Dwarven Characteristics (Ooc)

[Zezimus 1523]

Hey everyone, I’ve noticed that recently there’s been a number of issues brought up within the community about dwarves not role playing their personalities correctly or acting like miniature humans. Therefore I feel that if we can just tackle this problem head on and look towards what it is that our newer players are not role playing correctly, we will be one step closer towards improving dwarven RP for the rest of the server. Please feel free to add your own suggestions to this list. Obviously it varies by clan so some of these points may not apply to everyone.

 

• Dwarves are greedy for minerals and riches.  This is really kind of obvious but this could perhaps be role played a little bit better at times. Becoming engrossed by a single diamond or a block of gold for example would make RP a little more interesting. However, this should not excuse murdering people for their items.
• Dwarves always hold a grudge and should not side with their enemies under any circumstance. It should take RP years for a dwarf to restore his trust in somebody he has once fought against. Hence why we have the ‘Book of Grudges’ which really needs to be used more often.
• Dwarves should not declare war or invade another nation without a very good reason. The dwarven religion discourages dwarves who follow the Brathmordakin from conquering foreign lands. This is a particular problem when dwarves start acting aggressive without any provocation. Obviously there’s been a lot of complaints on this due to the recent war against Oren. Though there was certainly provocation here, I personally do not feel that the dwarves in power did enough to resolve this conflict without resorting to declaring war. In future, dwarves need to make sure to take many more diplomatic routes before resorting straight to violent means of settling disputes.
• Mountain Dwarves are generally much more welcoming of other races, while Cave Dwarves tend to be more distrusting. However, this does not mean that a dwarf should pull their weapon upon any member of another race they see. The dwarven religion states that all of the races are creations of Yemekar and therefore have a right to life. Though there is an aspect of a superiority complex in the dwarven faith, a dwarf would not simply murder another member of the mortal races without very good reason.
• Though this varies by clan, most dwarves hold their own concept of honour. In terms of battle, this would usually be seen in the form of an opponent being granted the right of a fair duel. However, honour can come in many forms in terms of oaths, hard work etc.
• Going from the last point, there is little mercy shown to those who forsake their honour and have a grudge declared against them. However, it is not unknown for a dwarf to show mercy to his enemy if said individual demonstrates that he has committed an act to regain his honour.
• As the original lore on Lord of the Craft stated, dwarves have a love of war and battle. However, this is only when the war is being fought for what is deemed to be a just and honourable cause. At times, this may lead them to hold a mutual respect with the orcs but at other times, a mutual hatred.
• Dwarves of all subraces are commonly known to drink and share tales through poetry and song. This aspect of the culture in particular has been neglected for some time now.
• Dwarves are intuitive. Their fortresses are filled with various contraptions to be used in the case of defence and therefore as a race, are known for their particular skill in holding out when under attack. However, dwarves should also be using this to roleplay coming up with various inventions in their free time. I think it’s a shame the Engineering Guild has been merged as they once brought a great deal to dwarven RP when they were properly active.
• Though younger dwarves are often stubborn, they understand their place in society and give great respect to elders or their superiors. If an elder of your own clan or a superior dwarf within your guild tells you to do something, you are generally expected to do it.
• Dwarves take great value in their artefacts, particularly those of religious significance. To put one of these into the hands of another race would be considered a great insult and there is a chance the dwarf would be put on trial.
