Well, that is a general overview of
dwarven history. I will now discuss some of the social behaviors of
dwarves.
Deep dwarves will never come even 100
feet near the surface. They rely on the surface dwarves to negotiate
prices and hire them as diplomats with the other races when possible.
If a race needs to speak to the deep dwarves directly, they will send
a surface dwarf guide to lead them to a prearranged meeting place in
a cave complex or, should the petitioner be bold enough to enter
Rootstone, to a consulate in the deep dwarf city (that is, if the
city even has a consulate).
Deep dwarves are mistrustful of
everyone outside of their city, and I mean everyone. This may have
been a factor in the collapse and desolation of a few of the cities
in Rootstone. I myself have only recently been accepted into a couple
of their cities after engaging in two grueling quests on behalf of
the cities countesses. It is my guess, that deep dwarf trust can
only be gained by spilling the blood of deep dwarf enemies and
predators (multiple times I might add) or aiding the higher city
officials in some endeavor. Due to confidentiality, I cannot
disclose what I have done on behalf of the countesses.
A deep dwarves loyalty lies with
his/her city. Everything is done for the greater good of the city.
It could be the crafting of a sculpture, it could be forging armor,
sometimes even marriages; every task, large or small is weighed in
regards to how it benefits the city. The deep dwarf city is broken
down into clans, with the clans arranged by family or blood ties.
Both deep and surface dwarf societies
are matriarchal. Females, especially females who have several
children are highly respected and are given political offices in
both cultures. Every deep dwarf city is run by a countess and her
staff, which are for the most part, all female, with each of these females all
have at least 3 or more children.
The deep dwarves recognize the dangers
of Rootstone, and there is always the stress to keep procreating to
keep the city vibrant and alive. Marriages are few, being viewed as
only a necessity when it helps keeping the city whole or united in
purpose (for example, uniting two fueding clans).
Children are viewed as one of the
biggest priorities in the deep dwarf culture. This urgency is
cemented by the fact that deep dwarves have a low birth rate. Deep
dwarf females can have only 4 children during their lifetime, with
special cases being around 5 or 6 children. Usually it takes around
20 years for a female to become pregnant again after having a
previous child. However, many females die during their fifth or sixth
childbirth, regardless of age. Thus a deep dwarf female who has
survived birthing 6 children is held in high esteem by most, if not
all dwarves in the city. Since marriages are held in low regard, it's
not uncommon for a female to have a different father for each of her
children. I am awed at how many of the city scribes can keep track of
who belongs to which clan, and who is the mother and father of whom. It is not unusual to hear of a male deep dwarf claiming to have 50 children and
being related to 8 clans.
Childbearing is also a sign of
selflessness and responsibility in dwarven culture. The more children
a female has, the more responsibility she has, so the deep dwarves
reason that she has gained more wisdom, more patience, more
understanding, in the raising of these children and this is why the
females are often put in positions of leadership, whether its the
clan or in the city government.
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