Dwarves

Courageous and stalwart, dwarves are known for being stubborn, gruff and quick to anger by most other races. In truth, they are usually blunt and their culture does not value niceties or manners so much as honesty and honor. Dwarven culture above all else values the many versus the few. Children are raised in understanding that their country was taken from them, their culture was taken and many of their mothers were taken by Marceaux. They are a race in mourning for what has been lost, and hungry for vengeance against their enemies. The population is a fraction of what it once was, and it may take generations to gain the numbers necessary to retake their lands, but in dwarven society no grudge may go unanswered. The sacrifice of one's ancestors must be answered with the blade of an axe or the crack of a hammer, no matter how much time has passed the offense.
Dwarves stand at about 4 feet. They are stocky and typically quite strong. They usually live in Canebras, but sometimes travel out to other countries. Men especially travel in the hopes of finding something to make them worthy of a bride and bring honor to their clans. Women, unfortunately find it more difficult to responsibly travel out of Canebras, but from time to time female dwarves throw away tradition and leave home to see the world, making something of themselves.
Dwarves make great warriors, masons, smiths and alchemists.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Men typically grow thick facial hair.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Clan name is always listed first, and then given name. Family matriarchs give babies their names. When men marry, they may tattoo their original clan name on their right arm, but adopt their wives' clan name.

Beauty Ideals

Thick and intricately braided beards along with scars are considered very attractive in dwarven men.
For women, long, thick hair and wide hips are considered to be the ideal beauty.
For all dwarves, red hair is considered desirable. It is a rarity among the stout folk. Tattoos are also a good way to attract attention and signify what you do for a living.

Gender Ideals

Leadership qualities are valued in women, because they typically are the heads of their families and their society.
Men make up the military and most of the laborers, just out of necessity. All dwarves are expected to do their part to serve the dwarven race. For men, that often requires sacrifice of some sort.

Courtship Ideals

Marriages are often arranged, mostly because there are so few women and genetic maps are important. Match maker is a well respected career path in the country of Canebras. They use genealogy and personality quizzes to find acceptable and compatible marriages. From there, the courting begins. If a man wishes to court a woman, he sends her a single moon lily. If the dwarven lady chooses to accept the courtship, she wears the lily in her hair the following day. The couple must go on several dates which are chaperoned by the matriarch of each family. When the decision is made, the woman will give the man a ring with her clan's heraldry on it. This is a cause for a big celebration. The matriarchs of both families arrange a wedding with priests of the Earth Mother. When the couple is married, the husband will be tattooed with his wife's clan name, and he will take her name, promising to defend her clan as his clan.

Relationship Ideals

Dwarves are polygamists out of necessity. Women often have several husbands, and traditionally the husbands will not know which child is which husbands, and therefore all children belong to all husbands. Relationships value trust, loyalty and honesty above all else. Dwarves, who are often very tough outwardly have their spouse to be soft with.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Common and Dwarven

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Women are always addressed first when making greetings.

Average Height

4 feet

Average Physique

Stocky and muscular