Races of Middle earth: Dwarves
DWARVES: (Pl Khazâd sing Khuzd) Naugrim (S), Nogothrim (S) Gonhirrim (S), Hadhodrim (S), Casari (Q) The Dwarves, or Khazâd in their own tongue, were beings of short stature, often friendly with Hobbits although long suspicious of Elves. They were typically blacksmiths and stone workers by profession, unrivaled in some of their arts even by the Elves.
While there were several tribes (Houses) of the Dwarves, the most prominent was that of the Longbeards.
ORIGINS
Unlike Elves and Men, the Dwarves are not counted among the Children of Ilúvatar. Their creator was Mahal, known as Aulë the Smith. Aulë created the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, from whom all other Dwarves are descended, deep beneath an unknown mountain somewhere in Middle-earth. However, Aulë did not have the divine power to grant independent life to any creation, and the dwarves were bound to his will. Ilúvatar came and reprimanded Aulë, who confessed his desire to create more living things, but in repentance lifted his hammer to destroy the dwarves. Even as the blow was about to land, the dwarves cowered and begged for mercy, as Ilúvatar had taken pity and given true life to the creations of his child, including them in His plan for Arda. However, Ilúvatar did not wish them to wake before the Elves, whom he intended to be the first-born. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, and therefore they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar, but he bade Aulë lay them to sleep in their chamber deep beneath the mountain, and they were to awake after the Awakening of the Elves.
The Seven Fathers awoke in their places in pairs with their wives, though Durin I had awoken alone. The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke.
The seven clans of the Dwarves were:
Longbeards, Durin's Folk, originally from Gundabad.
Firebeards and Broadbeams, originally from Ered Luin.
Ironfists and Stiffbeards, originated in the East.
Blacklocks and Stonefoots, originated in the East.
Durin settled in the caves above Kheled-zâram which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, Khazad-dûm. Therefore the halls of the Longbeards were not located near the halls of another Dwarf-kingdom.
There was also an eighth group of Dwarves that was not a separate member from these seven kindreds, but composed of exiles from each: the Petty-dwarves(Nibin-naugrim or Noegyth-nibin), who were hunted like animals to the point of extinction by the Elves in the First Age.
Physical Character
Build: Short, stocky, strong, with exceptionally strong limbs. Males average 150lbs, females 135lbs.
Colouring: Black, red, or brown hair. Fair to ruddy complexion.
Endurance: Tremendous. They can carry great burdens over long distances with little rest.
Height: Males average 4'9", females 4'5"
Lifespan: 200-400 years.
Resistance: Dwarves have 20% resistance to fire or cold attacks.. Dwarves also gain the CON bonuses to saves verses Rod/Stave/Wands and Magic, as well as poison as per the PHB.
Special Abilities: Dwarves see well in extreme darkness. In the dimmest light, the can see 50' perfectly, and fairly well up to 100'. They can see 10' in total darkness (non-magical).
Dwarves gain a +1 to hit orcs, half orcs, and trolls, while giants of all kinds have a -4 penalty when attempting to hit dwarves.
Being exceptional miners, dwarves may detect various properties of underground passages and stone work, as per the PHB.
Culture
Clothing and Decoration: Beards are a symbol of status, often braided or forked, sometimes elaborately decorated. Hair can be long or short. Durin's Folk wear solid dwarven boots, broad belts and also employ caps and cloaks or a hood, often in lieu of a cowled cloak. Of all Dwarves, Longbeards wear the most exquisite attire and clothes and weapons are often rich in ornaments and decoration. Most dwarves choose a personal colour they wear til the end of their life. Flaps or a mask are often sewn into the hood, so that the face can be covered or protected, or scarves are employed. ("Dwarf-women make widespread use of these coverings.)
Dwarves wear their hoods over traditional Dwarven garb: a leather jerkin or wool tunic, a wool or linen shirt, tight-fitting trousers, and one piece shoes or inner-boots. When active or about in the world, the female Naugrim wear heavy leather boots and a cloak or shawl fastened with a decorated brooch. Given their fondness for crafts, all of their clothing is well made and generously accented with refined borders and crenelated trim-work. Dwarf-lords wear even finer garments, and often add gold or silver tassels to the peaks of their hoods.
Fears and Inabilities: Open water and the Vala Ulmo (Lord of Waters). They do not normally swim (-1 to swimming proficiency).
Lifestyle: Dwarves are superb miners and craftsmen and unsurpassed stone workers. They live in tightly knit groups and favour underground cities which are usually carved deep into hills or mountains.
Marriage Pattern: Monogamous and for life. Only a third of the race is female and not all dwarf women desire marriage, or desire one who they cannot have and so do not marry. Children are few, and multiple births are extraordinarily rare. Families are precious and defended fiercely. Descent is traced through the male.
Religion: Dwarves believe each of the Seven Houses has a common spirit, which permeates them all and binds them together. They revere their ancestors among all other things, save Aule, their Maker, whom they call Mahal. They believe that their Kings (and perhaps other dwarves) are reincarnated into their descendants.
Other Factors
Demeanor: Sober, quiet, possessive, suspicious, pugnacious, introspective and often very greedy. Tenacious warriors, they fight without quarter and almost never retreat. Each dwarf treats his own kind as a brother, and non dwarves with suspicion unless they get to know them. Their blood is thick and their bonds are deep. They enter into agreements with great care, but once his word is given a dwarf will honour it to the letter. The old adage is true: "No friend ever did a dwarf a favour, no enemy a wrong, without being repaid in full."
Language: Among themselves, dwarves speak Khuzdul, a guarded tongue known by virtually no one but themselves. Dwarves also learn Iglishmek, a sign language which they often use to speak secretly when in the presence of others (again taught almost exclusively to dwarves). When in public, or out in the wild, they speak Westron, or one of the Elvish tongues, Bethteur or Sindarin. They also learn other Mannish tongues, including: Atliduk, Nahaiduk, Logathig, or Dunael.
Prejudices: Orcs, Trolls, Wargs, and Dragons are the sworn enemies of all dwarf kind. Above all other peoples, they despise these the most, although they have had reason to distrust Elves in the past, and remain guarded in their company, even in the Fourth Age.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:18, Mon 03 July 2017.
