Orf Inndagng (/ɔʁf ɪndʔagŋ/)

Translates to "Deep Dwarf" from the original Dwarvish into Common. Its plural is Orf Inndagngink (/ɔʁf ɪndʔagŋiŋk/), or, "Deep Dwarves."

The Orf Inndagngink, a culture of dwarven people, have a unique appearance that sets them apart from their kin. While they share the same general build and body proportions, the Orf Inndagngink have distinctive stone gray skin and hair, as well as silver eyes that seem to shimmer in the light. Interestingly, male Orf Inndagngink take great pride in their well-groomed beards, which they view as a sign of their masculinity and strength. On the other hand, female Orf Inndagngink typically do not have facial hair, and both genders tend to be bald.
In terms of physical build, the Orf Inndagngink are generally thinner and more lanky than other dwarves, giving them a somewhat wiry appearance. This is further emphasized by their stolid expressions, which often make them seem aloof or unapproachable.
Due to their status as exiles from their own underground society, any Orf Inndagngink found on the surface world are marked by tattoos on their face and arms, serving as a visible reminder of their supposed treachery and betrayal. These tattoos often take the form of intricate designs that are unique to each individual, making them a sort of personal emblem or badge of honor.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

The Orf Inndagngink are a group of dwarves whose ancestors were transformed by living in the deepest parts of the world below. They absorbed magical energy from their surroundings and were subjected to experiments by aberrant creatures, which resulted in them developing psionic powers. These powers have been passed down through generations, and the Orf Inndagngink eventually freed themselves from their captors and established a new life below ground.
The Orf Inndagngink culture is focused on pragmatism and objectivity, with a strong emphasis on accumulation and destruction. All members possess some degree of psionic talent, with some individuals formally studying psionics to augment their abilities. Those with exceptional skill can move objects without touching them, view creatures from a distance, and achieve incredible feats such as lifting boulders or transforming into liquid to flow through cracks.
Psionic research involves accessing a dimensional space where Orf Inndagngink can tap into the energy exerted by living minds. This power source enables them to alter their own bodies and those of other creatures, manipulate thoughts, and even impart basic intelligence into objects. However, the full extent of their psionic capabilities is still not fully understood.

Shared customary codes and values

The Orf Inndagngink, a society that prides itself on its intelligence and cunning, has a complex history that shapes its people. Their rebellion against the mind flayers, led by their patron god Savrimos, freed them from enslavement and removed the influence of other gods from their souls. The aftermath of their revolution, however, resulted in a culture that values ambition above all else, with little regard for happiness or beauty.
Despite their bleak existence, the Orf Inndagngink's society is built on three core principles, which are enforced by the priesthood. Firstly, they must be consumed by a relentless ambition that never wavers, even in the absence of celebration for their successes. Secondly, they must continually strive to become more powerful, as this is the only way to hold onto the treasure and prestige they acquire. When they go to war, they make it clear that only the strong are fit to possess what is meant for them, and they will not tolerate weakness. Lastly, any display of weakness is considered a mortal sin, and this extends to personal conduct and clan workings. Happiness, contentment, and trust are strictly forbidden.
Although their society is rigid and demanding, the Orf Inndagngink are bound together by necessity, not choice. They must work together to survive in the harsh world below, with each member performing their assigned role to the best of their abilities. However, they pay little attention to aesthetics or the environment, and they do not strive for mastery of a particular craft. Their strongholds are filled with drudgery, with quantity being the primary goal. Orf Inndagng goods are plain, austere, and practical, serving only their intended function.

Common Etiquette rules

The Orf Inndagngink have a complex society with strict rules and customs. Within the clan, respect is earned through strength and cunning rather than charm or charisma. It is considered good form to show deference to those who are more powerful or skilled, and to keep one's opinions to oneself if they are not in line with the clan's views. One should also avoid open displays of emotion, as this is seen as a sign of weakness. The Orf Inndagngink are practical and objective, and they value results over pleasantries. In general, it is best to be straightforward and direct when dealing with them.

Common Dress code

The Orf Inndagngink dwarves are not known for their fashion sense, and their dress code reflects this practicality. Clothing is typically made from sturdy materials such as leather and wool, with little regard for style or color. Their clothing is designed for function, with heavy boots and thick coats to protect against the harsh conditions of their underground homes. However, they do adorn themselves with various tattoos and piercings, which are often used to denote rank or clan affiliation.

