Ember Dwarves

In the depths of the mountains, far below the snow-filled ground and isolated from the sun they so loathe, the vile and deadly Ember Dwarves labor tirelessly to gain the favor of the Dark Gods. The dwarves weren’t shaped by evolution but molded by sinister energies wield�ed by the dread lords they so passionately worship. While no human truly remembers what the bannermen of chaos once looked like, no one cares. These crooked and vile creatures, with their stocky frame, full beards, and muscular arms hinged on broad shoulders, are best left to their own devices in a land perceived as far away and of little concern. Out of sight, doesn’t equal out of mind, though! Even small children understand that nothing good awaits those who venture too close to the mountainous realm of the Crazed, as humans and the White Elves alike, have dubbed the Ember Dwarves. While the female dwarves grow no beard, they do share an unnatural thin waistline with their male counterparts, earning all of their kind the name the Crazed, due to an appearance which makes them resemble starved, depraved, animals.

For all of their species, a pair of prominent and bushy brows are set above eyes with small pupils which are highly sensitive to light. Short noses with wide nostrils, reaching towards a square jawline, certainly doesn’t help cultivate a friendly appearence—neither do the stained and crooked teeth. Hygiene isn’t much of a priority to an Ember Dwarf, and many have lost their teeth altogether. The only part of their body well-tended to is the shaved, bald head. Every last one of them have tattooed the sigil of their God of choice on their bare skulls. Against a backdrop of unusual pale skin which is as white as a corpse, the colors of the tattoos stand out clear as bright stars in the night sky. Despite the cold climate where they live, the Ember Dwarves wear no clothing on their upper body. Their only covering is to their lower parts with bleak, dirty, gray rags. Being extremely warm-blooded, the Dwarves have fully adapted to their frigid environment.

The excess body temperature does, how�ever, consume a fair amount of energy, leaving the Ember Dwarves with a vicious appetite. Heat exhaustion is also somewhat of a concern to the dwarves. As a result, they stay out of the sun as much as possible. When their body temperature builds up, heavy sweating and rapid heartbeats follow, ultimately causing severe headaches. They are extreme in every way. From the way they prefer to settle any disagreement with a fight, rather than words, to how they eat their dead kin. One could be led to believe such a practice being due to their ravenous appetite, but it’s in fact because the dwarves believe that they can absorb the power of the dead by eating them.

### Wielder of Wrath

At their core, the Ember Dwarves are primitive and bloodthirsty. When tempers boil over and yet another tribal leader gives into his loud and aggressive nature, new battles break out between the different dwarven tribes. Genuine respect is only earned through valor in combat and by reaching the pinnacle of becoming the next grand champion of the Dark Gods: The Wielder of Wrath. This devotion to fighting is beautifully symbolized by the handmade belts, which the dwarves wear on top of their worn leggings. From this leather girdle hangs thin iron plates, forming narrow straps reaching the knee to allow the fighting dwarf to move freely. The plates usually portray an image of the Sword of Resurrection—a weapon of untold power. The sword was crafted by the dwarves themselves and kept in a hidden vault inside Pyres Deep. This city is their uninhabited capital, left empty except during the Conclave of Champions. One day, the Wielder of Wrath will emerge to utilize the strength of the blade on behalf of them all.

### Conclave of Champions

Having led his tribe to numerous victories against fellow clans of Ember Dwarves over recent years, the leader, Bescu, has been immensely effective in earning his reputation. Already in a position of fame among his kinsmen, Bescu shows no signs of ending his successful campaign. If he continues his streak of triumphs, he might very well grow strong enough for the Ember Dwarves to convene at Pyres Deep for the Conclave of Champions. The holy Conclave is the only governing body honored by the dwarves. Should Bescu be unanimously acknowl�edged by the other tribal leaders as the most formidable warrior alive, he would be granted the title of Wielder of Wrath. In a society where survival of the fittest is the norm, only this supreme leader has the authority to unite the Ember Dwarves under one banner and change their focus outward, towards the rest of the world. While a consolidated army of Ember Dwarves might sound terrifying for those in its wake of fury, the other nations only regard it as a theoretical risk. In recorded history, the Conclave of Champions has only been successful twice. Centuries have passed since Lacah celebrated his position as the second Wielder of Wrath.

Just as the first Wielder of Wrath did after having been named champion, he too walked into the Rift. The Rift is a well-kept secret tear in reality, forming a passageway between the physical world and the realm inhabited by the Dark Gods and is located at the center of the dwarven territory near Pyres Deep. Lacah never returned and the Ember Dwarves resumed fighting amongst themselves. The hapless individuals who later claimed having witnessed the return of Lacah were swiftly killed by upcoming tribal leaders, who would have nothing standing in their way of claiming the revered accolade of Wielder of Wrath for themselves. Should Bescu ever prevail and march on the world at the front of an undivided dwarven army, it will require more than just swords, shields, and high walls to stop them.

### Battle Prowess

Due to the close proximity of the Rift, the Dwarves view themselves as a superior species. While a strong beliefs in signs and omens fills the minds of the dwarves, it’s more than just make-belief. Physical proof shows how they do indeed have linkage to the Gods themselves. A dwarf showing exceptional bravery and prowess in battle is granted a blessing in the form of a spontaneous muta�tion. The anomaly can manifest in many ways, ranging from a permanent increase in physical attributes, like strength, to alterations which turn a body part into a weapon. Such mutations are regarded as the greatest of prizes. As a result, dwarves are known to chain themselves to an iron rod, driven deep into the ground and con�nected to a pair of leg cuffs to showcase their fearlessness. Here, they stand to fight or die, unable to escape the onslaught of their enemies. There is no limit to the aggression and ruthlessness of the dwarves.

Gender makes no difference in this regard. Upon entering battle, a frenzied rage takes hold, causing the dwarves to fight without mercy. When the dwarf embraces his or her natural inclination to inflict pain on others, the head tattoo along with the beard begins to glow with a sharp orange color, further fueling the terror caused at the sight of an enraged dwarf. Under the guidance of a tribal leader, a clan advances armed with double-bladed axes. Their luminous tattoos and beards make them resemble balls of fire dancing across the battlefield, hence their branding as Ember Dwarves. Outliers While they are few in numbers, there are those among the dwarves who don’t believe themselves chosen by the Gods or don’t share the animosity towards others as exemplified by their blood relatives.

These rare outliers have turned their backs on the Dark Gods, grow hair to conceal their tattoos, and shave off their proud beard in an attempt to live among humans. It isn’t an easy choice. While these limited few do see their fellow dwarves as the embodiment of cynicism and untrustworthy, it doesn’t change how humans resent all dwarves. It’s hard to ignore age-old hatred. However, as long as the reformed dwarves keep their beards shaved, reducing their ill temper, they are tolerated. Barely. In truth, the dwarves are likely only permitted to stay in human cities due to their keen eye for detail and exceptional smithing skills. Not to mention how the ability to craft magical items earns them just the sliver of acceptance so they aren’t turned away at the city gates