The Dwelf cleans the dirt from his nails and rinses his hands with a jug of water, another long and muddy day for the roothunter.
The most sought after wood types in the world come from the Hoofcap Plateaus.
From the blades on the hips of the gladiators fighting for glory in the arenas of Cagliopol to the flute in the lips of the musicians in the Orchadian Orchestra, if it is master craftsmanship you want, you’re looking for wood harvested by a Dwelf.
At the foot of the Hoofcap, three waterfalls converge into the Great Batabura Lake, where the dwelves built their pride and joy, the Cauldron Gates. A 100ft dam with 7 giant ornate arches, and carved into each of them is a feat of strength by Galgar, the Dwelf beggar, who became the target of his king's tyranny.
But refusing to be crushed, he overcame impossible trials and ended up lifting the King's throne over his head, with him still wriggling in it, the perfect symbol of the Dwelves' unwavering defiance.
Inside the dam itself is one of the most important magical institutions in the world, the Cauldron Gates house and power the fires of the largest Woodener foundry, where Magecrafters reshape the roots into the deadly weapons that arm the knights and soldiers all over Alento. They say that when making a new blade, a Woodener adds beauty with his right hand and death with the left.
In the icy hills of Echovec the Dwelf herder leads his sweet Yak - Bungo - into the cottage, who lays down by the old Dwelf’s bed and gently nibbles on a saltrock.
The tired herder takes a swig of firewater and throws some dried manure briquettes onto the fire. This helps to keep the frost at bay for a little while, but he’ll be up on his feet in a couple of hours to top it up.
Here in the North, most Dwelves live very differently to their Southern kin, living from domesticated Wooly Yaks and Ovaras, but some cannot resist the calling of the dirt, and you would not have trouble finding a Dwelf digging out some trees out of the snowy grounds.
If you listen for the rustling of leaves you may spot a Dwelf here and there.
Aléonor has been too busy tending to her animals and lost track of time again. You would have seen her before around here.
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To you, from the home of magic.
Marco D Blanco.
This is awesome!
This is such fun worldbuilding! I want to get my hands on some wood from the Hoofcap Plateaus and hang out 'round the campfire with Holbert!