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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tonguez" data-source="post: 3564436" data-attributes="member: 1125">To my mind dwarfs are not a dying race per se rather they are a territorially limited one and this is what keeps them from dominating the world. Unlike humans who can adapt to any environment Dwarfs have evolved to survive in alpine caverns, a limited habitat range in which they thrive as evidenced by the sprawling mine/kingdoms of the Dwarfs. However once a Dwarf moves beyond this habitat range they begin to suffer negative effects. However dwarf stamina is legendary and they can endure even the most extreme environmental conditions even those they find in temperate lowlands or in coastal cities where humans seem to swarm. This explains why outside their habitat Dwarfs are so often dour and gruff, they are most likley suffering or are at least uncomfortable and are enduring the discomfort regardless. In their natural habitat Dwarfs thrive and can be quite jovial. Living in Alpine caverns Dwarfs have become master miners and engineers. Engineering is the highly regarded skill in dwarf culture and all leaders are primarily master engineers. Of course dwarfs are well away of the danger of earthquake and rock affecting magics and build safeguards into their designIn warfare Dwarfs make great sappers and have the stoutest fortifications. The idea of dwarf ranks is kewl but is it likely given th the need to travel down narrow tunnels? Instead dwarfs form small defensive clusters perhaps 5-10 dwarfs in a turtle formation back to back and standing their ground. Dwarfs are heavily armoured to enhance this fortification effect.I see the Military philosophy of the Dwarfs placing emphasis on getting the best fortified position and holding it against all attacks. This is balanced with the Sappers code of going in at the foundations of an enemies position and undermining it so that it collapses in upon its self - this can be applied metaphorically to develop a role for the Dwarf Spymaster Dwarfs can easily hold a monopoly on metals and this can be the basis of their trade agreements even if they may not be the most charismatic negotiators. Of course Dwarfs are lawful and usually regarded as trustworthy as reflected in the ordered and  traditionalist culture of the Dwarfs, an approach which maintains peace in the relatively cramped surroundings of the Mines. Their monopoly on metals combined with their engineering bent also makes Dwarfs master metal crafters and this is the second most highly regarded of skills and the Engineering and Forging clans dominate the dwarf hierarchy.Of course there are the 'Zerhaker'* clans who venture to the surface to harvest wood for the forges and to reinforce the tunnels. By extension the Zerhakers also hunt and farm surface animals (like goats, sheep, llama, yaks) and gather alpine foods including tubers (including spud and sweet potato) and berries. They are not prestigious clans but they are respected for their efforts, Zerhakers are also the Dwarfs most likely to be encountered by surface races.Zerhaker = Woodcutter (sometimes used as a derogatory term)</blockquote>

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