Dwarf
PC Species
Dwarves are stone and fire incarnate - volcanoes made manifest. Deep in their ancestral mountains, they dedicate themselves to their clan and to the endless toil of freeing the earth’s riches that are their birthright. These stout people posses s a stern devotion to their ancient ways and an endless fury for those that threaten that heritage.
Made of Stone
Being one of the “enchanted folk,” the dwarves hold that their souls are the spirits of rocks, mountains, fire, and magma. These claims seem to have merit when one beholds a dwarf’s stout, powerful frame. Although they are significantly shorter than humans, their robust physiques and dense musculature more than make up for any difference in mass. Their heads are at a slightly larger proportion by human standards and they have broad noses and prominent brows.
Their skin tends toward mid-to-dark, earthy tones. Their hair has a similar color range, but is generally darker than their complexion. This hair is dense and is kept long with simple braids and styles., they have abundant facial hair and large, bushy eyebrows.
Ancient Fury
The dwarves of Bukana believe that they are the first people (and rightful owners) of the very mountains and foothills that make up much of the archipelago. Luckily for the other occupants of the islands, the dwarves are not terribly numerous and largely keep to the highest, most inaccessible peaks. Many other cultures see dwarves as greedy hoarders of wealth. From their point-of-view, the stout folk see themselves only as protecting what is rightly theirs; in fact, they consider it quite magnanimous that they even let others have what gold claims they afford them - meager as they are. Most dwarves avoid seafaring vessels like a plague, needing to feel the earth beneath their feet; “Mountains don’t float” is a common dwarven proverb. Because of this, and their generally reclusive nature, dwarves tend to trade with trusted cultures for the items that they cannot provide for themselves.
Dwarves have a written language, but they also have a rich oral tradition. Dwarven families are organized into clans, which are grouped into enclaves. These enclaves are connected to every other enclave of dwarves throughout Bukana by a complex system of intermarriage, trade-pacts, and treaties, even between bloodlines. Each clan maintains comprehensive accounts of their warriors’ mightiest deeds and their artisans’ greatest creations. They also have an abiding love of their ancient traditions, many of which have bled out into neighboring human tribes with whom they interact.
Given their primordial heritage, their vast mineral wealth, and deep connection to their people and traditions, it is no wonder that dwarves go to great lengths to protect what is theirs. This makes dwarves somewhat defensive and standoffish, particularly with outsiders. They are quick to see threats (real or imagined) and react to those threats explosively. When revenge is warranted in their eyes, war parties of dwarves emerge from their warrens and hunt down the perpetrators with overwhelming force. Some clans that dwell near headhunting human tribes have adopted that practice as well. Barbarians are not uncommon in dwarven communities, nor are paladins who have taken the Oath of Revenge. Depending on the nature and severity of the transgression, someone who has wronged a dwarf may find that entire clans, enclaves, or even the entire ancestry are hungry for their blood.
Love & Gender
There is little to no differentiation in gender roles amongst dwarves. The full range of gender and sexuality are present in dwarven communities and are in no way discriminated against. Dwarves are a passionate race and do not often allow the happenstance of a lover’s biology quench their fervor. More important to a dwarf’s identity is that they help and continue one’s clan. Therefore there is social pressure amongst dwarves for those couples to produce offspring if capable, or to adopt the clan’s orphans if not.
Dwarf Names A dwarf’s name is a historical map of their lineage. Often composed of five or more given names followed by clan and enclave names. In formal settings the entire name is used. Amongst friends and family, only the first given name is utilized. The rare dwarf that violates their people’s laws to such an extent that penance is not sufficient, is stripped of their name and cast out. It is something of a convention amongst such pariahs to take a nickname either of a mountain beast or stone such as Carabao or Onyx. Masculine Names: Dodot, Dunlan, Gort, Grun-ba, Heldal, Kidlot, La-aw, Lakay, Qat-aw, Zalda, Feminine Names: Bot-an, Fang, Ghan, Hao-la, Lama-an, Natu, Petta, Radda, Tenu, Qala, Torta Neuter Names: An, Aggo, Ahl-i, Bol, Eba, Eki, Itt-i, Jagu, Mord, Oot, Umm, Vedda, Yan, Zora-i Clan Names: Annahut, Borguan, Dientu, Gallu, Gett, Gu-am, Kallum, Ket-luam, Potuan, Qallao
Made of Stone
Being one of the “enchanted folk,” the dwarves hold that their souls are the spirits of rocks, mountains, fire, and magma. These claims seem to have merit when one beholds a dwarf’s stout, powerful frame. Although they are significantly shorter than humans, their robust physiques and dense musculature more than make up for any difference in mass. Their heads are at a slightly larger proportion by human standards and they have broad noses and prominent brows.
