Mountain Dwarf
The mountain dwarves are the dwarves who hold onto the old ways, living underground throughout their strongholds in the Apps Mountains. The mountain halls of the dwarves have been falling to various threats as of late, both from frequent wars with the Shin Empire and Kingdom of Populres as well as various other grave threats that have emerged from the Deadlands to the north. Only a handful of strongholds continue to function, most hidden away from human eyes, delving ever deeper into the earth. The survivors of the halls that have fallen have found new lives in Alsona, where they are hired at minimal wages and housed in decrepit conditions by the local mining corporations. They are still proud of their people and ways, and remain just as xenophobic in their new homes as they were in the mountains.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Baenlu, Ulu, Gaistul, Judenn, Ilemmo, Ihgaissu, Deymere, Gwogu, Dumma, Anle
Masculine names
Hjogdem, Brergol, Doulfug, Hordagrugs, Meredas, Godrihm, Garnoggs, Krydim, Engorn, Andihrom
Family names
Dirgebreath, Evendepth, Mountaintask, Barleypast, Boneguard, Mighthead, Quickbreath, Redmask, Halfcrag, Caskfury
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The mountain dwarves speak Dwarvish as their primary language, but there can be regional differences in slang and dialect from one stronghold to the next. Simply due to isolation and migration, these differences can be vast or minimal, depending on how much the dwarves in one hall trade with the next. The dwarves who have fled into Alsona and other lands often end up peppering their own language with Common, but for the most part, when dwarves migrate to another land, they tend to stick together so that the majority of them do not have to learn a new language. They hold their identity as dwarves together by preserving their tongue, even in the depths of human territory.
Art & Architecture
The dwarves put their greatest ingenuity and talents into the construction and fortification of their strongholds across the Apps Mountains. There are usually two entrances, one protected by concealment, and one deeper into the earth that's protected by sheer force of rock and steel. The massive circular door that marks the second entrance is a hallmark of all true dwarven strongholds, usually with runic protections carved upon the rock. It takes extreme subterfuge or arcane knowledge to breach these runes, which can normally only be opened specifically by a dwarf of that stronghold. Deeper within, the dwarven halls consist of multiple layers of defensive fortifications and chokepoints, each of which can survive when isolated from other parts of the stronghold, making an assault on a dwarf fortress a costly proposition.
Dwarven artistry is rare, but when it exists, you can expect it to be masterful. Dwarves spend centuries honing the crafts assigned to them when they come of age. For the most part this includes mere practical work like mining or farming, but those who have been assigned to crafting or decorations have produced work that rival or even surpass the greatest high elf and human masters. These works rarely leave dwarven halls, and many were left behind in the mountains when the halls were abandoned, awaiting any treasure hunters to seek them out.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
The life of a mountain dwarf is tough and lengthy, and all must carry their weight. Therefore gender roles are fairly meaningless. All male and female dwarves take up duties in all elements of the society, depending on what they may be most skilled at. When a dwarf comes of age, they are assigned a lifetime role by the overseers of their hall, and it is solely in that role they master their talents. Those who step outside of these roles often are considered insane or criminal.
Relationship Ideals
Bonds between mountain dwarves are carefully chosen, as when they find a relation with which they closely bond, that relationship will last for hundreds of years. They constantly seek the level of companionship that will serve their lifetime, rather than just a couple of decades. Sometimes this comes through marriage, sometimes through friendship. While marriage plays a role in dwarven society, it is not the culmination of a love or friendship, but merely a legal formalization of a truth.
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Related Locations
Comments