Background
The dwarves of Cinderfell were born on the great slopes of mountains and the darkest of pits underground. The inhospitable snowy wastes and the abyssal darkness of the deep could only be survived by a few souls. The dwarves took this challenge to heart. They faced the greatest terrors that many would have believed to be tales spun by bards in the tavern or by their old nan. They withstood the blizzards that many would have died to in mere seconds. When times became grim, they faced each other to fight for the most precious resource known to them: food.
The frigid, barren wastes of the mountains and tundras were harsh. The deep abyss was unforgiving. Through this harshness, they learned that there was barely mercy from the world and thus they treated it as such. The only mercy there was through their Gods, and they were a fickle sort. In a sense, it gave them hope in a merciless land to know that there were greater deities above them. Their faith was kept intact throughout the years due to their firm belief in their Gods, many believing in different gods each, or made-up ones.
Survival. It is what they have known for the longest time. They fought tooth and nail for the simplest scrap of food. There was no such thing as trading among them as the mountains were vast and the cave systems too complex for them to get into contact with each other. They explored the landscape, desperate to find their kin while surviving both the cold and the dark. As they traversed the world, they were among the first cartographers and explorers. They marked the landscape upon paper and eventually the kingdoms that they would later raid. The dwarves continued to live like this- Raiding kingdoms and fighting tooth and nail for survival.
Appearance
Dwarves are similar to humans and can be mistaken as short humans but there are many differences that set dwarves apart. Standing at the average height of 4’0 to 4’8 (122 cm - 146 cm), dwarves are considered to be the stout-folk of Cinderfell. A dwarf will have the same coloration as a human but a vast majority of them are pale and light-skinned. Male dwarves, often standing at 4’4 - 4’8, tend to have a broader body and a thicker set of arms and legs. Female dwarves, often standing at 4’0 - 4’4, tend to have a slimmer body but a longer torso and legs than their male counterparts. However, in order for them to keep these muscles, they would have to ingest large amounts of food lest they wish to become frail and weak.
Dwarves have larger and wider noses in order for them to keep themselves warm in their naturally cold environments. They are also able to live at higher altitudes with little risk of hypoxia. They have expanded lungs and hearts, and due to their shorter limbs and bodies, their energy requirements are not as demanding. This allows a dwarf to be endurant and resilient, and when it comes to a long march, they could walk as far as an elven army before coming to a stop, but also twice as slow. In turn, dwarves will not become as tired as other races as easily.
Culture
The Race Of Dwarves are one of the most prominent survivors and warriors of Cinderfell Aside From Goblins, creating silent bond with Goblins as their goal was quite similar to their own; Survival, and trying to live in the world which shunned them greatly, admiration for both races was not really spoken, but it was clear. Together, they were able to survive and face the harshest conditions with the guidance of one-another, learning off of each others tactics. Dwarves are more inclined to talk with fellow dwarves and socialize with them than other races. They are also proud and self-sufficient folk, it is rare for them to ever ask for help unless it is their closest friends or in the most desperate situations. However, if their pride is slighted, a dwarf will hold onto a grudge until the offender apologizes or pays for the slight. In most extreme cases, a dwarf will not be above killing a person for a petty slight.
Known for their iron-will, a dwarf will refuse to break in the most grim situations and often keep a cool-head as a result. This makes them capable and disciplined warriors. But while they refuse to break most of the time, dwarves are still survivors and will only flee when they are too injured, tired, or the chances of victory are slimmer than an elf. Dwarves are also religious as they believe in their Gods, whatever gods they believe to exist, adding onto their iron-will to fight to the bitter end or be protected by their gods.
Strengths
Dwarves are survivalists and warriors; they have been trained to fight and survive in harsh conditions. They are naturally inclined to the cold, and thus they are more endurant and aren't as affected by the cold as a normal human or elf would be. They are a resilient folk and do not tire as much as other races nor do they succumb to their injuries as easily. A Dwarf will rarely run from the first sight of danger and are harder to mentally scar and scare than other races.
Weaknesses
Dwarves will have an intense distrust for other races seeing that the history of the raids sprouted from the fact that some other races saw them as short, inept beasts with the inability to trade, however the only exception to this distrust is their allied forces and admiration for Goblins- But they are still not afraid of going head-on and competing with Goblins where needed. Another Weakness to the race of Dwarves is their slowness, and lack of durability. A Dwarf cannot go long after taking a harsh blow, bleeding out rather quickly than the average race. Much Like Fae, it is difficult for a Dwarf to find and wear fitting armor due to their stout, Short Bodies.