Dwarves
Basic Information
Anatomy
Dwarves are bipedal humanoid creatures with stout, muscular bodies that hold significant mass. While shorter than humans, dwarves often weigh the same if not more than their taller humanoid counterparts. Like humans, dwarves have a wide variety of skin, eye, and hair colors, but males are often bald and grow thick facial hair, which is sometimes used to display social status. Unusually for humanoids, both sexes naturally grow facial hair.
Genetics and Reproduction
Dwarves reproduce the same as other humanoids, and dwarven women are pregnant for about 12 months before giving birth.
Growth Rate & Stages
Dwarves mature at the same rate humans do, but are considered to be young until they reach half a century old. They are considered adults when their first beard is fully formed, usually between the ages of 18-22.
Ecology and Habitats
Dwarves thrive in subterranean environments, and are rarely found living anywhere above ground.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
As they live in dark environments, dwarves have the ability to see up to 60 feet in the dark. Many dwarves had an affinity for the caverns in which they lived, possessing a knack for recognizing unusual patterns in stonework that could seem almost supernatural at times. Dwarves also had a sense about them that few races did, with a preternatural awareness of their surroundings useful for a subterranean race.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
A dwarf’s name is granted by a clan elder, in accordance with tradition. Every proper dwarven name has been used and reused down through the generations. A dwarf’s name belongs to the clan, not to the individual. A dwarf who misuses or brings shame to a clan name is stripped of the name and forbidden by law to use any dwarven name in its place.
Major Organizations
The Iron Helms, which is the head leadership of all Dwarves living in the mountains of Caphollia.
Beauty Ideals
Long beards are often seen as signs of wisdom and skill, and are viewed as beautiful for both sexes. Clothes and jewelry made with gold and valuable gems are desired, and represent the prominence of the individual and their family.
Average Technological Level
Dwarves maintain a technology level on par with the elves, as they have steam engines and advanced firearm, aviation, and explosive technologies.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Common, Dwarvish, Goliath, Giant, Orcish
History
The dwarves claim that their halls were already thriving by the time the Elves had barely begun to create tools. In reality, the dwarves began to carve their homes out into the mountains of Caphollia early in the first century, at around the same time Morvashara was being founded. They quickly tamed the mountains, digging deep into their cores in order to form their grand halls and find precious ores and jewels. Scouting parties dispatched from dwarven holds quickly came into contact with nearby humans in the regions surrounding the mountains. While humans may not have had the same sturdiness or crafting abilities that the dwarves possessed, the dwarves found their curious nature and loyalty admirable. Trade and diplomacy ensued, and the dwarves quickly found themselves an ally of humanity. Further expeditions on the mountaintops revealed that they shared the mountains with two other races, the goliaths and the giants. Dwarves took a liking to and got along with the goliath tribes that inhabited the peaks of the mountains, and the two races rapidly found themselves trading and sharing cultural information. With their interactions with goliaths, the dwarves learned of the giants that inhabited the mountains as well. These giants often enslaved and raided goliath tribes, using their strength to subjugate any tribe that couldn't defend themselves. Dwarves and Goliaths became partners against the giants that threatened the mountains, and will happily work together to remove giants that get too close to any Dwarven holds or Goliath tribes. Dwarven expeditions in the southern mountain ranges discovered the deep forests of Eyishara and the elves that inhabited them. The two races do not see eye to eye, and cultural differences drove them into a relationship akin to that of sibling rivalry. Both the Dwarves and Elves enjoyed rich cultures and advance technological prowess, but the constant bickering between them prevented further advances from the sharing of such information. In times of strife, however, the two races have often found an ally in the other, working together to face external threats.
Lifespan
350 years
Average Height
4'3" – 4'9"
Average Weight
160 – 220 pounds
Geographic Distribution
