Dwarf
A short, sturdy creature fond of drink and industry.
Dwarves are known for their skill in warfare, their ability to withstand physical and magical punishment, their knowledge of the earth’s secrets, their hard work, and their capacity for drinking ale. Their mysterious kingdoms, carved out from the insides of mountains, are renowned for the marvelous treasures that they produce as gifts or for trade.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Like elves, dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall. They are so broad and compact that they are, on average, almost as heavy as humans. Dwarf men are slightly taller and noticeably heavier than dwarf women.
Dwarves' skin is typically deep tan or light brown, and their eyes are dark. Their hair is usually black, grey, or brown and worn long. Dwarf men value their beards highly and groom them very carefully. Dwarves favor simple styles for thier hair, beards, and clothes.
Random Male Height
3d6+46 in
Male dwarves have an average BMI of 39, leading to the following distribution of weights.
Random Female Height
3d6+43 in
Female dwarves have an average BMI of 34, leading to the following mass distribution.
Male Dwarves
Height (in)
Weight (lbs)
Height (cm)
48
128
122
50
139
127
52
150
132
54
162
137
56
174
142
58
187
147
60
200
152
62
213
157
64
227
117
Female Dwarves
Height (in)
Weight (lbs)
Height (cm)
46
102
117
48
111
122
50
121
127
52
131
132
54
141
137
56
152
142
58
163
147
60
174
152
62
186
157
Genetics and Reproduction
Cross-racial Reproductive Compatibility
Dwarves are sexually and genetically compatible with other members of the human lineage, and with some other races like elvenkin and goblinoids. Dwarven reclusiveness is more often the barrier to cross-species hybridization, than compatibility.Intraracial Breeding
Dwarves and Humans: viable and common. Dwarves have high genetic compatibility with humans, and differ only their lifespans, temperments, and height. A female human and female dwarf are very capable of bearing (and rearing) hybrid offspring with the other subspecies. And when these hybrids do occur, they are more often integrated into human and dwarven settlements without fanfair - appearing as remarkably tall dwarves with poor facial hair, or remarkably short and stout men. These hybrids typically dilute back into the genetic pool of whichever civilization in which they choose to live.Interracial Breeding
Dwarves and Elves: viable and uncommon. Dwarves are genetically compatible with elvenkin, and may breed with them to create viable offspring. These hybrids are called Gnomes and have broken off into their own subspecies and civilizations which bridges the gap between the two races. As a quirk of genetics, gnomes are smaller than both their dwarven and elven parents - which eases birth for their mothers. Elves and Dwarves rarely enter relationships due to each race's isolationist policies and major personality differences. Unlike humans, neither Dwarves nor Elves are known for sexually assaulting prisoners. So even conflict between the races is unlikely to create hybrids. Dwarves and Gnomes: partially viable and uncommon. Dwarves and Gnomes are highly genetically compatible, but gnomes small size precludes female gnomes from birthing hybrids. Dwarven mothers may carry hybrid children to term. Dwarven-gnomen hybrids appear to be gnomes, by most observations.Growth Rate & Stages
Dwarves reach sexual maturity around age 30 and are considered to be socially mature at age 40. They can live to be more than 400 years old.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Like all humankin, Dwarves are omnivorous. Dwarven settlements fill their diets with the limited selection of foods available in their subterranean dwellings. Dwarves are skilled farmers of mushrooms and other fungus, which they also brew into mushroom beers and powerful alcohols. They also farm insects and some subterranean livestock as protein.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Dwarven kingdoms usually lie deep beneath the stony faces of mountains, where the dwarves mine gems and precious metals and forge items of wonder. Trustworthy members of other races are welcome in such settlements, though some parts of these lands are off limits even to them. Whatever wealth the dwarves can't find in their mountains, they gain through trade. Dwarves dislike water travel, so enterprising humans frequently handle trade in dwarven goods when travel is along a water route.
Dwarves in human lands are typically mercenaries, weapon-smiths, armor-smiths, jewelers, and artisans. Dwarf bodyguards are renowned for their courage and loyalty, and they are well rewarded for their virtues.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Dwarves share the same set of senses as other members of the humanoid races. Their sense of sight is highly adapted to the dark caverns and mines which they have generationally inhabited. As as results, their sight extends into the near-infrared at short distances, permitting them a degree of vision even in complete darkness.
Dwarves who have spent their formative years underground learn to distinguish the distance and direction of sounds underground, where surface races would be lost a noise of echoes.
Like many subterranian races, most dwarves intuitively keep good track of their position, and do not easily become lost underground. A dwarf can intuit their depth underground as readily as a human could sense which way is up.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Dwarf names are a combination of their given name and their clan's name.
A dwarf's name is granted to him by his clan elder, in accordance with tradition. Every proper dwarven name has been used and reused down through the generations. A dwarf's name is not his own. It belongs to his clan. If he misuses it or brings shame to it, his clan will stip him of it. A dwarf stripped of his name is forbidden by dwarven law to use any dwarven name in its place.
Clan names are normally adjective-noun or noun-noun compounds of items which the clan is known for making, or key items from the tale of their clan's formation. Clan names are canonically in Dwarvish, though dwarves consider the common-translation of their names to be equally as appropriate when dealing with the other races.
Some rare dwarven clans carry human clan-names, as a result of limited hybridization between Humans and Dwarves.
Name Generator
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Dwarves get along fine with gnomes, passably with humans, half-elves, and halflings. Dwarves say, "The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a hundred years." Humans, with their short life spans, have a hard time forging truly strong bonds with dwarves. The best dwarf-human friendships are between a human and a dwarf who liked the human's parents and grandparents.
Dwarves fail to appreciate elves' subtlety and art, regarding elves as unpredictable, fickle, and flighty. Still, elves and dwarves have, through the ages, found common cause in battles against orcs, goblins, and gnolls. Through many such joint campaigns, the elves have earned the dwarves' grudging respect. Dwarves mistrust half-orcs in general, and the feeling is mutual. Luckily, dwarves are fair-minded, and they grant individual half-orcs the opportunity to prove themselves.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
350
Average Height
Male: 55.5 in; Female: 53.5 in
Average Weight
Male: 171 lbs; Female: 138 lbs
Related Organizations
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