Dwarves

## Basic Information

### Anatomy

The Dwarves, while not sharing any cultural or ancestral heritage with any other human races, they are considered similar to them enough to be counted as a human race. They are dark skinned, with thick, curly hair and dark eyes. Dwarven men are known to grow large, thick, well-groomed beards, often adorned with metal beads. Despite being called Dwarves, they are only slightly shorter than other human races, likely to help them survive in their subterranean homes.

### Ecology and Habitats

The Dwarves have their origins deep beneath the Azhnakh Mountains of southern Forgosia, where they carved out expansive kingdoms and perfected the arts of smithing and jewelry. Later, as they began to move out of their mountain cities and into the deserts of Galoria, they would encounter the nomadic Goblins, eventually enslaving them, and they would establish their own cities beneath the sands.

## Additional Information

### Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Due to their origins as a subterranean people, the Dwarves have keen eyesight, which assists them in finding veins of ore and valuable gemstones in their mountain mines.

## Civilization and Culture

### Naming Traditions

**Male:** Kraznu, Zhoruk, Mrulkn **Female:** Thrazi, Kara, Arntha

### Beauty Ideals

Dwarves put a heavy emphasis on intelligence, wealth, and status. Richer, smarter people are seen as more attractive. To increase their desirability, Dwarves commonly wear very opulent clothing, made of the finest materials one can afford, along with an immense amount of jewelry made of expensive precious metals and gemstones. Cleanliness is very important in Dwarven beauty and is tied to wealth, as the rich can afford better hygiene routines.

### Gender Ideals

Dwarven society is highly egalitarian, as one's status is based on wealth, not gender. Men and women of equal wealth are equal in all matters of Dwarven life and society.

### Courtship Ideals

Arranged marriages are extremely common in Galoria, with dowries being expected of every potential suitor. Many Dwarven families, especially more traditional ones, will shop their children around and marry them off to whoever pays the largest dowry.

### Relationship Ideals

Dwarven love is often expressed through the giving of gifts. Dwarves will buy their spouses fine and opulent clothing and jewelry both as a way of expressing their love, and as a way to show how much money they have. Dwarves really do be out here flexing tho. Prostitution is legal in Galoria, as are "deviant" relationships. Casual relationships are also fairly tolerated by the Dwarves.

### Common Etiquette Rules

Dwarves place a premium on social graces, manners, and politeness. Etiquette classes are commonplace in Galoria, with a Dwarf's level of manners and social grace being reflective of their ability to pay for such classes. In this way, etiquette also ties into Dwarven obsession with wealth and status.

### Common Dress Code

As stated previously, Dwarves wear the most valuable clothes they are able to afford. Lower-class individuals often buy clothes made from imitation materials, and even then may only own one outfit that they wear out.

### Culture and Cultural Heritage

The Dwarves have a culture based on commerce and craftsmanship. They are well known throughout Forgosia for their mastery over metal, rock, and gemstone, and Dwarven smiths, jewelers, sculptors, and architects are held in very high esteem. Dwarf traders likewise are known as bringers of high quality goods, whether those goods be practical or aesthetic, as Dwarven goods often strike a desirable balance between the two. However, for all the positive aspects of Dwarven culture, so too are there darker parts. The enslavement of the Goblin people has long been a shadowy part of Galorian economics. Taken from their homes in the deserts of Galoria as the Dwarves first began to spread out from their mountain homes, Goblin slaves are used to labor in mines, furnaces, and other places deemed to "lowly" for the Dwarven people to work. Racism is prevalent among the Dwarves, even toward free Goblins, who aren't allowed to even enter cities in Galoria. However, not all Dwarves hold this sentiment, and many favor freeing any slaves in Galoria. However, this movement is prevented from gaining significant traction, as unfortunately there are a few bandit groups of Goblins who have inadvertently sabotaged their own people's freedom, by changing the public's perception of them to one of violent savages who need to be restrained.

### Common Myths and Legends

The Dwarves follow their own religion based on a highly structured pantheon. Many of their gods reflect their values of craftsmanship, trade, and wealth.

### Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

The Dwarves are seen throughout Forgosia as fine artisans and merchants of high rapport. However, this has also brought along more negative perceptions of them being a greedy, money-loving people among some folk. They are hated by the Goblins, whom the Dwarves have enslaved and persecuted for centuries.

Origin/Ancestry
Human
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
4'5"-5'
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dark Skinned
Related Materials
* Electrum