Dwarves
The dwarves of Blackmoor are an industrious and proud
people. For generations they have created beautiful and aweinspiring
crafts, as well as immense cities of stone. Dwarven
cities are wondrous to behold, yet outsiders seldom see
them. Rumors say that the entire City of Blackmoor could
fi t within the Regent of the Mines’ mighty stronghold.
As the chief miners in Blackmoor, the dwarves play an
important role in procuring the precious metals gold, platinum,
and mithral. While these metals are valuable, the
dwarves also control the major locations of the raw gems
needed to create spell foci. This makes the dwarves an important
ally for the Wizards’ Cabal, which often stations
arcane warriors near dwarven settlements to keep an eye on
the mines.
Dwarves in Blackmoor have also applied science to their
industrious efforts. They have mastered great steam engines
that assist in mining, helping them delve deep into the hearts
of Blackmoor’s mountains.
Personality: Dwarves are proud of their heritage as well
as their handiwork. They are quick to boast about themselves
and their people. Fond of good drink and fi ne food, dwarves
are often drawn to the art of cooking. They are fi ercely loyal
to their kin and slow to befriend outsiders. At times, a dwarf
may dub a foreign companion “Dwarf-Friend” — creating
a lifelong bond between the dwarf and his ally. This bond
dwarves wear their hair simply. Dark red hair is common,
brown slightly less so. The occasional dwarf has black hair;
this is more frequent among females than males.
Dwarven dress is simple, consisting of plain woolens
with little adornment. Dwarves are long-lived by human
standards, fi rst reaching adulthood
at age 75. Dwarves are
considered elders when they
approach 400 years of age.
Alignment: Dwarves hold
dwarven law to be the only true
law. Within their underground
realm, dwarves see themselves
as lawful. However, because
they care very little for the laws
of non-dwarves, most outsiders
view them as a neutral race.
Dwarves tend toward good.
Relations: Dwarves are
leery of other races, seeing
them as possible threats until
proven otherwise. However,
dwarves get along well with
gnomes, who share their love
of earthly living as well as a
fascination with treasures.
Dwarves and gnomes are also both interested in
machinery. They often live symbiotically in this regard, as
gnomes have the fi ne dexterity to craft and manipulate small
mechanical parts for the dwarves’ large iron machines. On
the other hand, dwarves have a strong distrust of Cumasti
and Westryn elves. Dwarves believe that elves take advantage
of other races and try to exert their power over others.
Dwarves have a fi ery hatred of orcs and goblins and
attack them out of hand. Orcs and goblins are ancient
dwarven enemies that continue to threaten dwarven settlements
to this day. A dwarf must summon great control to restrain
himself from attacking such enemies.
Dwarven Lands: Wherever mountains stand in Blackmoor,
dwarves are found. Some barren mountains may not
currently be inhabited, but proof of prior dwarf residency
is certain to be evident. Dwarves seek out riches below the
mountains and construct giant cities in their depths.
The dwarves’ main settlement is the Halls of the Regent
of the Mines near Mount Uberstar in Eastern Blackmoor.
The Regent united and controls the dwarf clans. Within the
dwarven strongholds, all clans are sworn to the service of
the Regent. The dwarves have a nominal king, but that title
holds no value among them. In fact, dwarven kingship is actually
a mark of insult thrust upon a particularly lethargic or
unproductive dwarf. Many times this so-called “ King of the
Dwarves” is sent out to negotiate with those with whom the
dwarves have no real interest in dealing.
Dwarven Culture:
Dwarves are born into clans. They
are given their names by their clan leaders and then required
to live out their lives in the service of their clan and the
Regent. Dwarves willingly lay down their lives to protect
their clans and their Dwarf-Friends.
The number of dwarf
clans in Blackmoor is too
numerous to list. Traditionally,
dwarves have been a
male-dominated society, but
that ancient tradition may be
in jeopardy as the number of
female births is rumored to
have steadily declined. This
has caused a rise in the role
of females in the culture and
threatens to advance females
to higher positions of power
within the clan structure.
transcends simple mortality and often passes on to such a
friend’s family and heirs. It is not uncommon for dwarves to
adopt the immediate members of a Dwarf-Friend’s family.
Physical Description: Dwarves stand 4 to 4 1/2 feet
high. They are very broad and muscular and weigh as
much as Thonians despite their height difference. Female
dwarves are noticeably lighter in frame but are just as tall as
their male counterparts. Dwarves in Blackmoor have many
variations in their in skin tones due to their proximity to
wild magic; dwarf skin ranges from very dark brown to light
honey. All dwarves have dark brown or black eyes.
Facial hair is a source of tremendous pride in dwarven
culture. Males wear full beards, grooming them in elaborate
braids and decorating them with rings and pendants.
Females do not normally have facial hair. Male and female
Dwarven folk love shades of brown, red, and gray
contrasted with a bright splash of color and picked
out with as much precious metal as they can possibly
wear. Leather is a favorite material, with wool being popular also. Dwarves wear clothing similar to that of
the Oeridians.
Religion: Dwarves have
their own pantheon of deities.
Most worship Dhumnon, lord
of the dwarven gods. Large
underground temple complexes
are devoted to the greater
dwarven deities Hemgrid,
Koorzun, and Gorrim.
Language: Dwarves speak their own language and use
a runic script. They also speak Common, as they trade frequently
with humans. Dwarves understand Gnome, as well
as the languages of many of their enemies.
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