Their skin tends toward mid-to-dark, earthy tones. Their hair has a similar color range, but is generally darker than their complexion. This hair is dense and is kept long with simple braids and styles., they have abundant facial hair and large, bushy eyebrows.
Ancient Fury
The dwarves of Bukana believe that they are the first people (and rightful owners) of the very mountains and foothills that make up much of the archipelago. Luckily for the other occupants of the islands, the dwarves are not terribly numerous and largely keep to the highest, most inaccessible peaks. Many other cultures see dwarves as greedy hoarders of wealth. From their point-of-view, the stout folk see themselves only as protecting what is rightly theirs; in fact, they consider it quite magnanimous that they even let others have what gold claims they afford them - meager as they are. Most dwarves avoid seafaring vessels like a plague, needing to feel the earth beneath their feet; “Mountains don’t float” is a common dwarven proverb. Because of this, and their generally reclusive nature, dwarves tend to trade with trusted cultures for the items that they cannot provide for themselves.
Dwarves have a written language, but they also have a rich oral tradition. Dwarven families are organized into clans, which are grouped into enclaves. These enclaves are connected to every other enclave of dwarves throughout Bukana by a complex system of intermarriage, trade-pacts, and treaties, even between bloodlines. Each clan maintains comprehensive accounts of their warriors’ mightiest deeds and their artisans’ greatest creations. They also have an abiding love of their ancient traditions, many of which have bled out into neighboring human tribes with whom they interact.
Given their primordial heritage, their vast mineral wealth, and deep connection to their people and traditions, it is no wonder that dwarves go to great lengths to protect what is theirs. This makes dwarves somewhat defensive and standoffish, particularly with outsiders. They are quick to see threats (real or imagined) and react to those threats explosively. When revenge is warranted in their eyes, war parties of dwarves emerge from their warrens and hunt down the perpetrators with overwhelming force. Some clans that dwell near headhunting human tribes have adopted that practice as well. Barbarians are not uncommon in dwarven communities, nor are paladins who have taken the Oath of Revenge. Depending on the nature and severity of the transgression, someone who has wronged a dwarf may find that entire clans, enclaves, or even the entire ancestry are hungry for their blood.
Love & Gender
There is little to no differentiation in gender roles amongst dwarves. The full range of gender and sexuality are present in dwarven communities and are in no way discriminated against. Dwarves are a passionate race and do not often allow the happenstance of a lover’s biology quench their fervor. More important to a dwarf’s identity is that they help and continue one’s clan. Therefore there is social pressure amongst dwarves for those couples to produce offspring if capable, or to adopt the clan’s orphans if not.
Dwarf Names A dwarf’s name is a historical map of their lineage. Often composed of five or more given names followed by clan and enclave names. In formal settings the entire name is used. Amongst friends and family, only the first given name is utilized. The rare dwarf that violates their people’s laws to such an extent that penance is not sufficient, is stripped of their name and cast out. It is something of a convention amongst such pariahs to take a nickname either of a mountain beast or stone such as Carabao or Onyx. Masculine Names: Dodot, Dunlan, Gort, Grun-ba, Heldal, Kidlot, La-aw, Lakay, Qat-aw, Zalda, Feminine Names: Bot-an, Fang, Ghan, Hao-la, Lama-an, Natu, Petta, Radda, Tenu, Qala, Torta Neuter Names: An, Aggo, Ahl-i, Bol, Eba, Eki, Itt-i, Jagu, Mord, Oot, Umm, Vedda, Yan, Zora-i Clan Names: Annahut, Borguan, Dientu, Gallu, Gett, Gu-am, Kallum, Ket-luam, Potuan, Qallao
Genetic Descendants
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
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