Dwarves

Dwarves, sometimes called Armok's Folk, were a natural humanoid race common throughout parts of Naneth. Originating from the within deep mountain ranges, Dwarves were a tough, tradition-abiding folk known for their strong martial traditions and beautiful craftsmanship.

Description

Dwarves were a short race, usually standing around 4'3"–4'9" on average, while albino and hill dwarves stood a bit shorter. What dwarves lacked in height they made up for in weight; as they were, usually about as heavy as humans. A dwarf could weigh anywhere from about 150–200lbs, with the males growing a bit taller and heavier than females. Dwarves had a wide variety of skin, eye, and hair colors. They displayed dark and tanned skin for those of mountain descent, while albino and arctic displayed quite a pale complexion. Brown and yellow eyes were typical for most dwarves, excepting arctic, whose eyes usually shone blue.
Male dwarves often grew thick head and facial hair, which was sometimes used to display social status. Although warriors of this race tended to shave their heads, to aid in sight during combat. Females also displayed ample facial hair, though the majority of females shaved their beards off. Beards were often dark in colour, turning gray towards the elder years of a dwarves life. There was no greater honor than having a full beard, and the hair was meticulously taken care of. This seems to be a common aspect of dwarven life, across all subraces.
Dwarves were a long-lived race, though they were not immortal as the elves were. Dwarves reached maturity later than humans, usually becoming an adult member of society around the age of 50. Dwarves aged like humans, but over a longer period of time, remaining active well into 200 years. Some dwarves, especially during the earlier ages of Naneth, lived to see 400 - 450 years of age.

Subraces

Arctic Dwarves: Found in the northwest region of Astora, The Wilderlands. These dwarves have braved the frigid conditions of the region for generations, becoming well adapted to the difficult way of life. Arctic dwarves can usually be found in the wilds, as nomadic tribes, and are rarely seen in settlements such as Ghostport and Icewind.
Mountain Dwarves: These dwarves hail originally from Atmora and The Teeth. Extremely hardy folk, they are the most skilled of their brethren in various areas of craftsmanship. They are the subrace originally created by Armok, and have spread all over Naneth, settling cities such as Marklund. They are by far the most common type of dwarf.
Hill Dwarves: The slightly shorter cousins of the mountain dwarf. These dwarves tend to live life in human-like style. Often prefering to live in grand cities and metropolitan areas of civilization. Large contingents of hill dwarf can be found in places like Vinheim, where some have become quite successful with the managing of companies and businesses like The White Rock Mining Company.
Albino Dwarves: Native to the Island of Chult, Albino dwarves are quite mysterious. How they ended up in Chult is a mystery not yet solved, and furthermore, how they ended up with such a pale complexion. Nonetheless, these dwarves are every bit as fierce and stubborn as their mainland cousins. The albino dwarves of Chult are responsible for founding Hrakhammer, a mine incredibly rich with adamantium.
Underhill Dwarves: Mountains dwarves driven to madness by thousands of years in the dark. This subrace of dwarves stays within the mountains and deep places of the world now, becoming more animalistic by the generation. They are a dangerous and conniving folk, often responsible for the kidnappings of travelers among mountain passes in Atmora. Those taken by these violent creatures are rarely seen again.

Society

Culture

Dwarves valued family immensely, weaving tightly knit family clans. Dwarves particularly respected their elders, of whom normally carried the title of family leader, and would make decisions based on their wisdom and experience of years past. This behavior is particularity present in the arctic and mountain tribes of the wild, whereas dwarves found within cities have bent to more broad social norms. Perhaps more than every other race, dwarves turn towards their god Armok for guidance quite frequently. Dwarves often look to Armok for comfort and inspiration, possibly because Armok himself has kept quite involved in the lives of his favored race. I fact, most dwarves will experience a phenomenon at least once in their lives, called Armok's Fever. When this happens, the afflicted dwarves will be compelled to create great works for the glory of Armok, and will not recover until he has done so. Some of the greatest dwarven creations have been created while one was under the influence of this strange condition.
Of course, many dwarves also turn towards other gods, in addition to Armok. Torm and Bekur are examples of these, especially for warriors of the race.