• With a few exceptions, dwarves who follow in Urguan’s legacy are unlikely to abandon their kin unless under very unique and exceptional circumstances. Unity is perhaps one of the key principles here.
• This varies by clan but many dwarves have a general distrust for magic users.
• Many dwarves are heavy pipe smokers.
• Most dwarves will choose a Patron god from among the Brathmordakin. They will often follow the Patron’s teachings and act in a manner that they believe would please them. This is due to the belief that when they die, dwarves are auctioned among their gods. However, those who fail to earn the favour of any of the Brathmordakin are cast into Vuur’Dor or the void. (A dwarven equivalent of hell.)
• Though both may show considerable skill in either, Mountain Dwarves are generally known as lumberjacks, warriors and story tellers whereas Cave Dwarves are known to make better miners, smiths, merchants and stone carvers. If dwarves look to their subrace and find a way to reflect its personality through one of these occupations, I feel there would be a great deal more role play going on in the city than there currently is.
• Some dwarves tend to show a great interest in the arts of golemancy and runesmithing, to which they believe are sacred to the dwarven faith.
• Dwarves are generally fairly resilient and strong willed. Even under incredibly low odds, most are unlikely to simply surrender.
• Though dwarves can be quite loud and quick to anger, they are also supposed to be wise and in many ways, intelligent. Again there’s exceptions here but there needs to be more dwarves who are willing to branch into the less common aspects of dwarven role play, rather than being a simple Legion grunt.
• Dwarves are often known for their excessive gambling habits.
• Dwarven architecture, smithing and even tattoos often holds meaning in the symbols of the dwarven runic language. Perhaps it tells the story of one of the Paragons or in the case of a weapon, makes a statement that is important to its wielder.
• Dwarves take great pride in their beards and the dwarven faith teaches them that they are to be well kept and looked after. It is said to be Yemekar himself who blessed the dwarves with their beards. We need much more role play revolving around them as this is frankly one of the first things people think of when the word dwarf is mentioned. Though this hasn’t been a particularly important part of our culture in the past, perhaps it is time to consider this more.
• Dwarves take trinkets from their adventures and battles, displaying them as a show of pride inside their homes. This could be a rare gem for example or the head of a beast the dwarf has slain.
• Though the dwarven system of justice is a bit too lengthy to explain fully, dwarves need to more frequently face punishments for their crimes. Duels or even exile until the dwarf has regained his honour are the more likely options here.
• Though dwarven politics can become quite scheming at times, dwarves in general will usually show a willingness to cooperate with their kin. They are a relatively united race compared to most, though obviously this can change during various times of struggle or conflict.
• Dwarves will often attempt to place the source of their troubles in Khorvad’s name. Otherwise known as Iblees, Khorvad was once the deity of ambition amongst the Brathmordakin until he chose to betray the mortal races. With his fall from grace, Khorvad was said to have corrupted Ondnarch and the Ironborn, as well as led the way to the destruction of their original homeland of Aegis.
• Dwarves are seekers of adventure, whether it be venturing through cave systems, abandoned ruins or other unexplored locations. More expeditions need to happen, though this is generally a job for the event team to look into.
• Each clan has its own distinct personality and style. New players in particular should read up on their clan's lore to determine the basic traits that a dwarf of their bloodline is associated with.
• These points act as guidlines but always remember to put something of your own into your character. Not every dwarf is exactly alike after all.

