Nidavell

Stone and metal that walk and dwell in the deep, with gems for eyes. These are the keepers of the roots of the world, protectors of the ancient vaults of memory and gateways into the Underworld. The mansions of the Nidavell are vast and beautiful beyond compare.
Descendants of the Nidavell are called Mountain or Hill Dwarves. Mountain dwarves have beautiful underground strongholds in the mountains and the deep places of the world. Hill Dwarves form enclaves in the cities of other species across the world, and are renowned craftsmen and mercenaries.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

With bodies of elemental earth, the Nidavell are immune to normal poisons. The eldest of their kindred can reach lifespans of a thousand years. They are extremely heavy and dense, resistant to non-magical weapon damage, can pass through earth and stone, and reach heights averaging less than five feet.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Mostly located in the depths of the Underworld, near the Wellspring of the Elements. Very few Nidavell are found in the Mortal World.

Civilization and Culture

History

The Nidavell were created by Erecura, Sovereign of Stone, when the Dawn ended and the world was divided into Four Kingdoms. Sculpted from the raw stuff of Earth--soil, stone, and metal--she imbued in them the love and knowledge of earth's beauty. She gave them gemstones for eyes, gold in their hearts and iron in their bones. As the giants raised the mountains and carved out the valleys, the Nidavell set about shaping caves, the Cathedrals of Nature, and putting the fine touches on the features of the Mortal World.
As the first Mortals appeared, some Nidavell underwent a change. They became more like the creatures of the Mortal World--though still hearty and tough as the earth that birthed them, they became creatures of flesh and blood. All the kindred of the dwarves underwent this transformation roughly at the same time, leading some to wonder if it was due to an unknown property of the Mortal World, proximity to Humans and other species, or some other unknown factor.
In any case, the Nidavell of the Mortal World divided into the Hill Dwarves, who traveled across the land mingling with the many new peoples of Anacra, and the Mountain Dwarves, who stayed true to their heritage, dwelling in vast underground chambers and strongholds in the mountains and the Deep Places.

Lifespan

900 years

Average Height

4'4"--5'1"

Average Physique

Nidavell family and heritage groups tend towards different concentrations of soft earth, stone, and metal. Metallic nidavell are often more slender and compact, soft earth nidavell are much broader, and stony nidavell are somewhere in between.