Dwarves are one of the prominent races in
Thedas, though they are particularly found in the
Frostback Mountains bordering Western
Ferelden. They are strong, stocky, and shorter than most other races. Despite their size, they are skilled builders and boast a long tradition of courage and martial skill that has served them well throughout history.
They once developed a huge, great empire which spread across vast underground networks of twelve great "thaigs". These spanned the entire body of Thedas. Connecting each of their cities were tunnels referred to as the Deep Roads. During their peak, strange creatures began emerging in the Deep Road paths. Dwarven officials try to keep information about this threat under wraps, so much about this threat is unknown. All that is really known is that this threat cut of travel between all twelve cities. The only thaig that was able to not fall was Orzammar, in Ferelden's Frostback Mountains.
Outsiders might see the denizens of Orzammar as single-minded, but this is due to their constant struggle for survival. Their dedication to their people has allowed them to survive in conditions that no other race would have been able to and gave rise to a level of technology that still surpasses most other nations in Thedas.
One interesting deviation from other cultures in Thedas is that the dwarves, generally, do not believe in the religion of
the Chantry. Instead, they venerate both the
Stone as well as specific notable ancestors. They refer to these ancestors as
Paragons.
Dwarves are generally seen as trust-worthy allies, though sometimes a bit short-sighted. They are generally quieter than most other races, but they are most certainly stubborn when they need to be.
Dwarven life expectancy can range drastically. The oldest dwarves reach an age of one-hundred ten years while Legion of the Dead members can barely make it to twenty-five, just due to the nature of their job.
Sub-Cultures
City Dwarves
The bulk of the race currently resides in Orzammar. These dwarves find themselves in a complex, interrelated, and rigid caste system. Those on the bottom are referred to as casteless and live in ghettos underneath the main city. Above them are the artisans, particularly miners, smiths, merchants, and warriors. Just barely above them are nobles.
These dwarves look down upon surface dwarves, claiming that those who venture to the surface will lose their "stone sense". Stone sense is an innate ability each and every dwarf born beneath the surface of
Thedas has. It allows them to commune with the stone around them, allowing them to glean information they may not have otherwise known. Some city dwarves claim the stone has a certain song to it, if one listens closely enough.
In addition to this, city dwarves find themselves well trained in the arts of fighting from a young age.
Surface Dwarves
Orzammar would be unable to still exist without importing and exporting goods. Surface dwarves are those that stepped out from under their mountain and serve as the face of their people. Though few like leaving their home, they are an essential part of their culture. They regularly travel great distances and often in harsh weathers. Because of this, they're well cultured and know a variety of tales and legends.
Surface dwarves often have a lot to say, but are even quieter than other dwarves. Most think they do this because they were taught that loud voices could cause avalanches when up in the mountains. These dwarves also wear thick fur collars to combat the cold. Over their time on the surface, these collars have become more decorated. The more decorated one's is, the higher the chance they are of higher rank amongst their society.
Surface dwarves, according to city dwarves, lose their stone sense once on the surface. This serves as one of the reasons surface dwarves are never allowed back into Orzammar once they leave.
Legion of the Dead
Some dwarves feel the call to reenter the
Deep Roads when they come of age. These dwarves exist to fight the threats looming in the shadows of these dark caverns, waiting to destroy Orzammar. This is not a heroic role, but one born from necessity. Their work is mostly unknown to anyone, other than the dwarves of noble origin. Even then, they rarely speak of such matters.
The legion rarely turns away members due to their hardships their people face. It's a harrowing existence, but a necessary one. Most are away from civilization for years at a time, if they ever even return.
Living in the environments they live in has given them better eyesight underground and the ability to overcome extreme environments. They use these adaptations to allow them to venture far into the Deep Roads, always looking to uncover information about their fallen civilization or new ways to battle their sworn foes.
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