Dvergar (DVER-gahr)
Dwarf
Dvergar are the sound of hammer to anvil echoing through stone. They are the clink of chain drawn from a forge, the flicker of flame that never flickers out. Not born of fire, but born beside it, these beings shape the Realm in ways both subtle and enduring. Short in stature but titanic in influence, their presence is felt in every rivet, every carved lintel, every blade passed from one generation to the next.
To meet a Dvergar is to feel the weight of time made tangible. Their skin holds the hue of deep earth and old ore, their eyes lit from within by a slow-burning clarity. They move with a certainty that does not seek permission. They do not boast. They do not bluff. What they create speaks louder than they ever will.
Most dwell below—their homes hewn into mountain bellies and rich with geometry and glowing hearths. But some walk among surface kin, representing their clans in trade, treaty, or silent witness. In all places, they build: not just things, but trust, legacy, and stories laid like bricks into the walls of memory.
Though they prize precision and tradition, Dvergar are not stagnant. They innovate in quiet, often alone, forging marvels from mind and metal. Their values are not spoken often, but they run deep: honor in craft, loyalty to blood and bond, and a fierce refusal to abandon what they have begun. To gain a Dvergar’s respect is to hold a rare gem. To lose it is to be forgotten like slag.
Despite their silence, they sing—songs that resound only in certain caverns, in certain moods. They speak of molten rivers, of ancestors carved from stone, of days when gods bargained and lost to mortal artisans. Their music is not beautiful in the way of birds. It is beautiful in the way of architecture: complex, lasting, and full of weight.
They do not chase the limelight. They illuminate from within. A glowing forge is never loud, but it changes everything it touches.
Aetherkin
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Dvergar age slowly, their vitality persisting for centuries. Illness touches them rarely, and fatigue is something they outwork rather than avoid. Their skin resists cuts, heat, and weathering; their bones are famously difficult to break. Most notable is their affinity for metal and stone—not magical, but intrinsic. They read fissures in walls like others read maps, feel stress in a blade’s edge before it fails. Their resilience is matched only by their stubbornness, both honed over lifetimes of refinement.
Behaviour
Deliberate, observant, and deeply rooted in principle, Dvergar do not waste words or effort. They are private by nature and slow to trust, but once given, that trust is unshakeable. Their sense of duty is not performative; they do what must be done because it must be done. Pride runs deep, though rarely spoken aloud. They enjoy solitude, rhythm, and silence—but in times of celebration or story, they become vibrant with song, drink, and fiercely competitive games of skill.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
While not mystical, their sensory array is finely tuned to the physical world. Dvergar can hear faults deep in stone, feel heat shifts in metal by proximity, and detect balance changes in weight with uncanny accuracy. Their night vision rivals that of nocturnal creatures, and their sense of smell is acute enough to catch changes in mineral composition, toxins, or the presence of unfamiliar forges. These traits make them not just excellent craftsmen—but impossible to deceive within their domain.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Across the Mortal Realm, dwarves appear in myth as divine smiths, secretive miners, and clever architects of fate. Norse tradition speaks of their forging of Mjölnir, Gleipnir, and Draupnir—each wrought with such skill it defied even the gods. In the Black Forests of Europe, they are kobolds or mine wights; in Persia, they appear as djinn of iron. Across Celtic fringe, they’re whispered of as “stone-born,” children of the deep earth who sleep beside the bones of giants. Wherever stone meets story, there is a Dvergar beneath it, forging legend with every strike.
Dvergar
| APPEARANCE/PHENOTYPE |
|---|
| Dvergar are compact humanoids with dense skeletal and muscular structures, adapted for endurance and resilience. Their lungs function efficiently in thin or dust-heavy air, and their eyesight excels in dim light. Dexterous joints and broad, strong hands support their craftsmanship, while overall anatomy prioritizes durability over speed. Their physiques are stocky and powerful, with deep-anchored musculature and limbs proportioned for strength. Barrel-shaped torsos support stamina, while hands and fingers combine force with surprising precision. Beards and brows are regarded as essential markers of identity, often braided or adorned with metalwork. Skin tones reflect stone and earth, from gray and slate to copper and umber, often marked by mineral-like striations. Hair is coarse, dark, and commonly streaked with metallic hues in age. Many bear runes or tattoos etched into the skin as signs of kinship or craft. |
height |
length |
weight |
|---|---|---|
1.2–1.5 m |
N/A |
68–91 kg |
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Neacha; Nádúrtha; Celticus dvergar
Origin/Ancestry
According to Norse mythology, Dvergar were originally formed from the body of the primordial being Ymir, fashioned by the gods and given life and intellect.
