# Dwarves of Limora ## Foreward Dwarves in Limora are similar to other fantasy realms such as Forgotten Realms or Lord of the Rings. I enjoy Dwarves in these worlds and have always joked that my spirit animal is a Dwarf. Here are some of my ideas on how I use Dwarves in my D&D setting of Limora. ------------------------------------------- ## Introduction Dwarves are stout and hardy. They have endured many wars and survived to claim their homelands in Limora. Their culture runs deep in tradition, like the mountains they occupy. They are a proud race, but given their accomplishments, they have reason to be so. -------------------------------------------- ## History ---------------------------------------- ### Biological Dwarves share a close lineage to their most often adversarial cousins, the Orcs. Despite their close biological ties, Dwarves and Orcs socially are very different. Dwarves are descendants of the mountain people at home among the rocks and stone. They are most comfortable in these environments. --------------------------------------- ### The Mountain city of Galatoin The ancestral home of the Dwarves and the most ancient civilization is that of Galatoin. A storied city that lies in a hollowed mountain. While many dwarven cities lie under mountains to excavate safely, a whole mountain has yet to be achieved again. Many attempts have been made since but none as impressive or successful as Galatoin. However, their homeland, while its location is known, is lost. A family of Red Dragons has since taken over Galatoin. Most Dwarven kingdoms have long ago abandoned the idea of reclaiming the city, thinking it ruins. --------------------------------------------- ### Fractured Relations In their early days, before and after the fall of Galatoin, Dwarves spread to gather minerals and trade their wares with other societies. For the most part, these relations have been profitable and well. However, as with many civilizations that spread the need for space came to blows. Particularly when coming across Orcs and Goblins. To this day, Dwarves have troubled dealings with both Orcs and Goblins as a whole. While frequently, individuals can learn to get along the larger communities are still patching multi-century long wounds. -------------------------------------------------- \columnbreak ## Current Society ------------------------------------------- ### Government Dwarves, when grouped, live in kingdoms with a monarchy. Kings and Queens who pass down their storied lineages are usually held in high regard. The monarchy isn't all-powerful in a kingdom, though, as they are social leaders, they still often keep the duty to the people as their top priority. While a few rotten eggs have occurred in history, especially King Baran of Huultan, Dwarven Royalty is most often respected in many societies. --------------------------------------------- ### Small in Size Rich in Wealth Dwarven Kingdoms are usually more significant than that of a few cities of humans but still nowhere near the expanses of kingdoms or countries of other societies. It's easiest to think of Dwarven Kingdoms as massive city-states rather than a whole nation of cities. Despite their single locations, mining for precious minerals, especially gold, is a corner market for Dwarven society. Most currencies use the Gold Standard or GP, which is almost exclusively mined by Dwarven Kingdoms. This corner on gold doesn't give them ultimate sway, though, as they often must trade for wood, grain, and other materials since not many trees and plants grow underground. ------------------------------ ### Family and Clan Families and Clans are how many Dwarven kingdoms organize. Dwarfs go by 4 names First, Family, Clan, and Kingdom. Clans consist of anywhere between 5 and 12 families. A Kingdom usually consists of 10 Clans give or take a few. These organizations rarely fight amongst each other unless in unprecedented times of internal trouble. Occasionally a family may strike out on their own to form a clan or community. Dwarven culture holds Family and Clan in high authority but kingdom above all. -------------------------------- ### Miners and Smiths Economically while they export Gold, Silver, and Copper for modern currencies, Dwarven artisans are highly regarded. If you intend to use any mineral-based material for a weapon or armor, Dwarven made is the most popular. Along with the physical components, magic runes and enchanting of gear are also considered the best in Dwarven Kingdoms. Many rulers, generals, and wealthy members seeking powerful wares custom order from Dwarven smiths. ----------------------------------------------- \pagebreak ### Challenges of Dwarven Cultures Dwarves are still re-building relations with Goblins and Orcs. While Goblins are wary of many races, they are on full alert often with Dwarves. Orcs are also not aiding in the repair, and thus both sides tend to instigate more problems. Their once very isolationist ways have also made contact with other cultures slow. This isolationism is also why 1/2 Dwarves are the least common mixes. Dwarves are also less accustomed to other cultural niceties and manners and thus often are seen as rude. Some Dwarven communities have