Dwarf

*"Dwarves are creatures of stone, and like stone they change only in response to extremes. The dwarves of the many cities share much in common, but never allow those similarities to blind you to their unique traits." - Domigo Thundergong*

## The Mountain Born

**Dwarves**, sometimes called the *Deep Folk,* (or *Bror'yama/***Our Brothers of the Mountain** *to elves)* are a natural humanoid race common throughout parts of Vari. Dwarves are a tough, tradition-abiding folk known for their strong martial traditions, deep mountain mines and beautiful craftsmanship. Since The Severance however, Dwarven populations have struggled to reach the flourishing numbers they once were.

After The Severance, many Dwarves poured to the surface and headed for the protection of walled cities. Banding together with everyone that would stand with them. The Severance shattered the landscape around them, causing old dwarven mining tunnels to collapse into ruin. Horrific Entities of the Void scoured the land in search of life to consume. **Dwarves** and Elves bonded during this time, giving rise to *Half-Elf/Half-Dwarf* kin known as Dwelves. The Elves now regard Dwarves as *Bror'yama/***Our Brothers of the Mountain** which is considered a great honour by the dwarves. Most Elves and Dwarves have a bond like no other two species.

## Religion

Dwarves have a diverse culture, that religion is often central to. There are dwarves that worship almost every deity in Vari but when they do, they do it with the same focus and determination they apply to everything.

## Maturity, Age, Fertility and Future

**Dwarves** are a long-lived race, though not so much as elves, and reach physical maturity somewhat later than humans. A dwarf is traditionally considered an adult once he or she reaches age fifty. Dwarves age much like humans but over a longer period of time, remaining vigorous well past 150 years. Most dwarves lived to see their bicentennial and a few lived to be over 400.

After The Severance, Dwarven fertility was strangely affected, though nobody knows exactly how, a dwarf is highly unlikely to become pregnant with another dwarf, however the union of **Elf** and **Dwarf** results in a considerably improved fertility match. Over time, Dwelf children have become much more common than either Elf or **Dwarf** children. In conclusion, Most dwarves, while solemn on the topic, understand that their time as a dominant species within the world of Vari may have come to a close. **Dwelves** may actually be the future for both their and that of Elves.

## Description

Dwarves are a short race, standing from 4'3"–4'9" on average. What dwarves lacked in height they made up for in bulk; they are, on average, about as heavy as humans. A dwarf can weigh anywhere from about 160–220 lbs. Dwarven males are a bit taller and heavier than their female counterparts. Dwarves have a wide variety of skin, eye, and hair colours.

Male dwarves often grow thick facial hair, which is sometimes used to display social status. Unusually for humanoids, both sexes naturally grow ample facial hair.

**Dwarves** are quite stubborn and often refuse to let go of old traditions, such as still using old Dwarven numerals and naming their children the same name as themselves or their father or grandfather. These are the symbols used in a system of numerical notation. The symbols are **I, V, X, L, C, D, and M**, standing respectively for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. They often follow names, for example **Borgrin VII** (Borgrin the Seventh) and so on.