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.