Svartalfar

A subgroup of Dwarves whose principality is Svartalfheim. One of the oldest Dwarven ethnicities, they have married their love of the earth and its treasures with a love of the sea, and are most well-known outside of their lands as sailors who work either as traders or warriors.   They are said to have intense personalities, and a love of extreme ways of life, rushing into strife and merriment alike, holding grudges and friendships with equal fervor.  

Transformation: Condenser

Probably the most specialized of Dwarven abilities, the most experienced and focused of the Svartalar are able to change the density of minerals at a touch. This has more applications than one might initially assume, the most common being to make ships of stone that float, these being their favorite vessels. The same technique is used to make weapons, buildings, and anything else the Svartalfar consider important. The very best with this skill are able to enchant items to change their density or apparent mass depending on some external stimulus; this method once produced Grindstone, the legendary and hereditary hammer of Svartalfheim.