DWARVES
TECHNOLOGY AND MAGIC The dwarves are an ingenious people with a flair for adapting useful ideas and objects to their own purposes. At the same time, their traditional mind-set means that new technologies or new forms of magic can take an extremely long time to adopt. If a new process or type of spellcasting conflicts too heavily with the traditional processes used, it might never be accepted. Alchemy is not unknown among the dwarves, but its use is limited. Few dwarf alchemists successfully ply their trade in dwarf cities; most prospective customers prefer to go to
runesmiths (described in Chapter 5: Prestige Classes) or priests to get help or purchase items. Alchemical products are sometimes used in construction, primarily in excavation, but by and large, these methods are considered too dangerous to use in populated underground areas. Widespread use occurs only when the dwarves lack enough spellcasters to do a job effectively. Magic is an important part of dwarven life, although it is not given the weight that other societies place upon it. Among the dwarves, magic is no more important than the metals of the earth or the strength of muscle and bone. It is part of the foundation of the universe, but it is not the only stone upon which creation was built. Dwarf sorcerers are considered blessed by Moradin (the head dwarven deity), their powers viewed as divinely granted, giving them a special status in dwarf society. Many sorcerers specialize in combat magic or in working with the earth, reflecting their heritage and personality. A few sorcerers have gained renown among the greatest dwarf architects, using magic and a deep knowledge of the earth’s mysteries to create structures that would be impossible with just steel and sinew. Adventuring dwarf sorcerers often hire themselves out to surface-dwellers as mercenaries or master builders. See Racial Substitution Levels in Chapter 6 for more dwarf sorcerer options. Dwarf wizards are somewhat more rare than sorcerers, but no less welcome. Most wizards end up adventuring at some point in their lives, anxious to learn more secrets than their isolated underground homes can provide. Many
CHAPTER 1
In reflection of this love of beauty, a visitor to a dwarf city finds that even the smallest crafted item or wall bears some form of decoration, even if it is merely a subtle trick of the light against the wall, or the clean, spare lines of a dwarven temple. Beauty is found not just in ornament, but also in the construction and use of space in dwarven buildings and goods. This dwarven marriage of utility and beauty is nowhere more apparent than in the capital city of Othala, where the High King holds a contest each year to determine the best master craftsman of all the dwarves. Thousands of dwarf stonemasons, smiths, and others travel for weeks to the city bearing their masterwork pieces in hopes of winning the High King’s praise and the acclaim of their peers. The value of the goods presented is priceless, but the dwarves hold the fame granted by the contest in higher esteem than anything mere money can buy.
Illus. by W. England
A busy dwarven forge produces some of the highest quality items in the world
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