Dwarves

Dwarves are one of 6 known sentient races in Paledia, the others being Humans, Elves, and the Wild Races.
Originally, dwarves came from Southern Paledia, living there in a number of princely states and tribal confederations. Once the Wars of Expansion began, however, they struggled to unite, and soon Southern Paledia was annexed by the Empire.
Dwarves are generally small in stature, though despite their size, they are not weak. Most dwarves that survived the culls by the Empire are slaves in the south, for the most part in the mines in the Ingthorp Mountains, though in some areas of the south where Elven slaves are uncommon, dwarves are used as city-slaves.
==Dwarven History==
According to their mythology, Southern Paledia was first settled by the dwarves a millenia after their foundation. The high priests teach that the Ironfather created them from steel, just as humans were created of clay, elves of wood, and the Wild Races of stone. Their mythology states that a warring band of Reavers, giant humanoids, and their slaves, small green-skinned humanoids known as Skraelings, forced them beyond the Ingthorp Mountains into what is now Southern Paledia. It should be noted that no evidence of such a flight exists, despite numerous Imperial expeditions.
Whatever the case may be with that, what is known is that the dwarves quickly divided up into two tribes. On the coasts and lowlands of the South, the theocratic Førovards retained control over the area, developing their own culture and custom, while the highlander Tuatha De Foraoise developed a clan-based culture that elected the Lord of the Mountains. Eventually, a war between the two cultures, known as the Shattering of the Mountain and Hill, resulted in a compromise. From the leaders of the Førovards would come the High Priest and the adoption of the faith of the Ironfather, while from the Tuatha came the clan system and the first King of the Ancient Crown of Ureloth, Dunkeld the Great.
	
==Culture==
Dwarven culture is complex and developed. Personality traits such as responsibility, freedom, and benevolent leadership are much preferred among dwarvenkind. Dwarven society is moderately egalitarian, with the clan chiefs ruling as leaders that serve as first among equals, appointed by their clans and approved by the Iron Priests. The only non-equal caste in the dwarven system are the Hearthsaken, those who have betrayed their clan. They have no rights beyond the right to live and that which they are granted by the clan. The predominant language among dwarves is Manninee, a term that is also used by dwarves applied to themselves. There are two major ethnic groups of dwarves, the shorter, heavier, blond, and oft militaristic Førovards of the north, and the slightly taller, thinner craftsmen that call themselves the Tuatha De Foraoise, or children of the southern glens. Each has a specific language, derived from Manninee.
Category:Races