Dwarf

> "We're stubborn aye, but we're proud and look after our own. Ya'd do well to remember that."
>
> — A Dwarf conversing to a Human about their way.

**Dwarves**, also known as **Norn** (*Hínas*), are a species of proud and ambitious miners and warriors. Digging mines that reach near to the center of Terazan, and creating citadels made of gold and stone, they are truly a marvel of the world. Some believe that Dwarves could be as old as the Mir-Hínan themselves, and that they chose to live underground away from the **Dragonkin**. The first recording of Dwarves was 110 TD, at the same time as Orcs were spotted for the first time.

The Dwarves of Terazan originate from a citadel known as **Bhuul Ghnesh**, a stronghold in the north of **Oro Duug** to the east of **Azdaran**. Whilst it is cold and barren that far up north in Oro Duug, the mighty Dwarven forges heat the grounds that the citadel lies upon, keeping the citizens warm and comfortable.

## History

### Rise of the Dwarves

The first spotting of Dwarven-kind was in 110 TD with an army of Dwarven warriors led by a now-fabled Dwarf called **Ghanon Ebon-Ore**. Ancient Dwarven scriptures detail the crusades of his armies against the Goblins of the underdark, slaying the fiends that dared attack their women and children. It is unknown how long the Dwarves had been fighting the Goblins for, and therefore up to debate as to how long they have been on Terazan, but it was evident that the Goblinkind were already an ancient foe at this time.

With a purge of the creatures nearing completion around their underground cities, Ghanon led his soldiers to the surface of Oro Duug to claim the mountain as their own. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him, a dragon swooped down and attacked the Dwarven armies. There were few survivors, but Ghanon was one of them and swore an oath to his people that this new enemy would suffer for its crimes against the Dwarves.

For ten years Ghanon and his armies travelled back to the surface to hunt and fight the dragon, which they had dubbed **Orgómák**. After years of hopelessness Ghanon brought the beast down with a handaxe which he threw in to the wing, and used his axe to cleave it head-from-neck. Orgómák was defeated, and Ghanon had claimed the surface in the name of the Dwarves.

In honour of his brave deeds for the Dwarven people, Ghanon was named as the first **King of the Mountain**, and a citadel, referred to as **Bhuul Ghnesh**, was erected with the Hall of the King being placed where the Dragon fell.

### Miners of the World

For the centuries following the construction of Bhuul Ghnesh, the Dwarves made their mark on the word of Terazan by forging the best steel in the land. Creating large quarries and mines was a signature skillset of the Dwarves that went on to open a world of trade and possibilities with other holds, and their aptitude for fighting assured that they were unlikely to be attacked during their downtime.

Now a crucial service in Terazan, Dwarves spent a lot of their time in the Azuríte Mines under their citadel, forging weaponry and armour, and trading with folks that visit. They are mindful of their friends and allies, and even more mindful of their foes.

## Physiology

Dwarves share a lot of their physiology with Humans, featuring similar vital orangs and bone structures with the main difference being stature. Dwarves are typically a more stocky and dense species, having strong muscular forms underneath layers of fat which further protect them from harm.

Dwarves typically age at the same rate as humans, with many reaching adulthood by the age of eighteen - although due to their long lifespan it is not uncommon for Dwarves to be "too young" for certain tasks until they reach their fifties. Whilst they stop growing they continue to age, with their hair starting to grey and their skin starting to wrinkle until their last day on Terazan.

Many Dwarves - both male and female - grow long prestigious beards as a marker of their time on Terazan. Some Dwarves respect the length of their beards so much that they would sooner die than have it shaved, or trimmed too short by a barber.

## Culture

### Honour and Pride

Many Dwarves are avid collectors of precious metals and stones. Many outsiders would call Dwarves greedy, and whilst this may be so in many cases it is not true for all. Dwarves are proud forgers, and would happily craft their treasures in to beautiful weaponry, armour, or even furniture for esteemed adventurers and friends - presenting them gifts that they themselves have personally made.

Dwarves are honour-bound folk, meaning that should they make a promise then they are sure to keep it. In fact, promises made by Dwarves tend to follow down the generations, so if they are not completed by the original family member then it will be kept by their kin. Unfortunately these values can also extend to grudges, with Dwarves holding them for incredible amounts of time. Every misdeed done to the Dwarven people is written in "The Great Book of Grudges", and these grudges will be upheld until it has been rectified by the perpetrator or their kin.

As a proud people, Dwarves can at first appear to be hostile to outsiders as they are wary of those that would come in and disrupt their lives. Due to a lifelong war with the Goblins, a much less advanced and cultured society, they think very little of races similar to Goblin-kind. This can extend from disliking species such as Orcs due to their similarities to full-blown xenophobia of races that are not Dwarven.

