Storm Dwarves

Storm Dwarves are humanoids, but stouter. They resemble all other dwarves of their species in figure, but generally stand a head or so taller than the average Dwarf. Their skin does bear a signature blue-grey hue to it. The Hue of their skin and their height has led many common people to misinterpret a Storm Dwarf as a human suffering from Argyrosis. Storm Dwarves also contain an extra organ called the Demi-diaphragm, or Dome of Thunder, which sits below their diaphragm and allows them to project their voice much farther than any other species, mimicking the quality of rolling thunder or crashing stones. This organ also allows the Storm Dwarves to hold their breath for longer periods of time while under water or in places of higher altitudes.

Storm Dwarves reproduce sexually with the conception of a child between a male and female Storm Dwarf. The incubation period is only six months as opposed to human's nine month period.

Stpr Dwarves seem to share in their kin's innate growth patterns, maturing to the age of ten before they can begin to grow beards. They are considered to be biologically mature by the age of twelve, though their bodies do not stop developing till the age of forty.

Storm Dwarves seem to share many habits with Amphibious creatures, clinging close to wetlands and sharing their time on dry land almost equally with their time in the water. They do not have gills however, which is a strange trait to be lacking for such a habit.

Storm Dwarves are omnivorous, eating both plants and animals from their two most frequented habitat.

Storm Dwarf society observes a fairly druidic nature, bearing such a heavy emphasis on listening to the winds and waves to discern weather patterns as opposed to observing omens in animal droppings or the direction moss in a rock grows. That being said, they are very in touch with a spiritualistic side of the world, through their connections to nature. Many rituals and rites are performed a year to communicate and commune with nature spirits of both the land and sea, both by druids of their people as well as in the home of the common Storm Dwarf. But because of their reverence of the storm and nature, they tend to adhere to the thinking that life is a storm, one can weather it, or be swallowed by it and that is completely natural.

As opposed to their cousins that dwell in mountains or hills, Storm Dwarves tend to have a gentler brow with eyes set just a hair farther apart then normal that is only unsettling when you notice it. They tend to have thinner features as opposed to broad nose bridges and cheeks.

Storm Dwarves generally can be found in archipelago island strings as well as costal vistas and deep wetlands. Rarely are they found deep in marshy wetlands, choosing to instead stay closer to where the canopy of trees cannot hinder the advance of the storm winds. Most common locations would be the Storm Isles between Omyth and Preydor. Elswhere in the Blood Isles, then far south along the costal shores of Keur. They are not often seem mingling with anyone outside of their species, even some other Dwarves would find it difficult to consistently communicate with their Storm Brethren.

Storm Dwarves can range from the average humanoid intelligence to far beyond that, though their breed does seem to favor wisdom over intelligence. They are capable of critical problem-solving and thought.

Storm Dwarves share sensory capabilities with most humanoids, having a keen ability to see in low-light better than dark vision like their Mountain Dwarf kin. It can be surmised that Storm Dwarves do not seem to be inhibited as other races would be in tumultuous weather conditions that evoke high winds and precipitation. Under thse conditions, they are still very much capable or operating as if in optimal weather conditions.

Storm Dwarves keep their facial hair short or tightly braided so that there is less of a risk for them to get caught in the rigging of their ships. Additionally, they keep a similar theme when it comes to the hear on their head, though more often than not you will see Storm Dwarves with heavily cropped hair, leaving large chunks of their hair shaved. Unkept, loose, or clearly hewn hair is seen as a trait of the careless and therefore is looked down upon. Storm Dwarves also take a great deal of pride into tattoos all over their bodies. Most will tattoo their arms and chests with iconography of sea faring travel or great feats of strength or prowess. Most of the styling will resemble intricate islander linework. It is not uncommon to find well respected members of their communities to have tattoos that creep onto, or occupy their heads and faces.

Storm Dwarves speak a dialect of the Dwarven tongue called Kad Stakad. following the same phonetic systems of the Dwarven tongue, but emphasizing more the vowels 'o" and 'u", and the phonetic "ah". It has also been documented, that Storm Dwarves can communicate with each other by engaging their second diaphragm and holding out a single prolonged note of a vowel that shifts and alters tone. The truth of this speech pattern is known exclusively by the Storm Dwarves.

To live above the storm is seen as the most grievous breach of customs a Storm Dwarf can do. To live above the Storm is, to them, the act of forsaking their home in favor of the dwelling of their kin and counterparts, the Cloud Dwarves and Giants, and the Storm Giants.