Dwarves

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The dwarves of J.R.R. Tolkien’s
Middle-earth are beings of short stature and stocky build. Dwarf males
always sport long beards. (Whether dwarf females always wear beards is
a matter of some speculation and debate.) Dwarves mine precious metals
throughout Middle-earth and are known as skilled stoneworkers and
smiths. Their gruff appearance and demeanor belies their ability for
superb craftsmanship.



Dwarf females make up a significantly smaller percentage of the dwarf
population. Typically sheltered and overprotected by dwarf males,
females are rarely seen in Middle-earth. Dwarf males devote themselves
to their work and rarely take wives. Because of this, the race of men
maintains a legend that dwarves grow out of stone.



The dwarves were created by Aulë the Smith, who created the Seven
Fathers of the dwarves, from whom all other dwarves are descended.
However, Aulë did not have the power to grant independent life (or
free will) to his creations--this power belonged to Ilúvatar
(the All High Father or Father of All, as defined in Tolkien’s The
Silmarillion). Ilúvatar spoke to Aulë and agreed to give
the dwarves life. Because of this, they are known as the Adopted
Children of Ilúvatar. While they are not immortal, they are
long-lived, often surviving 250 years or more.



src="http://lotro.tentonhammer.com/files/images/dwarf_portrait.jpg"
style="width: 160px; height: 240px;" align="left">The Dwarven
language, called Khuzdul, was created by Aulë. The dwarves keep
their language secret. Because of this, Khuzdul is a strange tongue to
most men and elves. However, one Dwarven phrase is well known: the
ancient battle cry, going back to at least the First Age: "Baruk
Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!" which means "Axes of the
Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!" Dwarves are known as stalwart melee
combatants, with the axe being their favored weapon.



Dwarves often have amiable relations with hobbits, but they are
generally distrustful of elves. While they are usually not as
corruptible as men, dwarves are certainly not above greed.

Dwarves can be excellent warriors displaying unique toughness in battle and the ability to craft great things. The stout Dwarves of Middle-Earth are known for their steadfast determination, hearty strength, and commitment to all things found in the world's deep places. Living a secretive life in their homes beneath the great mountains, Dwarves are expert miners and workers of stone and metal. They stand on average four-and-a-half to five feet high, and live long lives, ocassionally reaching an age of 250 years.



Source: href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarves_%28Middle-Earth%29">Wikipedia / Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angtmar Game Manual

Nationalities:

Dwarves can hail from a number of places but don't panic if you don't know the difference. Other than a title, your origin bears little on your character. If you do recognize these names, this will be a nice touch the game adds to roleplay and character customization.

Your home is in Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains, where there had once been two great dwarf-kingdoms and where the kinsmen of Thráin and his son Thorin Oakenshield lived in exile after Smaug drove them from the Lonely Mountain. You are from Ered Mithrin, the Grey Mountains, the chief of which is Mount Gundabad, from whence came Durin the Deathless, first Father of the Dwarves. Your kindred returned to the Mountains after the Dragons perished. You come from the Iron Hills, settled by dwarves as a refuge from the Cold-drakes, and whence came Dáin Ironfoot, King under the Mountain, kinsman of the great Thorin Oakenshield. You hail from Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug the Golden made his lair until Thorin Oakenshield reclaimed it for his people. There does Dáin Ironfoot now rule as King under the Mountain. You are from the south-western halls of Ered Nimrais, the White Mountains in the south bordering the lands of Andrast. Though your kingdom lies far from the central mountains where Men once dwelt, the rumour of the Oathbreakers has given your realm an ill name.

 

style="font-weight: bold;">Classes

Dwarves are a strong race and are capable of filling roles not necessarily requiring finesse or delicacy. A Dwarf can fill the following roles:

Champion - A true master of arms, the Champion excels at combat, focusing on little other than destroying her foes. The Champion's whirling blades can strike fear into the heart of even the foulest orc, cutting down swaths of their numbers at once. While a Champion's training and armor grants her some survivability, it is not her focus, and a Champion can quickly find herself in trouble when facing several foes on her own.

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Thorin's Hall

The Champion is the class of choice for players that enjoy fast-paced combat with multiple options available at any given moment. Champions can use various weapon styles, but focus on using two weapons simultaneously. With their active play-style Champions are able to consistently cause large amounts of damage to both single and multiple opponents in combat. Their style of combat revolves around the idea that the best defense is a good offense.

Guardian - A doughty fighter and protector of the weak, a skilled Guardian can face even the toughest foes and survive. The Guardian is one of the few classes willing and able to try to draw more blows onto themselves, so they can retaliate with devastating maneuvers in response.

The Guardian is the class of choice for players that enjoy drawing the attention of their foes in combat and taking advantage of their missteps. Masters of the defensive arts, Guardians use taxing attacks and irksome taunts to draw and hold opponents' attention, relying on their shield and weapon to turn aside incoming attacks with blocks and parries. A Guardian's combat style depends on creating openings during an opponent's attack to provide the opportunity for their own counter attack.

