Dwergaz

Basic Information

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dwergaz eat a diet similar to that of a human, simply a higher quantity due to their strenuous workload and near constant activity. They favor wild meats such as venison, but will settle for beef, lamb, goat, or chicken if wild game is not readily availble. Dwergaz enjoy breads, fruits, and pies, but most detest salads and other related purly vegetable dishes. They also partake often and greedily in drinking, weather beer, rum, or wine.

Additional Information

Social Structure

The descendents of each of the Dwergazen gods form three individual nations who primarily worship their patron god, though they are devout to De Dree, or The Three. These nations are known as the Kuhn Dynasty, decendents of Rainr, the Ullrick Kingdom, descendents of Eudes, and the Stal Kingdom, descendents of Ignazz. Each kingdom is lead by the Ditreck, an elected leader known for their prowess in their given craft, wisdom, and strength. Clans are the next devision in Dwergazen societal structure. Similar to Vioniran houses, Dwergazen clans are constructed from large groups of related individuals who hold the same last name and consists of three to five generations on average. The final distinction with the Dwergazen social structure is the Faumil Kaumin, or Family Fireplace. This is the closest knit and intimate party of Dwergaz, consisting of direct relations. The Faumil Kaumin includes parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, neices, and nephews that are directly related to one another. These tightly knit units of individuals perform every action and attend every social event together, including working in the same craft, attending festivals and celebrations, and even train and fight together for combat.

Facial characteristics

A Dwergaz eye color, hair color, and skin tone are dependnet upon their lineage, as each of the Dwergazen gods gave life to a specific line of Dwergaz. Ignazz created the BlauAgege Menshen, or the Blue Eyed People, Rainr the GrunAgege Menchen, or the Green Eyed People, and Eudes created the NebelAgege Menshen, or the Mist Eyed People. As a result, the descending lines of each god carried certain physical characteristics, most notably eye and hair color. Ignazz's decendents have primarily blue eyes with black hair, Rainr's descendents have predominantly green eyes with blond hair, and Eudes has descendents with opal to mist colored eyes with white to gray hair.

Average Intelligence

Dwergaz are of an extremely high intellect and tremendous physical fittness. Dwergaz are often recognized by their combination of unusual hight, powerful bodies, tenacity, and their incredible mind for craftsmanship. Dwergaz are renowned across the nations for there unusual craftsmanship, unmatched forging, architecture, and ability to mine for precious materials.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dwergaz have cat like eyes with slit pupils and reflective lumen that allows them to see in near darkness. The reflective quality of their eyes may allow Dwergaz the ability to see in near darkness, but it within normal conditions and light quantity, Dwergaz eyes are just short of being as strong as a humans and is the same as a Neraides. Hearing, taste and smell are all aproximately the same as a Neraide or Centaur.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Dwergaz carry four names: a Gehyn name given at birth, a Da Gesprakene, their Faumi Kaumin name, and their clan name. Dwergaz believe that the Gehyn, or secret name, is linked to one's soul. Therefore, not only can this name be used to instil duty and honor within a Dwergazen child, but to influence the child by magical names if the wrong being came into possession of such knowledge as the Gehyn. In order to protect themselves, the Gehyn is only known by selected, trusted individuals. The Gehyn is commonly a strong, positive name given in the hopes of allowing a child to stand out and have superior talents, wisdom, luck, etc. For example, the name Egert, meaning sword's edge, may be given as the Gehyn to a child whose parent's hope will develop into a warrior once fully grown. Unlike many other races, there are no distinctly feminine or male names among the Dwergaz.The Da Gesprakene, or spoken name, is the name that a Dwergaz will give to any other individual which they come into contact with. As this name is not linked to the soul, there is no risk of being influenced by either the name or the will of others. This name is often a common and powerless name such as Franz or Greta, which has no meaning behind the name. The Faumi Kaumin name is the family name that an individual group within a clan is known by. For example, a third name may be Otto (meaning 'of wealth') or Schmidts (meaning 'metalworkers'). Finally, the clan name is the fourth name which identifies the clan to which a Faumi Kaumin belong. This name is generally similar to the Faumi Kaumin name, as each clan is distantly related to one (or a few) specific individual(s).

