Difference between revisions of "Feldvergar"

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−	[[File:Race_dwarves_mountain_deep.png|thumb|350px|Dwarves of different clans fighting alongside each other.]]Commonly considered the “least dwarf-like” of all [[Dvergar|dwarves]], haudvergar or "hill dwarves" are a relatively peaceful people who live in grottoes dug into the dirt of small hills, rather than deep tunnels under stone. Although one might expect them to be more commonly seen than [[Mountain Dwarves|mountain dwarves]] as a result, the opposite is actually true, as hill dwarves are experts at remaining hidden. Also, their preference for farming over craftsmanship leaves them with less to trade with humans, although they do sometimes trade food for tools and weapons with the mountain dwarves. Some of their baked goods are the most durable in the world and can last for years without spoiling (but are rather hard to eat).	+	[[File:Race_dwarves_mountain_deep.png|thumb|300px|Two mountain dwarves of different clans fighting alongside each other.]]The most common type of [[Dwarves|dwarf]], mountain dwarves (or ''feldvergar'') are so named because their clan-halls usually rest under the foot of a mountain. They are the most human-like of the dwarves in nature and appearance, and they trade with humans the most frequently. Many humans view them as greedy, however, because of their tendency to hoard great wealth in their mountain halls.
−	==Lifespan==
−	The average lifespan of the secretive hill dwarves is unknown, but they are thought to live several hundred years.
	==Appearance==		==Appearance==
−	Hill dwarves are one of the shortest race of dwarves, averaging around three and a half feet tall. Their hair is usually earth-toned, ranging from light "dirty blond" to dark brown, and like mountain dwarves, grey or white hair is only found in the very oldest of their kind. Their eyes are usually earthy shades of green and brown, but blue is not uncommon, and their skin color is light, though it ranges from pale to ruddy according to sun exposure, like that of Western men.	+	Mountain dwarves average about four feet in height, with light skin, and their hair comes in a wide variety of colors, such as red, blond, brown, or black; their hair begins to grey after several hundred or thousand years (the exact date varies widely). Those with entirely white beards may even be a millennium old. Their eyes are also usually light colors, such as blue, green, grey, or light golden-brown.
	==Culture==		==Culture==
−	Hill dwarves are not a warlike people, preferring to remain well-hidden in their camouflaged hill-homes and ignore the plights of other people. Their communities tend to be closely-knit, and hill dwarves share freely with each other while refusing to share – only to trade – with anyone outside the community, often creating mistrust. They are expert farmers, and often times hill dwarf communal farming villages are much more efficient and productive than human farms. The least dwarf-like aspect of their culture is that males sometimes crop their beards short or shave them off entirely. In other aspects, however, they are like most other dwarves, with great respect for their elders and to the traditions of their people. Since they seldom leave the home, hill dwarf adventurers are rare, although those that do seek a more wandering and intrepid life than most of their kin are found to be quite good at it, due to their natural familiarity with the land and skills at stealth and bartering. Their communities, however, may shun them for leaving their home.	+	The most important rule in mountain dwarf culture, although this applies to most all dwarven cultures, is to respect one’s elders. Since most dwarves highly value their beards and almost never trim them, and since they can live for hundreds of years and hardly change in appearance, age is usually determined by beard length and color. The very oldest dwarves have white beards that must be heavily braided and tucked into their belts to avoid dragging the floor. Although female dwarves are encouraged to be good homemakers and to raise the young (and thus are rarely seen by humans), they are more often found in the military than is the case with most human societies. Although dwarven clan leaders are usually male, their mates are often of equal importance, and a clan elder’s wife is just as respected as the elder himself.
		+	===Smithing===
		+	Perhaps the best-known element of feldvergar culture is blacksmithing and engineering. Mountain Dwarves are famous for their ability to craft exceptional weapons, armor, tools, and siege engines. They are the only race - besides the [[Svartalfar|dark elves]] - who mine and shape the extremely rare and powerful metals of [[deepsilver]], [[deepgold]], and [[void iron]]. With these metals, they create masterpieces that no other race could hope to match. Dwarven arms and armor are almost unmatched in their quality. Dwarves also know many secrets of [[runic magic]], and they sometimes use this to enhance their creations - though anything imbued with a rune is generally not traded to outsiders.
	==Religion==		==Religion==
−	Hill dwarves most often worship fertility [[Gods|gods]] and goddesses related to farming and production, such as [[Friga]] or [[Demeter]]. Hill dwarf villages occur more frequently in the Empire than those of other dwarves, and thus they sometimes worship Imperial gods as well as Nordic ones. Although they respect their elders and ancestors, this is not taken to the point of outright worship as with other dwarves.	+	The mountain dwarves worship the [[Aesir]], the same gods as the humans of the North. However, the main god in their religion is not [[Odin]], but [[Thor]], god of warfare and craftsmanship, and thus their patron deity. They also worship many minor dwarf gods they call the Ancients, who typically go unrecognized by Northern humans. Most of the Ancients were once great dwarf elders who now sit at the side of Thor in his golden hall. Each great dwarven clan has one or more patron Ancient ancestors, the most renowned of their bloodline.
−	==Military==
−	Though they lack grand armies in shining armor, the fighting prowess of the hill dwarves is not to be underestimated. They are experts at guerilla warfare, at hiding and using the terrain to their advantage, and they often have better weapons hidden away than most would expect, due to their trade with the other dwarven races. They are surprisingly good ranged fighters and far more dexterous than most dwarves, using their height and agility to their advantage, wearing light armor and dodging enemy blows. When threatened, hill dwarves go entirely on the defensive, retreating into deep underground fortresses that the enemy finds it hard to locate, much less assault. They will then send out scouting parties to burn their own fields and those in the surrounding area, literally starving the enemy army out until they are forced to call off the attack. The hill dwarves will then negotiate a new peace treaty and perhaps even demand tribute from the attacking kingdom. This is often quite embarrassing to attackers of other races, which adds to their willingness to leave the hill dwarves well alone.
−	[[Category:Races]]	+	[[Category:Races]][[Category:Dwarves]]
−	[[Category:Dwarves]]

