Dwarf
Dwarves are one of the most common races found on Azimuth. They are known for their traditions, superior craftsmanship, and the great cities that they carve within the mountains that they call home.
Description
Appearance
Dwarves are bold and hardy humanoids. The most distinctive feature of dwarves are their carefully groomed beards, which grow much longer and faster than those of humans, and can even be grown by women. Dwarves have the same range of skin tones as humans, though earthen tones such as light brown and deep tan are common. Dwarven hair is usually dark.Statistics
Though they stand under 5 feet tall, dwarves are so broad and compact that they can weigh as much as a human standing nearly two feet taller. Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but they're considered young until they reach the age of 50. On average, they live about 350 years.History
Early history and supposed creation
The dwarf race is assumed to have been created as all were during the First Age: The Age of Creations by the gods that set forth their will during this time. The dwarves were of the first three, the others being humans and elves. The dwarves were given Endor, the First Mountain, so that they would learn the riches of the earth and make great things.Additional History
As time progressed, the dwarven empire extended up and down the mountains of Gimora, both through the Iron Range to the west and the larger Gimora Mountains to the east. Many great karaks were built and these kingdoms flourished during the Third Age: The Age of Zenethia. However, during the events of the Great War, the lands of the Kingdom of Endor were sundered by the creation of the Dragon's Maw. The land was of the dwarves was ripped in twain, creating a sprawling chasm of ocean, and many dwarves were drowned in their holds. After the war, they turned towards trade in their recovery. With the shifting of the map a new trade route was formed from the Iron Range through the new human lands of Branca, Burland, and Konenbur. The Iron Highway would prove instrumental in the growth of all of Gimora.Society
Dwarves are known as skilled warriors, miners, and workers of stone and metal. Their courage and endurance are easily a match for any of the larger folk. Dwarven karaks stretch deep beneath the mountains where the dwarves mine gems and precious metals and forge items of wonder. They love the beauty and artistry of precious metals and fine jewelry, and in some dwarves, this love festers into avarice. Many take to worship of Morounin, The Learned-Lady, as the patron of craftmanship. Many others worship Chedae, The Heaven's Light, for dwarves generally align with order and good. Dwarves can be found across Azimuth. Though they are primarily localized in their main remaining karaks, such as Endor, the First Mountain, and Karak Azgal, many live on the surface as well along the Iron Highway and farther afield in the surface cities and ports of Endor. Dwarves also range along the major trade roads and ports of the world. Dwarves in other lands are typically artisans, especially weaponsmiths, armorers, and jewelers. Some become mercenaries or bodyguards, highly sought after for their courage and loyalty.Dwarven Clan Structure
For dwarves, clan and family are paramount. The chief unit of dwarven society is the clan, and dwarves highly value social standing. Even dwarves who live far from their clan's home cherish their clan identities and affiliations, recognize related dwarves, and invoke their ancestors' names in oaths and curses. Each dwarf clan is like a family tree, a heritage and hierarchy that each member of the clan knows their place in and their relation to other clan members. Due to the longstanding nature of major clans, different branches can form or become enveloped, and in truth it can become a muddy and complicated topic in some instances. However, due to the long-lived nature of dwarves, such disputes have many years to resolve. Genealogy and heritage are of great cultural importance, and many of the major clans can draw back their lineage to the Third Age or beyond. For smaller clans, this process gets much hazier. They could be formed by a dwarf breaking off from their main family branch to start off on their own, or could be that a larger clan was dissolved into is subsidiary branches. In such cases, with a dissolving of that larger clan history so to comes a dissolving of power and influence. In truth, most dwarves aside from the purest of bloodlines can draw their genealogy from multiple major clans. The farther down the totem pole one is, the more likely that their genealogy becomes mixed or hazy or complicated. At the head of each clan is the Clan Leader, often called a Clan Father or Clan Mother. This dwarf is involved in many or all aspects of the clan’s functions and determine the goals and presence of the clan overall. They live in or maintain the primary clan household holdings and are seen as the leader of that clan in all regards. Beneath the Clan Leader are a number of Clan Elders, older dwarves from the family that can put their centuries of experience into the clan and its dealings. Many clans have some type of council structure where the Clan Elders relay guidance and advise to the Clan Leader. While the Clan Leader is responsible for the clan overall, it is usually the Elders that maintain the clan’s records, genealogy, and holdings. Every other dwarf of the clan is referred to as a Clan Member. However, this level of clan membership can vary widely from one individual to another. While every dwarf is a representative of their clan and is expected to uphold and defend its honor and reputation, there are no concrete forces that enforce this, aside from cultural or familial ones. The larger clans can have subbranches of the family tree and levels underneath the Elders that are responsible for various duties of the clan. Smaller clans may not have any formal Elders at all and only function with their Clan Leader, or may have informal gatherings where every clan member is involved. The larger the clan becomes, the more infeasible this method becomes however.Dwarves in Gimora Major
The largest groupings of dwarven society is in the area West of the Gimora Mountains, where the three primary Karaks of the Kingdom of Endor are located: Endor, the First Mountain; Karak Azgal; and the lost hold of Karak Thrund.Dwarves in Gimora Minor
Many dwarves live along the Iron Highway and farther afield. Dwarves also range along the major trade roads and ports of the world. Dwarves in other lands are typically artisans, especially weaponsmiths, armorers, and jewelers. Some become mercenaries or bodyguards, highly sought after for their courage and loyalty.Dwarves in Tarteria
Dwarf traders are common all along the Orc Highway, as members of caravans or as mercenaries or guards. Endor trading ships are common in Port Haville, though are rarer in Calen Estel. There is a dwarven settlement in central Tarteria called Thoriktown, in the Khushuut Mountains.Subraces
Mountain Dwarf
Mountain dwarves are the strongest among dwarvenkind, and following their martial tradition, train in the use of light and medium armor.Hill Dwarf
Hill dwarves are wisest among dwarves, and are often the heartiest as well.Notable Dwarves
Campaign One: Zenethian Heroes
Non-Player Characters
- High King Thorik Oathenhammer: Leader of Endor, the First Mountain, and ally of the Zenethian Heroes.
Campaign Two: Lightbringers
Player Characters
- Gertrude Oathenhammer: Dwarf Cleric of Chedae, The Heaven's Light.
Non-Player Characters
- Borscha Brickwell: Member of the Hands of Ore guild in charge of the Darksteel Foundry.
Azimuth Anthology: Luyos
Non-Player Characters
- Krummer Flintforce: Second-in-Command of The Copper Dozen.
Type
Humanoid Size
Medium Age of Adulthood
Around 50 Lifespan
Around 350 years Average Height
Between 4 to 5 feet Average weight
Around 150 pounds Skin color
Similar range to humans ranging from nearly black to very pale, earthen tones are common Planes
Material Plane Primary Locations
Humanoid Size
Medium Age of Adulthood
Around 50 Lifespan
Around 350 years Average Height
Between 4 to 5 feet Average weight
Around 150 pounds Skin color
Similar range to humans ranging from nearly black to very pale, earthen tones are common Planes
Material Plane Primary Locations
- Thoriktown
Related Organizations
