Dwarves
Dwarves were created during Xylian Dominion first attempt at geneengineering a slave species whose existence could free the Xylians from the burden of menial work. Dwarves were supposed to be tough, resilient and precise - a perfect craftsmen, probably supposed to serve as a template for future subspecies dedicated to less 'heavy' things, like cleaning the Xyls houses and magic.
They, however, suffered some catastrophic (at least from Xylian perspective) failure in their genotype that made them short. Too short for Xylian taste, after all employing them on a wide scale would force major reconstruction of infrastructure (especially things like factories) to cater to them. Because of that, the project was scrapped. Dwarves, however, weren't. Xylians instead settled them in two parts of their Dominion and allowed them to exist, in exchange for work.
Basic Information
Anatomy
About 1,5 meters high, generally quite impressive musculature and humanoid form (two legs, two arms, one head). While they are lower than humans, they are also slightly wider and notably stronger physically, equally in terms of sheer strenght and endurance.
Biological Traits
Dwarfs for some reason suffer from quite extreme gender dymorphism. While their males are wide, muscular and with impressive beards, their female actually look like an average (but shorter) human woman. Actually undergoing period of looking like completely normal-looking children.
This is one of the reason while dwarves tend to be very, very protective of their women. The fact that they can have children with at least several other species only reinforces this form of xenophobia (mostly caused by rather bad occupations that befell most of the dwarves at some point of their history).
Genetics and Reproduction
As all xylian creations their ancestor were human captives from behind the Dominion's eastern border. Unlike them, however, they weren't made different enough to be unable to reproduce with humans. Dwarves can have children with humans, but it is rare due to how xenophobic they rare. What's more, human females have a very high death ratio while giving birth to differently shaped half-dwarven child.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Due to their expanded musculature they suffer from the similar problem as for example Ogres - they need a lot more calories that average human, especially when they work or fight. Hence their preferrence to meat and beer.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Expansive beards and moustaches that they often decorate with beads. Black hair. White skin (varying between pale and slightly olive depending on the place they live in and so on.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Good eyesight. However, they tend to be shortsighted, so while their eyesight shows them all details up close (even those impossible to be seen by normal humans) they will have problems with seeing enemy army from the distance because everything will be blurry there.
That again, they also have improved eyesight in darkness... and rarely fight above ground, making this particular weaknessses mostly moot.
Civilization and Culture
Gender Ideals
Social position of male and female dwarves is about as diversed as their biology (which goes far enough to be called gender dymorphism). Male provide strength, female provide precision - according to this basic division, dating back to their creation, an entire society is formed.
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