This installment of the My First Monster Manual blog series is the Dwarf.
Environment: Mountains and City Centers
Monster Type: Medium Humanoid
Color: Tan Skin with Golden Hair
Features: Muscular, Stout Build, and Long Well Groomed Beard
Abilities: Metal Working, Sky Fishing, Jewelry Smith
Recommended Equipment: Honor and Bravery
Introduction:
A Dwarf is from a proud and noble people of ancient origins. They are medium sized humanoids. On average, a Dwarf is a head shorter than a human with a larger head, wider shoulders, and stockier build. Dwarfs are easily distinguished by their well groomed beards, often adorned with runes and other ornaments tied into the braids. Dwarfs are expert craftsmen, smiths, builders, and artisans. The oldest dwarfs are over a thousand years old, allowing them to become complete masters of the most advanced and refined techniques. It is said, the only thing older than the mountains is a Dwarf’s grudge. The trust and confidence of a Dwarf clan is hard to earn. Once that trust is earned, it is a life long honor.
Investigation:
We discarded our red flower shawls, saving only a few samples of the flowers dried and pressed between the pages of our journals. Overwhelmed with our luck, we marched across the fields of wild flowers in the direction where the mountains met the sea. Our supplies were low; but, our luck still held. We were relieved to see the floating islands of the Dwarven city of Tol’dair. Tol’dair was a renown hub of commerce and trade. Below the islands were large lakes and dense forests. It was believed long ago, the dwarves that first settled here mined out the entire base of the mountain for a rare magical mineral. Eventually, only the peak of the mountain remained floating in mid air like an island in the sky.
Observations:
Dwarven engineering was sophisticated and advanced. We rode to the city on the sky rail. A short cabin of metal panels attached to a cable ferrying passengers to and from the city. Our contact and friend in the city, Horrick, had prearranged for our tickets. We picked up the tickets on our arrival. We rode the sky rail up to the floating City of Tol’dair. Getting out at our destination, we were greeted by Horrick and a welcoming party of Dwarf nobles. Horrick wore finely crafted golden jewelry and well worn leather clothes. The dwarf nobles were dressed in even more jewelry and fine silks. The nobles took us on a tour of the government district, sharing the history of the city. We were most impressed by the architecture of their buildings. None of the nobles could agree on when some of the buildings were first constructed or whose clan did the construction or engineering. Oddly, the dwarf noble with a large white beard kept looking at us from the corner of his eyes. He seemed particularly suspicious of us.
Conclusion:
After the tour, Horrick invited us to stay at his house. Horrick was a renowned spear hunter of dragon fish. For dinner he brought home his best catch of the day, a Pink Wing Schooner. He served the schooner to us over a bed of rice with a citrus sauce. After a year of mostly dry rations and foraged food, a home cooked meal was pure bliss. I totally forgot to ask Horrick about the noble with the large white beard.
About:
The Horrick the Dwarf is part of our “My First Monster Manual” blog series where we will feature each of the monsters we are considering for inclusion in our new children’s book. Click here to learn more info on My First Monster Manual.
Artist: Daniel Johnson – squaredmotion.com
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