Dwarves

[ AN: To be expanded on later, maybe. ]

Dwarves. The mountain folk. Greedy, stubborn, honorable, or valorous all - in truth their spectrum of virtues and sins is not that different than mankind, merely possessed of a slightly longer view and greater focus on materialism.

BASELINES
(Major Species)

►[ Species: Dwarf ][ Type: Civil Race (Humanoid) ][ Found: White Peaks, Crystal Caverns, Walled Cities ][ Physical Distinctions: Short, stocky, dense muscle/bone. Female strength = male. ][ Society: Clan-based, rigid. Honor-bound. Value craft, tradition, wealth, kin. Patriarchs lead clans/families. ][ Magic: Rune Magic, Forge Magic, Earth Shamanism. Innate Resist (poison, magic). ][ Notes: Hold ancient grudges. Master smiths, engineers. View gold as clan's lifeblood, gems as its soul. Stubborn. Dislike open water, forests. ]

►[ Species: Duergar ][ Type: Civil Race (Dwarf) ][ Found: Crystal Caverns, Tainted Peaks ][ Physical Distinctions: Grey, stone-like skin. Bald, iron-grey hair. Eyes glow dully. ][ Society: Tyrannical theocracies/fortresses. Rule by fear, strength. Absolute obedience to god-queen. Value endurance, duty, conquest. ][ Magic: Shadow Magic. Rune Magic, Forge Magic. Psionics (mental control, illusions). Innate Resist (fire, poison). ][ Notes: See other dwarves as soft, sentimental heretics. Master ****-takers. Merciless. View toil as prayer, suffering as devotion. Craft items of brutal function and dark power. ]

MONSTER GIRLS
(Blessed by the Gods by rite or birth)

►[ Sub-Species: Forgewife ][ Type: Monster Girl (Dwarf, Elemental, Domestic) ][ Found: Dwarf Holds (White Peaks, Crystal Caverns) ][ General Description: Rare and cherished birth, a daughter blessed by the forge-god. Embodies the clan's heart and hearth. ][ Appearance: Brickhouse. Muscular, yet curvaceous. Skin flushed, warm to touch. Hair is smooth metal, gleaming. Eyes like hot embers. ][ Fashion: Practical clothes, leather apron. No sense of female modesty. Often wears master-crafted jewelry. ][ Society: Clan matriarch-in-waiting. Revered for fertility, skill. ][ Traits: Master Smith. Innate Forge Magic, Fire Magic. Peak dwarf resilience (heat, poison). Immense strength, stamina. ][ Notes: Presence increases a forge's output, quality. Birth is celebrated for weeks. Her touch can soothe burns, temper steel. A Forgewife taking a lover is a major clan event. ]

►[ Sub-Species: Alewife ][ Type: Monster Girl (Dwarf, Lurid, Domestic) ][ Found: Dwarf Holds, Walled Cities, Palisade Cities ][ General Description: Blessed daughter of harvest/earth god, living vessel of fermentation and community. Soul of any community lucky enough to house her. ][ Appearance: Stocky, round, powerfully built. Soft, doughy body. Blushing, rosy-cheeked. Rich, earthy hair. Eyes warm, intoxicating. ][ Fashion: Brewer's tunics, stained aprons. Low-cut tops display cleavage, easily unveil her 'taps' (teats). ][ Society: Heart of any gathering. Manages alehouse. Her mood reflects community's prosperity + happiness. ][ Traits: Master Brewer. Innate Ale Magic (emotion adjust, vigor, restoration). 'Taps' produce variety of magical ales on demand (healing, courage, lust). ][ Notes: Ale from tits legendary, highly valuable. Can pacify tavern brawl in one glare. Living symbol of hospitality and wealth. ]

►[ Sub-Species: Crystal Dwarf ][ Type: Monster Girl (Dwarf, Elemental, Devout) ][ Found: Crystal Caverns (rarely surface) ][ General Description: Dwarves who swore themselves to Gem Lord. Touched by divine essence, became living avatars for his will. ][ Appearance: Bodies like crystal sculptures. Hair is spun mineral fiber. Eyes flawless, multifaceted gemstones. No body heat, no pulse. ][ Fashion: None needed. Self-adorned by natural crystalline growths. ][ Society: Solitary priesthood or silent monastic orders. Guard sacred caverns. Proselytize by silent presence. ][ Traits: Innate Crystal Magic (light, ****, illusion). Can merge with stone/crystal. Body near-unbreakable. Doesn't need food, sleep. ][ Notes: Communicate telepathically, rarely. Can reflect spells, focus light into lasers. View other dwarves' obsession with 'dead' stone as misguided. ]