Appearances of Dwarves

The Appearances of Dwarves By Kraggur Kveldcharn

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Introduction 

In my many travels across Kermoria, I have run into much confu- 
sion as to which dwarf may have come from where, such as if a 
Stone Clan dwarf is the same as a dwarf from High Hold.  To this 
end, I seek to provide a guide to the Dwarves of Kermoria, their 
manner of dress and coloring, and a bit of history about each of 
the Dwarven Kingdoms.  For those who lack knowledge of Dwarven 
history, there have been a number of Kingdoms throughout history. 
Chief amongst these that still are remembered in the common 
tongue are: Adamantia, in the south; Kwarlog in the west; and 
Stone Clan in the north.  The Iron Kingdom is long fallen and now 
the dwelling of the Mountain Elves, Rendstaan forgotten but rein- 
carnated as Stone Clan, and the Greystar Commune long-destroyed 
by the Dragon Priests. 

Adamantian Dwarves 

Adamantia long stood astride the Hiimarhand Shel, centered at the 
fortress of High Hold.  For thousands of years they practiced 
their craft while the Dwarves expanded farther into the west and 
north.  The Adamantian Dwarves served as a barrier between the 
Albarian races and the native inhabitants of Kermoria, with army 
after army of Gorbesh breaking itself upon the walls of High 
Hold.  Yet eventually the creation of the Dark Hand forced the 
Dwarves from High Hold and Adamantia by 158BL, where they left 
and joined the remaining Dwarven kingdoms.  Some pureblooded 
Adamantians may yet be held prisoner in Albaria.  Many records 
were lost during the years of war and plague, with many Adaman- 
tian traits becoming blended with the other Kingdoms. 

Iron Kingdom Dwarves 

No readily traceable differences between Iron Kingdom Dwarves and 
those in other kingdoms can be told.  With the fall of Garnedhren 
in 2557 BL, the line was scattered, turned into Necromantic 
creations, or absorbed into the other kingdoms.  However, the 
elba darvager in the caves of Aesry have dark eyes, a potential 
indicator of the remnants of the Dwarven heritage. 

Kwarlogian Dwarves 

Kwarlog is the youngest of the original Dwarven nations, having 
been founded in 1859 BL.  Sheltered within the Arncharn Shel and 
Himineldar Shel, they have prospered greatly from trade while 
embracing a mix of traditions: the Haakish spoken there is consi- 
dered the most traditional, while they also are home to the first 
Dwarven Bardic academy, and for centuries colonists from Kwarlog 
settled the Gemfire Mountains.  Kwarlogian Dwarves are broken 
into two subgroups: Gemfire Dwarves and Forfedhdarian Dwarves. 

Gemfire Dwarves 

Dwarves from Kwarlogs northern areas, particularly the Gemfire 
Mountains, tend to be fair in appearance.  Some joke that the 
exposure to the desert heat and sands baked and scoured their 
coloring lighter than most other Dwarves.  Hair color ranges from 
platinum blonde to fiery red, while their eyes tend toward 
lighter colors such as blue.  In spite of this, their skin 
coloring remains lighter than most other Dwarves.  Their pre- 
ferred manner of dress is in earthy tones of green, red, and 
lighter brown shades. 

Forfedhdarian Dwarves 

The Himineldar Shel is the seat of the Dwarves of Forfedhdar.
Hibarnhvidar is the major Dwarven city in the Himineldar Shel, 
with Ravens Point in the southeast guarding its approaches from 
the ever-present threat of the Dragon Priests.  With the collapse 
of Rendstaan, and the small size of Lairocott Brach, Forfedhdar 
has become the best known Dwarven land.  Forfedhdaran Dwarves 
enjoy close alliance with the GorTogs of Boar Clan, who were 
allowed to settle with the Dwarves after their freedom from sla- 
very under the S'Kra Mur.  Forfedhdaran Dwarves tend to be darker 
of feature and skin than those from northern Kwarlog, with hair 
and eyes ranging from light browns to black.  Their garb is some- 
what more somber and rich than their northern kin, with crimsons, 
browns, and metal (typically bronze, copper, or gold) embellish- 
ments. 

Rendstaan / Lairocott Brach Dwarves 

The Dwarves descended from Rendstaan tend to be more open to out- 
siders than virtually any other group of Dwarves.  With a proud 
lineage extending back before even the Elven-Human War, the 
Dwarves of Rendstaan were known for their "odd behavior" and 
willingness to trade and deal with outsiders.  When Rendstaan 
collapsed, many survivors left for the other Kingdoms, Kwarlog in 
particular, but a portion of the population inhabited Lairocott 
Brach and formed Staan Stok, or Stone Clan. 

Dwarves from Rendstaan tend toward lighter eyes, such as green or 
grey, with darker hair colors, tending towards brown.  Their skin 
tone tends toward the dusky, similar to their cousins from 
Forfedhdar.  In garb, they tend towards brighter colors, with an 
emphasis placed upon silver for decoration. 

Conclusion 

As I hope you now understand, there are many differences and 
similarities amongst the Dwarven Kingdoms.  Some of this has been 
fuelled by the expansion and collapse of the various kingdoms 
under threats internal or external.  Others, some say, are driven 
by differences in climate.  At the least, it is my intention that 
you are now more educated about the differences between Dwarves, 
and next time a dwarf yells "TovMeod!" at least you might have a 
guess that they are from Kwarlog.