Dwarf
Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the roots of mountains, blazing forges and the echo of picks and hammers in deep mines, a commitment to clan and tradition, and a burning hatred of goblins and orcs—these common threads unite all dwarves.
Bold and hardy, dwarves are known as skilled warriors, miners, and workers of stone and metal. With courage and endurance easily a match for any of the larger folk, though only the tallest come close to 5 feet, dwarves are so broad and compact that they can weigh as much as a human standing nearly two feet taller. Skin colouring ranges from deep brown to a paler hue tinged with red, but the most common shades are the light brown or deep tan tones of earth. Their hair, always worn long, is usually black, grey or brown, although paler dwarves may have red hair. Male dwarves value their beards highly and groom them carefully.
Dwarves are solid and enduring like the mountains they love, weathering the passage of centuries with stoic endurance and little change. The primary unit of dwarven society is the clan, and to be clanless is the worst fate that can befall a dwarf. Respecting the traditions of their clans, and tracing ancestry back to the founding of their most ancient strongholds in the youth of the world, they will never willingly abandon their heritage. That includes devotion to the gods of the dwarves, who uphold the ideals of industrious labour, skill in battle and passion for the forge.
Individual dwarves are determined and loyal, true to their word and decisive in action, to the extent that they are renowned for stubbornness. Dwarves highly value social standing, most have a strong sense of justice, and they are slow to forget any wrongs they have suffered. A misdeed done to one dwarf is done to the entire clan, so what begins as one dwarf’s hunt for vengeance can become a full-blown clan feud. Even dwarves who live far from their own kingdoms cherish their clan identities and affiliations, recognise related dwarves and invoke their ancestors’ names in battle cries, oaths and curses.
Dwarven kingdoms stretch deep beneath the mountains where the dwarves mine gems and precious metals and forge items of wonder. They love the beauty and artistry of precious metals and fine jewellery and, in some dwarves, this love festers into avarice. Whatever wealth they can’t find in their mountains, they gain through trade. Most dislike boats, so enterprising humans and halflings frequently handle trade in dwarven goods along water routes. Trustworthy members of other races are welcome in dwarf settlements, though some areas are off limits even to them.
Ancestry
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, and 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.
Male: Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Barendd, Brottor, Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim, Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik, Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin, Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal
Female: Amber, Artin, Audhild, Bardryn, Dagnal, Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Finellen, Gunnloda, Gurdis, Helja, Hlin, Kathra, Kristryd, Ilde, Liftrasa, Mardred, Riswynn, Sannl, Torbera, Torgga, Vistra
Clan: Balderk, Battlehammer, Brawnanvil, Dankil, Fireforge, Frostbeard, Gorunn, Holderhek, Ironfist, Loderr, Lutgehr, Rumnaheim, Strakeln, Torunn, Ungart
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