Dwarves

### Distinctions

Those of Boletaria are the colour of bronze with curly hair. Those of Iron are pale with focused features while Gold Dwarves have more rounded, friendly features.

> "*We were earth, and we will become earth again. We were chained, and now we are free.*"
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Children of iron, born from the womb of the earth, Dwarves are one of the oldest, noblest and proudest races of Starsong. Their pride stems into greed, and their nobility becomes xenophobia. They seek conquest, emptying entire mountains to pursue the relentless quest for new minerals, greater findings and to reforge a new world.

According to many other races, you cannot find a greater friend than a Dwarf.

## History

### The Age Before

Dwarves have a few theories for how they were created. Some believe they were Proteans, the builders of Starsong who eventually left the material plane. Some believe they were made from iron and earth by their god-king Glominmag. Others believe they were descendants of the First Dwarf and the Wild Witch Moltes Milithe.

The most common theory is that they are descendants of the children of Glominmag. These gods crafted the Dwarves out of clay made from courage, resilience and the secrets of the forge, but a spiteful creature-god from the Void added three curses; greed, ambition and stubbornness.

### The First Age

Like all races, what the Dwarves did during the Old World is only known through ruins and legends.

### The Second Age

While the first nations of Starsong battled, the dwarves lived underground and elected to stay there for many years without ever knowing of the surface. It was here that they carved out a land for their own away from the troubles of the world above. There they created what would become the root of their culture; the forge.

When the dragons came some Dwarves claimed they clawed out from within the bowels of the earth, drenched in magma and flame before crushing through the world's surface and out into the heavens. Some scholars attest this moment to when Dwarves decided to leave the Underdark and out into the surface.

Upon seeing the surface many dwarves left the depths of the dark. Some would stay, but those that left carved for themselves the nation of Tharos. The Tharossians battled against their once-brothers, the worshippers of the Dark Sanctuary of Veznan. Veznan's presence turned the skin of the underworlder dwarves ashen, becoming the Duergar.

### The Third Age

After the Longest Night, life returned to a peaceful nature and Tharos flourished. Dwarves sought to colonize the Underdark, Aerrune, Boletaria and the mysterious Yurimar. The Askarian Empire threatened the expansion of the Dwarves and the Iron King Obrunn was forced to take a side.

Peace among dwarves is a fickle thing, as their politics is marred by betrayals, grudges and sometimes tunnels collapsing on future kings.

## Appearance

All Dwarves stand just shy of five feet tall, but are weighty as humans and even Dragonmen.

Iron Dwarves come from the deep mountain halls of Dawnforge. Their skin typically ranges in paler hues tinged with red. They can be recognised from long black and brown hair adorned with ornaments and jewelery. Their features are quite focused and angular, and they treat their beards carefully.

Gold Dwarves are from the hills of Dawnforge, living in low-lying areas rich with resources. Their skin ranges in light brown and deep tan, like certain tones of earth. Their features are often friendly and almost cherubic in their shape.

Wild Dwarves share the appearance of Iron Dwarves but are often heavily tattooed and covered in scars. They are tanned and wear their hair and beards short and cropped.

Bronze Dwarves come from the valleys and forge-towns of Boletaria. Their skin is the colour of bronze alongside curly dark hair and beards.

Duergar are Dwarves who've elected never to leave the Underdark unlike their brethren during the Age of Fire. Their skin is the colour of ash and their hair the colour of snow.

The Dwarrow are violent and malicious dwarves hidden in Aerrune. Their society is alien to most other dwarves.

## Culture

Bold and hardy, Dwarves are known as skilled miners, craftsmen and warriors. They are as solid as the mountains they call home, weathering the passage of centuries with little change to the "old ways." They trace their lineage to the many clans of the world first born during the Age of Fire and seek to uphold the same traditions they created. The most vital part of this tradition is to uphold the word of their god-king, Glominmag.

All Dwarves are ferociously stubborn and loyal, true to their word and decisive in action. However years of battling other races have left many xenophobic and priding themselves on living in isolation in their mountain halls of stone, hoarding gold and wealth.

Due to their long lives and propensity to live for their clan, Dwarves can keep grudges and debts lasting generations. Many Dwarves fail to understand why other races would renege on their deal, before realizing that the grandchildren of a human is nothing like the grandfather.

Dwarves who live far from their lands are most often blacksmiths, artisans or adventurers.