Children of Ivaldi
The Children of Ivaldi, or "Svartalves" as the Nords call them, are a group of Orecutter Dwarves that live in the northern mountains of Binorðheim. They are known to be very private, intolerant of any nonsense, territorial, and dutiful. They are known by the Nords to be extremely talented crafters and enchanters with considerable admiration of beauty in many forms and an inherent connection to the earth.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
- Ais
- Alma
- Bjalla
- Dagrun
- Eir
- Fanni
- Ingrun
- Jonvar
- Myrna
- Pil
- Tova
- Unna
- Yrsa
Masculine names
- Alfr
- Austri
- Bari
- Buri
- Dainn
- Dori
- Dvalinn
- Fjalarr
- Gloinn
- Iri
- Nari
- Sudri
- Olnir
Family names
The Children of Ivaldi name their families/clans after gems and precious minerals (Gold, Diamond, Amethyst, Jasper, etc.).
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Dwarvish
Undercommon
Shared customary codes and values
Much like the rest of their race, the Children of Ivaldi take honor and duty incredibly seriously, and are seen as very "old school" even compared to their mountain and hill dwarf brethren.
Average technological level
As few outsiders are allowed within the halls of the Children of Ivaldi and fewer still are allowed within their forges, the technological level of the Children of Ivaldi is more myth than anything, although it is assumed that they are more advanced in industry than the Nords and possibly the rest of their race.
Common Etiquette rules
Guest Rite. The Children of Ivaldi honor the laws of the Unseelie Accords, among which Guest Rite plays a large part, but rather than restricting this rule to other members of the Accords, they hold this requirement to all who are guest in their realm and abide by them when they are guest elsewhere. The rule is simple enough. When one is guest in the home of another they are to be treated with respect so long as the guest also abides by the same behavior. While under guest rite a guest is under the protection of the host and any harm or disrespect that comes to the guest is to be compensated.
This rule is similar to the Nordic tradition of hospitality and may explain why the Children of Ivaldi get along well enough with the Nords.
Common Dress code
Like other Orecutter Dwarves, the Children of Ivaldi's common clothing consists of a single-piece, form-fitting garments made of metal, stone or both that are deceptively flexible for their materials.
Art & Architecture
Everything they create is made to be beautiful and the architecture they build is meant to complement the natural beauty of the world.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Sons of Ivaldi follow the same religion as other dwarves with different Paragons revered among them than other dwarven cultures.
Common Myths and Legends
The Children of Ivaldi are believed by the Nords to be the descendants of the dwarves that crafted many of the Great Works of the gods such as the hammer Mjolnir, the spear Gungnir, and the ship Skidblandnir.
While the Children of Ivaldi live closer to the surface, they are believed to be only a small population of their race, living far below the surface in a world below this one.
Historical figures
Brokk and Sindri - Dwarves who crafted the legendary weapon Mjolnir for the god Thor.
Fafnir - A dwarf so consumed by his desire for beautiful things he turned himself into a dragon to guard his treasures.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Children of Ivaldi see the world as a work of living beauty, walking though the stone and earth much as a diver might explore the wonders of the ocean depths. They are known to covet beauty like a dragon covets treasures.
Courtship Ideals
Beauty and loyalty are the two most important values that an Ivaldir dwarf looks for in a mate. Any process that would be identified among the Ivaldir as "courtship" would be rather dull and unromantic to other races.
Relationship Ideals
Much like the Nords of Binordheim, the Ivaldir view relationships less as romantic engagements and more as contractual obligations. But, instead of choosing a mate for diplomatic means alone, they do so by taking into account the traits such a pairing would give children. The subsequent marriage then binds the two parents into raising their resulting children.
The two are to remain loyal to one another and do their part in raising their children, but this does not bind either of the pair to monogamy. In fact, there is little significance laid on the process of sexual intimacy so long as one does not shirk their duties. In fact, speaking of such things among the Ivaldir would be little more than a passing curiosity and leave little to talk about.
Encompassed species
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