Dwarvenkin have a long, storied past rich with culture. Though many believe Dwarves to only be good for smithing and mining, this could not be further from the truth. The Dwarves of Eldorheim are artisans and artists of all kinds--Renowned for their incredible theatre of both drama and comedy, paintings that rival those of the Elves, pottery as beautiful as that from the distant lands of Kharagor, and much more. They are performers, storytellers, craftsmen. In general, Dwarves are some of the friendliest people you will meet in all of Genesia, so long as you don't get on their bad side. In addition to the arts, some of the most renowned inventors--and inventions--come from Dwarvenkin.
Make no mistake, however--Dwarves are equally hardy as they are brilliant. Sickness is uncommon among Dwarves, and their physical prowess is only matched by Half-Giants, the stronger among the Dwarves able to lift objects of their own weight or greater. They're some of the hardest workers you're likely to find.
In most Dwarven cities, their society is divided into, and managed by, 'guilds'. Guilds are generally defined by different crafts or professions, and affect a Dwarf's social standing within the cultural hierarchy. Some guilds are further subdivided into houses. This system is especially prevalent in their capital, Kharadun.
Above all, however, The Imperium of Eldorheim governs Dwarven society--A monarchy with a counsel and senate that functions similarly to a republic. Each Guild has members within the council and the senate--the number of members depends on the weight of the guilds influence.
The Forgeborne are what one might think of as the 'classic' Dwarves--This guild is dedicated to metalwork, smithing, and mining. They produce some of the finest weapons and armor in all the realm.
The Gearsmiths are the engineers of Dwarven society--and perhaps the most renowned engineers of the world. They create intricate contraptions and invent brilliant new technology--In the Third Era, the gearsmiths were directly responsible for the first flintlock weaponry, and advanced the use of blasting powder and explosives. They often work very closely with the Forgeborne.
Do not be fooled by the name--Although this guild is renowned for its delicious alcoholic beverages, constantly coming up with new recipes and flavors, they are also the alchemists of Dwarvenkin society. Though their alchemical prowess is not as famous as that of the Elves, they still play an important role in the creation of new potions and elixirs.
This guild is renowned for its theatre, music, and its literature. They're directly responsible for the recording of history--Dwarven and otherwise--and have created some of the most well-known plays in the realm. Performers at heart, these Dwarves are generally very charismatic.
This guilds painting and sculpting skills rival that of the Elves, producing brilliant works of art that are often put on display in major Dwarven cities. They are responsible for most of the sculptures, statues, and paintings found in the great halls of Kharadun.
These Dwarves are masters of the needle and thread, producing not only most of the clothes for all of Eldorheim, but also textile canvases that depict notable parts of Dwarven history. Some of these have hung for a millenia in the Imperium's Great Hall. Dwarven silks fetches a high price, particularly on oversea trade routes.
Kingdom | Eldorheim |
Capital | Kharadun |
Aliases | Dwarfkin/Dwarvenkin, Borrnark (Giants), The Below Ones (Lizardfolk), The Kar'nir (Dwarvish) |
Common Languages | Dwarvish, Common, Galdtarn |
Lifespan | 150-250 years |
Average Height | 4'0 - 4'6 |
Present Day Allegiances | Humans, Half-Giants, Giantkin |
Elemental Proficiencies | Earth, Stone, Wind, Frost |