Frost Dwarves

Frost Dwarves

The Frost Dwarves, are the least known of all dwarven subraces. They dwell far beyond the reach of most travelers, in realms where the cold bites deeper than steel and the wind howls like a living thing. Only the hardiest of explorers, or those with a purpose dire enough, ever venture into the frozen expanse where these enigmatic dwarves make their home.

For the Frost Dwarves, cold is not a curse but a companion, woven into the very fabric of their existence. Unlike other races who shrink from the bitter freeze, these dwarves have evolved to survive—and thrive—in temperatures that would spell doom for most. Their stout, resilient forms seem impervious to the biting winds and endless snows, moving with the ease of those who are one with the elements. Their skin, pale and touched with a faint blue hue, and their bright, icy eyes reflect the frozen world they inhabit.

As with all dwarves, their affinity for the underground remains, though the Frost Dwarves have carved out a life in places unlike any other. Their cities lie beneath glaciers and frozen peaks, with vast halls hewn from both stone and ice. These cold citadels, lit by the soft glow of frost crystals, are marvels of craftsmanship, a blend of natural beauty and skilled artistry. Towers of translucent ice rise alongside sturdy stone walls, and their intricate designs seem to shimmer as if alive with the essence of the cold itself.

The Frost Dwarves are a laborious people, known for their tireless work ethic and unmatched craftsmanship. Their hands shape the ice and stone around them into objects of breathtaking beauty and remarkable strength, forging weapons, tools, and structures that rival the greatest works of their kin. But where fire fuels the forges of other dwarves, the Frost Dwarves harness the very cold itself. Their crafts are not hindered by the ice; instead, they have mastered it, using the frigid air and the power of frost to enhance their creations in ways that no other race has ever imagined.

Though their homelands lie in the furthest, most isolated regions of Nyrus, the Frost Dwarves are not unfriendly by nature. They live in solitude by necessity, for few can survive the long journey to their frozen realms. Yet, for those who come in peace and make it through the harsh wilderness, the Frost Dwarves are generous hosts. They welcome company, sharing stories and warmth in their glacial halls, enjoying the rare moments when strangers from the outside world enter their icy domain.

But such encounters are rare, for the Frost Dwarves prefer their quiet, cold existence, far from the bustling world that lies beyond the frost-clad mountains and frozen seas. Here, in the stillness of the snow, they continue their work, forging wonders from ice and stone, content in the knowledge that they have made the cold their ally and their home.

Description

Frost Dwarves, though lesser-known and seldom seen, are a distinct and remarkable people among the dwarven subraces, both in appearance and in their adaptation to the unforgiving cold. They are shorter than their kin, with even the tallest males rarely surpassing four feet in height. This stature, however, belies a surprising heaviness. Despite their compact frames, Frost Dwarves carry significant weight, their bodies dense with both muscle and a thick layer of insulating fat—a necessary adaptation to the frigid environments they call home.

Their build is as sturdy as any dwarf, with broad shoulders and powerful limbs, yet it is the accumulation of fat that sets them apart. This added bulk serves them well, allowing them to endure the cold with little more than light clothing, even within the icy halls of their citadels. Their skin, already tough from a life spent in perpetual frost, is further protected by a thick layer of hair that covers much of their bodies, providing an extra barrier against the biting cold.

Their hair is another defining feature, growing long, voluminous, and always pure white, like the snow that blankets their homeland. Males also grow thick, flowing beards, which, unlike other dwarven subraces, do not thin or fall out with age. These beards, like their hair, are typically left untied, cascading freely over their chests and backs in a wild, untamed fashion that mirrors the harsh, untamed landscapes they inhabit.

Their eyes are a striking contrast to their snow-white hair, ranging in shades of blue, from the deep, icy hue of a frozen lake to the bright, clear blue of a winter sky. On rare occasions, one might encounter a Frost Dwarf with eyes of turquoise, a color as rare and precious as the gems that lie hidden beneath the ice.

All these traits make the Frost Dwarves uniquely suited to their cold, isolated world. Their compact, heavy bodies retain heat more effectively, and their thick hair and natural insulation allow them to withstand the bitter cold with ease. Inside their ice-carved citadels, they move comfortably in light garb, unaffected by the chill that would freeze others to the bone. Even when venturing outside, they need little more than a simple cloak unless the weather turns truly fierce.

In every way, the Frost Dwarves are a people shaped by their environment, their bodies and culture a testament to the power of adaptation and survival in the most extreme of conditions.

Where They Live

The Frost Dwarves make their homes in the frozen, towering mountains of Kharnak, a land where snow drifts endlessly across jagged peaks and ice-bound valleys. These remote regions are as harsh as they are beautiful, with temperatures plunging well below freezing and winds that howl like the calls of ancient spirits. But for the Frost Dwarves, this is home—a place where the cold invigorates them, and the biting air feels as natural as the earth beneath their feet.

