Dwarrow

Lifespan: Average 80-120 years
Average weight: 35-50 Kilograms

Biology

The Dwarrow are a fey race of unusually pale humanoids, with generally sinewy frames and bony features. Similar to the Sylvans, they are lithe and agile creatures, with sharp reflexes and keen senses. On average they are relatively short, about 160cm tall, though there is substantial variation.

Dwarrow as a rule are extremely pale, and are known to sunburn even on cloudy days. As a result, Dwarrow tend to be most active during the dusk and dawn hours, and many live underground. Matching this behavior, their keen eyes are sensitive in low light conditions, though their color vision suffers as a result. As well, they have an unusually developed sense of hearing, with slightly pointed ears.

Another visual aspect of the Dwarrow is their unusually colorful hair and eye colors: red and blue are typical hair and eye colors, with green eyes and gold or violet hair being more rare but not unheard of.

Generally, Dwarrow and Sylvans are visually difficult to tell apart, and it is arguable whether they are in fact distinct though, at least several millenia have gone by since the two groups may have interbred, if they ever have at all.

History

The Dwarrow occupy the Adurani Plateau, west of the Blackwater Gulf and east of the Carfdiniad Forests. Long ago, the Dwarrow occupied much of the eastern sections of the carfdiniad forests; centuries of conflict with the Sylvans eventually pushed them to their current territory in the mountains.

For much of recorded history, the Dwarrow have fought a defensive war against the ancient, and far larger, sylvan Carfdiniad Empire. This conflict has largely defined the Dwarrow's defensive posture in conflict, as they have held fortified mountain passes for millenia. While the foothills of their mountains have traded hands many times, the conflict has remained largely stagnant with neither side making massive territorial gains- at least, not with any degree of permaneance.

The Dwarrow cities are connected by a subterannean tunnel network termed the 'Dwarrow Underground', which stretches over the Adurani plateau and much further afield. Very little of this massive cavern network has been properly explored, and only a few routes are fairly well connected. However, the Dwarrow underground is also the source of much Dwarrow agriculture, as the harsh mountain climate they live does not provide much in the way of sustenance.

Many Dwarrow that shun the relative confinement of the cities live in the semi-nomadic, tribalistic societies termed the 'wildlanders' who roam the foothills and forests close to the mountains. These lands are fertile, but troubled, and the wildlanders are constantly fighting the sylvans. Since territory here is an ephemeral matter, these wildlanders live on the move, and can always retreat to the fastness of the cities when needed.

The main dwarrow cities are controlled by a confederation of kingdoms, collectively termed the Dwarrow Outer Kingdoms. Conflict between these kingdoms is rare, although not unheard of- internal strife would leave them weak to their shared nemesis. Still, at some points in history, the confederation has fallen apart or warred with itself.

Military

The Dwarrow are reliant on levies of wildlanders, adventurers, and hunters o make up large portions of their forces. Many of these irregular infantry are experienced, but not formally trained, lending a unorthodox wildness to the dwarrows military.

Of course, to properly defend their fortified cities, Dwarrow also possess levied troops from the cities. While the irregulars fight with sabers, bows, and axes, the more resolute state troops wield polearms- halberds and swordstaves.

The elite Knights of the Outer Kingdoms are recruited from veteran soldiers or monster hunters. Most of these fight on foot, sporting two-handed greatsabers and heavy plate-and-scale armor, while some have secured the allegiance of a mighty Reaver mount, a six legged wingless draconid native to the underground. Dwarrow cavalry is sparse, due in no small part to the challenging geography of their home territory which requires skilled riders and surefooted mounts.

For armor, scale-mail is typical, sewn to a leather or cloth backing. Heavier forces may wear partial plate as well.

The Dwarrow irregulars often fight with dual weapons or greatswords, as shields are a rare sight within dwarrow society.

For weaponry, finely crafted war axes are the most common choice, with the double-edged Dwarrow Saber following behind. These swords are curved but double edged, able to be utilized in the manner of a traditional saber or as a rhompaia or falx might, using the trailing edge for powerful scything blows. Most weapons tend to be agile, lightweight affairs, and due to the cramped confines dwarrow often fight as well as their individualistic combat styles, are more optimized for personal duels than combat in dense formations.

Technology

Dwarrow may lack in the sort of mechanical technology that the Andovri are known for, but make up for it with fine craftsmanship and metallurgy. Dwarrow knowledge of metalworking exceeds all in the known world, and as far afield as the eastern kingdoms and Meditullium, Dwarrow steel is a prized possession.

In addition, the Dwarrow are experts in mining and subterannean construction, as one would expect from a civilization so heavily reliant on underground resources.

Although not necessarily 'technology' persay, Dwarrow ritual magic is also quite developed around their lunar cult. The Dwarrow moon-priests have devised a great number of rituals, and as a result enchanted items are more common within dwarrow territory than most everywhere else.

Society

Dwarrow generally have a free-spirited outlook on the world, and breed an adventurous sort. Inside the cities, necessarily they keep things a tad more orderly- the most adventurous and wild-eyed venture to the colonies or the hinterlands where they are less restricted.

Since the highly individualistic dwarrow often spend long periods of time away from home and many relationships end fairly abruptly, there are ever a large number of dispossessed or, at least, neglected children in the dwarrow cities. Because of this, there is a semblence of a communal raising of children, and more formally, a public education system which typically provides a place for those dwarrow to live.

Most dwarrow live densely packed in their megalithic cities, carved into rock around major entrances to the Dwarrow Underground. These cities are centuries or millenia old, formed around convenient places in the complex cavern network. They are also highly isolated typically, and it is common to have only a spattering of farmland and nomadic pastors around the city, with most agriculture done underground. These cities also rarely stick to just the surface or underground, and many sprawl down into caverns.

Due to the twin dangers of earthquakes- which are unusually devastating in the subterannean sections of their cities- and warfare, Dwarrow architecture is stoutly built and well made. As Dwarrow are fiercely proud of their skills and handiwork, much of their work is finely made and it is rare for them to cut corners- however, at the same time they often lack an artistic sensibility, so their rocky spires, while finely crafted, are cold indeed to behold.