### Relationship with the Hína

Since the very beginning of the modern world, the Dwarves have not liked the Hína. Dwarves tend to believe that the Hína sit upon their lofty chairs and look down on the rest of the world, only involving themselves when they have no other options. As honour-bound warriors, Dwarves believe that this view is crass and dishonourable.

For an age most Dwarves had refused to talk about Hína, a way of trying to force them in to the realm of the forgotten, but in more recent times they have been more accepting. Under the rule of Queen Hella the Dwarves have began repairing their relationship with the Mír-Hína of Ethuílmen following the events of the **Curse of the Dragon Priest**.

### Dwarven Language

Like many races, Dwarves have created their own language which is known as **Dúrían**. Whilst the spoken language sounds akin to lots of heavy grunting, gutteral noises, and harshly ground vowels - the written form of Dúrían is an intricate formation of runic sigils and patterns. These runes are usually scribed across the entryways of underground passes and along the mountain-sides for directions and warnings of dangers up ahead.

There are very few that speak exclusively in Dúrían, as Dwarves tend to speak Common in more recent times in order to trade, converse, and relate to other species across Terazan.

### Sexuality, Marriage, and Parenthood

Whilst Dwarves are usually seen throughout Terazan as hardened folk with nasty tempers, they do actually have quite soft and amorous hearts. Dwarves are more often heterosexual, at least when it comes to marriage and legacy, as dynasties and heritage is an important aspect of their culture - however there have been a few homosexual Dwarves over the many centuries that they have walked the world. Dwarves typically seek loving and emotional bonds with their partners, but it also important in Dwarven culture that their partner is strong of will - and has achieved something in their life. It is unlikely that a Dwarf will find love before the age of sixty, as many at this age have yet to achieve important milestones.

When Dwarves have found their partner and feel a mutual longing for a long-lasting relationship they tend to get married and start a family. Dwarven marriages are often loud and bustling ceremonies with days - sometimes weeks - of drinking alcohol and banqueting. They each stand infront of their families and proclaim their vowes, then exchange rings that they have crafted for one another themselves. This ring-presenting is symbolistic to them pouring all of their blood, sweat, and tears in to one another, and to keep a love as strong as Azuríte for eachother.

As parents, most Dwarves are quite loving and affectionate - but are not afraid to steer their children in the correct direction. Children or not, they are expected to be honour-bound and respectful, and also hardy and strong of heart. Dwarves usually have quite a few children, with the average amount being somewhere between four and eight per household. This is most likely due to their strong determination to create lasting legacies and dynasties.

### After Life

When a Dwarf dies it is believed that their soul is sent to a grand hall known as **Anart Nar Narvak**, where they can feast and drink ale for eternity with their forefathers. Once the soul has left, Dwarves tend to bury or burn the body. The Dwarves respect the legacies and sacrifices of those that have passed, and it is not uncommon for Dwarves to build monuments or relics to commemorate their fallen loved ones. Some of these can extend from simple stone structures upon the top of a mountain to mighty statues that sometimes tower hundreds of feet in the air.

## Society & Customs

### Monarch of the Mountain

The Dwarves believe that the strongest of all of the Dwarves should be their leader, as well as their kin should they should an equal amount of fortitude against harm. Since the very first King of the Mountain the Dwarves have pledged an allegiance to the line **Ebon-Ore**, with many willing to fight and die in the name of the family. Dwarves are stubborn in their tradition, and respect the word of their leader more than any other word in the land; should they declare peace then there will be peace, and should there be war then a war there shall be.

Dwarven royalty tend to have a leading council who will assist them on their daily affairs, and how to run the stronghold to benefit every Dwarf inside of it. Typically, as a proud and helpful species, leaders will usually follow through on their promises or be ousted by the citizens - though truthfully speaking this has not yet happened.

### Claim of Azuríte

There is no mineral dearer to Dwarves than Azuríte. Believed to have been the metal which the Gods themselves used to craft, Dwarves believe they have a birthright to any and all that is found in the land of Terazan. Promised to their people by Kartok the God of Smithing, they believe that they were bestowed the honour of inheriting it as they are the most gifted smiths in the world.

Most Dwarves will leave a signature imprint or pattern along items created in Azuríte that is incredibly difficult to create a forgery of to those without access to the Dwarven forges. This makes fakes easily detectable, and Dwarves take **great** offense to seeing it used in lower-tier smithing. There have been many brawls, murders, and wars in the name of Azuríte over the years.