Dwarves
Common things among Dwarves? Well, that's a tricky question. See, while we may have the same general features, ya can't really say all Dwarves got something in common. I mean compare the Dwarves over in Alus to me kin in Edrinia's spine. You just glance, aye, they look the same but when ya actually talk to them, it's night and day. Though I guess you could say most of us love the stone. Carving it, making homes out of it. Sure, it don't last but that ain't the point. By the time it fades away, stories will spread of the beautiful sights that stone can make. And that's the same thing people will say about us Dwarves, even long after our empires are crushed and fade to dust.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dwarves have the bipedal anatomy of Avestran species. Due to their short and stout nature, their bones are hardier than normal people to support their muscle and weight.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Dwarves, being spread all over the land thanks to the Underroad Empires, are located in or near the mountains. Both the mountain ranges of Edrinia and Alus house millions of Dwarves whether it be in mountain cities or the nearby hills. While numbers that dwarf even that were rumored to exist in the Underroad back in ancient times, only tens of thousands can live there now. One day, they may one day spread across the Underroads once again.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Dwarves, like a large number of Avestran races, have Darkvision to see in the dark but only in shades of grey. Dwarves who stayed in the Underroad for the majority of their lives have a superior version of Darkvision but this comes with a sensitivity to sunlight whether it is actual or produced by magic. Additionally, there is a rare ability based through Dwarves known as Stone sense. It is similar to echolocation used by Blindsense and Tremorsense but it's as if the Dwarf can use stone as an object to see through. It is a rare trait that while documented in stories, has only appeared a few times in the last millennium. Unfortunately, this has made it difficult to study and truly determine.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
Edrinia Organizations
- Azabad and Shiz: These two Dwarven Kingdoms are known for their proximity to Mount Firis in the northwest portions of the Vazi mountain range. Hardy from the heat of the Volcano and the frozen winds from the north, they are battle-hardened from conflict with the northern tribes and recently battles against the Muspel Giants of the Sgand Empire.
- Gabar: A Dwarven hold that was one of the few to allow a large number of non-Dwarves to live in their mountain territories. With chaos in the north and persecution in the Orzin holds, the Gabarian Dwarves are known for their benevolence as they offer sanctuary for any refugee fleeing from their homeland.
- Burazan, Kharagzun, Nulbin, and Urak: The Dwarven Kingdoms of the Angorian mountains. They are known for their disunity as breaking contracts and even breaking up of clans and leadership is a common occurrence in these lands. Nothing is meant to last forever, much less contracts and treaties in the eyes of these mountainfolk. Because of that, these Dwarves are seen as fickle and even quite rude but in actually, they're more likely to insult their allies than their enemies.
- Khundus and Vaguzin: The two Dwarven Duchies of Edrinia's Spine. With a militaristic Human empire to the west and goblinoid tribes to the east, these two have been worn down by conflict. Which explains why they decided to appease the Crystlian Empire as much as possible. Unfortunately, this has caused strife in their lands as rising factions wish to return to their warlike ways and cast out the non-Dwarves that cross through their lands.
- Lonavi Kingdoms: While Dwarven in race, these mountain holds have been integrated into the greater Lonavi Kingdoms and Theocracy that remain. Dwarven Vampires are quite a common site as nobility and they look after their non-Vampire kin as in accordance with their tenants.
Alus Organizations
- Bizadran, Garagzig, Undesh, Urzimer, Zabilnal, and Zilukk: The Dwarven Holds of the Mazidun Ridge mainly keep to themselves, only trading with the outside world and not dealing with any conflict. However, that isolation left these holds on their own when a legendary Elder Dragon came and devastated their lands. That weakness has left them open to new threats as the Aberrations begin to stir in both their surface lands and the depths below, putting the fate of these Dwarven holds in jeopardy.
Elsewhere
- Azador: A United Kingdom of Dwarves sandwiched between the marching bands of Brandovian and Haiakage forcess. These Dwarves look inward and below for danger as they attempt to protect Stane the Stone Guardian, their god and supposedly the Core of Avestra. When a Dwarf from this land is seen, they are usually on a mission to hunt down a "defiler of stone" before they can cause chaos and awaken Stane.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Dwarven is the language of the Dwarves in Avestra. However, it has 3 main dialects across the 3 major regions. The Edrinian dialect has a subset of dialects specific to the Viz, Angorian and Spine Mountains as well as the Lonavi lands, totaling up 4 subdialects. They are roots in the goblinoid language but there are also influences from goblinoid in Dwarven.
