Dwarren

The Dwarren are a group of related creatures which includes Dwarves and Gnomes, among others. This is not an exhaustive or absolute categorization for creatures, and individuals of other ancestries can be Dwarren. This is because the word Dwarren refers to all creatures with an inherent connection to the Forge of Creation.

There are many creatures who fit this category, such as Azers, in addition to the more well known Dwarves and Gnomes, and there are many standalone bloodlines of other races which are Dwarren, where traditionally Dwarren blood(Dwarvish being more common than Gnomish, though there is no apparent reason for this) carries on strong enough to grant the bloodline access to the Forge of Creation. A semi-famous example of this is the Thundersmith family of Anntarrem, which is Dwarven and Goliath, and is known to produce some of the best smiths in the world.

## Dwarren Races

### Dwarves

Dwarves are stocky, short humanoids famous for their honor and crafting. Their role as Dwarren is to channel the Forge of Creation into Metal and Stone, though some also learn to channel the Forge into other materials, like Wood. Duergar aside, they are found primarily on Anntarrem, though there are some to be found in Eustrin and in other places around Nexus.

### Gnomes

Gnomes are lithe, short humanoids famous for their cleverness and crafting. Their role as Dwarren is to channel the Forge of Creation into strange creations and inventions that shouldn't otherwise function. Like Dwarves, the Surface Gnomes are found mostly on Anntarrem and Eustrin.

### Korobokuru

Korobokuru, or just Koro or Kuru, are visually similar to the Jungle Dwarf, though thinner. As Dwarren, their purpose for the Forge is to channel it through materials such as Sand, Flint, and Plantlife, primarily in giving it otherwise impossible properties. On Anukavin, there is a somewhat questionable tale of the Koro who forges Sand like Steel, creating weapons and armor from the material.

### Derro

Derro are short, crazy humanoids famous for their insanity. They are Dwarren who primarily survive in the Underdark, though some live in the jungles of Chiron. They channel the Forge of Creation into corpsecraft, such as Bones, Leather, Scale, and other body parts.

### Muls

Muls are the largest of the Dwarren, standing 6ish feet tall and usually quite muscular. They never grow hair, and those who do grow hair owe it to a minor impurity in their bloodline. Their Forge of Creation applies in the sometimes-grisly act of bodycraft. Similar to Derro, a Mul's Forge applies to flesh and bone, blood and such, but unlike Derro and their scavenging, the Mul's Forge works on the living.

## Dwarren Creation Myth

The tale the Dwarren tell about their creation begins with the stone. Divine energy struck this stone, which gained life, and began forging itself to move and think. This rock then forged a great mountain for it's home, then forged fire into the stone around them to make Adamantine, which it used as skin and hands to protect itself. Lonely, the stone forged a partner from this metal, smaller and smarter than itself. Together, they forged a series of minerals, metals, and stones, but found them all lacking in some way. The stone, their partner, and their children petitioned the gods of the Forge to grant them happiness in true life. The gods agreed, and allowed them to be reborn as flesh, their bodies being left interred within the earth. These were the first Dwarren.

These Dwarren lived life forging items for themselves and the gods they revered, until the Dwarren recovered their own bodies, warped and distilled by the earth. Though warped, when the Dwarren discovered their bodies, they were filled with all the power and torment borne by these bodies while they lie dead in the stone. Filled with the wrath and torment of their corpses, these Dwarren became driven by madness and engaged the rest of their people, beginning a great war spanning millenia. At this time, the first of the Dwarren sought the power of their own past, and returned to the first Forge ever created, now a burning volcano which scorched the land. Their body, being cared for, did not grow tormented, but wise, and the first of the Dwarren learned that the war would never be won, as the Dwarren were not yet mortal.

The first of the Dwarren approached the first of the Mordren, and made an offer of peace with a promise: If the Mordren returned to the Dwarren, the Dwarren would collectively bear the burden of the Mordren. The Mordren approved, and the first Dwarren forged life between them all, dying in the process, and scattering their essence between the Dwarren, now reunited.

The Dwarren, now mortal flesh, continued life with the grave reminder of the First Dwarren's sacrifice, working in their memory with a solemn devotion to their craft. Generations later, the Dwarren would continue in this purpose with an obsession unmatched by other mortals, finding happiness in memory and accomplishment alone.

## Dwarren Culture

Dwarren, particularly Dwarves and Gnomes, tend to live in merit-based familial groups, usually called clans. While these clans are usually led by the eldest functioning member of the clan, this is only because skill with their tools of choice come with age, not because they are the eldest. Even with a specific head of the clan, clans often have a small council of sorts who discuss and deliberate on important matters. Clans themselves also often ban together with eachother in similar councils, sometimes with a head, but usually just the council itself.

Clans outside the Underdark don't often care the ancestry of their heads and counselors, caring more for their talent and connection to the Forge of Creation. In the Underdark, clans are often more warlike by necessity, and while there are sometimes councils, this is more often replaced by a type of odd Nobility. These nobles, naturally, care more about their direct lineage, rather than the connection to the Forge. While not universal, these Underdark noble families are almost purely Svirfneblin and Duergar, and sometimes Derro, regardless of the presence of other underdark races in their territories.

Dwarren Clans, in or out of the Underdark, tend to focus on the mastery and exploitation of their craft. Many are versions of Arms Dealers, supplying awesome arms or armor to armies of amigos and enemies alike. Others create mundane items. Like furniture. But they do it with passion, so none shall throw shade or be met with the wrath of an angry Dwarren clan.

## The Forge of Creation

The Forge of Creation is a powerful force of divine magic, separate from the deities. It's true nature isn't properly understood, with some thinking it to be a type of nameless, faceless deity, the first of the Dwarren, a primal force of the world, or an arcane construction of the Dwarren themselves. There is no consensus, even between the Dwarren themselves.

This force is quite appropriately named, as the divine magic allows the Dwarren to craft and forge otherwise impossible creations, powerful mystic weapons and devices, and the highest-quality objects seen in Nexus. Some Dwarven Arcanists on Anntarrem even determined that it functions as a sort of "Vital Essence" for Dwarren, much like Positive Energy or Ki.

The Forge also leads to a linguistic issue for non-native speakers of Dwarren. This is the word Voezt(Pronounced Foast). It is usually translated into 30 different meanings, and leads to great annoyance when it's written on every Dwarren business building. It means "To wield the Forge" in broad terms, but when a Dwarf says it, it means "To work stone/metal/wood/etc.". When Gnomes say it, it means "To Tinker" and when Derro say it, it means "To salvage [a corpse]". Lot of meanings, but for Dwarren, it just makes sense, but when a non-dwarren learns the language(Itself being called Voestrannin, "The Forge's Tongue")... Well, have fun deciphering it, Humans.

Creatures which bear Dwarren Blood gain the **Forge of Creation** Feature appropriate to their ancestors in place of a normal racial feature of their choice. Their Hero, Paragon, and Epic features also gain the improvements to this feature.