Dwarf

Dwarves, or Nanousi in their own tongue, are a group of stumpy humanoids who make their lives inside of mountains and cliffs. They are a tough and stoic folk known for their strong military discipline and masterful craftsmanship. Dwarves are raised from childhood to be as steadfast as an boulder and as adaptable as the flooding waters. These attributes make them particularly stalwart warriors and shrewd traders. For over a thousand years their people have been banished from their ancestral homelands in the Umamthakom Mountains, which they lost after their defeat to the giants in the Troigh Leud (Pronounce Truie Liad). Nowadays the Dwarves of the Dwarven Imperium are living in the seaside-city of Tyria Rupes.

Description
Dwarves are, as their name implies, a short and stout people, standing between 1.3 to 1.45 meters (4'3" – 5'0" feet) on average. But what Dwarves lack in height they make up for in bulk. They are, on average, about as heavy as humans and can weigh anywhere from about 68 to 140 kilograms (150 – 310 lbs). Like humans, Dwarves had a wide variety of skin, eye, and hair colours. Their skin are usually tanned, but pale white and dark brown Dwarves are also known to exist. Brown and hazel eyes are common throughout the race, with blue eyes or green eyes found amongst some minority groups of Dwarves. Dwarven hair is often dark in hue, consisting out of browns and blacks, as they grow older their hair turns into a venerable deep grey. Facial hair care is a very serious business to a Dwarf, who carefully oil and groom their beards, with some adding perfume and ornamentation for a special occasion. Male Dwarves are a bit taller and heavier than their female counterpart and they often bald at a young age, growing thick facial hair instead. Dwarf woman grow long braided hair and stubbles instead. Their chins grow a some dark short stumbles, which is very unusually for most humanoid females.

Dwarves are a long-lived race, though by far not as much as the elves are. They reach physical maturity somewhat later than humans at their 32nd. During their childhood they will be trained in the profession of their father while simultaneously receiving a martial training from the state. During their training to learn to both fight with the traditional dwarven scutum and gladius as well as any crafting tools they have on hand in case they have to fight as an militiaman. Dwarves age in a similar fashion to humans, but are two times as slowly, remaining vigorous well past their fifties. Most Dwarves life to see their first century and a few live to be over 140.

Abilities
Dwarves are very tough for a humanoid. Dwarves have for example extremely dense bones which allow them to take hits which would bring any other creature of their size down. Dwarves are also very muscular, both from nature and from the years of military training every young dwarf receives. Their muscular stumpy bodies can carry loads so heavy that even a Gnoll would break a sweat.

Dwarf eyes possessed the ability to see in the bleak darkness of the caves they call home, similar to other races who live their lives underground such as the Moon Elves. Dwarves are very aware of their surroundings at all times as most of them have received a military training during their youth which trained them to be always on the lookout for any of the telltale signs of an ambush. Their education has also trained them recognise different types of stone in a single look and notice any unusual patterns in the stonework, almost to an obsessive degree.

Psychology
Strong, hardy, and dependable, the Dwarven spirit is as strong as the iron they strike at their forges, and they posses a wisdom far beyond that of the other civilised peoples. Dwarfs are both materialistic and traditionalists, valuing themselves and others by their possession, honour and the reputation of their family. When a Dwarf is in need of motivation they will gaze upon the immortal marble statues of their ancestral heroes, remembering the lessons their stories teach. A dwarf is very stoic and cynical, looking at everything with a realistic point of view. Some might call the Dwarves downers, but those people are stuck in a fantasy world according to the Dwarves and shall soon speak highly of them again after they witness their bravery and tenacity.

A Dwarven friendship is a hard earned one, but it is as hard as iron. Once being betrayed by their kinsman at the end of the Troigh Leud, the Dwarves have become slow to trust those from outside of the Imperium. They suspect strangers contribute to about nothing and wont change their mind until the stranger has proven their worth. Once a stranger has proven themselves the dwarfs will slowly hold out their hands in friendship. Once such a bond is forged they will make sure their new friend knows how important it is and view any form of betrayal, now mater how minor, with a vicious invitation for vengeful judgement and torture. A common gnomish oath, remarking on this dwarven sense of justice, goes “if I'm a liar, let the Dwarves cross me." For Dwarves, loyalty means more than just a mere word and it should be both valued and rewarded. Dwarves see standing besides beside a comrades in combat as a gift and a mark of respect, and feel even stronger about the privilege to protect that ally from harm. Many Dwarven tales subsequently revolve around the sacrifice of Dwarves for their legion and the whole of the Imperium. Just as famous as a Dwarfs dependability is, so infamous is their wrath, Dwarves bear can bear a grudge for generations. This can be on an individual basis between a Dwarf and the one who wronged him or against entire races, and especially against the giants.

It is common for a young dwarf to leave their home as an adventurer and individuals do this for a myriad of reasons. Some Dwarves might be inspired by simple avarice going out to find ancient treasures to show off back home. Other individuals might be motivated by a desire to do what's right, hoping to make the world a better place. While other again go on adventure to gain prestige or go out to find the strongest opponents to fight and train with as they feel like their talents are wasted at home. But no matter how far these wayward Dwarves might go, they still think about their home, hoping that their accomplishments abroad can bring their family honour, wealth, and power at home. Given that a successful Dwarven adventurer is likely to recover a rare artifice or crush a couple of Giants in name of the Dwarven people during their time away from home, this is a hope not entirely without merit.

Names
Male names: Aurel, Brutus, Claudius, Dante, Emilio, Ferrus, Gaius, Horace, Isaur, Julius, Kai, Lycius, Marcus, Nero, Ora, Plum, Quinton, Ricimer, Scipio, Tiberius, Urbain, Urist, Valens, Walenty

Female names: Argenta, Bellatrix, Connie, Drusilla, Estella, Flavia, Gloria, Hortensia, Isabel, Jill, Kamila, Latonya, Myla, Noreen, Oralie, Patrycja, Romy, Scilla, Tori, Ula, Urist, Vesta, Wikolia, Yustina, Zella