Interracial Relations

Dwarves across Naneth have differing relationships with other species, although for the most part, dwarves have always tended to stay within good terms with elves and humans. In Astora. dwarves have become official citizens of the realm, and have integrated extremely well with the other race. Though there is some unspoken animosity with elves, born during the Ironwood War, when the two races fought on separate sides.
Across Royal's Bay in Atmora, dwarves have lived in peace with humans for centuries, and at one point, ensured the survival of the human race within The Teeth during the Age of Mists. However, as humans began to dominant the region and continued their war with The Quaan Empire, xenophobic feelings in the Atmora heightened, unfortunately spreading racist behavior to most non-human races.

History

Like most races upon Naneth, the dwarves were born during the Age of Creation. They were the second race created, just behind the Eldar. Created by The Eres named Armok, dwarves were birthed into the world, built to live inside the treacherous mountain ranges Armok had also sculpted. Armok created them to survive and thrive within this environment, giving them stout hearts and minds. They were to harness the power of Naneth, digging deep within it's caves to discover valuable minerals and ores. With these they would create great works of craftsmanship in honor of the gods that had created them. Initially, all dwarves were created in the northeastern region of Naneth, in the region now known as The Teeth.
The dwarves of Naneth lived in great peace, away from the other concerns of the world, content to fulfill their purpose as Armok had intended. Unfortunately, that would not last, as they were drawn into the conflict of the gods. Bane and Bhaal, looking to exact revenge upon Armok and the other Eres, began slaughtering dwarves in droves. Their scream could be heard echoing throughout the region's mountain ranges. This brought Armok to investigate, where he was betrayed and mortally wounded by Bane. Dwarven legend states that as Armok lay bleeding in the dirt of Naneth, his blood flowed into the earth, creating veins of the most valuable ores; Adamantium and Mithril.
After the conflict of the gods had ended and the Age of Fire began, dwarves began working together with the early human settlers of the northeast region. Dwarves from The Teeth aided the humans in building the city of Aramoor, the crown jewel of the region. As time wore on, relations with humans and elves grew ever stronger, until The Great Calamity. Tiamat and her scores of evil creatures invaded the northeast region, capturing Aramoor and driving the dwarves back into the mountains.
Years passed, before the humans of the area began to rise up against their dragon masters. The dwarves took notice of this, along with the elves. In secret, the three races joined together once more, giving birth to The Alliance and hope to stand against Tiamat. The War of Fire began. Dwarves, humans, elves and other creatures of fair dispositions fought against Tiamat's dark legions, eventually defeating her during the Battle of Orphans Peak. Among the heroes that defeated Tiamat; a dwarf named Eregoth Dragonsbane. Though he did not survive, his name would forever be remembered in dwarven lore.
After the defeat of Tiamat, the Age of Mists began. A magical and toxic mist filled the entirety of Naneth, directed by an unknown force, bent on wiping all life from the world. The dwarves of The Teeth fled back into the mountains, along with the humans of that region. Though dwarves were fit to survive within the dark, humans were not. For thousands of years, the two races survived in the dark of the mountains. Generations after generations, hidden away from the deadly mists above. Years passed and the burden of providing for two races took it's toll on the dwarves. They grew sickly, with a portion of the population going insane within the mountains. These would later become known as underhill dwarves. Finally after two thousand years in the dark of the earth, the mists cleared from Naneth, and it's races were free to spread across the lands once more. The Age of Renewal had begun.
Dwarves from The Teeth set out upon the world, fully exploring it's reaches. They began to settle in new areas of Naneth, even meeting up with previously unmet tribes of the same species, such as arctic dwarves from The Wilderlands. Dwarves began settlements in the regions that would later be known as the Vilmyr and Royal Mountain Ranges, very profitable and untouched areas of Naneth. Eventually, with the founding of Astora, these western dwarves would become official citizens within the human country. But the new age was not without it's challenges. As original dwarves from the The Teeth region began to experience hostility from the humans of Atmora, their previous allies. Racism and xenophobia began had become ever present threats in the region. Across Royal's Bay in Astora, the humans and dwarves had become entrenched in a war against the Ironwood Kingdom of elves. This war would bring combat right to the doorstep of Marklund, a predominantly dwarven city. However, as the Age of Renewal continues, Dwarves continue to grow stronger, becoming Naneth's greatest craftsmen and some of the finest warriors.

Origins Created by Armok
Dominions Vilmyr Mountains, Marklund, Royal Mountains, The Wilderlands, The Teeth, Chult, Astora, Atmora, Meridian
Languages Dwarvish, Common
Subraces Mountain, Hill, Albino, Arctic, Underhill
Lifespan 250-350 Years
Average Height/Weight 4'5/150-200lbs
Distinguishing Features Large Beards, Stout Shape, Durable Folk