Dwarf -- Nearly as strong as a giant this race is short and healthy. A natural resistance to disease, poison, and elemental magics make them an interesting choice. The hardiest of the races of Elanthia, dwarves are short (usually under 4'6"), stocky and ruddy faced. They have dark, deep-set eyes with dark, wiry hair. Their beards are often long and elaborately braided, and are matters of great pride. Some dwarven females are bearded, some are not. Dwarves have a natural resistance to certain forms of elemental magic. Dwarves are neither agile nor quick of feet. Dwarves are well-known for their mining, though they keep their gold, silver, mithril and other mines hidden underground. Before the Undead War, the dwarves lived in an empire, the capital city of which was called Kalaza. Dwarven soldiers returned from Kalaza and brought the red rot, which wiped out more than half of the population. Since that day, each clan has lived on their own, paying no attention to the political affairs of the outside world. Similar to the Elves and Humans, the Dwarves also founded an empire, though one more limited in scope. They did not challenge the other races control of the land, for the Dwarves were more interested in what was underneath it. They made their home in the mountains. There, they found gold, silver, mithril and other materials. The vast underground cities of the Dwarves were, however, little known to other races, for the Dwarves allowed few to enter and see their riches. The Dwarves were split into many clans, each dwelling in a range of hills or mountains. Ruling over all was the line of Khazi Khazar, who founded the greatest of the Dwarven holdings, the city of Kalaza. His line served as the Dwarven Overking for thousands of years. Little is known of most of these years, as the Dwarves do not offer their history freely. Most of this history, however, involves their never-ending war with the other mountain-dwellers, the orcs. The Dwarves have been battling orcs, and their larger thralls, the trolls, for generations.

Khanshael The Khanshael began as enslaved dwarves to the Dhe'nar elves. However, after service to the elves over thousands of years, the line between master and servant has blurred. These days, in times of war, dark dwarves have been seen fighting along side the Dhe'nar. Nothing is as frightening to a war force as a field full of dark dwarves with heavy hammers in hand. All in all, the dark dwarves are one of the few examples of a sub-culture that has risen, through its own talents and productivity, from the class of slave to that of valued merchant class. In Dhe'nar society, to harm a dark Dwarven artisan is an offense punishable by death. To the Dhe'nar, these are a protected people who serve them. In return for that service the Dhe'nar protect and shelter them. Other Dwarven Clans Dwarven Name Specialization Primary Location Grevnek Clan General Mining Zul Logoth Krenlumtrek Clan Lumbering Zhindel Post* Greetok Clan Gem Cutting Greetok§ Toktrog Clan Trailsmiths (No Specific Town) Roramnoak Clan Trading Khazar's Hold* Zul Roram Zul Brechinzm† Krethuum Clan Rolton Raising Vaslavia Meadows* Ralgrenek Clan Vegetation and Toadstool Farmers (No Specific Town) Gotronek Clan Stone Masons Rockmelderam Oltregek Clan Gem Miners Kherram Olt Dzu§ Egrentek Clan Silver Miners Zul Zybrano† Parkshnuum Clan Iron Miners Eregendo Dzu Parshillam Dzu† Mordrakam Clan Invar Miners Mordram Grenroa Clan Tunnel Miners Chiostolis Kikthuum Clan Water Channelers Lake Jostallim Gulroten Clan Atmospherics Bortrazo's Canyon* Zul Golorot Sharznekgren Clan Silversmithing Zul Sharzen* Schneckgren Clan Goldsmiths Ghareschnek* Mithrenek Clan Mithrilsmiths Mithgrek Ragnak Clan General Construction Kragnek Dzu* Kazunel Clan Weaponsmiths Gezunel Reznek Clan Armorsmiths Grentok Smaelton Clan Smelters Eregrek * Town is not underground. § Town is near Roska-Tor † Town is under the Human Empire

Did you know?

Kalaza was hidden after the Undead War, barricaded and hidden by the dwarves that survived the plague. It is said that only dwarves now know its location.