...In Index, Races

dwarves

dwarves are a hardy people, usually living in areas with low temperatures. historically, dwarves have made their way in the world by logging and strategically clearing areas for other races to settle in, building strong relationships in the meantime. they usually have more stocky builds and thick hair, preferring clothes with ease of movement over all else. while all people of teres are generally open minded, it's been noted that dwarves are, more often than not, the most open minded of all.

history

to be added

culture

• family structure: dwarven families are large and spawling, often being the population equivalent of a whole community. the children are raised communally, often thinking of all the adults as aunts, uncles, grandparents, or something of similar standing.
• languages commonly spoken: dwarven, which has two major dialects: northern and southern.
• art: the most common medium for dwarven art is wood carving, though metalworking has been getting quite popular these days!
• sexuality and gender: dwarves generally have a very label-free and fluid view of sexuality and gender, with most only taking on new terms or labels for themselves after spending time outside of dwarven settlements. if you were to explain it in earth-human terms, the closest terms would be bisexual and nonbinary, but these don't really apply, since... well, that isn't part of their culture.
• values: open-mindedness, friendship, and adaption are key in dwarven society.
• religion: dwarves are typically agnostic, though they do heavily respect the land and give thanks to it by leaving a bit of food or wine behind anywhere they stop while traveling.
• traditions: it's expected of dwarves to carve a small wooden token to give to someone dear to them, either a partner or a child, for that person to carry with them their whole life. an example would be a parent having received one from their parent, then crafting their own, and passing this new one on to their child, with the child being expected to do the same later in life. dwarves also write songs to carry on their stories, with verses being added in by friends and families, the songs morphing over time into new and wonderful tales.
• death rites: to be added

biology

• notable characteristics: stocky build, thick body hair, saturated ruddy skintones.
• diet: high-protein foods are favoured by almost every dwarf you'll ever meet. mixed foods such stews, stir fries, and salads are popular as well, since they nicely represent how dwarves mix well with any other people. each community tends to end up with their own niche culinary focus, though many of them end up inventing strange new kinds of alcohol.
• preferred climate: dwarves have spread out all over the world, but fare better in colder areas than hot ones for sure.
• sex: the term "intersex spectrum" would be the most easily understood word to use in earth contexts, in regards to dwarven sexes. again though, as with gender, they don't use this term themselves, as they never felt a need to put a word to it.
• reproduction: dwarves reproduce sexually, give viviparous birth, and can mate with humans, beastkin, elves, and other dwarves.

trivia

• the largest singular settlement of dwarves is that of the rainforest city, built around the cave entrance where elves and dwarves are said to have first interacted. there is also a very large population in the far, far north, though they stand out amongst dwarves for preferring a more private and isolated life.

gallery

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