Art & Architecture

A stronghold is a bustling hub of activity, centered around the workshops that occupy its central chamber. Thick smoke billows from the chimneys, filling the air and drifting into the surrounding passages. The outer edges of the stronghold are teeming with mining operations, where the Orf Inndagngink extract rock from the cavern walls and process the chunks in search of useful ore. These rocks are pulverized with powerful mechanical devices, and the metals, minerals, and gems are meticulously sorted out.
The mines and workshops are separated from the fortresses by a ring of imposing structures, each ruled by a proven Orf Inndagng champion and occupied by their loyal followers. The stronghold's greatest champion commands the largest edifice, which is an impressive five times the size of the next biggest structure. Meanwhile, the priests reside in the second-largest fortress, which houses the Orf Inndagng army. They work tirelessly to organize and oversee the settlement, ensuring that all inhabitants adhere to Orf Inndagng principles.
Between the workshops and the fortresses stand the stables that house the Orf Inndagngink's prized spiders. These arachnids are used as mounts and war beasts, and each enclosure is treated like an individual prison. Due to their violent nature, the spiders must be kept apart from each other to avoid chaos. Only careful supervision and brutal discipline can keep them in line when they are out of their cages. Each champion is responsible for maintaining a set of spider pens, and a squad of Orf Inndagngink is assigned to train and supervise the beasts.

Foods & Cuisine

Unlike their other dwarven kin, the Orf Inndagngink are known to drink alcohol only in moderation and avoid overindulgence. As a result of their past experiences, they have come to realize that excessive drinking can trigger deep-seated memories of their ancestors’ cruel treatment at the hands of mind flayers. These memories can manifest in a severe flight-or-fight response, leading to a range of behaviors from panicked searches for safe places to hide until the effect wears off to brawling with anyone in the vicinity, venting the rage the Orf Inndagngink harbor against their former masters.
Due to their experiences, the Orf Inndagngink have become cautious drinkers, often preferring to drink in small amounts and never to the point of intoxication. However, when they do drink, they often choose to ferment fire lichen into their alcoholic beverages, creating a hot and spicy drink that is both flavorful and invigorating. It is believed that the fiery nature of the drink helps to ward off the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption, allowing the Orf Inndagngink to enjoy their beverages without fear of triggering unwanted memories or responses.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

While other dwarves work for the love of industry, the Orf Inndagngink are driven by a desire to constantly engage in wars and expand their territories. Their priests, who hold great power among them, assign vocations and arrange marriages, but only to ensure that a clan continues to exist and that the right person is placed in the right job.
The Orf Inndagngink are known for their fierce warriors who embody the race's abandonment of emotion and individuality. They wear heavy armor and don hateful, scowling masks that hide their identities. In battle, they move forward like army ants, marching over the corpses of their fallen comrades to press the attack. It is a brutal sight to behold, and their enemies have learned to fear them greatly.
The Orf Inndagngink also have a strong tradition of magic, both in the divine and arcane varieties. They highly respect Orf Inndagng clerics, runecasters, runesmiths, and wizards for their skill, and it is not uncommon to find clerics serving the Chaos gods in order to gain power and influence within the clan.
In recent decades, the Orf Inndagngink have begun to develop various kinds of automatons, each designed to fill a role within a Orf Inndagng stronghold. These machines have played an important role in recent military successes, with some clans creating models to make raiding parties more formidable, while others have developed digging and tunneling machines that tear through rock and extract ore from it. The Orf Inndagngink's creativity and ingenuity in developing these machines have made them a force to be reckoned with.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Given the Orf Inndagngink's emphasis on pragmatism and objectivity they place little value on physical appearance or beauty as a cultural ideal.

Gender Ideals

All genders among the Orf Inndagngink are weighed equally in the eyes of the priests when choosing marriage partners and vocations. Instead, they focus on what an individual brings to their clan and champion.

Relationship Ideals

The Orf Inndagngink culture is highly pragmatic and objective, valuing practicality and efficiency above all else. They have a strong focus on accumulation and destruction, constantly striving for progress and growth. However, this drive for success often comes at the expense of personal relationships. Happiness and contentment are not highly valued within this culture, and individuals prioritize their career and professional pursuits above all else. As a result, romantic relationships and family life are not traditionally emphasized or prioritized within this culture. Instead, individuals prioritize their ambition and power, viewing personal relationships as a means to achieve their goals.

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