Dwarves

A race of craftsmen and innovators, Dwarves are the most technologically advanced people in Rhodenia, second only to the arcane-technology of the desert elves in Ast'Aria. Industriousness is their quintessential trait; Dwarves are known to design, labor, and tinker endlessly, to such an extent that the idiom “an idle Dwarf” is often used to refer something that, while theoretically possible, does not actually exist. Dwarven metalworking and engineering is without peer, and their weapons and armor are the finest in Rhodenia. In recent years they have begun to harness the power of steam, and rudimentary steam engines are slowly cropping up in Dwarven settlements and being exhibited in fairs throughout the world. The Dwarves are staunch allies with the Orcs, and the two share a common language and nomenclature.

Although they can be found above the surface, the Dwarves are primarily subterranean people. It is often said - and not without some degree of truth - that the Dwarves fear the sky falling more than the cavern collapsing. All Dwarves possess night vision, and although they see better in the light, have no problems navigating their way underground in the darkness. They are capable of holding their breath for extraordinary lengths of time - on average some twenty minutes. In contrast to the highly centralized Orcs, the Dwarves can be found throughout Rhodenia. Most of their settlements are built in caves, mountain-sides, or underground, and Dwarven tunnel networks span impressive amounts of the world. So vast are these networks, in fact, that even the Dwarves themselves constantly stumble across portions that have not seen use in centuries.

The Dwarves are a short but stout race, rarely cracking five feet in height. They are known for their endurance and hardiness, and boast an impressive resistance to magic; the shock that might electrocute an Elf merely jolts the Dwarf. They possess a natural “grounding effect” that dampens the intensity of magic around them, granting them an advantage over magic-using opponents; however, Dwarves are incapable of manipulating mana, and thus completely unable to cast spells. This inability to wield magic is undoubtedly the root cause for their reliance upon mechanical technology.

Despite their interest in weapon & armorsmithing, the Dwarves are largely a good-natured and peaceful people. They prefer to negotiate with other races - even tribal ones - and regard violence as a last resort; however, when threatened, Dwarves are more than capable of defending themselves. Dwarves are noteworthy for being the only civilized race to employ firearms. Dwarven musketeers frequently compete against Elven archers in tourneys, and although their long-guns typically cannot match the accuracy of the Elven bow, their muskets are capable of penetrating heavy armor. Unsurprisingly, Dwarves also excel in the use of explosives. Their sappers are the finest combat engineers in Rhodenia, and sought out even by the Human kingdoms of Amarus.

The Dwarves have always preferred to explore rather than imperialize. Although a successful people, they have never sought empire, and regard both Human and Elven ambitions of power as suspect. As long as they can indulge their curiosity, the Dwarves care little for who rules the world.

Dwarves also boast a legendary tolerance for alcohol, and the idiom “a drunk Dwarf” is used just as frequently as “an idle Dwarf.” While presumably a Dwarf has gotten drunk at some point in recorded history, no one has ever been able to verify this.