 

With this list and other sources of information, I would hope that some dwarven role players could begin to consider what aspects listed here they actually choose to RP. Also if you have any suggestions you want added to this list or merely have a question you would like to ask, please feel free to reply to this thread.

[Anawkin 247]

Nice job on this. :)

[craotor 617]

Zezimus you are too old, just die already

[Demotheus 651]

I came here hoping to find out what a female dwarf is supposed to look like.

 

I was highly disappointed.

 

Though, everything else is quite interesting, so +1!

[hjgklmn0ajuvxc 688]

[Major Dom 1297]

 

offensive

[Serf 647]

I just hope that this won't drive every dwarf to be the same, paper cut out, flat character that only follows the basis of this. Overall pretty nice post.

[Zezimus 1523]

 

I came here hoping to find out what a female dwarf is supposed to look like.

 

I was highly disappointed.

 

Though, everything else is quite interesting, so +1!

 

Pretty much what you'd expect a dwarven female to look like really. :p

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just hope that this won't drive every dwarf to be the same, paper cut out, flat character that only follows the basis of this. Overall pretty nice post.

 

As I said, it varies by clan and individual. Think of this as more of a basis for newer dwarves, almost as the default dwarven stereotype. Others may choose to deviate from the norms however. 

[Major Dom 1297]

[Hiebe 2493]

I think there should be more put into what clans are and whats clans do, or have done. 

 

Also unity is a very weak word in the dwarven rp, throughout the life of the server it has shown how much people have schemed and plotted for power, either selfishly or for the betterment of the dwarves. Unity is weak if one person or a group of people become the center of rp-ooc hate over what they have chosen to roleplay and the community doesnt agree with them.

 

Any dwarf should have the freedom to roleplay who and what they wish with a bit of boundaries that we have set up. Having that roleplay for new players to draw them in is very important to keep them around for the future so the 1st century dwarves dont have to come back and save the sorry butts of the new century dwarves. ATM, there isnt enough or good enough rp to keep that said new player involved or around the server or dwarven rp.

 

I would just also like to point out that its not only you who has an idea of what dwarves should be, we all have our own ideas or way of thinking of what dwarves should be, if there comes a time when there are two dwarven groups so be it, make it a competition for them to see who is better or keeps the roleplay going.

[Zezimus 1523]

I think there should be more put into what clans are and whats clans do, or have done. 

 

Also unity is a very weak word in the dwarven rp, throughout the life of the server it has shown how much people have schemed and plotted for power, either selfishly or for the betterment of the dwarves. Unity is weak if one person or a group of people become the center of rp-ooc hate over what they have chosen to roleplay and the community doesnt agree with them.

 

Any dwarf should have the freedom to roleplay who and what they wish with a bit of boundaries that we have set up. Having that roleplay for new players to draw them in is very important to keep them around for the future so the 1st century dwarves dont have to come back and save the sorry butts of the new century dwarves. ATM, there isnt enough or good enough rp to keep that said new player involved or around the server or dwarven rp.

 

I would just also like to point out that its not only you who has an idea of what dwarves should be, we all have our own ideas or way of thinking of what dwarves should be, if there comes a time when there are two dwarven groups so be it, make it a competition for them to see who is better or keeps the roleplay going.

 

You seem to be taking this a little too personally. This thread isn't to hate on anyone or change the way they role play but to give a broad overview of what dwarves are. Obviously I made this thread so these ideas are predominantly my own and what I have observed the dwarves to be. As I said however, if any of the older dwarves want to add their own input, I would gladly add it to the list. If anything, it's targeting the newer generation of dwarves who haven't had as much guidance in dwarven role play from the older generations who left the server.  

 

As for the point about unity. This is in comparison to the other races, due to the fact that for the vast majority of our history, in lore and in what we have roleplayed in game, we have all belonged to one Kingdom.  We have plotted and schemed in role play but generally remained as one unified group. The same cannot be said for most of the other races, besides the orcs perhaps. Obviously as I mentioned, there's always exceptions to this. Just like in real life, cultures evolve and change over time.

[Hiebe 2493]

There is nothing personal in the message :) im clearly saying what is and what has been lol me and you and any other dwarven rper has their own view on what a dwarf is. I feel the one thing I need to work on and what others need to do also is not to take rp in ooc. Doesn't help when people taunt each other or troll ;)

[Zezimus 1523]

There is nothing personal in the message :) im clearly saying what is and what has been lol me and you and any other dwarven rper has their own view on what a dwarf is. I feel the one thing I need to work on and what others need to do also is not to take rp in ooc. Doesn't help when people taunt each other or troll ;)

 

Trolling is really one of the reasons why I made this post. I don't mind occasionally messing around in teamspeak from time to time but a lot of people tend to troll in game and leave a bad impression on dwarven RP. Hence I'm telling them, if you get bored of role playing, here are a list of things you could do in future to come off as being a dwarf without just resorting to troll RP.

 

If there are any points you do disagree with, feel free to tell me. This thread is also here so that we can discuss our culture as it seems we have very little reflected in actual in game role play.

[Hiebe 2493]

Once home I think we should hash this out very much more and such. :)

[Destroyer_Bravo 1054]

Remember the stark law anyone? Anyone? No?