Hunter - Woodsman, pathfinder, and master of the bow, the keen-eyed Hunter can use his arrows to devastating effect from a distance. Archery is not the only thing the Hunter excels at, for he can lead his companions through the forest at greater speed than they could on their own, and can set up traps to ambush enemies. The archer is no close-quarters fighter, however, and would generally rather let his bow do the work than resort to his sword.

The Hunter is the class of choice for players who enjoy striking a target at range. Clever by nature, the Hunter is known to lure his targets into traps to hinder them, giving him time to use his bow to deadly effect. A Hunter's knowledge of nature also provides skills that help him and his fellows survive in the wild. A Hunter's combat style depends on the ability to injure a foe while staying out of harm's way.

Minstrel - With song and tale, a Minstrel brings hope to places thick with gloom. She can inspire those with desperate minds and heavy hearts to great deeds. In battle, she can turn the tide with songs that strengthen her allies and dirges which strike fear into the hearts of enemies.

The Minstrel is the class of choice for players who want to aid their friends, inspiring them to keep going through the darkest of times. With a vast repertoire of tales both fair and foul, a Minstrel restores the morale of her fellows, as well as causing enemies to despair. Though able to wield weapons, she prefers to let her words, rather than her sword, speak for her. A Minstrel's style of combat is based on maintaining hope no matter what the odds.

 

 

Passive Skills

Lost Dwarf-kingdoms Reduced Fate - The Dwarves' time in Middle-earth is up. Stocky Reduced Agility - Dwarves are naturally less agile than the other races. Sturdiness Increased Might and Vitality, improved Common damage mitigation - Dwarves are a sturdy race. Unwearying in Battle Bonus to In-Combat morale and power regeneration, penalty to out of combat morale and power regen.

 

 

Deeds and Traits

Level Description Trait Rewarded 13 Enmity of the Dourhands The Dourhand dwarves appear to have turned their backs on the Free Peoples of Middle-earth and rebelled against the rightful rule of Durin's Folk. Headbutt -

You gain a short-distance melee attack.

13 Enmity of the Goblins The goblins were created by the Morgoth long ago, as captive Elves were tortured and twisted into mockeries of themselves and set upon the world as eternal enemies to their former kin. All that was good in them was turned to evil, and the Elves have striven for ages since to eradicate them from Middle-earth...to no avail. Sylvan Shadows -

Although untrained, you have the natural ability to move about unseen, though there is a chance enemies may detect you, especially when moving in front of them.

19 Enmity of the Dourhands II Jealous of the wealth and status of the Longbeards -- particularly since Durin's Folk reclaimed the Lonely Mountain -- the Dourhands have plotted to usurp their position as the leaders of the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains for many years now. Guile and Might Bonus 25 Enmity of the Dourhands III Ever since the earliest records, history has been rife with stories of betrayal and tragedy. The rebellion of the Dourhands is just the latest chapter in this long and sorrowful litany. It is time to bring that chapter to an end.... Dwarf Axe-damage bonus 29 Enmity of the Goblins II Goblins are a mockery of life, twisted by the Enemy to serve unquestioningly as an endless supply of foot-soldiers in his wars. Luckily, the breeding of unquestioned loyalty has left them unimaginative and unskilled, making them no match for trained Elven warriors. Still, their numbers are vast, and if only one Elf falls for every hundred of their kind, it is a great loss. Return to Thorin's Gate -

This enables you to quickly return to Thorin's Gate.

29 Enmity of the Trolls Trolls are a particularly deadly threat to the dwarves. Capable of smashing the strongest fortifications and thriving in the dark underground domains where the sun poses no danger, they have often been used to spearhead major assaults against the dwarf-kingdoms. Dwarf-endurance -

You provide a bonus to your fellowship's Vitality.

35 Enmity of the Goblins III Goblins are an odd study in group-thought. As individuals, they are sniveling cowards who recoil from anyone who appears remotely stronger than themselves -- in large masses, they are known to hurl themselves with unthinking savagery onto pike and axe. The common wisdom is that in large groups the goblins in front simply have no choice, as they are pushed forward by the teeming masses behind them, and so they fight like cornered animals. From what you have seen, there may be some truth to this. Endurance of Stone -

For a short amount of time, you can withstand blows that would batter a weaker race's Morale into dust.

35 Enmity of the Trolls II Quite the opposite of goblins, most trolls have little cunning or intelligence of any kind. They are, however, almost mindlessly brave, crushing anything in their path with abandon. Only if they are badly injured are they likely to rebel -- though the sight of a Cave-troll running amok through its goblin handlers is enough to bring a chuckle to even the most hardened of veterans. Shield Brawler