Dwarves
A Lineage of Upright Mammals descended from Elves, dwelling among the Crowning Ranges on the Western side of the Eastern Continent. They are known for their love of stone and the habit of living within such, as well as their skill at mining and industrial crafts such as metallurgy, architecture, and sculpture.
The first Dwarves descended from Elves who dwelt in the western edges of the Ehranian Wilds, at the foothills of the Crowning Ranges. As they expanded deeper into the stony environment, some families grew to love the magnificent caves and delicate valleys of the region, and dwell there as a preference. In time, they chose to dig within the earth to avoid disturbing the nature on the surface, while also learning much about the way of metals and minerals. They came to be known as Stone Elves, considered among the family of Elven clans, but somewhat unusual, like distant and estranged cousins. After thousands of years of divergence, some of these, especially the Dweregar, became so removed from the Elven culture that they declared themselves a separate order of being, sovereign and not subject to the rule of the Elven Empire. The Empire made efforts to convince them otherwise by force, but their armies were unable to maneuver effectively in the unfamiliar terrain, and the conflict fizzled with mostly minor skirmishes. After a period of tension, the two Lineages were able to make treaties, and are now strong trade partners, regarding one another with some disdain but also grudging respect.
Transformation: Earth Spirit
All Dwarves have an inborn kinship with the stone in which they live, able to sense the shape of stony structures around them and able to detect faults and openings within them without the use of their mundane senses. The oldest, wisest, and most practiced among them hone this relationship, allowing them to interact with the stone in deeper ways and manipulate it to great ends. The specific ways in which they do this vary by subgroup.Basic Information
Anatomy
The consistent trend of Dwarven physiology is density and compactness; their torsos are relatively short, their features blunt and not known to protrude from their faces, their hair thick and often curly, their body weight as a whole much larger than that of another creature of the same height. While they are often believe to be shorter than average for Upright Mammals, this is not really true, and many tall Dwarves exist, especially among the Svartalfar.
With a relatively short proportion of limbs to their main trunk, they have a much lower center of gravity than other Mammalian lineages. This benefits them in traversing cliffs and other difficult terrain, though as they spend most of their time underground, this benefit seems mostly lost. Their general lack of height compared to most of their cousins, however, does have an obvious use in tight caves and mines.
Significantly, all Dwarves have six digits on each appendage, which gives them a very firm grip as well as good footing.
Biological Traits
Sexual Dimorphism
Visitors often express a difficulty distinguishing male and female Dwarves, and rumors have circulated in distant lands that they are all male or in some way hermaphroditic. In truth, they have the same basic dimorphism as other Mammalian Lineages, but to a lesser degree and tending toward what most others see as being primarily masculine. In particular, males and females alike are prone to having substantial facial hair, and significant amounts of hair throughout their bodies. Details vary by subgroup, but in general male hair is coarser and more tightly curled, whereas female hair is finer and straighter. Most Dwarvish cultures differentiate genders by how they style their hair, and in some cases by the length at which it is kept. In body shape, males and females are also very similar, and have similar tolerances and physical abilities. How they react to this culturally varies, some diminishing and others accentuating the differences.Genetics and Reproduction
Dwarven females have a very long gestation period for their size, at one year, but are not significantly hampered by pregnancy and can perform most forms of work even in late stages. Only in the rare case of twins is a mother weakened, and larger numbers of subsequent births are unknown.
Males and females alike are fertile for most of their lives, the females entering menopause after a few centuries. A successful Dwarf usually sires three or four children in a lifetime, raising them one at a time in accordance with strict societal principles.
Growth Rate & Stages
A newborn Dwarf is physically able to walk, though typically takes about two months to become fully ambulatory, and several years to be reasonably independent. They are physically mature at around 20, though generally not considered legal adults until much later.