In Alus, there is only one dialect of Dwarven due to the closeness of all the holds. It has made it easy for them to communicate with each other and fueled their isolation from the rest of the world. Now that they have begun exploring the Underoads, they are slowly taking influences from ancient Dwarven.
The Azadorian dialect is believed to be heavily influenced by Ancient Dwarven as translations have shown there hasn't been much variation in script between the two. However, since Azador Dwarves try to stay out of the Underoads as much as they can, they have not been able to use that knowledge to their benefit.
History
The story of the Dwarves is the story of the underground of Avestra. While the species developed near the hills and mountains, there was always some strange desire to explore the depths of Avestra. Dwarven skill with stone carving mixed with the ingenuity of Tykriels and Gnomes allowed these three to form the Underoads, a system of tunnels, caverns, and caves that run throughout the depths of Avestra. Through this system, all of Avestra was connected and the Dwarves spread far and wide. Both above ground and below ground, there were Dwarven kingdoms and holds living in opulance as the Dragons and Giants ruled above. The Under Empires as they were called reigned for millennium. But as mortal things would, these fell.
No one knows what happened to the Underoads and their empires, some say the Elder Dragons laid waste to them, others say the gods grew discontentful with the decadence of the empires and destroyed them. Regardless, most of the Underoads collapsed and the Dwarves were left stranded across Avestra. In the chaos, records were lost and soon they forgot about their roots as the rulers of the underground. And that is how the Dwarves would remain until the coming of the Elders.
While the Elders caused destruction and death for many, their tactics also opened up sections of the Underoad to use as bases. When the Dwarves and other races beat them back, they discovered troves of lost knowledge and even holds that could be rebuilt. Now, several Dwarven kingdoms begin to explore their homeland once again to regain what they lost. But whispers abound that whatever caused the fall of the Underoads could still lie in the depths. And that the more they dig, the ever close they get to another devastating event. An event that could lead to oblivion.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Edrinian Dwarves
The Dwarves get along with their Tykriel and Gnome neighbors, remembering the empires they shared together and the great things they built. However, the way Orzin Tykriel and Gnomes treat "less intelligent" people has soured chances for cooperation between the groups. Goblinoids and Dwarves are anywhere from bitter rivals to amicable neighbors. Quite a few Dwarven holds have been conquered by the former in the east and some would like to take these lands back from them.
Dwarves get along best with either Lunari or Elves, depending on the mountain range they reside in. The Dwarves of the Viz mountains view the Lunari as honor-bound Guardians who have come to their defence several times. The Dwarves of Gabar have many Lunari serve in their mlitary and as guards to defend their borders and cities. For the southern Dwarves, the Elves are the only ones who can match their wit and respond well to their taunts. Elves that are willing to brave the Underaod are a great boon to the Dwarves, especially Elves who are naturally attuned to the darkness of the depths.
Alusian Dwarves
The Alusian Dwarves rarely trust anyone, even their own kin from other lands. As such, they show distrust to the goblins of the southern hordes and clash with the Orcs on either side of the mountains. As the Aberrations stir up once again, they are slow to let go of their distrusting ways, content to fight against these abominations on their own.
An enemy that Dwarves are truly hostile to are the Dragons who raid their holds and the Firebrand servants that follow them. Dragon hunting knowledge is in high demand in the Nomi ridge and the Shogunates nearby are more than willing to teach those arts... for sufficient compenstaiton.
Azadorian Dwarves
Azadorian Dwarves view the Aasimar of Brandovia with little care. They mainly clash with other Dwarves of Avestra and any that wish to explore the depths. They run the risk of awakening Stane or inviting a greater evil and they refuse to let that happen, using certain Underoads to attack lands as far east as Edrinia's spine.
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
350 years
Average Height
4 - 5 feet
Average Weight
150 lb
Related Organizations
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