Dwarves
Deep beneath the earth of Eden grew dwarves. Many of their origin myths have dwarves born from the stone itself, or from the magma, or from the mist in the air of the deepest caves. Exactly how long dwarves have lived is unknown even to them; when they revealed themselves to the world above, they already had kingdoms spanning continents. Although oral and recorded (literally on stone) histories have been passed down, they only go back about 7,000 years, even among the most studious of kingdoms.
A hardy folk, dwarves are naturally resistant to the dangers of the deep. They rarely live or even travel above ground, and when they do they often find themselves weighted down by bouts of agoraphobia.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dwarves are short, stocky humanoids. They have thick, fine hair all over their bodies. They have fewer bones than humans, but their lack of flexibility is more than made up for by the strength of their constitution.
Dwarven skintones are usually quite pale. They are grey or silver in tone, with copper or bronze colorings. Some ethnicities, however, have exceptionally dark skin. Dwarves that are on the surface often find that their skin darkens very quickly to a pitch black, as if the sun is dying them.
Genetics and Reproduction
Dwarves are able to reproduce with most other species, with notable exceptions being dragonborn (and any other amphibious race). They have exceptionally short pregnancies, but dwarven children are healthy and develop quickly.
Growth Rate & Stages
Dwarves age slightly slower than humans, and reach full maturity at around 50. At this time, their body hair and beard are fully grown, and they are able to put on more muscle mass than as an adolescent. They can live up to 400 years, but more often reach 350.
Ecology and Habitats
Dwarves thrive underground, and struggle anywhere else. Although you can find dwarves living above ground, they often must do so with great accommodation, including eye protection, strong sunblock, and a good, constant heat source.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Dwarves don't have access to a lot of meat in their home. While they are capable of eating meat, any dwarf that spent their life underground will have either a personal aversion or a physical intolerance to eating meat.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
All dwarves have full beards and mustaches that cover a great deal of their face. They typically have small noses with large nostrils, and large eyes with very large pupils.
Average Intelligence
10
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
All dwarves have an excellent sense of direction. They rarely get lost unless there is magical interference. They are extremely sensitive to vibrations and sounds, especially in enclosed spaces and stone structures.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
350-400 years
Average Height
4.5 feet tall
Average Physique
Dwarves are stocky and their body naturally holds onto fat.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Most dwarves appear to have a metallic skin color with grey or silver tones. Some ethnicities have bio-luminescent freckles.
Related Ethnicities