Monday, August 28, 2017
The Forgiven, or gods, were also forbidden to use their magic to alter the world around them. However, this ban did not apply to the natural results that occurred from actions taken by these beings. For example, the offspring of many of the gods created new races and beings, such as the centaurs and minotaurs of Greece or the giants and their kin, who seemed to have been born in almost every region. These spread throughout the world, claiming land and territories for their own, but they never truly mounted a threat to the fast growing populations of man.
Of these races, two rose to prominence: The Dwarves of the North and the Fair Folk. While it has been theorized that the Fair Folk ( made up of gnomes, faeries, brownies and their ilk) came from the union of various gods and elven and human women, none can say whence came the dwarves. Short of stature and broad of build, they became great miners and craftsmen, forming communities in Scandinavia, Central Europe and the mountainous regions of Greece and Italy.
While the elves remained hidden and thus became legendary, dwarves openly traded with humans and even lived amongst them. However, most dwarven communities were closed off and isolated. The Dwarves would mine and trade mostly for food, so while they were shuttered off, the majority of these strongholds were within a day or two of a human settlement.
The greatest dwarven community were the Longbeards, and they created a great kingdom at Mont Blanc, in the northern Alps. The highest peak in Europe, the mountain provided them with security, and more importantly, with a rare mineral that could be smelted and crafted into silver-steel, or mithril, as the elves named it. Besides the Longbeards, there were 6 other great Dwarven families, also led by kings.
Unlike elves, who are extremely individualistic, dwarves are very collectivist. That is to say, dwarves are extremely organized, and believe that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. While they believe that each dwarf should pursue their own path, there is a responsibility to the clan/kingdom to use the gifts one is given for the benefit of the people, even if it is not the heart's desire of the dwarf. Unlike elves who move from pursuit and project, dwarves tend to remain on a steady path in their life.
One of the results of this organization was the creation of a military that was unparalleled in the ancient world. Dwarves had the best armor, weapons and tactics. Like many of the early human civilzations, the dwarves used a phalanx with spears, but their phalanx revolved around small units which were highly mobile and flexible. Their military proved to be a great influence on the Romans in later years. A key belief in dwarven culture was the idea that all dwarves should defend the homeland. While other warrior cultures also had this belief, the dwarves implemented it into a policy differing from most. In Sparta, a two tier class system resulted in slaves being watched over by the military, of which all freeborn males were a part of, while in Rome, a draft was used where all citizens had an equal chance to be taken into the legions. In dwarven culture, all males served a term in the army, before returning to civilian life. They would return to the life of arms if called upon by their king, who maintained a small professional force which served for life.
The Fair Folk are a small people, smaller even than the dwarves. They resemble humans, save that their ears tend to be pointed. They live in meadows and forests, using magic to keep their homes hidden. They prefer to flee rather than fight, but occasionally a wanderlust comes over one and they leave their village to see the world. The Fair Folk are generally friendly and helpful though, often leading those who are lost to safety and taking in travellers and providing them with a good meal and a warm bed. Usually in a very small, cramped house. Beggars can't be choosers!
Their magical skills are much different from those of the elves in many respects, but they are almost a match for elves in the use of illusions. Almost every member of the Fair Folk can perform magic. For them it is as natural as breathing, while an elf must learn how to use their power through study and practice.
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