Dwarves

Dwarves are one of the first two races believed to have populated the world. All dwarf clans supposedly stem from Saquu, who is known as the Student, and her relationship with Tahi, the first Elf.

Although often portrayed as greedy and self-obsessed, this is a mischaracterisation of a deep and abiding interest in the material world. It is this interest that has led Dwarven science to its current heights. Their knowledge of metal- and stone-working comes not from some innate aptitude, but from study, co-operation and careful record-keeping. They prize gold and jewels for their rarity, and the difficulty required to abstract them. They view the underground world as a treasury with secrets waiting for them to discover. Their activities have, however, delved far enough to attract the attention of the Undershadows, and many dwarf strongholds are caught in an ongoing war of survival with those strange creatures. Should the fortresses fall, this would probably be very bad news for the rest of the world.

Physically, the typical Dwarf is shorter and stouter than the typical human, with far greater reserves of strength and endurance. They tend to have less overall dexterity than Humans, but have astonishingly delicate fine motor skills, stemming from their training with gem craft. Their senses are about as accute as that of a typical human, but with far greater capacity to see in darkness. Both males and females grow beards, beath which they have gills which take over as secondary breathing systems when the dwarf is exposed to toxic gasses - these gills do not enable underwater breathing.

Dwarven interest in magic is usually confined to the ancient craft of Runestriking, the secrets of which are very jealously guarded. A few Dwarves study to become Mages - almost exclusively focussing on the School of Earth - and uptake of this practice might be larger were it not for the requitement that Mages keep their heads shaved.

Notable Figures

 * Ahuli of the Tin Clan
 * Tsula of the Gold Clan

Gazetteer

 * The Forbidding Fortress