Ecology and Habitats
Almost all Dwarves live underground, the only exception being the seagoing members of the Svartalfar. In particular they prefer to live within stone, especially natural caves, which may or may not be altered for their needs. They are generally suited to dark and damp conditions, though they also make efforts to mitigate these to some extent. They also prefer cold and damp climates over those which are warmer and dryer, probably because water is easier to attain in these places.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Their hardy lifestyles exact a huge calorical cost from them, most of which is satisfied by fish, grains from the surface, or mushrooms, depending on their exact habitats. They are omnivorous, though eating mostly plant-based meals because these are far easier to produce in their harsh environments. Meat, when it is available, is highly prized, and they import it at great expense when there is none to be had locally. They are also very fond of hard beverages, almost all of their drinks having some alcohol content.
Biological Cycle
Because of their subterranean habitats, most Dwarves are barely aware of the passage of seasons, and their levels of activity do not change. Those who dwell above-ground for the purposes of growing food adopt the Elven calendar and solar habits, including the observation of major feastdays, while the rest adopt a unique calendar of their own that follows a 500-day cycle and is not based on any natural systems.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Almost all Dwarves live in the Crowning Ranges, which they regard as their sacred homeland, but small communities or scattered individuals can be found in other places where there is mountainous terrain, especially the Dagger Reaches and other ranges in the Northern Continent.
Average Intelligence
Dwarves are known for being shrewd, seeing beyond the obvious, and for taking the time to think out a plan rather than rushing forward. They have a comprehensive education system, and all adults are experts in some field of study, often with a secondary focus as well.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Suited to their subterranean environment, they have very keen senses, especially hearing, which is very sensitive to a wide range in both volume and frequency. Their vision is specialized for low-light conditions, better at detecting shades of red, and can also see faintly in infrared. Their tactile sense is also very keen, and many are able to detect different types of rock or mineral by their texture alone. Conversely, their senses of smell and taste are somewhat weaker than those of their cousins.
Additionally, they have a very fine sense of surrounding air pressure, which is magically enhanced to the point that they can quickly determine the shape of any room they enter, up to a diameter of a hundred meters or so. This also gives them unparalleled skill at finding hidden passages and exits.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
All Dwarves speak Common Elvish as either a first or second language. Many, especially those dwelling in the south of the realm, speak Human languages as well. In addition, each subgroup has its own particular language: Dwerech for the Dweregar, Naine for the Nain, Teanga Tuatha for the Tuatha, and Svartalf Mal for the Svartalfar.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Dwarves are somewhat self-absorbed, tending to ignore other Lineages unless they have something immediately to gain by it.
They regard Elves as somewhat of a nuisance, but useful trade partners and reliable to call for aid in an emergency (provided they're not the ones who caused it). They often try to ignore the fact that the older Lineage were their sires, often by creating mythical stories to enhance the importance of their creation.
On the other hand, they have a largely avuncular relationship with Humans, and tend to treat them like children regardless of age. Despite this, they are no less shrewd or cautious in conducting trade with them.
They have some hostility against Goblins, but hold them less in hatred than the Elves. Nevertheless, they often kill stray Goblins on sight, and are loath to allow them entrance to their lands.
They have great wariness of Fairies, and generally avoid them. Of Kobolds in particular they have either great reverence or fear, and try to either shun or obey them, depending on the Dwarf culture in particular and the actions of the Kobold.
They have inherited some hatred against Orcs, but those Orc remnants that exist today they view as belonging to a different culture and not true Orcs.
They are scarcely aware of Lizardfolk, except for those few Dwarves who venture to the Southern Continent to explore its mountains. Their overall impression is of a strange folk who produce a few items of good quality, and thus should be treated with cautious respect.
Kobolds they see as vermin, and were among the last to allow them full rights. Today they still mostly regard them as being dangerous and producing little of value.
Nicknames (least to most pejorative): Mountain-People, Ever-Diggers, Stone-Dwellers, Stone-kin, deep-dwellers, bearded ones, short folk, beardies
Distinct Trait: Six-fingered hands
Height: 1.1-2.3 m (3'6"-7'8")
Skin colors: Any shade of gray, or medium to dark brown
Eye colors: Blue, green, brown, black, or hazel
Hair colors:Any shade of brown or black, sometimes blond
Lifespan (Average/Maximum): 250/780
Genetic Ancestor(s)
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