Dwarves of the Witcherverse
Dwarves are one of the humanoid races. Together with gnomes and elves they are called the Old races, and along with gnomes they were one of the oldest sentient races on the Continent. An adult dwarf grows as tall as a human male's chest. They are more sturdy than humans, which makes them tougher and stronger. They usually grow long beards. Dwarves are often excellent soldiers, artisans and businessmen. While they tend to be uncouth, they are also jolly and cheerful.
The motherland of dwarves is Mahakam. Like other nonhumans, dwarves are often persecuted by Nordlings. Because of that, some dwarves were members of the Scoia'tael guerrilla allied with Nilfgaard during the empire's invasion of the Northern Kingdoms. These dwarves distinguished themselves from their brethren by wearing their beards in plaits.
The motherland of dwarves is Mahakam. Like other nonhumans, dwarves are often persecuted by Nordlings. Because of that, some dwarves were members of the Scoia'tael guerrilla allied with Nilfgaard during the empire's invasion of the Northern Kingdoms. These dwarves distinguished themselves from their brethren by wearing their beards in plaits.
Settled Dwarves
The derogatory term non-humans is collectively used by humans for dwarves, halflings and elves without difference. Many of those settled within the human society across all of the northern kingdoms, living their life as more or less accepted part of the society. Even though some make their mark and earn some respect through their craft, as is the nature of humans, in times of crisis they tend to be the first to blames and history knows countless pogroms against non-human population, being the first to be blamed for anything imaginable.
Settled dwarves often are sought out for their talent in blacksmithing and more often than not, suffer frequent schemes from their human competition. Those humans often don't have to fear any repercussions for their deeds. Settled dwarves dress in a variety of sometimes colorful (yet often simple) clothing and their customs are very close to those of humans. |
Dwarven Scoia'TaelThere are those among the stalwart Dwarven race who answered the Elven call to arms. Those who were either radicalized from a young age or simply joined the Squirrels out of utter conviction, within their hearts the sound of freedom, autonomy and retribution in return for centuries of human oppression, has risen and now resembles the mighty bluster of Vergen’s mining pits - that of a hundred pickaxes sinking their metal jaws into the rock massif.
For almost all Dwarves who join the Scioa’Tael there are countless of acts that led up to their decision and those motifs are as motley as Mahakaman tapestries. Woven together by their common purpose, those Dwarves within their commandos turn out to be iron-wrought threads, they don’t often keep quarrelling bands from falling apart. Above that, does their battle-hardiness and knowledge of explosives often turn a pestering attack on human settlements into a devastating strike. As with all things grey, there are a great many of different personalities among Squirrel ranks and while some try to carve out a kingdom for themselves, urging to moderateness in order to break the circle of violence,there are also those who simply want to lay waste to the world of humans, even if it means they’ll stand atop a pile of charred bones and rubble in the end. “Forged in the fires of discrimination there is no steel that cuts deeper than hatred.” - Unknown, crudely carved into the cup of a Dwarven prisoner, found after Vizima guards cleared out his cell the morning after his execution. |