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The Great Heartiness of Fantasy Dwarves
Sunfire
CONTENTS
Introduction
While humans are the major players in stories, they aren’t the only ones who serve a role in both the worlds and the stories they appear in. Indeed, other races such as elves are important to the plot and nowhere is this more evident when it comes to fantasy dwarves. These small guys are tough but durable and ever faithful which is apparent when they stand alongside humans against the forces of evil.
Dwarves are a mainstay of the genre, appearing in fabled works across the decade. Their overall appearance may vary from story but one thing all their different versions have in common is that they are short, roughly on par with human children. Despite their size, they are formidable on the battlefield and possess a hardy heart.
Another aspect of fantasy dwarves that people love is their deep love of gems. They labor deep in the mines, extracting valuable gems from various ores such as emeralds or gold, and transform them into stunning works of art that beguile even the most discerning elf. To show off their works, they proudly display them on their bodies, whether it be on their fingers or around their necks.
One thing people overlook about dwarves is that they have an innate connection with the earth which is similar to the one elves have with the earth. However, while the latter loves the greenery and beauty of nature, the former revels in the underground or caves. In these dark and damp places, they find things from the earth that they can then turn into works of art after pouring in countless hours of sweat and toil.
This is article number thirty-two in the fantasy creatures series. If you enjoy this article and are interested in seeing what else we have, we’ve got you covered! Just head on over to our blog page where there’s a scintilla of articles you can explore at your leisure!
The Small But Stout Stature of Fantasy Dwarves
Dwarves have long been an integral part of the fantasy genre, appearing in many tales over the years. Like the elves, they’ve shaped the world around them though they may come in different versions. When people think of them, the ones from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and The Lord of the Rings come to mind.
Despite the fact that there are different versions of fantasy dwarves, all versions have one particular characteristic in common and that would be their height. They are short, looking much like human children though they are more rotund and wield substantially more power than them. Don’t let their small stature fool you, they aren’t to be taken lightly and woe beside those who make such a mistake.
Another signature part of the dwarves’ appearance is that they, at least the men, are notoriously hairy. They have long beards that run to their chests. Some maintain them whereas others don’t, choosing to let them grow wild.
Many fantasy dwarves are boisterous but when push comes to shove, they set their rowdy behavior aside to deal with important matters which makes them stalwart allies against evil. They will fight to the death to protect what they love which includes both their families and the mines they hold. They won’t let evil corrupt the things they value above all else.
Dwarves have a number of hobbies they enjoy in their free time. Drinking ale is one of their top activities though eating is a close second. They’ll scarf down good, earthy food until their bellies are nice and full and then they’ll fall asleep, becoming difficult to awaken. They also enjoy bantering with each other, especially when they’re playing a drinking game.
Fantasy Dwarves and Gems
If there’s one thing dwarves are known for regardless of the worlds they appear in, it’s their love of gems. They spend countless hours working in the mines, using their pickaxes to break apart various, priceless ores and forge them into things they can actually use. While they make swords and other weapons, they are king when it comes to making gems.
The mines the fantasy dwarves work in are buried deep within mountains and in some cases, large hills. While a decent number have common metals such as gold and iron, there are some that house only one or two that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It could be emeralds, sapphires, or rubies and they are more important in gem-making than many other metals.
After transporting these ores to the forges, the dwarves remove the unnecessary parts, leaving only the metals where they let their imagination run unfettered. They transform them into beautiful works of art that can be wore, whether as a necklace, bracelet, ring, amulet, or circlet. They use the appropriate bands, usually gold or silver, to hold everything together and the process from beginning to end is a long and lengthy one, resulting in hours and hours of toil to make such beautiful products.
Many fantasy dwarves wear the gems they’ve created to show off what they’re capable of. Other races such as elves find themselves awed when they see these magnificent gems and express a desire to acquire some for themselves and the dwarves point them to the marketplace where they can purchase them but only if they’re willing to cough up some serious moolah. They set the prices high because they put in a lot of work and want to be compensated adequately for their arduous labor.
In rare cases, the gems they wear are imbued with magical powers. This can only occur when a wizard bestows some on it and it can be anything from the power to slow down time, amplifying the elemental power of the user, or trapping those who touch them. While some of them are for benevolent purposes, there are some that are used for sinister purposes.
The Special Connection Between Fantasy Dwarves and the Earth
While dwarves are known for their love of gems, there is something else they love equally. They have a strong relationship with the earth, as exemplified by their courage to venture deep into places many other races won’t go. These places, like the mines for example, are representative of the earth.
Fantasy dwarves, much like the elves, have an affinity for the earth though unlike their pointy-eared counterparts they enjoy getting dirty as they work in the mines. They believe the mountains are full of untapped riches and are willing to roll up their sleeves and get down to work in order to get them. From beginning to end, they take the ores they extract from them and turn them into works of art that last for eons.
To make it happen, the dwarves delve deeply into the mines, searching for excellent veins that can produce an untold number of ores and last for an awfully long time. They carve out paths in the mountains, moving ever deeper into them. They don’t do so carelessly, they go to great pains to ensure the safety of everyone working there and to minimize the destruction they cause the mountains.
The special relationship fantasy dwarves have with the earth is manifested in several ways. One, they work assiduously to mitigate the damage they cause when working in the mines, understanding that they are gifts from earth. Two, while they turn said gifts into beautiful products, they never lose sight of where they came from. They recognize they are fortunate enough to receive them and they have several celebrations throughout the year reflecting that.
In short, dwarves are an integral part of creating a fantasy world from the ground up. They’re willing to venture into the depths of the world, into mountains and other underground realms that offer riches and glory to those brave enough to get them. They’re the only ones who can create amazing works of art from the ores they get from the mines. If you haven’t given much thought to bringing in fantasy dwarves in your world and story, there’s no better time to start than today!
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Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
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