Dwarves

The Dwarves were one of the first races to inhabit Sicoria, calling the chasms and the endless tunnels they created home. It is rare to find any Dwarves aboveground that are not Exiles or Traders, and when they are aboveground it is for a rather short period. However, there are exceptions to this as some Dwarves actually prefer life aboveground, rather in than being encased in solid stone on all sides.

As time passed the number of Dwarves being forced to the surface grew as the Human forces pushed further into their underground tunnel system, eventually claiming the Dwarves' lost city of Galvi. Rather than allow the humans to retain their claim on the city the Dwarves chose to collapse the chasm in which they had built it, burying Galvi under miles of stone. The loss of their city was a blow to the Dwarven people, and in their bid to hold their ground against the Humans they sacrificed a great many of their number to perform a very powerful, very dark ritual, in order to create the Masterwork Anvil. Twenty thousand Dwarves gave their lives, allowing their heads to be smashed against the anvil, knowing their deaths would mean the survival of their people. This new, creative tool would allow the Dwarves to shape very rare ores into devastatingly powerful weapons, unlike any other found in Sicoria.

This great power came with a great price, however. During the Realms Wars the Gods demanded the Dwarves create Demon Slayer weapons, and the Dwarves refused. This refusal enraged the Gods enough for them to send their acolytes to storm the Dwarven cities, wishing to forcibly take the Masterwork Anvil for themselves. Wishing to, but unable to, as the Dwarves fended them off in large part due to the efforts of the Dwarve. The Dwarve were an elite unit of warriors, commanded by the first female Dwarf to take up arms, Kalros Dalnese.

In the aftermath of the conflict with the Gods' acolytes a council of Dwarves decided that, ultimately, the Masterwork Anvil would cause far too great a threat if it fell into the hands of the opposing forces in the Wars. With heavy hearts, the Dwarves lowered the creation so many of their own had died to create into a deep reservoir of magma. Over the ages the Anvil became less truth, more myth, until it was nearly forgotten entirely.

The two remaining Dwarven cities, Ornismer and Trivalia, are presenting prospering. They work tirelessly to reclaim land that has been lost to monsters, seeking to claim the abandoned tunnels as their own, to rebuild tunnels and chasms that have collapsed, be it from natural causes or one of many unfortunate events the Dwarves have faced. In recent times more Dwarves are looking to the surface in search of a new life, a life their ancestors fought and died for.

## Strengths

* Dwarves are a hardy people, naturally more durable, and physically stronger than the other common races, along with some of the uncommon races as well. With the right armor they are comparable to walking tanks that can go toe to toe with orcs, despite their size difference.
* Dwarves are masters of steampunk type machinery and are able to build almost anything they have a blueprint for or have extensive knowledge on.
* Dwarves cannot be poisoned by toxins in the air as they have naturally evolved to process the natural carbon dioxide fumes found miles beneath the surface, where their major cities reside.

## Weaknesses

* Dwarves are slower than every other race due their small size and stature.
* Due to this slower movement speed Dwarves struggle when fighting agile, fast opponents. While they can fight quick, moving opponents, they are not very effective at it.
* Dwarves are incapable of using magic of any kind.

## Diet + Habitat

Dwarves are known for eating the ores of various metals when no other food is available. This can cause tension if they are sharing territory with an Orc clan.

When there is food available Dwarves' diets are almost entirely in sync with humans. A Dwarf has a much larger appetite than a human, however, and eats a good deal more. Even among the other species Dwarven Feasts are akin to legends, something you could never truly believe unless you have witnessed one with your own eyes.

Dwarves are born and raised in their underground cities, Ornismer (or-nis-mer) and Trivalia (Tri-val-ia). These underground cities have existed since history began and still stand strong under the lands of Sicoria.