HURALT STONESHOULDER’S HANDY GUIDE TO DWARVES (Free Tier) (Patreon)

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"Years ago, in the 3rd Edition era, I prepared a politer-than-Volo guide to the dwarves of some of the major Sword Coast dwarven communities, for lore reference for Realms game designers and novel writers, and here it is:"

Citadel Adbar
Adbarren (“Ad-BAR-ran”) dwarves tend to be hardy, stoic, and taciturn. They don’t like “babble” (chatter), singing or music, or unnecessary noise of any kind, as they like to hear sounds that might alert them to the presence of either food (prowling bears, rothé, elk, or wolverines) or foes (orcs, hobgoblins, and other monsters), because they have been on a war footing, and hungry, for so long. In their homes, Adbarren dwarves grow herbs and edible plants, taking pride in both self-sufficiency and in creating lush little “green gardens” (augmented by edible fungi on the ceilings, amid dried hanging herbs and netting bags where onions and potatoes and apples are stored) in their living rooms. Even bedrooms have kindling and both stored and growing food, wherever possible. Adbarren dwarves like muted colors, not bold blazons and bright colors; the exceptions to these are gloriously illuminated books (vivid illustrations bordered in gold leaf) and in tchoren, dwarf-head-sized or smaller hollowed-out stones or wooden boxes (in either case, with doors) that are meant to be held up to a light source that filters in through holes, and then viewed with the doors open, so the miniature scenes inside can be admired. Typically crafted of wire and intricate fine metalwork that’s then painted and enameled, these scenes are usually of the interior of a favorite cave, or the entrance to a dwarf-hold remembered from childhood or from the past of the maker’s family, but are sometimes of landmark places of the Underdark where gem-veins are pure or the faerzress is strong and eerie. Tchoren are usually kept concealed, to be looked upon for inspiration or solace or a brief respite from grim everyday life.

The edges of Adbarren armor and shields are often adorned with stout pikes, something not normally done by other dwarves. “Flashy” Adbarren shields sometimes resemble flat suns: round bosses with rays of metal radiating outwards in all directions.

Citadel Felbarr
Felbarren (“Fell-BAR-ren”) dwarves tend to be quietly proud, confident, stouthearted individuals. They enjoy gossip that doesn’t veer overmuch into denigration of any dwarf, and like to know news of the wider world and speculate as to future events and how Felbarr should position itself accordingly. Although Emerus Warcrown is a revered and obeyed king, every Felbarren, high and low, young and old, has political “if I ran Felbarr” opinions. Opinions, not ambitions; no one wants to challenge or replace Warcrown, but rather indulge in every Felbarren’s daily game of trying to understand the wider world—and the most pressing orc threats in particular—better.

Felbarren dwarves like ornate and showy armor that demonstrates their wealth, and are fond of long-handled, hook-bladed throwing axes that can sever saplings and unarmored limbs alike at a single blow in the hands of a strong and skilled dwarf. However, their shields are all alike: plain, reinforced dark metal layers bolted together and fashioned into the shape of a side-view of an anvil, with the horn (spike end) of the anvil at the front, and sharpened so the dwarf wearing the shield can use it as a thrusting weapon.

Felbarren dwarves are tireless investors; they want to know what human guilds in Waterdeep or human-dominated costers operating along the Heartlands trade routes are up to so they know where best to place their funds—or move them. Many Felbarren are growing rich enough to become landowners (and, through paid trade agents, landlords) up and down the Sword Coast and Heartlands.

The FULL VERSION OF THIS POST contains expanded lore on Gauntylgrym, Ironmaster, Mirabar, Mithral Hall, Sundabar, and Thornhold (Stoneshaft) dwarves, and comes fully narrated by Ivan Potocnik of ManyRealms. For access to the full article, become a Protector of the Realms and join our rapidly-growing community of adventurers!