Post by hano on Aug 12, 2021 3:38:35 GMT
𝒟𝒲𝒜𝑅𝒱𝐸𝒮
"They have written us off for centuries - they have thought us weak, and they have trampled upon our keeps. They have taken our people's homes and they have taken our people's lives. Today, we will no longer be cast aside nor will we have to rely on our allies to protect us. Today, the dwarves will rise, with our creations we will show that we are no longer afraid- we will no longer stand in our keeps idle. Take up your arms brave Dwari, and reclaim your ancient holds! Take up your rifles and axes and drive our foes back! Every wrong that has been given to us will be avenged today forward! "
-High King Bhathamli Greyshoulder the First
"They have written us off for centuries - they have thought us weak, and they have trampled upon our keeps. They have taken our people's homes and they have taken our people's lives. Today, we will no longer be cast aside nor will we have to rely on our allies to protect us. Today, the dwarves will rise, with our creations we will show that we are no longer afraid- we will no longer stand in our keeps idle. Take up your arms brave Dwari, and reclaim your ancient holds! Take up your rifles and axes and drive our foes back! Every wrong that has been given to us will be avenged today forward! "
-High King Bhathamli Greyshoulder the First
Biography
The dwarves are a longstanding, ancient whose history rivals that of elves and man. They have lasted centuries in their keeps, forming the singular dwarven hold surrounded by much smaller ones in their territory. Rare is it for the dwarves to leave their homes, but when they have, it has been for trade and adventure. The dwarves have been considered the masters of metal and the mountain-residing dwarves are able to meticulously craft nearly anything out of such few resources. It is the dwarves who created engines powered by steam and black powder in the realms of Roan, but their secrets remain protected by the dwarves even today. Rifles and trains, technology far beyond that of the rest of the world, are littered often inside the keeps of dwarves, and for those who gain entrance to these keeps are greeted by machinations and inventions that cannot even be dreamt of by the common man., not to mention the technologies that have been hidden from the eyes of outsiders.
Dwarven population is rather small compared to themselves in their golden age. With average holds only able to support populations of one hundred thousand comfortably while Daghorm Keep itself holding about one million dwarves. With this rather small population in comparison to any other race dwarven armies rely on a defensive strategy in combat, using Gunlines and black powder to their advantage. Forcing adversaries to charge dwarven shield walls.
The two most prominent allies of the dwarves are that of man and giant, both held in high regard to them. Each in their own respective way for man was able to learn from the dwarves in exchange for other material goods- leading to the invention of the crossbow from an combined effort of both. For the giants the respect lies in the craftsmanship both races hold and the common foemen both battle- that being of any elven race. Hatred runs between elf and dwarf and it is not uncommon to see clashes between the two races, with blood often being spilt in these quarrels.
The Dwarven race has suffered many hardships in their lifetime from the War of Oath with the elven races to the constant invading forces of Fomorian aligned troop, yet they continue to hold on and grow. Slowly rekindling the fire within their hearts for the restoration of their former selves.
Physiology
Displacement
Abilities
The average dwarf is known to be rather small standing at the usual range of 4’2” to no larger than 4'9", besides the far and few rare examples. However in this absence of height the dwarves make up this vice in pure muscle mass and dense bones. A sturdy people the dwarves are also well adapted to colder climates, their beards performing the role as face warmers and protectors in freezing temperatures.
The difference between female and male dwarves is rather easy to spot, one has a beard the other does not. However in dwarven culture the beard is that of great importance, for it is usually a signal for what clan a dwarf originates from and his status within the clan, not to mention age. For dwarf society is rather plain and simple, the older you are the wiser you are and more respect you garner, not to mention the grumpier older dwarves act. Dwarves typically live for about two hundred years, about comparable to that of elves but the signs of aging become apparent sooner for dwarves.
If dwarves are smaller humans is subject of debate between many of the races with Dwarves claiming that Humans themselves are simply mutated versions of themselves while Humans simply consider dwarves smaller cousins of themselves- much to the dismay and annoyance to the dwarf race. Despite this, dwarves do not seem able to sire children with other races without Dwarven traits (namely their stature) being dominant - meaning that regardless of what pairing between the races possible, the child will always be a dwarf.
Dwarves are completely unattuned to the arcane, rendering them incapable of using normal magics - instead, dwarves have an innate ability to read special dwarven runes - only dwarves can understand
Unable to source mana from their own bodies they instead use a highly secretive process of Rune Forging. Allowing themselves to instead use magic through the power of stone and gem. Usually these runes are used for use within the holds for utility such as enchantment of pickaxes to allow them to be unbreakable however runes are also used for military use. Commonly seen used by dwarven field engineers these runes can unleash devastating attacks such as fireball and likes, yet there is one problem for anyone who is not of dwarven descent or specifically taught the way of Rune Forging- you cannot use them. It is impossible, any rune enchanted item that is touched by someone with no dwarf blood will simply not work, however hard one tries. For those with dwarf blood to utilize the item requires the teaching from the dwarf field engineers or years of specialized training.
Dwarves have found themselves in every mountain range however the most prominent keep is that of Daghorm Keep near the city of Vales which hosts the current High King Grusgrin Greyshoulder. Other keeps are scattered along the mountains of the world- isolated from outsiders. The only place outside of the mountains that has a hold is oddly enough, on the continent of Aliud, where the Strongmetal Keep sits in Corrib Valley.
Yet many holds have been lost over time due to conflict with Fomorian forces or with battles with other races such as elves.
Though dwarves are incapable of performing normal magic, dwarves have an innate ability of their own. As if deeply rooted in the soul of each dwarf, they each carry the ability to etch a special type of rune - dwarven runes - as if known by heart deep down. These runes, coupled with dwarven black powder that allow them to make their own form of 'magic'. This 'magic' essentially is the equivalent to enchanting, meaning that when a dwarf etches dwari runes with their own powder, they can utilize the runes to prepare special qualities. There aren't many runes that can be used - typically they are just meant to attach an element to their lead balls. Likewise, most, if not all dwarven rifles are crafted with runes that leave them unusable to non-dwarves.
A Dwarven steam powered train moving materials from the mine to the keep.
Dwarven backline firing to support frontline engagements.