Courtship Ideals

Within Dwergazen society, females are rare, being outnumbered five to one by the males. As such, there is great competition among males for the affection of a female. Females are revered by the males and are often showered with gifts of precious metals, tools, and weapons. A female will generally take two to four males into her fold, called Gerikt. Often, these males are males she finds attractive, both physically and physologically. From this point on, an elaborate courtship begins, during which time the males will compete for the females favor and affection. The Gerikt may last for only a few short weeks or many years, with the female reserving the right to dismiss or invite new males into her Gerikt at any point in time for any reason. A male may also leave at any time, but one may not join a Gerikt without an express invitiation from the female. The Dwergaz within an active Gerikt often live together in one establishment until the female chooses her mate. Once the female Dwergaz chooses her mate, (or mates in some cases), she must propose to her chosen male and disband her Gerikt. The remaining males will then return to their Faumi Kaumin, and depending on their level of attachment to the female of the Gerikt, may enter a period of mourning before seeking another female and another Gerikt. The female and her chosen male will, in the meantime, perform a simple ceremony which only their respective Faumi Kaumin attend. During the ceremony, the male and female exchange there own individual and unique gifts, generally a relique of their trade, and a secret handshake. The joining of hands symbolizes their unitiy in the face of adversity, and the complicated patterns which are developed by the male and female symbolizes their ability to work together. After the ceremony, a feast is held in celebration of the new couple before the couple retires to consumate the mating.

Relationship Ideals

Dwergaz are a very social race, with each individual having and extensive network of family, friends, collegues, and aquaintances. Generally, the Faumi Kaumin is the most tightly woven of Dwergazen communities. The Faumi Kaumin eat together, work together, live together, and fight together.

"If you cannot trust you Faumi Kaumin, you cannot trust anyone. If you lose your Faumi Kaumin, you lose yourself."

Generally, the Faumi Kaumin are the only Dwergaz who know an individual's Gehyn. It is seen as a sign of absolute trust and faith if a Dwergaz share their Gehyn with a Dwergaz outside of their Faumi Kaumin.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Language

Though all Dwergaz speak the same language, which is known as Verstache, there are three dialects that correspond to the Kingdom or Dynasty which the Dwergaz in question originates from. The dialects of each nation are strongly influenced by the surrounding nations and their trade with the Dwergaz. The Kuhn Dynasty's dialect of Verstache is known as the Nordlish Redy (North Speech), the Stahl Kingdom's dialect is Mittlir Redy (Middle Speech), and the Ullrich Kindom's dialect is Sudstatin Gerdy (Southern Talk).

Sports

During their free time, Dwergaz enjoy competitions of strength, will, and precision. These may include arm wrestling, axe throwing, hammer swinging, sword fighting competitions, or games of Kamph um dem Ball. Kamph um dem Ball, or Battle for the Ball, is high contact sport that adheres to the following rules.

1. Each game consists of two teams of ten Dwergaz, generally of the same Faumi Kaumin. Each team has one Torwurrt (Keeper), four Vertydgs (Defenders), three Verbreckin (Offense), and two Mittlirfild (Middfield) players. Each team has one, unique colored ball to guard.

2. The game is played on a long, flat feild that has a variety of half walls, trenches, logs, and other obstacles on it. At the end of each feild is a small structure called Berg, or castle. Within the Berg, the Torwurrt is the last line of defense for the Ball. The object of the game is to successfully capture the ball from the enemy Torwurrt and move it successfully up the feild to their Berg.

3. During the game, players may use any wooden weapons, sheilds, or tools that are provided by the Spylletter, or Game Master. THEY MUST BE BLUNT WEAOPONS MADE OF PINE THAT WILL SHATTER UPON HEAVY IMPACT. If a weapon, sheild, or tool is brocken in the course of the game, they may be replaced at any time, though the game will only be paused for injuries.

4. There are no fouls called unless there is a purposefull injury inflicted upon any competitor. If a purposeful injury is caused, the opposing team is rewarded a 50ft lead. If any injury is faked, the opposing team is given a 50ft lead. The boundaries of the game are indicated either by walls surrounding the feild, paint on the ground, fencing, or another easily visable boundary. The players may not pass the boundary lines during the game. If they do, the opposing team is given at 20ft lead.

5. Though it is not required that players adhere to their specific positions on the feild and remain within the vacinity of their positions, players generally do not move beyond their position. I.E., a defender rarely, if ever, moves from their defensive quarter to one third of the feild surrounding the Berg. Like wise, an offensive player will almost never retreat beyond the one third portion of the feild directly surrounding their Berg.

6. The Torwurrt may not remove the Ball from the Berg. The Ball can only be removed from the Berg by an opposing team player. If the Ball is removed from the Berg by the opposing team, the defending players may try to recover their ball. If the ball passes over the line at the middle of the feild, the game ends and the team who recovered the Ball becomes victorious. Once the Ball is recovered from an opposing team's Berg, it may be passed from player to player at any time by any means necessary, including batting, kicking, and throwing.

Art, Architecture, and Literature

Dwergaz due not generally enjoy nor pursue art in the traditional sense of painting or drawing. However, they do deeply enjoy such pursuits as metal craft, sculpting, and carpentry. To Dwergaz, these activities are seen not just as an intricate artform, but a way of life. Dwergz set much store on the quality of an item and the integrity of a Dwergaz often depends on the quality of their products. The better quality of products, often, the higher the quality of Dwergaz. Often, Dwergaz of the same Faumi Kaumin pursue the same or similar crafts and work together to continually improve their craft.

