Dwarf

The marble-hewn children of Toriphon, dwarves are a stoic but stern race, ensconced in cities carved into the sides of mountains and fiercely determined to repel the depredations of the savages and beasts which abound. The dwarves regard themselves as the stalwarts of organized society and civilized culture. They have acquired a reputation for brutally efficient battle planning, ingenious craftsmanship and cultural elitism. It could be said that dwarven history shapes the disposition of many dwarves, for they reside in dangerous realms, surrounded by and constantly at war with giants, centaurs, and barbarians.

Physical Description: Dwarves are a short and stocky race, and stand about a foot shorter than most humans, with wide, compact bodies that account for their burly appearance. Their heads are wide and faces rough-shod. Dwarves prides themselves on a high standard of hygiene. The males keep short hair and well-groomed beards (their soldiers often shave head and face alike), and females make great effort styling their hair in intricate designs, as fits the fashion of the day.

Society: The great distances between their mountain citadels account for many of the cultural differences that exist within dwarven society. Despite these schisms, dwarves throughout the world are characterized by their love of stonework, their passion for stone- and metal-based craftsmanship and architecture, and their esteem for refined culture.

Relations: Dwarves and giants have long dwelt in proximity, theirs a history of violence as old as both their races. Dwarves generally distrust and shun half-giants. They find halflings, elves, and gnomes to be too frail, flighty, or foreign to be worthy of proper respect. It is with humans that dwarves share the strongest link, for humans’ industrious and ruminative nature come closest to matching those of the dwarven ideal.

Alignment and Religion: Dwarves are driven by honor and tradition, and while they are often satirized as standoffish, they have a strong sense of friendship and justice, and those who win their trust understand that, while they work hard, they play even harder—especially when good wine is involved. They have a particular fondness for gladiatorial combat, which is sometimes thought of unfitting to their “civilized” ideals. Dwarves worship the Pyraean gods, but primarily revere Toriphon, Abadar and Goranys, as they evoke major aspects of dwarven culture. Most dwarves are lawful neutral.

Adventurers: Although dwarven adventurers are rare compared to humans, they can be found in most regions of the world. Dwarves often leave their home cities to seek glory for their nations, conquer their neighbors, or to reclaim fallen dwarven citadels from racial enemies. Dwarven warfare is often characterized by tight formations and melee combat, and as such most dwarves tend toward classes such as fighters (esp. phalanx soldier, tower-shield specialist and tactician) and cavaliers (strategist).

Names: Male - Aeitus, Aurelius, Brutus, Cassius, Gaius, Iuvenalis, Maximus, Nero, Seneca, Vespianus; Female - Aelia, Camilla, Decima, Lucretia, Tatiana, Vita