Dwarves

## Creation Of The Dwarves

Records from ancient times, carved in stone by the first children of the Grand Smith tell of Kazhadan, father to all dwarves. It is written that he participated in the creation of the world alongside the other gods.

Kazhadan decided during the creation of the world and its inhabitants to forge his own creation in his image - his children, the Dwarves. Forged from the heart of a mountain, he forged the first dwarves and breathed life into them with his divine hammer and anvil. To be more in his image he gifted them:

* A great sense of stonework and mining, carving great halls within the rock they call their home and decorating these with several jewels, gems, and metals from deep below.
* A natural affinity towards the art of forging, having taught the first dwarves himself how to handle hammer and anvil.
* An undying need to improve not only oneself but all dwarves.
* The Secrets of Rune Magic.

After being satisfied with his creation, he sent the first dwarves alongside the other first races to Drevhall.

## What Do Dwarves Do?

In Dwarven life, relationships, and religion revolve around mining and forging. An extremely taxing life that only the most hardened can endure. While other races might find the thought of spending the rest of their existence hammering away a dingy tunnel hundreds of feet from the surface grueling and horrible, Dwarves regard this as the only way to live, the best way. Most if not all dwarves live in a near-constant state of contentment despite any hardships faced due to their very contented outlook on life and their ability to plan several generations, doing everything in the name of their descendants.

Dwarves are highly honorable, single-minded, and extremely detail oriented. As such, dwarves rarely change their daily activities and will focus on their chosen profession, which was chosen typically at a young age or assigned to them according to the needs of their hold. Dwarves take great pride in inlaying every workable surface with great detail or some elegant flair. For it is seen as shameful for a dwarf not to take pride in their craftsmanship.

The impact of a dwarf can be felt several centuries in the future, and as such they will gladly face any impossible odds with a grin on their face and will endure any hardships that appear. This selfless behavior is the crux of their entire way of life. Expansion of the Hold is more important than personal accomplishment, and personal accomplishment should improve and expand their fortresses. The success of the community is seen as personal success. Dwarves also work to preserve and repair the work of their forefathers, building and restoring what was laid out centuries past, and as such they hold great reverence for their ancestors and their relics.

### Dwarven Currency.

Above-ground societies value rare metals and gemstones as currency, though due to their readily available nature underground, they are seen as decorative or used for practical means by dwarves, such as for emeralds to inlay a chest-plate, or platinum to fortify a battle axe. Dwarves are a barter society and will trade with one another using either raw materials or crafted tools. Most dwarves find the idea of personal wealth somewhat silly, however, this isn’t to say that they cannot or will not trade with outsiders for supplies.

### Dwarves And Items.

Dwarves come from an environment where every object no matter its size is important, as such everything has a name and history. Each weapon and chair is crafted to last a lifetime by its originator and is traded for something similarly made with attention, love, and care going into its formation. Similarly, they will trade this item only knowing that they are giving it to someone they know, and as such they recognize that this item will be going into a safe home.

### Dwarven Grudges.

Dwarves remember every slight done to them in their lifetime and are not quick to forgive. These are entered into a book that each dwarven fortress has. The dwarven capital holds the Great Book of Grudges, which holds all the wrongs done to the dwarven race. Dwarf representative will travel to the captial for the day of Grudgement. On this day the representatives will each in turn recite which grudges have been righted and then they will also in turn then list those grudges which have since been added to their own books. The high king himself will either strike these out from his own Great Book of Grudges or add them to it.

There are few crimes to dwarves, save for thievery, murder, and betraying their fellow dwarves (although this rarely happens). If a dwarf is found to violate a hold’s rules, depending on the severity of their crime. The highest punishment a dwarf can get is either banishment to the surface world, or execution.

### Dwarven Ancestors.

Despite having no other gods within their pantheon aside from Kazhadan, dwarves revere legendary heroes and ancestors that have done incredible deeds. They trade tales and myths of powerful figures from their histories; great warriors, powerful rune smiths, and skilled craftsmen that have earned a special place in history within their eyes. These ancestors are given dominion over certain aspects of dwarven life, often connected to their legendary deeds in life.

For example, the dwarves share stories of the great Modsignir, the Great Ancestor of Feasts. A dwarven king of old who fought valiantly against the creatures of the pit, of elven invaders, and from terrible dragons. An intelligent dwarf who gifted the dwarves his inventions of mead, ale, and cheese.

* Modsignir Firehand, Ancestor of Feasting
* Grunni Strongjaw, Ancestor of Crafting
* Zurtir Silverbeard, Ancestor of Mining
* Keela Blackstone, Ancestor of Runemagic
* Hulm Redhair, Ancestor of Building

### Dwarven Hair.

Much like other races, dwarves take their hair very seriously. And have several customs and rituals involving the styling and cutting of their hair. They will only ever restyle or cut their hair at important points in their life. One thing to keep in mind is that while their hair can be cut or styled, the beard is never touched unless in extreme circumstances such as banishment. The beards, unlike their hairstyles, are never to be cut.

* In youth, beards haven’t fully grown in and the hair is worn long, unstyled, and in ponytails, ribbons in the hair are popular amongst children. If a braid is worn, it's one large braid instead of smaller braids decorating the hair seen in many adults.
* In adulthood, the hair is worn in long braids, and if the dwarf is unmarried the braids are left uncapped. To leave the hair unstyled and unbraided is improper and seen as childish. Beads, and rings in the beard and hair signify great accomplishments such as victories in battle, status, or occupation. The addition of gold jewelry worn in the beard is also allowed at this stage in life.
* In old Age, the hair is worn in long braids tied up with ribbons, if it's long enough. And depending on the dwarf’s status or accomplishments in life, intricate goldwork is worn in their hair and beard.
* In marriage, dwarves cut their hair short to signify commitment and the beginning of a new life. Divorce, while rare, is disallowed until both dwarves have fully regrown their hair past their shoulders. Spouses cap the ends of their braids with gold to signify marital status and again, commitment. To not cap the end of your braids is seen as dishonorable as you are disregarding your spouse both as a fellow dwarf and their status.
* Loss, It is unlucky to pay due respects in the form of clipping the hair very short either to signify the loss in battle, as a show of giving up something important.

### Dwarven Folklore.

Figures from tales and stories that aren’t considered great ancestors, but cautionary tales. Stories told to their young to either teach them a valuable lesson or instill a certain value their culture holds sacred.

* Horven One Eye lost an eye venturing too deep into the Underealm.
* Dormik the Deranged, a foolhardy dwarf who tried to forge a sword made of scrap items to fight a terrible dragon.
* The Bone Mother, a creature said to steal away naughty children to devour with her iron teeth. A tale often employed by parents and nannies