Dwarves

Considered ornery and ill-tempered, the dwarves are stalwart companions that view practicality over any notion of fantasy. They are a very grounded people culturally, allowing them to maintain their senate without need for multiple kingdoms. Though their overall population is not particularly large, the fact it acts as one cohesive unit allows them to project power where others might find difficulty in doing so.

Origins
The dwarves believe that they were the result of Agora’s cooling following Ajani’s touch. This would make them descendents of the elemental gods, no different than the Sylph, and so they do not share it in those terms: rather, they say that the Earthmother birthed them when she opened her eyes. Dwarves have been part of Syv Nova longer than any other race save perhaps goblins.

Organization
Dwarves divide their housing systems between above ground (Craegs) and below ground (Cities). A craeg is in many ways a village and follows the same function: maintaining some fundamental necessity for those above ground. Unlike the Drow, they do not believe those at the surface are of lesser importance and rather they are grateful to them for braving the sky-filled heavens.

Politically, they are led by the Speaker of the Senate, who is elected by representatives sent from every craeg and city. This speaker has absolute authority in times of war, but otherwise adjudicates various positions in the general senate.

Their capital city is Geord, within which the Stone Senate is found. Geord is in depths of Mount Sunder.

Dwarvens live in clans, designated with a head known as a “laird,” and the head of several clans is a “thane.”  Thanes make up the Speaker’s war council in times of war, but otherwise work to maintain harmony within various regions through mutual cooperation. Dwarves have a very strong sense of family and bond.

Military
Dwarves are masters of siege weaponry and extremely impressive frontline combatants. Given to phalanx formations and dogged in the face of danger, they slowly advance upon their foes and simply push through them with determination. Their continued war with goblins caused them to develop heat resistant metals, though they are extremely expensive.

Enemies
Dwarves have extreme hatred for goblins and Or’Kati.

Religion
They have dedicated shrines to Diam, Agora, and Gerech. Some also hold Beoth as an honorary goddess of their homes.

Historical Significance
Dwarves helped cultivate land that others would later come to claim. Their feud with goblins saw terrain shifted and nutrients eventually spill into rivers that fed future growth. Ultimately, without dwarves it is likely there would be no others to stand alongside them in centuries to come.

Though often isolationist, they have helped newcomers to Syv Nova in their own begrudging way. They were one of the major forces in the Dread Tumult and proved lasting allies, even when the Novan forces were at their weakest.