Dornen

> "I'm not sure I understand the question, lass. We've got beards, we've got hammers, we've got spirits, and we've got lots of holidays. What's not to like?"
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> - Excerpt from *Interviews with Dornen: Plumbing the Depths*
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Dornen are stalwart, hardy, and creative folk who reside in underground cities. They are legendary smiths and architects, and excellent hosts. These are a very social people who boast one of the most egalitarian cultures and equitable economies on Rheann, not to mention the most advanced technology of any mortal race.

### Physicality

Without exception, dornen grow to a maximum of roughly four feet tall. They have thick, bush hair which comes in all shades, from fiery copper to deep obsidian to golden blonde. It should be noted that hair plays an important role in dornen society: Intricate braids and precious metals are often woven into beards and tresses alike as indicators of status and genealogy.

Despite living underground and seeing little daylight, dornen are possessed of warm skin tones. Their bodies are wide and tough, and both genders are possessed of thick cords of muscle from shoulder to calf.

### Personality

Dornen are exceptionally extroverted and known among the other races as incorrigible party animals. They love to entertain guests, throw grand festivals, and share stories. That being said, dornen are also a studious folk who value knowledge and skill. They are without question the most educated people on Rheann, which shows through in their culture's dedication to craftsmanship and discovery.

### Religion

Dornen engage in Drochmar, the worship of their ancestors. There are hundreds of these figures in the books of Drochmar, each with their own domains, focuses, and holy days.

If a dornen chooses to worship one of the gods of the other races, they usually do so by simply adding that deity to a far corner of their family tree. This is always a source of chagrin for the churches of those gods, which does little to impede a dornen in their jubilant worship.

### Other Races

As long as a person doesn't mind their raucous tendencies, dornen tend to get along well with others. Particularly introverted adrassi might find themselves subjected to annoyed glances or harmless pranks, and gloomy legion celestials would do well to avoid their cloaks being stepped on.

Regardless, dornen are a generous people and slow to form grudges. To get on their bad side usually takes a deliberate effort from the offending party.

### Dornen Lands

Droch Mordal, Kragath Moor, and Midral Dorn

### Roleplaying a Dornen

Build is as *Hill Dwarf*, 5e PHB p. 20, with the following exceptions:

* Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 1. (This replaces the Ability Score Increase from Hill Dwarf.)

### Life as a Dornen

#### *Childhood*

Dornen children spend the first few years of their life with their parents. Arrangements are typically made with guilds or companies to allow new parents to stay home for at least three years, sometimes more. It isn’t uncommon for a dornen couple to receive gifts of gold, clothing, and food from their friends and neighbors to assist with the raising of a newborn. This is in addition to a comfortable stipend afforded them by the local governor’s accountancy.

When it is time for their parents to return to work, the child is then sent to the nearest public academy. There they partake in lessons concerning history, philosophy, art, the sciences, and other cultures. These lessons begin at a slow, easy pace, and become more detailed as the student ages. These academies allow children to interact with others and encourage discipline from an early age, all while providing them a broader understanding of the world they inhabit. School days begin in the late morning and last for six hours, with an hour each day dedicated to eating and socializing.

After a full fifteen years of lessons, young dornen are encouraged to seek apprenticeships in a trade of their choice. The various guilds of Droch Mordal put on yearly festivals in the summer months to entice these bright young minds into their halls for continued education.

For dornen youths outside of Droch Mordal, they may only receive an education from their parents or whatever academy exists in their homeland. In Elysia this includes the Royal Mage’s College, while in Havensport they would have to choose one of the many private institutions which demand heavy fees for their services. Either way, the quality of this education would lag far behind that of their fellow dornen.

#### *Children of Mithril*

The history of the dornen race goes back over a thousand years, at which point a great calamity befell their society. According to the oldest of records, the dornen once lived in a mythical place far closer to the center of Rheann. The sprawling metropolis they carved from within the planet was called Mithranoch, or The Mithril City. It was a utopia where the dornen had almost complete control of their environment, and countless technological wonders were invented daily. Today, speaking the name of The Mithril City elicits fear in those who know its legacy.

None of the grand machines of Mithranoch still exist. No books were pulled from the city. Its fall to darkness was too swift, too complete, as madness descended upon the dornen inhabitants like a fire. In one night, Dornen of all ages went blind, then screamed until their throats bled. Some began to tear their own bodies apart. There could be no research for a cure. Those who were unaffected had no choice but to flee, rendering the tunnels behind them impassable as they went. A small fraction of the population survived and went on to found the kingdom of Droch Mordal.

To this day, dornen will warn against traveling the deepest roads beneath their cities. The cursed ones now known as The Pale still wander the tunnels below, waiting to pull unsuspecting travelers to their doom.