Dwarf

"Many believe that the Brevenni are a doomed or dying race. In that case, they certainly will not die out quietly..."

Bastien Palter, "on the Dwarfs"

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Short and stout-hearted, the Dwarfs dominate the high peaks and the deep caverns of the world. They are a technologically advanced race, possessing steam power and inventions like the Glowbulb. Despite this power, they have endured countless sufferings at the hands of others, on the surface world, and the Underways to which they now are relegated. Still, the Dwarfs will endure their hardships, and they will either break or become stronger for it.  

The Godlost

After the martyrdom of their God, Thakan, the Dwarfish people were split on their religious doctrine. Gnomes believe that the blood of Thakan in them means that it is up to continue his legacy alone. Dwarfs believe that by faith and hard work of the Dwarfish, they can revive Thakan.
Dwarfish religion is centered around creation, logic, and perfection. To find a formula that better describes the physical world, or to create a perfect piece of art or machinery is holy and virtuous in the Dwarfish religion. Dwarfs also believe that, by creating a machine to hold the heart of their God, he can be returned. Only a few fragments remain in Halaran, as most were used to create the Gnomish race. In history, there has only been one fragment that has been used. The fragment of Thakan's heart was used by Osran to ascend to godhood, following his unification of Humanity.

Natural Craftsfolk and Grudge-Bearers

The Dwarfs were created by their god Thakan for the purpose of building the first city: Thakantal. Every Dwarf since is born with an innate understanding of some type of tool used for engineering or artisanry. This innate ability is random, although their parent's ability does affect the outcome somewhat. Dwarfs take joy and pride in the act of creation and often care little for the monetary benefits of it unless it allows them to create more impressive works.
This natural inclination towards artisanry and engineering also makes the Dwarfs seem more perfectionist in their attitude compared to other species. The Dwarfs are prone to excessive worrying about imperfections or injustices in the world. This desire for all things to be right makes them prone to holding grudges for far longer than any other species. They will often go to extreme measures to settle these grudges, and one could say that much of their civilization and religion is based on grudges, such as the loss of Thakantal during the War of Devouring.

Thakan, Clan, and Hold

The three pillars of Dwarfs culture is Thakan, Clan, and Hold, with varying degrees of importance. The veneration of their god, Thakan, is the most important aspect of life for the Dwarfish people, for he is who gave them life in the first place. Worship of Thakan is done by maintaining and creating their constructions and inventions.
The next most important aspect of Dwarfish life is the clan. Clans are created and destroyed on an almost yearly basis, although a few dozen clans have managed to stand the test of time and have existed since the Time of Exile (when the Dwarfs were driven from Thakantal). These major clans tend to hold major holds or multiple holds. Minor clans tend to act more as guilds within a singular or multiple holds. A major clan might number in the tens of thousands, while a minor clan might range from a few thousand to a handful of individuals. The Clan leaders decide the names of all newborn Dwarfs within their clan, and help them in their crafts in exchange for their services.
The third most important pillar of Dwarfish society is their Hold. While they do not hold the same loyalty to their hold as their clan (unless their clan owns the hold), the Dwarfs in a hold will fight for it when needed. Dwarfs are expected to always fight for the defense of a hold, but individual Dwarfs must seek permission to fight in offensive wars from their clan if their clan does not hold much ground in that particular hold.

A Sorrowful History

"The Brevenni have drank deeply from the well of misfortune. Deeper than any race of this world. Still we, much like our duty, remain."

Excerpt from the Book of Thakan, an important religious text for most Dwarfs.

Dwarfish history is defined by fading glory and suffering. The Dwarfs have gone from being the builders and caretakers of the first and the greatest city in the world to exiles living out of their old mines. Many among the Dwarfs believe that they will inevitably fade from existence, being pushed deeper and deeper into the caverns they inhabit until they die out, returning to the stone they were born from to be recreated in another Calpa. Others believe that the Dwarfs must retake Thakantal and revive their God by the end of the Second Era, or their species will perish shortly thereafter. Either way, the Dwarfish belief of the future is typically dourer than bright.

Creating a Dwarfish Character

• Your Role: Every Dwarf has a role in their society. Each of them is uniquely gifted in some form of artisanry, from the lowest laborers to the greatest craftsmen, the Brevenni pride themselves in the role they fulfilled in society and their personal creations. What did your character do before becoming an adventurer? Why did you stop?
• Your Clan: What relationship do you have with your clan? Are you still a member of it, or have you been exiled? Were you sent on a mission to bring riches and glory to your clan? Are you an agent bringing justice to one who has wronged your clan or yourself?
• Your Personality: The typical Brevenni is usually reserved, yet very passionate, in their personality. Are you the same, or are you different from your kin?
• Your God: Thakan holds a central importance in Brevenni culture. Worship of him is done through acts of maintenance and of creation. Do you hold Thakan close to your heart, or have you turned to another god?

Brevenni Cultures

Brevenni are split into two distinct groups: Surface and Underground Brevenni. The differences between these groups are minimal, since every hold is well-connected to the rest of the holds. The only noticeable difference is that Surface Brevenni do not find sunlight or weather unpleasant, and that most Surface Brevenni do not possess the Darkvision their Underground cousins do. Surface Brevenni with Darkvision are typically inferior to the Underground Brevenni's Darkvision.

Brevenni Names

Names are typically given by a clan elder or an important member of the clan upon the birth of a new Dwarf. Clan names, on the other hand, are owned by the clan and not the Dwarf themselves. If a Brevenni is outcast or joins a new Clan, they lose their original clan name.
Name Examples: Adamen, Biluda, Dagrim, Eshkar, Garash, Hashur, Kishar, Minesh, Namkuzu, Shuhalla, Urash, Zidmil
Clan Name Examples: Enmarkir, Girshu, Narua, Tabira, Urbarra
Coming Up With Your Own Name: Brevenni names are based on ancient Ancient Akkadian names. Finding a list of these online to take inspiration from is a good way to come up with your own names. This dictionary is also useful for finding words to base names on: https://www.assyrianlanguages.org/akkadian/index_en.php