Dwarves

Dwarven society and culture is one of the richest in tradition and history. It is also one of the most closed societies amongst all the Living Races. Legend places the birth of the Dwarves at the time of the Age of the Gods; Brobbet, the God of Honor, created the Dwarves to serve as his enforcers of justice upon the Prime. Dwarven society is structured around the principles of justice and honor above all things, even at what some might consider the cost of being compassionate and forgiving. The Dwarven clans, though often fractured and argumentative amid their own political machinations, rally around a single credo they refer to as Brobbet’s Divine Mandate: “Without honor, there is no justice; without justice, there is no future.” The Dwarves have noted that the other Living Races lack the desire to adhere as strictly to Brobbet’s Divine Mandate as they themselves strive to do. This makes relations with the other Living Races merely cordial, at best; of notable exception are the Gnomes, whom they consider to be kindred spirits who are merely errant and who have lost their way.

Since the onset of the Lament (and ending only recently), Dwarven society had been cut off from the majority of the other Living Races. In fact, the Dwarves were one of the first of the Living Races to have been vanquished … or so it was assumed. No communication with the Dwarven state was ever successful, and their capital of Aughundell fell deep within the Withered Aegis’ sphere of influence. The truth of the matter is that the Dwarves had been under siege by the Withered Aegis to one degree or another for over 50 years. Only with the recent defeat of the Withered Aegis at the Battle of Tazoon was the true fate of the Dwarves discovered; though the very walls of their capital had been breached, the Dwarves held out all this time, alone, against the Undead Horde. Of this fact, they frequently and vehemently remind any and all listeners.

Physically, Dwarves are one of the shorter Living Races; they are quite stocky for their height, however, and are known for their superior strength and resilience. Dwarves excel in all fields of endeavor, but tend to gravitate toward the roles of Warriors and Healers. A false stereotype exists that Dwarves are incapable arcanists; while Dwarves prefer to achieve ends through strength and physical exertion, there are several highly adept Dwarven mages in Istaria.

Dwarven males are known to keep meticulously groomed beards throughout most of their lives. A Dwarf’s station within his clan may be identified by beard length and grooming. A clean-shaven chin, while not unheard of, is a sign that a Dwarf is either changing his station within the clan, or perhaps trying to “change his luck in life.” Dwarves, by nature, are a superstitious people, and will go out of their way to adhere to rituals “proven” to bring good fortune to themselves and their kin.

Borrowed from www.istaria.com

Dwarves start with 50 Health, 70 Strength, 40 Power, 45 Dexterity, and 45 Focus.  They make good Warriors, Blacksmiths, and Outfitters.

Dwarven racial bonuses are Toughness and Enhanced Armor Use.