Page 68 - Mordenkainen's Tome Of Foes

might surreptitiously dig for weeks to penetrate a dwarf
treasure vault, hoping to seize a clan's riches from be-
neath its noses.
For their part, the dwarves keep safety and defense
uppermost in their priorities, realizing that there is
little to be gained from trying to mount a large-scale
assault against the duergar. They actively protect their Moradin crafted the dwarves' sturdy bodies, giving
strongholds, keeping careful watch for signs of tunnel- them the strength to work for long periods of time.
ing, and- dwarven pride being what it is- send bands of Rather than imparting his skills to them, he fueled their
warriors out from time to time to deal reprisals to duer- spirits with a burning desire to follow his example. His
gar camps and fortresses. In addition to these rare of- gifts of durability and purpose gave the dwarves all they
fensive thrusts, dwarves sometimes send small squads needed to devote their lives to steady work, refining their
of explorers or scouts into the Underdark to learn about skills and improving their inner selves while they trans-
duergar activity or to recover stolen treasures if they can form rock and ore into wondrous creations.
do so without attracting too much attention.
LIFETIMES OF GLORIOUS LABOR
This eternal enmity between duergar and dwarves
Dwarf artisans regard the fruits of their labors with
doesn't consume either side; both have other concerns
the same love that members of other races reserve
and needs that take much of their time and attention, At
for their children. A dwarf's works are built to last for
the same time, the never-ending state of war is never out
centuries, to carry a legacy into the world long after the
of mind- every dwarf knows that a chance encounter
dwarf is gone. Each item a dwarf crafts is a milepost on
with a duergar could be fatal, and every duergar would
the path to perfection, a step taken toward mastering
like nothing better than to have such an opportunity.
a technique. All of one's works taken together are the
physical representation of a dwarf's accomplishments. A
D WARVES
dwarf who has lived a good, fruitful life leaves behind a
The dwarf god Moradin forged the first dwarves in his rich legacy of wondrous goods- gleaming metal goblets,
great workshop, causing them to spring to life from in- gem-encrusted stone sculptures, tapestries made of ores
ert metal when he cooled the heated castings with his and minerals, finely honed weapons, or the end result
breath. Since then. the dwarves have revered Moradin of any other endeavor that enriches the crafter while it
and sought to follow in his footsteps. Through con- pays homage to the Creator.
stant, steady work, they strive to emulate the perfect Dwarves guard their personal creations with the
example set by the originator of the arts and skills the vigilance and ferocity of a dragon protecting a treasure
dwarves pursue. hoard. Such protectiveness isn't often called for in the
To the dwarves, Moradin is the Creator. With his im- company of friends and family- but just as a parent
peccable skills, he crafted the first dwarves and imbued doesn't leave a child unattended, a dwarf doesn't craft
them with a sense of relentless purpose, driven to apply an item and then knowingly leave it vulnerable to being
their own crafting skills to the raw materials around stolen (or worse). A dwarf who loses an item to thievery
them and thereby unlock the beauty that hides within. pursues the item's recovery or seeks vengeance against
Moradin is also worshiped as the All-Father, in ac- the thieves with the same fury that parents direct
knowledgment of his role as the progenitor of the dwar- against those who kidnapped their child.
ven race. In this aspect as well, he is credited not only At the other extreme, a dwarf's gift of a personal item
for the birth of the dwarves but for fostering in them a to someone else is a deep expression of commitment,
deep appreciation for clan and family. He demonstrates Jove, and trust. The beneficiary of the gift is expected
how dwarf parents should raise their children, instilling to provide the item with the same careful stewardship
in them the urge to further not only themselves but to exhibited by its creator-never letting it fall into an ene-
contribute to the success of the larger group.Just as my's hands and sparing no effort to recover it if is stolen.
Moradin looks out for all dwarves, all dwarves in a clan
look out for one another. MINDS AS RIGID AS STONE
Although the dwarves' obsessive pursuit of perfection in
THE PATH TO PERFECTION the arts of crafting leads them to produce great works,
it comes at a price. Dwarves value stability, repetition,
EVERY FALL OF THE HAMMER ON THE ANVIL, EVERY FIRE
and tradition above all else. Chaos and change cause
stoked in the forge. is a step on a journey set before me by distractions from the task at hand. Dwarves crave pre-
Moradin himself. It isn"t work. It is a challenge to achieve dictability, routine, and safety. A mind not fully focused
can't give a task its proper attention.
greatness.
This rigidity in outlook, though a fundamental part of
- Balifra Evcrsharp the dwarven psyche, can sometimes be a disadvantage.
Dwarves don't change their minds easily, and once set
Dwarves have a strong sense of their progress, and each on a course rarely alter their strategy. Their commit-
day that goes by must bring them closer to the standard ment to following a plan serves them well when they
set by Morad in. Acutely aware of their mortality, they build a stone bridge designed to last for centuries, but
see the many centuries afforded to them as too short a the same inflexibility can bring problems when applied
time to risk wasting even a single day in indolence. to the unpredictable dangers of the world. A clan might

CHAPTER 3 DWARVES Al>:D DUERCAR