Dwur

ALTERNATE SUB-RACE: The Surdheimir Dwur

The Dwur of Surdheim are an even more insular and clannish folk; who even war upon each other if a blood-feud is sparked for one slight or another. It is thought that even before the Dwur of Brom founded their mighty nation, the Surdheimir (sing. Surdheimer) already had established strong mountain holdings deep underground away from the Giants and Dragons of the Jotunlands. There is some evidence that they were Dwur who escaped in small groups and became isolated even from later escaping Dwur who found their way to the Jotunheights. Scarce food supplies made these groups come to odds against each other and any other intruders into their territories, thus setting the stage for their modern divisiveness and warlike nature. They are, however, also known to be much more magically inclined; many clans creating legendary weapons and armor of magical might little known outside of Aerkay and Fhey manufacture.

Relations: Surdheimir Dwur do not have relations with others. Giants are their bitter enemies, but another Clan can be just as bitter an enemy if there is enough bad blood. Only the rare Vannulver will find welcome in their grim halls, and then usually only at a heavy price when they seek Surdheimir magic to aid them.

Alignment: Inside their homes, the Surdheimir love their families and their clans; but outside they are a surly and hateful lot that will as soon kill Orc whelps as spear a fish in an icy creek. They don’t care for others and are greedy as well. The fact that they long ago helped the Vannulvir people to learn crafts and language was only to gain an ally against the Giants; they really didn’t care much for the humans that they helped. Over all the Surdheimir should be treated as a Lawful Neutral race with some wicked and selfish tendencies.

Surdheimir Lands: A single Surdheimir Clan will hold a heavily fortified subterranean city that it would take the might of an entire Giant Host or Flight of Dragons to breach, or the ingenuity of another Clan. For several days travel around their hold they will claim all lands, against any who dare come uninvited; and invitations rarely happen.

Religion: The Surdheimir Dwur rarely produce clerics, although they do exist. Ancestor worship is common and similar to that of Brom; but Druids will be found more often among them because of their desire to keep their mountains inviolate; at least on the outside.

Racial abilities of the Surdheimir Dwur are: