Earthdawn Revisited - Dwarves

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Appearance:
Dwarves are of stocky build, with an average height of 4 feet and weight of 120 pounds. Their skin tone ranges from pinkish white to dark ebony. Some reports seem to indicate possible other skin colorations, but these variations are more likely the result of ritual tattoos begun during the time dwarven groups began to seal themselves off from the Horrors. Dwarf hair grows quickly and in abundance, particularly the hair on their heads. Dwarves are broad-chested, tough, and strong for their size, though slow runners, as their legs are disproportionately short for even their squat bodies. Dwarf ears usually come to a gentle point on the tip, though less pronounced than elven ears. Dwarves reach physical maturity sometime after ten years of life, whose span will average 100 years. Some individuals have recorded life spans of 150 years or greater.

Mentality:
Dwarves tend to be very group-minded and their social instincts comfortably embrace the idea of kingdoms and nations, a dwarf ’s first loyalty is to the people around them. A gift for large-scale organization and unshakable loyalties come naturally to Dwarves, as they are aggressive, quick to latch onto a single solution, and quite stubborn. Even other Dwarves admit that members of their race often seem curt and lacking in social graces.

Background:
Before the Scourge, they were no more prone to living underground than any other name-giver race, but they quickly adapted to the kaers and now they seem to prefer it, living as close to the earth as possible. While not adverse to travel and life above ground, they often develop a “home sickness” for where they grew up.

Dwarven culture tends to be about trust, community and loyalty. They are slow to accept new people into their communities, but once they do, they will defend members of their community to the death. Children are raised in communal creches rather than by their parents, although parents visit often and often take teaching responsibilities in the creche. A dwarven settlement is likely to have high walls on the outside but few on the inside.

Names:
Dwarves have a double surname. Children inherit one name from their mothers line and one from their fathers. So the example above Hol is the maternal line of the counsellor's mother and Liz is the patrilineal name of their father. If she had a child, their surname would begin with Hol and have the patrilineal name of the father (for example if the father was Chem-Gaz, then the child would have the surname Hol-Gaz.)

They are currently the most populous race in Barsaive.

Mechanics:
Reduce Pace: Their shorter stature gives them only a Pace of 5

Sturdy: Start with a Vigor of D6 (instead of D4)

Low light vision: Can see in low light environments without penalty

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