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Physically, Dwarves are short and stout,
averaging around 54 inches (132 cm) in height, and weighing between 145 and 225
pounds (65-100 kg). They are strong despite their small stature, and have the tough
endurance of the very rocks, often living for over two hundred years. |
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The various Dwarven races display differences
in coloration and features, although there are several common trends. First, all
Dwarves tend to have fine features, and most have large amounts of facial and body hair.
Even very young dwarves display beards and long hair - hair growth is not
linked to sexual maturity among Dwarves, as will be explained later. |
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The Lalahn are fair-skinned, with dark brown
hair and dark gray or blue eyes. Their faces are round and sharp-featured. The
Shozhui are brown-skinned, with black hair and brown, hazel, or blue eyes. Their
faces are generally longer and leaner than those of the Lalahn. The Nantai have
dusky complexions, with black hair and pale blue eyes (almost white). Their facial
features resemble those of the Lalahn. |
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Dwarves are born as latent hermaphrodites,
possessing the capability to mature into either a male or female breeder, but lacking any
visible sexual features (breasts or genitals). This "neuter" gender is the
default state for a Dwarf, and the vast majority of Dwarves live their entire existence in
this "gender," never achieving sexual maturity. |
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Dwarven reproduction is the responsibility of
a special "guild" of "craftsmen" which the Dwarves refer to as Fleshcrafters.
These Fleshcrafters are the only Dwarves to reach sexual maturity, and possess full
sexual features, very similar to those of humans (which Dwarves superficially resemble).
A Dwarf who is chosen to apprentice as a Fleshcrafter undergoes a very special
ritual, which activates the latent sexual traits. The Dwarf will become either male
or female, with appropriate bodily changes, depending on the intent of the Dwarves
conducting the ritual. The majority of Fleshcrafters are female (from two-thirds to
three-fourths, depending on the locale) because more females are needed to gestate the
unborn Dwarves they create. Fleshcrafters are regarded as craftsmen, just as any
other craft, but are held in especially high esteem. What other craftsman, they ask,
can create something capable of creating other things? |
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Dwarven attributes are modified
as follows: Physique (Constitution) +0 (1), Charisma (Willpower) +0 (1). |
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