Dweregar

A subgroup of Dwarves whose principality is Dwereth, the nornernmost kingdom of the Crowning Ranges. Content to dwell in a rough and cold, nearly inhospitable environment, they are renowned for showing the same qualities, especially to non-Dwarves. It's said they refuse to have any business with those outside of their borders, except in matters of trade or, more seldom, war. Nevertheless, they are highly practiced at trade, because they produce some of the most prized goods in the world, and also import many of their basic needs.   Dweregar have somehow become the quintessential image of Dwarfdom to the outside world, especially beyond the continent. When Dwarves are depicted as short, heavily-armored and thick-bearded, engaging in constant cycles of mining, warfare and drinking, it is these people in particular who are being referenced.

Transformation: Erdgeist

All Dwarves have an innate affinity with the stone in which they live, allowing them to sense its presence and shape around them. Among the Dweregar, those who hone this talent to its utmost level are able to alter the makeup of the stone they touch, changing its structure and altering its properties or even making one material into another. This ability is often used in conjunction with traditional alchemy, but the superstitious Dwerethians have strict limitations on which of such alterations may be made.