Dwarves

## Origin

The Dwarves were originally brought into this world by a Mountain Giant. This lone Mounatin Giant saw the errors of its kins ways, and decided to sacrifice itself, using its lifeforce to create the race of Dwarves. The Dwarves are hearty warriors who helped the elves and wild folk drive back and end the Monster Wars.

## Found in the World

Dwarves, known for their skilled craftsmanship and affinity for communal living, are a prominent race scattered across the continents of Edoria and Val Matyr. In Edoria, their presence is most notable in the city of Norn Faldir, a dwarven city that epitomizes their architectural and engineering prowess. Additionally, dwarves are a common sight in other parts of Edoria, often found living in harmony with different races, where they are revered as master smiths and miners. Val Matyr also hosts a large dwarven populations, with cities like New Buldher, Oren, and Dern ruled by Dwarves under Aetherian Empire law.

While dwarves are indeed found across the planet, their inclination towards communal living often leads them to form concentrated populations, primarily in areas that allow them to practice their renowned skills in smithing and mining. This inherent affinity for living amongst their kin has led to the establishment of robust dwarven communities, which are not only central to their identity but also vital to the economies and cultures of the regions they inhabit.

## Physical Characteristics

*These are generic characteristics and are subject to change depending on the individual.*

* Lifespan: Average (90-130 years)
* Skin Tone: Pale tones
* Height: Small
* Personality: Proud, Boisterous, Stout, Prideful

## Alignment / Culture / Beliefs

The Dwarves of Talmin, much like the Inalt Elves, have developed into two distinct cultural groups due to historical events, yet both groups maintain a deep reverence for traditional dwarven culture and customs. While they share many traits, they have notable differences in their societal structures and alliances.

Regardless of their cultural differences, dwarves across Talmin prefer living in large, concentrated populations, traditionally building their cities into mountains. Rather than expanding outward, dwarven cities grow downward, forming intricate labyrinths of underground settlements. The majority of dwarves live their entire lives underground, some never seeing the sun or sky. The outward-facing parts of their cities, typically viewed as less desirable, often house the slums, contributing to misconceptions about dwarves among other races. In dwarven society, the deeper one resides underground, the higher their status. The true extent of the dwarven population remains unknown, as most of it lies hidden within these well-guarded subterranean cities.

### **Imperialist Dwarves**

The Imperialist Dwarves of Val Matyr are known for their unwavering allegiance to the Aetherian Empire and acceptance of the Inalt Elves as the rightful rulers of Talmin. Emulating their elven leaders, these dwarves have adopted an inherent sense of pride and model their culture after inalt elf traditions. They prioritize elegant living and proud family lineages, with noble houses deep in the subterranean layers. Their identity is deeply intertwined with the Aetherian Empire, and they are distinct for their blend of dwarven resilience with elven-inspired elegance.

### **Edorian Dwarves**

In contrast, the Edorian Dwarves cherish independence, craftsmanship, and hard work over elegance and lineage. Their society centers around Norn Faldir, the crown jewel of their civilization and the only true dwarven city on Edoria. These dwarves, while preferring the company of their kin in their expansive underground cities, also value freedom and autonomy. Many choose to wander the continent, embracing a lifestyle of liberty. The Edorian Dwarves align themselves more with humans than elves, often not recognizing their Imperialist counterparts as kin due to their contrasting ideologies and lifestyles.