Chapter 3: Races of Velea
Velea is home to people from all over the multiverse, having come there either through divine intervention or by passing portals leading to other planes of existence. Some have been there for eons, living in the time where chaos shaped the world and was able to witness Noroth form into the world it is now. Foreigners from other planes tend to be offered little patience by the settlers of Velea, since they serve as a reminder that the paths that connect Noroth to the planes beyond are far from closed. Since the Separation, Velea has been fortunate in its visitors. A common fear among the leaders of Velea, is that an invasion of powerful entities might be underway, as was the case in the ancient times of Noroth’s creation when chaos and darkness ruled over the world. Fortunately, Velea has played host to only very few great creatures, and none yet powerful enough to be a proper threat to the world.
Dwarves
There's really nothing to it, lad. You just have to raise and drop, raise and drop. See? Easy. Now you try. Remember, just raise and-- no, not like that, you'll crack the sodding thing! Datrigar's beard, you're more useless than a surfacer.
— Barkhos Garronfist, smith of the Amber Forge
The empire of Stoneway, in dwarvish known as Deurolan, has the best documented, if not the longest, history of all the countries on the Velean continent. Their histories and legacies reach all the way back to the Age of Discord, and they are said to have been among the first races to be placed into Noroth, created by their gods to mold and shape the mountains of the world. Because of this, most dwarves believe it a holy purpose to work within the mines and forges of their underground cities below the Divine Mountains. They are a people proud of their heritage, and consider themselves the masters of the mountains - or servants to them, according to certain dwarvish ideologies. None can rival their mastery of mining, and only few can with a good conscience ridicule dwarven craftsmanship. As allies they are loyal, as enemies they are ruthless.
Being known as the Forges, or Rahldor, before the construction of the Planar Crossways, Stoneway is a nation of workers and artisans. Becoming an expert at a craft is considered an accomplishment worthy of the highest praise, especially if the craft in question will stand the test of time. Masons and smiths are highly respected and those who reach the peak of their field are granted the title of Forgehammer. This title is given only to those truly deserving and to have
more than five Forgehammers at any given time is unheard of. Not because any law forbids the existence of more than that, but because the level of excellence required to be granted the title occurs so rarely.
Royal Dwarves
The dwarves who live and settle beneath the Divine mountains in the cities of Underforge, Holltar, and Settlestone are referred to as royal dwarves, because of their close connection and proximity to the mountains they so revere. Any respectable dwarf born below the Divine Mountains is expected to spend a large part of their youth apprenticing for an artisan. Even if they grow up to become priests or soldiers, being raised without the knowledge of a tool or skill is considered a grave fault of character.
Royal dwarves show admiration only when they believe people to have earned it, and they are rarely awed except by acts requiring extreme skill or talent. They are respectful of most other races, however, knowing that there is much to learn from the other peoples of the world. Some of the most legendary artisans who have been titled Forgehammers spent years traveling the world and studying crafting methods in faraway lands, before returning to Stoneway to share their findings.
Surface and dark dwarves are an exception to this respect. The dark dwarves, also known as duergar, seek to destroy the nation of Stoneway, stealing their knowledge and histories to keep for themselves. Their attacks on the city, Holltar, proves this, as their assaults have been a constant nuisance to the garrison posted there, fondly referred to as the Wall Guard, referencing Wall Datrigar to the north, a mountain range believed to have been molded by Datrigar himself to protect Stoneway from oncoming forces.
As for surface dwarves, the focus on craft and artistry below the Divine Mountains has caused the mountain dwarves who live along the Stoneway to see themselves as better than their hill dwarf brethren. Most dwarves connect success and respect directly to one’s ability with a weapon, hammer or other tool. Hill dwarves, who have spent most if not all their lives on the surface, are considered lesser by most mountain dwarves, who believe that a real dwarf is bred by the sweat of the forges, and not by the light of the sun or the taste of saltwater.
Royal dwarves use the mountain dwarf stats found in the Player's Handbook.
Surface Dwarves
In the southernmost part of Velea lies the Half-Way, a large peninsula stretching west into the Void Expanse and housing only few notable townships and cities. It is a dreary place, home to dwarvish outcasts who have nowhere else to turn. The one exception to the blandness of the peninsula is Hilldock, a large harbor city that has earned a modicum of respect from the royal dwarves for the citizens’ excellence at trade and exporting goods through their impressive fleet of trading ships.
The royal dwarves of the Divine Mountains treat the dwarves of the Half-Way as lower class citizens, and most dwarves, including surface dwarves, believe this dislike to be