvy with long hair, while Hill Dwarves put more emphasis on natural beauty than Mountain Dwarves, which care more about jewelry and makeup. Men are expected to be burly with thick beards and a square face.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

It takes centuries for Dwarves to agree to changes in their societies, and to outsiders, this can seem unreasonable. But to a Dwarf, any reform to the old ways is incorrect at the very least. Dwarves have a right to their stubbornness, however, as the Dwarven race is unarguably the most strong and prosperous besides the Elves, and Dwarves attribute their unpenetrable, unconquered ways of life to their unwillingness to change.

Lifespan

350 years

Average Height

4-5 feet tall

Average Weight

150

Average Physique

Dwarves are typically more stout and muscular than Humans.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dwarves have the same skin color range as Humans.