Dwarves

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DWARVES
The most ancient and noble race

Though it is unknown and hotly debated whether they or the dragons came first, the dwarves, or knurlan, of Alagaësia are undoubtedly as old as the mountains they inhabit. Though their earliest tales recount a nomadic lifestyle, most of their early history revolves around the building of their great cities as well as the constant infighting between themselves and the dragons, their age-old enemies.

Besides these endless spats, dwarves seldom emerge from the Beors, and are rarely seen in Alagaësia’s lowlands. A sturdy, stout race with sacred traditions mired in clan warfare and their polytheistic religion, they dislike change and outsiders, especially the elves. Dwarves generally range from three to four and a half feet in height, but are heavily built to make up for it. Very fair of skin, hair, and eye colour, their looks are ‘good-natured’ as opposed to ‘beautiful’. Dwarves were almost entirely uninvolved with any of the elves’ or humans’ major wars, let alone the Blue Divide, and rarely pay mind to them.

The dwarven pantheon includes Gûntera, king of the gods, a warrior and scholar; Kílf, Gûntera’s queen and the goddess of water; Urûr, master of the heavens and the air; Morgothal, the god of fire; Sindri, “mother earth”; and Helzvog, generally the dwarves’ favourite god, who created their race from the roots of the mountains.

Dwarf society is based on a clan system. Nobility is just a title given to the family in charge of each clan. As such the noble families may change over time. Any dwarf may be any profession they so choose as long as they work toward their goal. Dwarven men from the age of one hundred must serve in the army until they are the age of one hundred twenty five.

The dwarves are a populous people, for they have been unaffected by the blue divide and the wars that rack the human and elven kind. The glory of the dwarves is in full might and shows little sign of slowing down as none of their cities are currently under attack from outside forces. The dwarven population numbers at five million five hundred ninety nine thousand . The Army employed by the dwarves numbers at only five hundred thousand, this is rectified however when the King and his council issues a call to arms. The dwarven army then swells in rank to one million nine hundred ninety eight thousand eight hundred ten. This puts their forces at one of the largest in alagesia.

Dwarves are not the idiots that the world thinks of them, they constructed Tronjheim the largest and most complicated city in the known world. Their paintings and music are legend in their own accord but pale compared to the elves. When it comes to both simple and advanced mechanics the dwarves excel as large machines are needed to complete their elaborate structures. This also applies to their war machines which are moderately advanced.

The lifespan of an average dwarf is fairly simple and easy to follow. From ages one through one hundred they are considered a child to late teenager. From one hundred one until the age of four hundred twenty they are considered a full adult and may take a spouse if they wish. It is during this adult phase that most dwarves will find jobs and settle down in life. From four hundred twenty one until the age of five hundred forty and beyond they are considered an elder. Elders are free to excuse themselves from jobs and live in retirement although few dwarves choose to do so. The oldest dwarf to ever live was Toro Goodgem of Dûrgrimst Ledwonnû at age seven hundred thirteen years of age.

The dwarven race is generally closed off from the outside world and they do not fear but are wary of the other races. They do not hate them as a people but there are those that believe the other two races are foolish or inferior to the glory of Dwarfdom. As such most dwarves are at ill-ease around outsiders and it would reflect as such in their actions.

The distrust of dragons however is born into every dwarf. Dwarves are slow to change and they regard riders and dragons as something unnatural. Further proof either of good morality or negative is needed to establish a long lasting effect on the collective dwarven nation.

The dwarven clans are numerous but here is the most complete list as known at this time. There may be houses within each clan and not all clans are displayed here; Dûrgrimst Ingeitum, Dûrgrimst Ragni hefthyn, Dûrgrimst Ebardac, Dûrgrimst Quan, Dûrgrimst Feldûnost, Dûrgrimst Nagra, Dûrgrimst Vrenshrrgn, Dûrgrimst Ledwonnû, Dûrgrimst Gedthrall, Dûrgrimst Fanghur, Dûrgrimst Knurlcarathn, Dûrgrimst Urzhad. While each clan may Specilize in one thing such as Dûrgrimst Ingeitum and their smithing not all members of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum are metalsmiths and are free to chose whatever profession they are good at.

