Dwarf

Dawn of the Dwarf
As the worthy Primals were being led to their Promised Land by Hylón, God of Earth; the Kobolds attacked them, attempting to breach and claim the Primal Promised Land as their own. A band of the Primals joined together to fend off the Kobolds. Hylón tried to aid them, but he would lose the worthy if he broke from the path. The remaining Primals stood against the Kobolds with honor and told Hylón to take their brother’s and sister’s to safety. They choose to stay behind to prevent the Kobolds from reaching the Promised Land. Cerivus, Lord of Chaos, and his children descended upon the battle. They were quickly followed by Fortiamas, Goddess of Order, and her children along with Leviathan, Goddess of Water, and Rhamiva, Goddess of Air, to aid the Primals. Cerivus knew this was not a fight they could win in time to breach the Promised Land, but he could prevent the Primals from reaching the Promised Land. They would become lost from the path by severing their connection to the Arcane and Divine arts. He quickly struck down their Arcane connection. As he began stripping them of their divine connection Ifrit, Lord of Fire, struck his wrist with his fire whip. As a result, Cerivus’ hand was severed from his body instead of the Primal’s Divine connection. Gyante, God of Gods, then gave Cerivus a stone hand as a reminder. The surviving Primal’s had lost much their earth and stone bodies and were now unable to travel to the Promised Land. Hylón could not deliver them to the Promised Land, but he was able to save them. He called them Dwarves and convinced the remaining gods on the battlefield to promise them a place in the world.

Physical Description
Dwarves stand about 4 to 5 feet tall. They have lost nearly all of former stone made Primal form, no longer are their bodies are made of a mixture of stone, earth and skin. However, in come cases a Dwarf may have riches earthed even within its own body. These are often, however, fatal to remove and remain for their lifetime. They are broad and compact people, causing them to weigh about twice as what people would expect from their height. Dwarven males and females are no different in height or weight. Females do not grow facial hair other than sideburns while males can grow plenty, and often prize themselves on thick full beards. Dwarven skin tones retain earth tones much like the original Primals. Their hair colors are often dark brunette, black or dark red colors. Dirty blonde Dwarves are not unheard of but are rare. Dwarven eye colors are also often earthen tones typically being dark grays, browns or black. A Dwarf is consider and adult at age 16 and can live to be around 90 years old.

Personality
Dwarves tend to be very perfectionist in nearly everything they do. Once made of stone and other forms of earth, for this they are often very dense people with little sense of humor or creative thinking. They are often good at only several things in their life time but become very skilled at those select tasks. Dwarves these days are cautious of strangers due to bad experiences in their history. They value the riches of the earth first and foremost, followed very closely by weapons of war and skill with those weapons. Dwarves love to see their crafts at work. Dwarven Fighters are very barbaric in nature but it is a controlled barbaric nature that differs from the Orcs and Goblins. Dwarves value the friendship of Gnomes most of all the other races. They share a joy of the gifts of the earth. Dwarves are very respectful people; however, respect to a Dwarf comes in the form of skill with the earth, renowned crafting, and combat prowess. They care greatly for honor in battle but dislike leaving survivors and prefer to wipe out their foes completely.

Relationships
Dwarves are most friendly with Gnomes. Gnomes and Dwarves have been close since the dawn of the new world, sharing in their love of the riches of the earth. Dwarves are most resistant to Humans in the current world. They are indifferent of the High Elves and Centaurs and know very little of the Moon and Sun Elves to have much of an opinion on them. Should a Dwarf encounter a Moon or Sun Elf they would be curious but cautious. The Dwarves retain an excellent relationship with the Nai and have a history of fair trading and aid to one another in times of war. Dwarves see Half-Elves as they do their respective Elven counterparts. They dislike Goblins and Half-Orcs as Orcs. They do however understand that the Orc blood in a Half-Orc has been weakened by the Human blood, but they still distrust them. Kobolds are sworn enemies of the Dwarves. Dwarves dislike Ogres and Trolls but the two have limited contact except when an Ogre or Troll wander into their halls lost in caves. However, Dwarves seem to take some pity on as they believe them to be dim witted creatures that simply don’t know better.

Lands
Dwarves feel most at home surrounded by rock, stone and dirt. This has drawn the majority of them into the mountains and underground where they have carved out great civilizations known as a Halls. Dwarven Halls have smaller expansions and extensions called Thaigs that are connected by a system of tunnel roads. At present time many of the Dwarven Halls have closed the great doors to all outsides. They are now uncommon on the surface and often refer to those who do as 'Surface Dwellers'. Dwarves on the surface are often merchants of their goods or mercenaries for higher.

Religion
The chief deity to the Dwarves is Hylón, the God of Earth. Other notable deities of the Dwarves are Ovar and Bactetis.

Language
Dwarves have their own language, commonly referred to as Dwarven. Dwarven is written in runic script, often in stone. Dwarven Surface Dwellers are well versed in the common tongue and often it is their only language.

Names
Dwarves are named by the House elder one year after their birth. Prior to their naming Dwarves are simply referred to as the son or daughter of their parents' name (i.e. Son of Craugnale and Stefanya). Dwarves surnames are referred to as House names which primarily follow a caste system.

Dwarf Game Rule Information
Attributes: Base Classes: Acolyte, Fighter, Scoundrel
 * Body: 10/24 Strength, 8/20 Dexterity, 10/24 Vitality
 * Mind: 6/16 Intellect, 8/20 Cunning, 8/20 Willpower
 * Soul: 8/20 Charisma, 6/16 Perception, 8/20 Spirit

Prestige Classes: Barbarian, Cleric, Crusader, Inquisitor, Rogue, Warrior

Racial Specialization(s): Clanwarden (Acolyte), Forge Master (Fighter/Scoundrel)

Size: Medium

Base Land Speed: 20ft

Automatic Languages: Common, Dwarven

Discipline Modifiers: Skill Modifiers: +2 Appraise, +2 Craft (Weapon), +2 Profession (Miner), -2 Swim
 * Resistance: +2 Earth, -2 Water
 * Weapon: +2 Axe, +2 Hammer