ELDER DWARF
Some say that elder dwarves, also known as hill dwarves, were gifted with the greatest portion of The Smith's soul-stuff during creation. While this isn't something that the elder dwarves themselves usually proclaim, it also isn't something they take a great deal of time denying. Regardless, it is true that they are the dwarves that seem to feel The Crafter's call most strongly. Perhaps for this reason they consider themselves the personal champions of dwarven culture and history, acting as the historians, scholars, archaeologists, lore-masters, and educators of their kind.
STATISTICS
AGE
Elder dwarves are the longest-lived of dwarves, reaching middle age at 150 years, old age at 300 years, and living up to 450 years.
APPEARANCE
Elder dwarves are almost universally dark of complexion, their skin being a warm, light to medium brown. Their hair varies from medium brown to solid black, never graying despite their age. The only part of them that breaks this theme is their eyes, which are solid black. In contrast, they tend to prefer various shades of white, near-white, ivory, and elder in their apparel, often embroidered with simple, thick geometric shapes. Elder dwarves are roughly the same size as other dwarves, but can range slightly taller coming in between 130 to 158 cm tall.
DEMEANOR
At first glance, elder dwarves might seem to be the most easy-going and forgiving of their kind. Sometimes this is true; sometimes not. They have incredible patience, light-sightenedness, and a great propensity for planning, and are not as quick to anger or frustrate as most of their cousins. This does not mean that they are in any way less passionate or capable of combat. They simply try to look at the bigger picture before acting and find that sometimes it is better to convince their more pugnacious kinsmen to stay their axes to prevent fruitless deaths and/or to strike in a more strategic fashion. Despite their book-learning and wisdom, they never preach on a pulpit or chide others for their deeds, preferring to communicate through parables, stories, and anecdotes rather than give clean-cut moral judgment. They often employ the Socratic method of education, encouraging their students to come to their own conclusions by asking questions.
SOCIETY
Elder dwarves are most often teachers, clergy, and advisers among their kind. They very rarely take up mantles of simple leadership, preferring to act as guides and give suggestions rather than command. They also fulfill legal roles in dwarven society, serving as advocates, magistrates, and judges, especially in groups that don't have a single ruler. Courtship and marriage are very serious things among elder dwarves. They take arranged marriages to the extreme, with two families working out the contracts and obligations of potential couples two or three generations in advance. Divorce is unheard of amongst elder dwarves.
FAVORED PROFESSIONS
The most common professions for elder dwarves are Artisan and Faith Mystic, followed by Fecund Mystic and Warrior. Distantly following these are the paths of the Nomad, Outlaw, and Entertainer.
ENEMIES
Elder dwarves have a deep-rooted hatred for orcs, half-orcs and goblins.