Mountain Dwarves

[TEEbrown 348]

((Alright, so I was going through some of my old google docs. when I stumbled upon this. I am NOT taking any credit for this, any and all credit is to our awesome lore master, Grabthar. I hate to see his work go un-used, so here it is.))

-=Mountain Dwarves=-

Physical characteristics

The mountain dwarves are on average half a foot taller than other dwarves. They are the most common dwarf in all of Asulon. They have light skin that is fair or lightly tanned and green or silvery blue eyes with long light brown or red hair, growing white or gray with age. Most males and even some females have large beards and mustaches. The females are slightly shorter and less heavy than the males

Psychology

Mountain dwarves are a cynical and gruff people, but they are, despite a reputation to the contrary, fatalistic, still possessing some hope for the future. Typically, mountain dwarves take time to trust and even longer to forgive but the dwindling of their race has led many to be more open to other ways of thinking.

Mountain dwarven attitudes have in the past been typically divided between the Recluse and the Wayfarer, two separate schools of thought amongst the race, though since the Fall of Karik this separation has begun to erode. The Recluse, like the Cave Dwarves believed it best to take an isolationist policy towards other races, fortifying their mountain homes and continuing their ancient ways, while the Wayfarers have been more adventurous, seeking their fortunes on the surface world.

However, while mountain dwarves have not always been as open-minded as they are today, there is a long tradition of adventurism in the race and many young dwarves, particularly since the Fall of Karik, have hoped to find glory in doing great deeds in distant lands.

Less self-interested mountain dwarves have also taken to the adventuring life to reclaim ancient strongholds or treasures long lost. Whatever the case, most mountain dwarves who venture beyond their homes are fighters or hunters trained in personal combat, leaning on the strong martial traditions of their people against the orcs, humans, and elves that threaten the race.

Experienced dwarven adventurers might well go on to join the Irehearts, while students of the ancients might become Blackaxes. Wielders of the arcane are fairly rare, however, since mountain dwarves distrust magic.

Culture

Traditionally, clan allegiance and caste placement meant everything among the mountain dwarves but as their civilization has declined so has the importance of these identity constructs. Although blood lineage is still a mark of pride for a dwarf from a particularly strong clan, personal accomplishments have come to mean more practically than the old ways, which seem increasingly irrelevant. Among the Recluse, traditions remain strong, but there is an increasing number of mountain dwarves willing to leave the mountains for a life as adventurers or craftsmen among humans.

Family life remains a prime concern for dwarves, however, and while elders play a diminishing role in childrearing, the relationships between parent and child or siblings remain as strong as ever. Most dwarves are literate and are taught to read at an early age, before being handed off to an apprenticeship appropriate to their caste. In the workplace, mountain dwarves are taught to work both for not only themselves and their family but for the greater whole of their clan and most dwarves are, while proud of their work, fairly humble and avoid ostentatious displays of decadence. After a mountain dwarf has expired his or her ability to work physically, they remain a valued part of the community for their experience and wisdom and when they die they are honored with funeral rites appropriate to their legacy.

[Hiebe 2493]

I like it very good.

[Josh △ 87]

((Please use ooc brackets (()) when in an RP thread ;) ))

[Hiebe 2493]

Its not rp. Its not a book. Its a statement.

[Supertimmy4ever 19]

((great explenation, cause i have no idea wht is happenibg in LotC

[KoTo 610]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.