Dwarves

The oldest and most practical race in the lands, dwarves date back their history back to stone halls carved into the sides of mountains centuries before the first elves, then demons, and finally humans established their own cities and holds in the region. This, combined with their industriousness and love for the new and inventive, has given the dwarves a not altogether unfounded belief that theirs is the most advanced and respectable of civilizations. However, they are hardly free from the need to cut loose and enjoy themselves when entertaining guests or celebrating an important holiday.

The dwarven High King is actually an elected position, though one made by a council of lords and picked from their own number. This position, unlike the human or elf equivalent, is temporary and assigned mostly for ceremonial reasons during times of peace, only being properly reassigned and respected during great crises. The current war between humanity and the Demon Empire is the most recent example.

While officially neutral, the dwarves hold great respect to humanity for their role in ending the dwarves' war with the elves and many lords have made it clear that their subjects will not be reprimanded for aiding human friends and travelers. This is in no small part due to humanity's role in helping to advance dwarven technology.

Major Clans

Clan Hammerhand - historically friendly dwarf clan to humanity. Specializes in production of tools and machinery, and produces some of the finest silver and goldsmithing in Aphrodisia.

Clan Dragonslayer - aggressive, warlike dwarf clan. They are the most territorialy aggressive and have a particular animosity towards dragons.

Clan Ironhart - neutral dwarf clan. One as strong and powerful as Hammerhand and Dragonslayer until many of their cities and mines were ravaged in the war with the elves.

Minor Clans

Clan Steelbile - minor dwarf clan, specializes in weapon smithing

Clan Icerafter -- minor dwarf clan, specializes in sailing along the Great Blue River

Clan Pinefell -- minor dwarf clan, specializes in lumber

Clan Thundersplit -- minor dwarf clan, specializes in artillery production and research

Clan Icemilk -- minor dwarf clan, specializing in animal husbandry

Clan Weavebeard -- minor dwarf clan, specializing in textiless

Extinct Clans

Clan Firebelch - a deceased dwarf clan famous for its whiskey distilling technology

---

See: Dwarves