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THE DWARVEN CLANS

Below is a description of what each dwarven clan is known for, that being said this is an incomplete list as there may be other clans that we are unaware of

• Dûrgrimst Ingeitum: the smith clan.
  
  The smithing clan. This clan is known for having the first dwarven king, along with their unmatched skill in metal and fire smithing. they are surpassed only be the elves, and even then few at that. they are large and prosperous. they are the most recognizable of the clan as their symbol is carved into the floors of tronjheim in many places
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Ragni hefthyn: The River Guard clan.
  
  General information and history: The river guard clan does exactly what its name implies and then more. This clan composes half the standing Dwarven army and protects its borders both with elves and humans from threat. The members of this clan are usually master mariners and are exceeded only in skill by the elves.
  
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Ebardac: The scientific and engineering clan.
  
  The members of these clans are holed deep underground in chambers protected by wards, As needed for their massive experiments into science and the art of engineering. Most if not all techincal breakthroughs in the Dwarven world come from these clans and they are highly revered for their brilliant minds.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Quan: The priest and accountant clan.
  
  Durgrimst Quan is the smallest of all the dwarven clans, but due to their role as priests and accountants, they maintain a strong presence amongst the dwarven nation. The seat of their power is at Celbedeil, which was built to emphasize their wealth and standing to all other dwarf clans. Celbedeil is a massive temple and nearly matches the glory of Tronjheim, it has a detailed mural of the dwarven history dating far back before even the elves arrived on this world. The Paladin order of Guntera is beholden to this clan while the individual members may not actually belong to it
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Feldûnost: The farming clan.
  
  The members of this clan are in general the farmers and livestock herders of the Dwarven nation. They have field upon field of the richest land in the nation and are very important. The Feldûnost they raise are said to be monsters in size and the exports of this clan easily provide for the entire dwarven nation. It is said they occupy the fields imbetween the great mountains of the beors and is the largest clan
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Nagra: The trading clan.
  
  The members of this clan are expert merchants, able to sell water to a well, buy it half price and then sell it back again. Their words flow like golden honey and it is said they are extremely gifted in math. This clan handles all exports and imports within the dwarven nation and even the trade within the nation itself.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Vrenshrrgn: the War wolves clan.
  
  The mighty clan of the Shrrg or the War wolf clan is highly militant and makes the other masive percent of the Dwarven standing army. The members of this clan are proud and fierce warriors. Many go onto become generals or commanders in the dwarf army. They are of middling size for a dwarf clan.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Ledwonnû: The necklace clan.
  
  This clan is said to be legend in the art of jewelry and trinket making. They are also extremely skilled in making fine mechanical items. Their extremely skilled hands turn anything they touch into a veritable masterpiece. It is said that most of Isidar Mithrim was feasible becuase of these genius workers of gems.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Gedthrall: The stone masons clan.
  
  The might of this clan is visible wherever you find dwarves as their products are houses, cities, fountains and more. They are extremely skilled in the construction of buildings and other such needed lodgings. They have an extensive knowledge of scaffolding and support and are large in number. They are highly sought after when making a new settlement or dwelling.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Fanghur: the huntsmen clan.
  
  This clan is renowned throughout dwarfdom for its excellent field and hunting skills. The members of this clan prefer to live on the surface where they can readily hunt the massive creatures of the beors. They are fearless in both the hunt and battle and are of middling size. Their meat skins and other valuables are given to Dûrgrimst Nagra for trade.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Knurlcarathn: The mining clan.
  
  It is arguable that these masters of the mine are also good at stone masonry but their real skill lies in tunneling beneath the surface for gems and precious metals. This generation after generation of mining has led this clan to be very prosperous only second to that of the Quan and is immensely powerful in the Dwarven kingdom.
  
  
  
• Dûrgrimst Urzhad: The peoples clan.
  
  The clan of Urzhad is a large and many tiered facet of the Dwarven kingdom. The members of this clan are many and varied in their own skill sets. However most are extremely talented at services towards the Dwarven people. Such as Innkeepers, barbers, butlers and more. They are often seen as the “lowest” of the clans but all life in Dwarfdom could not function without them. They are incredibly humble and find joy in serving others