Dwarf

## Dawn of the Dwarf

As the worthy Primals were being led to their Promised Land by Hylón, God of Earth; the Kobolds attacked them, attempting to breach and claim the Primal Promised Land as their own. A band of the Primals joined together to fend off the Kobolds. Hylón tried to aid them, but he would lose the worthy if he broke from the path. The remaining Primals stood against the Kobolds with honor and told Hylón to take their brother’s and sister’s to safety. They choose to stay behind to prevent the Kobolds from reaching the Promised Land. Cerivus, Lord of Chaos, and his children descended upon the battle. They were quickly followed by Fortiamas, Goddess of Order, and her children along with Leviathan, Goddess of Water, and Rhamiva, Goddess of Air, to aid the Primals. Cerivus knew this was not a fight they could win in time to breach the Promised Land, but he could prevent the Primals from reaching the Promised Land. They would become lost from the path by severing their connection to the Arcane and Divine arts. He quickly struck down their Arcane connection. As he began stripping them of their divine connection Ifrit, Lord of Fire, struck his wrist with his fire whip. As a result, Cerivus’ hand was severed from his body instead of the Primal’s Divine connection. Gyante, God of Gods, then gave Cerivus a stone hand as a reminder. The surviving Primal’s had lost much their earth and stone bodies and were now unable to travel to the Promised Land. Hylón could not deliver them to the Promised Land, but he was able to save them. He called them Dwarves and convinced the remaining gods on the battlefield to promise them a place in the world.

### Physical Description

Dwarves stand about 4 to 5 feet tall. They have
lost nearly all of former stone made Primal form, no longer are their bodies
are made of a mixture of stone, earth and skin. However, in come cases a Dwarf
may have riches earthed even within its own body. These are often, however,
fatal to remove and remain for their lifetime. They are broad and compact
people, causing them to weigh about twice as what people would expect from
their height. Dwarven males and females are no different in height or weight.
Females do not grow facial hair other than sideburns while males can grow
plenty, and often prize themselves on thick full beards. Dwarven skin tones
retain earth tones much like the original Primals. Their hair colors are often
dark brunette, black or dark red colors. Dirty blonde Dwarves are not unheard
of but are rare. Dwarven eye colors are also often earthen tones typically
being dark grays, browns or black. A Dwarf is consider and adult at age 16 and
can live to be around 90 years old.

### Personality

Dwarves tend to be very perfectionist in nearly
everything they do. Once made of stone and other forms of earth, for this they
are often very dense people with little sense of humor or creative thinking.
They are often good at only several things in their life time but become very
skilled at those select tasks. Dwarves these days are cautious of strangers due
to bad experiences in their history. They value the riches of the earth first
and foremost, followed very closely by weapons of war and skill with those
weapons. Dwarves love to see their crafts at work. Dwarven Fighters are very
barbaric in nature but it is a controlled barbaric nature that differs from the
Orcs and Goblins. Dwarves value the friendship of Gnomes most of all the other
races. They share a joy of the gifts of the earth. Dwarves are very respectful
people; however, respect to a Dwarf comes in the form of skill with the earth,
renowned crafting, and combat prowess. They care greatly for honor in battle
but dislike leaving survivors and prefer to wipe out their foes completely.

### Relationships

Dwarves are most friendly with Gnomes. Gnomes and Dwarves
have been close since the dawn of the new world, sharing in their love of the
riches of the earth. Dwarves are most resistant to Humans in the current world.
They are indifferent of the High Elves and Centaurs and know very little of the
Moon and Sun Elves to have much of an opinion on them. Should a Dwarf encounter
a Moon or Sun Elf they would be curious but cautious. The Dwarves retain an excellent
relationship with the Nai and have a history of fair trading and aid to one
another in times of war. Dwarves see Half-Elves as they do their respective
Elven counterparts. They dislike Goblins and Half-Orcs as Orcs. They do however
understand that the Orc blood in a Half-Orc has been weakened by the Human
blood, but they still distrust them. Kobolds are sworn enemies of the Dwarves.
Dwarves dislike Ogres and Trolls but the two have limited contact except when
an Ogre or Troll wander into their halls lost in caves. However, Dwarves seem
to take some pity on as they believe them to be dim witted creatures that
simply don’t know better.

### Lands

Dwarves feel most at home surrounded by rock,
stone and dirt. This has drawn the majority of them into the mountains and
underground where they have carved out great civilizations known as a Halls.
Dwarven Halls have smaller expansions and extensions called Thaigs that are
connected by a system of tunnel roads. At present time many of the Dwarven
Halls have closed the great doors to all outsides. They are now uncommon on the
surface and often refer to those who do as 'Surface Dwellers'. Dwarves on the
surface are often merchants of their goods or mercenaries for higher.

### Religion

The chief deity to the Dwarves is Hylón, the God
of Earth. Other notable deities of the Dwarves are Ovar and Bactetis.

### Language

Dwarves have their own language, commonly
referred to as Dwarven. Dwarven is written in runic script, often in stone. Dwarven Surface Dwellers are well versed in the common tongue and often it is
their only language.

### Names

Dwarves are named by the House elder one year
after their birth. Prior to their naming Dwarves are simply referred to as the
son or daughter of their parents' name (i.e. Son of Craugnale and Stefanya). Dwarves surnames are referred to as House names which primarily follow a caste system.

## Dwarf Game Rule Information

Attributes:

* Body: 10/24 Strength, 8/20 Dexterity, 10/24 Vitality
* Mind: 6/16 Intellect, 8/20 Cunning, 8/20 Willpower
* Soul: 8/20 Charisma, 6/16 Perception, 8/20 Spirit

Base Classes: Acolyte, Fighter, Scoundrel

Prestige Classes: Barbarian, Cleric, Crusader, Inquisitor, Rogue, Warrior

Racial Specialization(s): Clanwarden (Acolyte), Forge Master (Fighter/Scoundrel)

Size: Medium

Base Land Speed: 20ft

Automatic Languages: Common, Dwarven

Discipline Modifiers:

* Resistance: +2 Earth, -2 Water
* Weapon: +2 Axe, +2 Hammer

Skill Modifiers: +2 Appraise, +2 Craft (Weapon), +2 Profession (Miner), -2 Swim