Page 69 - Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Deluxe

continue to depend on the same plan for defending its
stronghold that has been used for centuries, without
considering the possibility that its enemies have discov-
ered how to overcome those defenses.
The dwarves' way of thinking leads to difficulties in
their relationships with humans and elves. From their
long-lived perspective, dwarves can't understand the
speed with which human communities and civiliza-
tions rise and fall. If a trade delegation from a dwarven
stronghold were to visit a human town once every
twenty or thirty years- not a long time to a dwarf- the direct descendants- beloved sons, daughters, and
community's leaders would likely be different every grandchildren-are often the ones who inherit the inani-
time, and for the dwarves the experience would be akin mate works their ancestor leaves behind.
to making first contact all over again. Establishing trade Marriage is a sacred rite among the dwarves, taken
with this "new" human outpost would require forming very seriously because it requires two children to move
new relationships, a process that could take weeks away from their homes to start a new family in the clan.
or months. The affected families feel a sense of loss that is healed
The elves' chaotic nature and love of the wilderness only when a new dwarf child enters the world- an event
baffle the dwarves, who think of them as somewhat that calls for great celebration.
mad. Dwarves typically find elves too flighty to ever Few dwarves develop romantic feelings for their
fully trust them, believing that creatures that thrive on spouses, at least not in the way that other races do. They
change and chaos can't possibly be reliable allies. view their spouses as collaborators and co-creators,
In particular situations, of course, the benefits of their elders as respected experts to be obeyed, and their
cooperating with humans or elves can override the children as their most treasured creations. The emotion
dwarves' concern about the shortcomings of those that underlies all those feelings might not be love, as
races. When dwarves, humans, and elves have a com- others would term it, but it is just as intense.
mon enemy, they all find a way to work together for the
common good. ROLES IN THE CLAN
Every clan calls upon its members to fill three principal
ALL F OR O NE: TuE CLAN roles, each of which contributes to the group's welfare.
First, many dwarves support the clan by working at an
SO THE BARMAN ISN'T A RELATIVE, AND YOU DON'T EVEN
occupation that sustains the community-brewing ale,
know the names of any of the folk here? How can you pos- tending crops, and preparing food, for instance. Not ev-
sibly sleep peacefully in this inn, surrounded by strangers? eryone can be a master artisan or a vigilant warrior; the
clan needs a wide range of labor and talents to meet all
We'll be lucky to see the morning.
the needs of the group.
- Tordek Filling the second role are an equally large number
of dwarves whose occupations involve the crafting of
The clan is the basic unit of dwarven society, an ex- items and other forms of creation- smelting, smithing,
tended family that dwells together. Everything a dwarf gem-cutting, sculpture, and similar tasks. These arti-
does in life is devoted to improving or helping the clan, sans are responsible for making the items that help the
bringing security and stability to its members and clan protect its stronghold.
greater glory to the group. The third function is performed by those who navigate
The most important clan members to any dwarf are the space between the clan and the chaotic creatures of
the members of one's immediate family, because the the outside world. These dwarves are merchants, war-
instinctive connection between parent and child is riors, and envoys, tasked with representing the dwarves
stronger than the attachment between unrelated clan in dealings with other races and with providing a buffer
members. Nevertheless, the distinction is so slim as to between the clan and the potential threats of creatures
be unnoticeable to outsiders- dwarves will endure hard- and communities in the vicinity of the stronghold.
ship or lay down their lives for any of their clan mates, A dwarf assigned to a role takes years to master it. A
whether related to them by blood or by the devotion that weaponsmith starts work in the forge, providing manual
holds the clan together. labor to haul ore from the mines and learning how to
repair tools. The dwarf might then work in the mines,
TuE GREATEST LEGACY pushing carts and learning to pick out the best ore sam-
The life of a dwarf is all about doing good work and ples from a lode. Slowly but surely, a dwarf masters ev-
leaving behind a fitting legacy that continues to bolster ery aspect of a task or an occupation from start to finish.
the clan even after its creator has passed on-a legacy
counted not only in objects, but also in dwarven souls. LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNMENT
Dwarves who become parents rightfully think of their A clan is led by a king or a queen who sits at the head of
children as the greatest legacy they can leave the clan, a noble family. Dwarf nobles are members of families
and they raise them with the same care and attention to that claim direct ancestry to the first dwarves crafted by
detail that they give to the items they create. A dwarf's Moradin. To the dwarves, leadership is a craft like any
other activity, calling for careful practice and constant

CllAPTER 3 DWARVES AND DUERGAR
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