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Latest revision as of 17:39, 20 February 2015

The most common type of dwarf, mountain dwarves (or feldvergar) are so named because their clan-halls usually rest under the foot of a mountain. They are the most human-like of the dwarves in nature and appearance, and they trade with humans the most frequently. Many humans view them as greedy, however, because of their tendency to hoard great wealth in their mountain halls.

Appearance

Mountain dwarves average about four feet in height, with light skin, and their hair comes in a wide variety of colors, such as red, blond, brown, or black; their hair begins to grey after several hundred or thousand years (the exact date varies widely). Those with entirely white beards may even be a millennium old. Their eyes are also usually light colors, such as blue, green, grey, or light golden-brown.

Culture

The most important rule in mountain dwarf culture, although this applies to most all dwarven cultures, is to respect one’s elders. Since most dwarves highly value their beards and almost never trim them, and since they can live for hundreds of years and hardly change in appearance, age is usually determined by beard length and color. The very oldest dwarves have white beards that must be heavily braided and tucked into their belts to avoid dragging the floor. Although female dwarves are encouraged to be good homemakers and to raise the young (and thus are rarely seen by humans), they are more often found in the military than is the case with most human societies. Although dwarven clan leaders are usually male, their mates are often of equal importance, and a clan elder’s wife is just as respected as the elder himself.

Smithing

Perhaps the best-known element of feldvergar culture is blacksmithing and engineering. Mountain Dwarves are famous for their ability to craft exceptional weapons, armor, tools, and siege engines. They are the only race - besides the dark elves - who mine and shape the extremely rare and powerful metals of deepsilver, deepgold, and void iron. With these metals, they create masterpieces that no other race could hope to match. Dwarven arms and armor are almost unmatched in their quality. Dwarves also know many secrets of runic magic, and they sometimes use this to enhance their creations - though anything imbued with a rune is generally not traded to outsiders.

Religion

The mountain dwarves worship the Aesir, the same gods as the humans of the North. However, the main god in their religion is not Odin, but Thor, god of warfare and craftsmanship, and thus their patron deity. They also worship many minor dwarf gods they call the Ancients, who typically go unrecognized by Northern humans. Most of the Ancients were once great dwarf elders who now sit at the side of Thor in his golden hall. Each great dwarven clan has one or more patron Ancient ancestors, the most renowned of their bloodline.