Their unique adaptations make them perfectly suited to this inhospitable environment. While most races would find the icy terrain unbearable, the Frost Dwarves thrive in it. The deep cold of Kharnak holds a special allure for them, a connection that runs deep in their bones. They find little appeal in the temperate lands beyond their icy borders, where the warmth feels stifling, and the landscapes lack the stark beauty of their homeland.

Like all dwarves, the Frost Dwarves have a natural aversion to open water, shunning the seas that border their land. This, combined with their deep-rooted love for the cold, has kept them firmly tied to the mountainous regions they inhabit. Their settlements, carved into the very ice and stone of Kharnak's frozen peaks, stand as a testament to their endurance and craftsmanship—a cold, quiet world far removed from the bustling, warmer lands of Nyrus.

Society

A Frost Dwarven settlement

The society of the Frost Dwarves is as resilient and enduring as the icy landscapes they call home. Living in isolation, deep within the frozen mountains of Kharnak, their communities are tight-knit and highly self-reliant. With survival in such a harsh environment always at the forefront of their minds, every Frost Dwarf is expected to contribute to the well-being of their settlement. They work tirelessly, their strong communal spirit binding them together against the unforgiving elements that surround them.

Craftsmanship is at the heart of Frost Dwarven society. Their settlements, dug deep into mountains of ice and stone, are marvels of design and practicality. Each structure is not only built for function but also for beauty, with intricate carvings, glowing frost crystals, and enchanted ice sculptures adorning their halls. The Frost Dwarves are known for their ability to craft objects of stunning elegance and strength, using both ice and stone to fashion everything from everyday tools to exquisite weapons and armor.

Despite their isolation, the Frost Dwarves are far from inhospitable. Though they prefer the solitude of their mountainous homes, they welcome outsiders who come in peace. Visitors are treated with honor and warmth, often invited to share in the clan’s hearth and mead. However, trust is hard-earned, and strangers must prove their intentions before being fully accepted into Frost Dwarven society. Once trust is granted, it is rarely broken, and the Frost Dwarves will defend their allies as fiercely as they do their own.

Tradition and ritual play a vital role in their daily lives. Ancient songs, tales of their ancestors, and ceremonies honoring the cold are passed down through generations. The Frost Dwarves maintain a deep reverence for the cold itself, seeing it not as an enemy to be conquered but as a powerful force to be respected and harnessed. Festivals celebrating the longest nights and coldest days are important cultural events, where the entire community gathers to feast, sing, and share in the warmth of their shared existence.

In all things, the Frost Dwarves remain true to their nature—strong, stoic, and deeply connected to the icy realms of Kharnak, where they have carved out a place for themselves in a world that others could never hope to endure.

Economy

The economy of the Frost Dwarves is as unique and rugged as the icy lands they inhabit. Living in the frozen wastes of Kharnak, where the earth yields little and the seas are treacherous, the Frost Dwarves have developed a barter-based economy, trading their finely crafted goods for the essentials they cannot produce themselves. Gold and coin hold little value in these remote lands; instead, the exchange of goods is rooted in necessity and mutual benefit, each trade strengthening the bonds between communities.

Though the Frost Dwarves are isolated, their craftsmanship is widely revered. Like their dwarven kin, they are masters of working with minerals and metals, producing tools, weapons, and armor of exceptional quality. Their forges produce items of both strength and beauty, imbued with the resilience of their makers. Swords, axes, and other implements forged by the Frost Dwarves are highly sought after, their sharpness and durability unmatched. Every piece is a testament to their skill, adorned with frost-etched runes and intricate designs that speak of ancient traditions.

Yet, the land they call home offers little in the way of sustenance. The frozen mountains and tundras of Kharnak are barren, ill-suited for farming or livestock. Instead, the Frost Dwarves rely heavily on hunting to sustain themselves. Seals, walruses, and other sea creatures provide both food and materials, with their hides, bones, and oils used for clothing, tools, and fuel.

While they are a hardy and self-sufficient people, the Frost Dwarves are not completely cut off from trade. They maintain relationships with the Kharnaki humans who dwell in the surrounding regions, particularly those who live close by. These humans, especially the ones settled in slightly more temperate areas, provide the Frost Dwarves with goods they cannot obtain themselves, such as crops, furs, and other raw materials. In return, the Frost Dwarves offer their masterfully crafted tools and weapons, which are highly valued by their human neighbors for their reliability and strength.

In this way, the Frost Dwarves maintain a delicate balance of survival and trade, using their skills to craft goods that secure the resources they need to endure in the harshest of environments. Though their economy may seem simple, it is intricately tied to both the natural world and the surrounding communities, ensuring their continued existence in the frozen isolation of Kharnak.