Quote:
Originally Posted by Ji ji
Choose which tracts you want as a basics for these "dwarves", because is not very clear. Metallurgy, mining, big architectural underground complexes, fortified and master engineered. A lot of exractive and manufacturing activities, lot of trade of masterwork artifacts, some greediness and miserliness. If I understand it well.
From this point, go away. Keep away the most stereotypical (and caricatural) other tracts and replace them with different/opposite ones.
Cheerful instead of surly.
No beard, their chin doesn't even grow hairs.
Delicate, handsome features instead of rugged ones.
Their preferred entertainments are sophisticated - complex dances, theatre, poetry declamation and so - instead of the usual beer drinking.
Complex and fashionable clothes instead of rugged, practical ones. Practical ones are good for working, after the work you go to the baths (like Latins), and then you get oiled and perfumed and refined. Big collars of semiprecious metals and gems, silk skirts, big gold earrings, heavy make-up, heavy purple and red wigs. Take inspiration from ancient Etrurians for this, or from stereotypical 18th century France.
Give them typical weapons: spear-thrower, khopesh, trident, kalis/kris, rapier and main gauche, urumi, sickle.
Etc.
Usually people doesn't make dwarvish assumption on nice, refined, handsome guys covered in rouge and perfumes, idly caressing a ceremonial gold kusarigama while amiably chatting of the fanciest modern philosophers and poets.
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I love the idea that the dwarves (Who I've desided will get a brand new name to go along with their new identity, to erase any possible confusion) will be something like a very industrialised, idealised ancient greek society. They will be TL4 in a great many things, including engineering (but not weapon and armour making, they have had no need of it for generations) medicine, philosophy, all types of research, expert knowledge, ect. They are refined, well groomed, and fond of the great pleasures that industrialised life brings (when compared to life above the surface, a warm public bath is true luxury). Warriors are rare, and all of the real protection of their lands is done through carful trap engineering, cleverly disguised tunnels, and subtle diversion of threats.
The dwarves have accumuated massive stores of knowledge on every topic under (far under) the sun. They are zenophobic, because outsiders almost always look like barbarians, but they are curious enough to send out expeditions to explore the world. If ever mobilized for war, the dwarven factories could output a tremendous amount of weapons and armour, but a dwarvish war policy is far more likely to turn towards isolation than backing one or another waring nation.
In appearance, the race is short but well muscled. Facial hair, with the exception of an occasional well trimmed and waxed moustach, is unknown. Many of them are bald entirely. Dress is flamboyant, making use of any colour that isn't rocky in tone(they have enough rock as it is!). Clothing is usually impractical, and changes often to keep up with current trends. Jewlery is (at least currently) in fassion, and the amount of gold, silver, and gems you can fit on your body acts as a status symbol. The actual value of the items, however, is irrelivant. In a few years the trend might reverse, and minimalism may into fashion.