Dwarves, also known as dwur or dwurfolk in the Flan tongue, are one of the primary civilized races of the Flanaess.
Ecology[]
Dwarves were perceived as materialistic, hard-working and humourless. They tended to be dour and taciturn, keeping themselves separate from other folk, but they were also strong and brave. In wartime they were united and willing to see victory at any cost, but prone to avenge old slights and reject mercy. They jealously defended the honour of their clans and families, and greatly revered their ancestors, building elaborate monuments to them. Yet, their chief love was precious metal, particularly gold, which they worked with great mastery. Some dwarves suffered from an affliction called gold-fever, when their desire for the substance became so overwhelming that it consumed their souls. The tradition of dwarven honour demanded that leaders dispense treasure to their loyal followers, and the inability to do this was a sure sign of gold-fever.
Dwarven elders held the secrets of their race's magic, best exemplified by their magnificent armour, weapons and tools. They also oversaw the construction of monuments and tombs, many of which have had magical traps and curses of great cunning.
History[]
The dwarves did not speak of their origins to outsiders, so little of their ancient history is known. However, it is understood that they once had great underground halls in the northern Crystalmist Mountains that were destroyed by the Invoked Devastation. Their last High King perished in the aftermath, and the clans have ever since been sundered. Led by lords and princes of differing noble houses, the dwarf clans allied with elves and gnomes during the Suel and Oeridian migrations, and even joined humans of reliable disposition to defend their territories.
Environment[]
Dwarves favoured rugged hills and mountains, ever being a people of earth and stone. In ancient times they would dwell in vast cities carved from within the mountains themselves however since the Invoked Devastation many of these cities were destroyed or abandoned. Many now dwell on the surface in sturdy stone structures, usually conical in shape. Others still dwell within the hills and mountains but these subterranean settlements are rarely as grand as those of the past.
In the Flanaess today dwarves could particularly be found in the Lortmils, Glorioles, Crystalmists, Iron Hills, Cairn Hills, Principality of Ulek and Ratik.
Physical characteristics[]
The more common hill dwarves have complexions of deep tan to light brown, with hair of brown, black or grey. Eyes are of any colour save blue. They are solidly built, though seldom exceed four feet in height. Mountain dwarves are somewhat taller, with lighter colouration.
Male and female dwarves are bearded[1][2], though some females are known to be smooth-faced,[3] but it is also known to be thought of as "that sort of nonsense" by dwarves when human people assume one is male because they have a beard.[4] Dwarves place great value on their long beards, often braiding them and twining them with jewels and gold wire.
The traditional garb of dwarves is woolen trousers and a belted linen tunic, with a hooded cloak or cape worn over all. Their boots are of heavy leather, with or without buckles. Colours are a mixture of earth tones and loud check-patterned hues and plaids. They also favour leather accoutrements, fitted with as many jewels and precious metals as they can hold. Females dress similarly to males however they usually replace the trousers for a wollen skirt.
During ceremonial occasions men often don their best embroidered work aprons whilst femals don a tabard-like overgarment.
Alignment[]
Most dwarves are usually Lawful Good or Lawful Neutral.
Religion[]
Ulaa the Stonewife is regarded as the mother of the dwarven race and her husband Bleredd the father. Fortubo is the third major deity amongst the dwarves. Once a god of the Suloise humans, he abandoned his people when he discovered they were responsible for creating a great evil and found a common soul with the dwurfolk. Since then, in some regions, he has become even more popular amongst the dwarves than Ulaa and Bleredd. Amongst younger dwarves Joramy the Shrew is often worshipped as an innovater and inventor. Many older dwarves dislike her desire for change however there is little real animosity between the older faiths and the new.
Dwarven subraces[]
Hill Dwarves[]
Mountain Dwarves[]
References[]
- CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0
Dwarf. Great Library of Greyhawk, GreyhawkOnline.com. (view authors)
Citations[]
- ↑ Moore, Roger. The Adventure Begins. TSR 1998, p15
- ↑ Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, et al. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. WotC, 2000, p9
- ↑ Browne, Anne. Player's Guide to Greyhawk. TSR, 1998. p37-38
- ↑ Moore, Roger. "The Adventure Begins". TSR 1998. p87