Dwarves (Eó)

Dwarves of Eó were first discovered by human miners in ancient times, and were initially terrified by what they found. Short and stocky, with large eyes and huge pupils, the dwarves are perfectly adapted to life underground.

The most striking feature of the dwarves are their mouths, which are filled with teeth that look almost canine. Each tooth branches into three interlocking iron-hard points, in order to pulverize the stones and minerals that make up their diet. Another strange adaptation are cat-like eyes, which can easily adjust to near pitch-darkness to the blinding glare of the forge. Perhaps the most bewildering physical feature of the dwarves is their reproductive cycle; of all the sentient races of Eó, only the dwarves lay eggs, the shells of which are comprised of the most brilliant metal alloys.

As a unique process of their natural digestion, the excrement of a dwarf comprises of pure elemental metals, with all other compounds becoming digested. The quality of these remaining metals is so excellent, that Dwarven metal is a very prized commodity. The dwarves themselves have turned this waste product into exquisite crafts, including armor, weapons, and jewelry.

Dwarves tend to live between 250 and 300 years, and rarely leave their subterranean homes. Since encountering humans, they have created a "guest realm" that non-dwarves may visit and even inhabit, while also maintaining a secret, inner sanctum in which only dwarves are permitted to enter, on pain of death.