Dwarf

The Dwarves of Aloria are a proud and sturdy race. They are renowned for their extensive martial training and their near flawless craftsmanship. The majority of Dwarves are good hearted, but are known to be very greedy and possessive of their treasures, to the point of extreme paranoia. They hold close to the traditions of their people, most believing strongly in justice and camaraderie. Existing underground for centuries untold, they recently began moving to the surface to escape the Dakkar, who they have warred with heavily. Thus, Dwarves have a deep hatred for Dakkar.

While the exact origins of the Dwarven race are unknown, they have lived underground for centuries untold. Underground, the Dwarves had large kingdoms and strongholds; however, most of these kingdoms were burned or sealed away due to the subsequent war between the Dakkar. The treasures within are still sought by adventurers today.

Defining Traits

Appearance

Dwarves are commonly referred to as “the stout folk” for good reason. Most stand at 4’3″ – 4’9″ at maturity. They can weigh anywhere from 150 to 250 pounds, depending on the Dwarf and their love for food. Most, if not all, Dwarves possess fair strength and, compared to other races, are incredibly hardy. Dwarves can take a beating that would kill a Human and get up to spit in the eye of whatever brought it upon them! Their beards can reach down to their toes, and come in many colors. Brown, black, and red are common among Dwarves. A common Dwarf is one that is battle-clad: Dwarves are a very practical race, and are thus rarely seen in anything but chain or plate mail.

When thinking of a Dwarf most imagine a chain-clad Dwarven fighter, with an axe in one hand and a shield in the other. In combat Dwarves have simple rules: “The ax cuts the tendons at the back of the knee; the battlehammar breaks the kneecap from the front”. Most Dwarves will compliment their ax or hammer with a small shield. However, Dwarven berserkers will prefer to dual wield two axes or two warhammars. Dwarves brought the zeppelin and the cannon with them when they moved to the surface, both of which they use extensively in combat and otherwise.

Speech

The stout folk have a strong dialect, replacing most common words like “you” with “ye”. Dwarves can be a tad blustering when angry, as such most enjoy creating new insults to hurl at an enemy. “Orc-brained pile of ogre dung” is an oft used phrase. Dwarves are usually divided into clans, but all Dwarves share a mutual brotherhood with each other. There are exceptions of course, but most Dwarves are part of a distinct group, with a singular Dwarf leading it. Unlike Humans, their leaders are not clad in gold and luxury. A Dwarven king is a practical one that leads by example and thus looks like any other Dwarf, other than his exceptional weapons and obvious skill. Most Dwarves wear simple tunics underneath their armor, which they wear at almost all times.

Forging/Smithing

Dwarves, as commonly noted, are greatly skilled in forging weapons and armor. Dwarves are known to have an everlasting patience. For example, a Dwarf would take an hour to add a single scale to a suit of armor and should he make the smallest error, he would scrap the project and start anew. Dwarves take pride in all that they forge, and thus they forge little that is not exceptional. Dwarves have been known to pray to their god, Moridon, for aid in the creation of magical weapons. Whether their god answers their calls or whether it is wizardly magic at work is left to scholars’ musings. Either way, Dwarven made items are in high demand everywhere.

Culture

Basic Beliefs

Most Dwarves follow the dogma of the god Moridon. Some Dwarven folk tales tell of all Dwarves being descendants of Moridon, who was in fact a mortal. Others say Moridon was a god, a deity. Since earliest recollection, Dwarves have followed the dogma of Moridon: to pursue justice, to defend one’s kin, and to create works of art; to Dwarves, that would be powerful suits of armor and weapons. Those that worship Moridon most heavily are smiths and Dwarven fighters. Above all else, the dogma of Moridon teaches the simple phrase “Dwarf for a Dwarf”. In detail, it signifies the deep loyalty Dwarves have with each another. If pressed, a Dwarf would give his life for his kin. That Dwarf would die with a song on his lips, knowing he did what his kin would do if they had the chance. While not suicidal, Dwarves will fight furiously, almost to the point of blind rage.

Society

The social structure in Dwarven society is peculiar. There are no clear rulers in the society. There are commanders and veterans in combat who take the lead, but each Dwarf respects and cares for their kin, heeding their advice as well as they would their kings. Loyalty is more than a word, it is a way of life for Dwarves. They would take pleasure in rescuing the lowest Dwarf, for saving an ally means much to them. For this reason, Dwarves make exceedingly good allies. Dwarves are also often given to revenge on an enemy. Sometimes a Dwarf may wait for decades to exact revenge on an enemy, for Dwarves are patient. Women in Dwarven society are respected as much as males. Often, in battle Dwarf women fight alongside their male counterparts with no distinction. And indeed, if the females have a beard, the distinction is doubly hard to make. For female Dwarves sound exceedingly similar to males.

The history of the Dwarven race is a sad one. Existing for centuries untold underground, they did not participate in the Void War. Instead, the Dwarves shut their gates to the evil, not wishing to kill themselves for the sake of strangers. During the time they were shut in the Dwarves began digging deeper and deeper. Then, all at once, it seemed, the Dwarves were in a full out war with the Dakkar, a race of fire-like humanoids. The Dwarves had many magical weapons, but few could work on such beings in their territories. After a long, drawn out war, the Dwarves began to retreat to the surface. Nearly half of the Dwarven race had been killed in the wars.

Moving to the surface as recently as 50 years ago, the Dwarves have split into many clans, some venturing into Human settlements on their own. The vast majority of Dwarves live in refugee camps, but more and more are integrating into the society of the other races. To this day, Dwarves find good work as smithies but as noted, vengeance can take hold on them. A Dwarf would cut down a Dakkar without a thought should they come across one on the surface. Let it be known that the Dwarven populace is starting to rise again.