MerakSpielman said:
In the recent computer RPG Morrowind, Dweomer is an adjective that refers to Dwarves (like, used instead of the word "Dwarven"). It threw me for a loop until I figured out what the heck they were talking about. An old ruin built by dwarves would be a "Dweomer Ruin", etc...
By most any standard, this is a strange useage of the word and in no way fits it's original meaning.
Close but not quite the ElderScrolls 'dwarves' are called Dwemer,
From:
http://www.rpgplanet.com/morrowind/chalice/corner/dwemer.shtml
"The Dwemer of Tamriel, also known as the Dwarves, were a reclusive Elven Clan who lived in Morrowind during the first era. Although they had long bushy beards, they were not short, stubby, Tolkein Dwarves. They were a strain of Mer (Elves) and must be approached on their own terms to be understood. [. . .]
Dwemer is the real (Elven) name for the Dwarves. It is pronounced: DWAY-mare. Some translations are "Short Folk", "Smart Folk" and, what is probably the best translation, "Deep Folk". Probably "Deep" as in "intelligent and multi-levelled" as opposed to a reference to some kind of physical depth.
The name "Dwarves" is used mostly by non-Elven races and has misguiding connotations. There have been rumors that the name "Dwarves" was given by the Giants that lived in Morrowind when the Dwemer first lived there. Thus (possibly) the confusion. A variation on the rumor suggests that the ancestors of Men and Mer, described as the "titantic" Ehlnofey (also known as the Earthbones), named the Dwemer. In this model, the name is actually a play on words, implying both shortness (relative to the "titanic" Ehlnofey), and intelligence. Both of these possibilities introduce what I view as possible factual inconsistencies that are beyond the scope of this guide, but they are still possible.
The most referenced possibility is that "Dwarf" is simply mistranslation of Dwemer, and that it's proper use is in the "Deep Folk" sense, but that Dwe was mistranslated by humans into "Short". Thus "Short Folk", or Dwarves. [. . .]
Since the Dwarves died so long ago, it is not know exactly what they were like. What we do know about the Dwemer in general is that they were reclusive, powerful, and tended to use "technology" over magic (the Dwarves at Stros M'Kai were reliant on steam power). They lived in great half-subterranean buildings and created mechanical creatures called Animunculi as well as other devices. We know that they were feared- by the Dunmer, by the Nords, by the Redguards, perhaps even by the Gods. Some might say that, in this respect, the Dwemer were "blasphemous". They challenged the power of the Et'Ada (Aedra and Daedra), questioned their authority, and travelled into the "Outer Realms". These factors may have led to their demise, as discussed below. [. . .]"
it is quite an interesting world, if only it were to be converted to a pen and paper rpg
though someone could probally gather enough flavor text for themselves with quite a bit of work
