Dwarves

**Dwarves** are one of the many sentient species living in the world of Giantstep. Dwarves are humanoid, being considerably shorter than humans but much broader. They are around 1.20 meters of height, and around 60cm from shoulder to shoulder. Dwarven complexion is incredibly resilient, with hard skeletons, very dense musculature and thick skin. This makes them very robust and resistant to damage. There have been witnesses of dwarven soldiers having swords or lances embedded on their bodies with little immediate effect on them, unable to reach the inner organs beneath. Dwarves are a sexually dimorphic species, with the males being bigger and stronger while the females are leaner and somewhat taller. Male dwarves are near universally bald, losing their hair very early on into adulthood. They compensate this by growing their beards, which can grow long enough to reach the ground, though they rarely let them reach such lengths. Female dwarves are the opposite, having very long and luscious hair for most of their life, but only letting their haircut grow once they reach maturity. Unwed dwarf females leave their long hair free, while a married female dwarf have it braided in different patterns. Female dwarves also have no beard, only growing a small goatee during pregnancy. Despite their thick skin, dwarves have an excellent sense of touch. They are able to detect any minute imperfection in rock and soil with just a brief pat. And unlike many species with highly sensitive skin, dwarves are very resistant to extreme temperatures, and are capable to endure very high and low climates, though they favor more colder environments.

Dwarven natural strength allows them feats of considerable note, being able to carve rock with ease by using their muscle power. However, their lungs are smaller and not as efficient than those of humans, being more adept at filtering dust and rock particles than actually getting enough oxygen to the system. This means that, in periods of above average exertion, dwarves prove to have very low stamina, becoming tired sooner than elves or humans, despite their superior showings of strength. Dwarves often train to improve their endurance through body training and meditation, with the practice of these activities becoming part of dwarven culture. Their metabolism is able to burn out most toxins much quicker than in most species, making them very resistant to poisoning, though not to the extent of beings such as trolls or snoloths. This has affected dwarven quisine, which tends to have a lot of spices and other exotic elements to grant flavor to their meals, as their sense of taste is actually quite dampened, and needs the extra ingredients to give them flavor. It is also common between dwarves seeing drinking contests, as dwarves can ingest truly astonishing quantities of ale without feeling the effects of alcohol poisoning. That does not mean they are immune to drunkenness, but it tends to arrive after many, many drinks.

Dwarves can live up to 200 years, reaching maturity around 25 years of age. Dwarves highly value their family unit, with many activities and traditions revolving around the forming of a family. In general, dwarven parents began planning the marriage of their children once they are born, establishing negotiations and deals with other dwarven families seeking the best deal for their heirs. Dwarven families will investigate thoroughly for a good partner for their sons, leaving no stone unturned: health, social status, financial stability, visible behavior, religious piety… all will be taken into account for the planned marriage. The families will exchange presents and tokens throughout the years that the negotiations last. Failing to go through a marriage once set in stone is considered an extremely deep insult, and families will go to war with each other if they must to get even. Dwarven families are relatively small, despite the long lifespan of dwarves.

Dwarven culture is somewhat fractured. While dwarves are a frequent sight in most areas of the world, the disappearance of nearly all dwarven kingdoms have turned them into big minorities into what used to be their lands, now ruled by either humans or drow. Even between dwarven groups that live near each other, the divisions between clans have created important differences amid dwarfdom. Most dwarves have also adapted different lifestyles, though we can categorize them into different classifications depending on their culture. Classic dwarf culture is an underground one, and those who still practice it are known as “***orthodox***” dwarves. Throughout most of their history, dwarves have lived in their subterranean holds, creating complex underground cities where they could mine the riches from the earth, as well as to grow mushroom farms. Why the dwarves adopted a subterranean way of life is something still discussed, with many dwarven fables and legends regarding the descent of the dwarves to the depths of the earth as part of their origin myths.

From the scimitarian holds to those in Gautländ to those in the Fungest, each hold functions as its own city-state, keeping their own laws and traditions different from their neighbors. Trade for the orthodox dwarves is essential, needing it to obtain whatever they cannot produce, in particular elements such as wood, near impossible to obtain below ground. Orthodox dwarves have a stronger attachment to the ancient laws, customs and traditions from their kind, often defending them over anything else, and having a great sense of pride for them. The organization of orthodox dwarves is based on a clan system. Most dwarves belong to multiple clans, forming willing ties between them and the group in question. From their familiar clans, their guild clan, their hold… the ties and promises between them keep the system together, following a somewhat vassaltic system of loyalties.

The breaking and loss of the many dwarven kingdoms throughout history forced many dwarves to abandon their holds and live between their new lords, originating what now know as the city dwarves. **City dwarves** are by far the most numerous of the dwarven groups, and have adapted to whatever life the rulers of the land prefer. These dwarves often live in cities or big towns, working in any business they can find, though they often find themselves as craftsmen. City dwarves have a lot of pride as dwarves, keeping their identity show at every opportunity they can, though never to the point of causing trouble with their neighbors. Dwarves usually show this in their businesses: all city dwarves are highly competitive, seeking to obtain their own business to maintain their family and themselves. These businesses are highly decorated with dwarven runes, icons or religious symbols, keeping the dwarven ambience even in the middle of human cities. They also tend to avoid joining the city guilds if there’s the chance to not do so, as they see the control of the guilds oppressive, preferring a less regulated marketspace. As they consider the city they live in as just another clan structure, they are also some of the first volunteers for their defense if the population ever comes under attack.

However, not all surface dwarves live in the big cities and towns. Many dwarves have adopted a more nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place for either seasonal or mercenary work. These groups tend to be the least attached to tradition, adopting many elements of the cultures they see along the way. They also avoid the marriage politics the other groups follow, since keeping touch with other nomads while traveling is a difficult task. Instead, they are free to marry whomever they wish, with often the decision being taken in a matter of hours. This makes **nomadic dwarves** prepare themselves for marriage from a very early age, as one may never know when they are going to find their other half. Nomadic dwarves also tend to stay in small towns longer, especially in those of Scimitarian or Eastern Giantstep, since many fishing towns on the south of the continent are actually founded by nomadic dwarves. Nomadic dwarves celebrate big reunions in these towns, where they practice certain religious festivities and search for a partner.