gone as far as full-blown xenophobia. These are the most troublesome and have been known to go to war quickly to "protect their way of life." Thankfully this has only happened a few times in history and is currently not how any modern Dwarven society works. ----------------------------------------- ## Religion and Prominent Deities In the worlds of Limora, unlike many other D&D settings, all deities and gods ascend to their position. No creature or once a being, can have the power to create life. ------------------------------------------- ### Dwarves and Religion Dwarven culture has never seemed tied to religion very closely. While most acknowledge the deities of their kind, it is always private and on a personal level. Clerics, Paladins, and other religious vocations are rare but highly respected. There are no established churches, just those who have a closer bond. ----------------------------------- ### Moradin - Major Deity #### Male Dwarf #### Domains: Crafting, Tenacity, Protection Moradin, Master Smith, was the best craftsmen of all Dwarves. Many dwarfs pay homage to his work and give prayer when crafting their own weapons and armor. While smithing is far more than for warfare, crafting armaments to protect not just themselves but also others is held in the highest esteem. Paladins are required to craft their personal gear from a young age as part of their training. ------------------------------------- ### Clangadin - Major Deity #### Female Dwarf #### Domains: War, Valor, Drink Clangadin, The Battle Maiden, was a legend on the battlefield with no equal ever proven. When off of the battlefield, she could be found in the tavern. Her singing and drinking was the highlight of the nights and peaceful days. Often when in battle, Dwarves call to her and then raise a glass in her honor at the celebration dinner to enjoy life as much as she does. -------------------------------------- ### Dumathoin - Major Deity #### Dwarf (gender uknown) #### Domains: Secrets, Magic, and Charity Dwarves are most often not adept spellcasters as such information is rarely shared. Runes and other enchantments are what most find their talents in the arcane arts to be. Dumathoin was a mysterious Dwarf that traveled cloaked. They would often help those in need but never shared their knowledge or their intentions. Usually, when hiding important information, valuables, or enchanting weapons, whispers of prayer are sent to Dumathoin. Charity is given freely and in anonymity, as taking a claim is seen as serving oneself. Clerics and Paladins of Dumathoin often leave their names, all 4, behind and dress in plain black clothes. -------------------------------------------- ### Haargorath - Minor Deity #### Earth Elemental #### Domains: Earth, Mining, Nature Dwarves have a deep connection with stone and earth. This connection is honored and recognized in the worship of Haargorath, an ascended Earth Elemental who worked closely with an ancient dwarven clan. To respect and understand the stone is vital for those who appreciate Haargorath. Most often, those who are devout followers use enhanced stone tools, weapons, and armors that work just as well or even better than steel. ------------------------------------------- ### Shi-Tratal - Mindor Diety #### Fire Elemental #### Domains: Fire, Life, Passion Another elemental that Dwarves respect is that of Shri-Tratal. It is said that Shri-Tratal lives inside the forges of Galatoin. Respects paid to the Minor God of fire are used in both birth and death ceremonies to pay respect to the fire of life igniting and extinguishing. That doesn't mean that they don't believe in an afterlife; instead, it refers to material existence. The Azers, or fire dwarves, are descendants of a clan who was blessed with Shri-Tratal's blessing and favor who left to live in the Plane of Fire. ---------------------------------------------- \pagebreak ### Brathka - Minor Deity #### Male Red Dragon #### Domains: Greed, Pride, Fire Although Brathka shares the domain of fire, he is not a gracious god. Instead, Brathka embodies the pride and greed found in dwarves. Clans who have taken up with Brathka are promised riches for servitude. While not overly violent of a god, Brathka is entirely self-serving and desires all of the gold that he can obtain. Brathka obtained his divinity through the thousands of Dwarves who uplifted him as a god, for their own short sited and greedy deeds. Most often, weapons and armors of the followers are steel plated in gold. ----------------------------------------------------- ### Dareem StoneShaper - Minor Diety #### Female Dwarf #### Domains: Trickery, Traps, Ingenuity Dareem StoneShaper ascended through the sheer wit, talent, and hard work to better Dwarven ways of life, defenses, and offensive contraptions. She invented the Goblin Masher, Knee Snapper, Collapsing Tunnels, and other tricks Dwarves are known to use. Dareem is trickster god, and paying homage to her when making traps is an excellent way to ensure she doesn't, cause, in her words, hilariously unintended results. She is a god of chaos that isn't seen as good or bad. Although the most clever traps are congratulated, having her watchful eyes on you is a gamble.