As a highly skilled society, Dwergaz extend their craftsman ship skills beyond the forge or carpenter's shop. They are known for their intricately carved cities, which are carved from living rock of the high mountains. Within these cities, precious metals, jewels, and minerals are inlaid tastefully throughout the city, especially in plazzas, squares, churches, and other places of note and intrigue. The buildings generally have large cathedral like windows with custom made stained glass windows made by Dwergazen glass blowers. These windows often depict either the craft of the Dwergaz whose house it is being placed within or a noble and brave deed performed by the Dwergaz. Along all stairways, roads, and paths, the Dwergaz carve planting beds directly into the stone. These planting beds are used for vegetables, fruits, and healing herbs that are of free use to any citizen of the city.

Within the Dwergazen culture, the only pursuit that is nearly as valued as craftsman ship is the ability to read. Words are of great power, and Dwergaz place imense emphasis on the abiltiy to read and write, not only in order to gain and pass on knowlede of their crafts, but also to ensure that societies retain their independence and freedom. Dwergazen children begin basic writing, reading, and math lessons at a young age, usually even before they begin to apprentice to a craft.

Education

Though Dwergazen children generally begin to read and write around the age of 12, they do not begin their apprentice ships to the various crafts until the age of 20 years old. At this point, the Dwergaz may chose to apprentice with their family in their craft, or they may petition a craft master of another Faumi Kaumin to take them on as an apprentice. If a craftmaster from a foreign Faumi Kaumin agrees to take on a young Dwergazen apprentice, the apprentice will move from their Faumi Kaumin to the craft master's Faumi Kaumin, where they will begin their studies. Dwergaz generally apprentice with a master until they are at least 50 years old, as this is the age where they become young adults. Once a Dwergaz completes their apprenticeship, they may chose to work for their craftmaster, if they are hiring, open their own craftshop, or apply for jobs at other craftshops.

Religion

Transport

As Dwergaz generally are to short for pony or horse back, they generally either travel by foot, which is prefered by most Dwergaz. Some, however, may travel by riding miniature ponys or carts pulled by miniature ponies, goats, or dogs.

Museums

As craftsmanship, inventing, and engineering are important social pillars to Dwergaz, there are many museums scattered across the three Dwergazen kingdoms that are dedicated to the greatest Dwergazen creations, legendary craftsmen, and peculiar inventions.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

In recognition of the Da Dree, the Dwergaz hold three celebrations in honor of the gods throughout the year. The celebrations each honor one individual god and are spaced evenly throughout the year. The first celebration, Feiyr von Ignazz (Celebration von Ignzz) is held at the end of the first third of the year an is in honor of Ignazz, God of Engineering. On this day, the Dwergaz hold a competition in their capitals for best invention of the year. Dwergaz from across the kingdoms travel to their respective capitals with their inventions, where they are tested against one another through out the day. During this time, the public is invited to watch. Drinks, food, and festival games are enjoyed throughout the day. At dusk, the winner of the competition is announced by the Ditreck, who also gives a cash prize to the winner and invites him or her to the head table for dinner. After the dinner feast is complete, a quiet mass is held in churches across the kingdoms, during which time the Dwergaz offer thanks to Ignazz.

The second celebration is held in honor of Eudes, God of Mining, at the end of the second third for the year. Throughout the year, the Dwergaz save the best product of their craft in preparation for the Feiyr von Eudes. On the day of Feiyr von Eudes, the Dwergaz honor Eudes by placing at least one of their treasured items on the Eudes's altar at a local church. Then, the Dwergazen gather at the local mines, where a feast is hosted in memory of any Dwergaz lost to mining accidents over the previous year.

The final holday celebrated by the Dwergaz is the Feiyr von Rainr, or Celebration of Rainr. On this day, it is traditional to host games of Kamph um dem Ball, to reinact victorious battles, and to exchange war stories. Great feasts, music, dancing, and competitions of strength and skill are also hosted throughout the kingdoms.

Lifespan

300-400 years

Average Height

3ft-4.5ft

Average Weight

40-60lbs

Average Physique

On average, Dwergaz stand between three and a half feet and four and a half feet tall with powerfully built bodies. With slightly short arms and legs, broad shoulders, and deep chests, Dwergaz may appear slightly stocky and disproportionate compared to many other sapient species. Despite this seeming unbalance, Dwergaz are all incredibly fit, nimble, and balanced, allowing them to perform their day-to-day tasks in the mines, forges, and even on the battlefeild.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dwergaz are a primarily fair skinned race, though depending on their feild of study, they may become deeply tanned if they spend the majority of their time in the sun.