Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nogitsune_Teumessia 12-14-07, 11:28 AM	I know this sounds like an odd question, but when was the last time you heard of a Dwarf farmer? Dwarves seem to survive based on trade with other races, at least it's never described exactly how they gain non-earthy things like clothing or food. There must be hunters, weavers, and others. Of course in theory a Dwarf could wear all-metal clothing all the time but that seems cumbersome and they certainly don't eat rocks. But there's not a lot of mention how they could survive on their own. Would a Dwarven community be able to survive on its own with no other races to trade with? If so how? What types of crops would they have? What types of beasts?
M1kh43l_P4r4d1s0 12-14-07, 11:36 AM	Dwarf cities are sometimes known to be on the surface, as well as underground. This would allow the dwarves to farm. Also, many underground societies farm shrooms too.
Thalspar 12-14-07, 11:39 AM	there is some clothing material called earth silk that they make they make loads of beer and where they grow the material they need for that i cant remember at the moment what it is call in English. they could make corn there and some other products. for beasts probably some that can live underground or in a high altitude like goats. otherwise i have no clue of the matter
vagabonvoid 12-14-07, 11:42 AM	As far as foods, there is a multitude of Fungi there could eat. Mushrooms are very nutritious and there is a great variety of them. Also, in D&D worlds, there are plenty of underground creatures for them to hunt; heck, giant insects would be a prime choice because they would be full of protein and could reproduce quickly (like beef cattle). In races of stone it talks about fabrics unique to the dwarven community. I think they are made from root fibers or something like that. So crops would be fungus based, and beasts may be giant beetles for subterranean dwarves...
HyperFreak 12-14-07, 12:29 PM	Farming giant beetles puts me in mind to Futurama's moon farms. Oh Crushinator, thou art a woman of supreme beauty. Anywho, as far as Ive read it's mushrooms, roots, mosses and such for dwarven dinners. I imagine, due to thier closeness to the underdark, and the apparently vast amount of creatures living there, that they hunt (or raise) creatures native to the deepest places of the earth.
AngryJake 12-14-07, 02:17 PM	All of this is covered in Races of Stone.
Rhialto 12-14-07, 02:37 PM	At least in Mystara's version of dwarf society, there are plenty of dwarf farmers, although they are a bit of a social underclass.
Legdiwena 12-14-07, 02:50 PM	All the clerics summon food.
AngryJake 12-14-07, 03:18 PM	Isn't that Conjure Food, summon implies that you ganked a sandwich just as some dude was about to chow down, which in my opinion is an evil act.
Fatalis_902 12-14-07, 03:24 PM	Isn't that Conjure Food, summon implies that you ganked a sandwich just as some dude was about to chow down, which in my opinion is an evil act. Sigged for truth!
Legdiwena 12-14-07, 03:36 PM	Summon from the Elemental Plane of Sandwiches
Climhazzard 12-14-07, 05:22 PM	I would imagine that some dwarven communities construct a large sinkhole, so that surface livestock and crops could be raised with sunlight, rain, and fresh air. However, the sinkhole would allow dwarves to defend the "farmland" better than if it was just on the surface. Isn't that Conjure Food, summon implies that you ganked a sandwich just as some dude was about to chow down, which in my opinion is an evil act. Wait, if conjuration spells do this, does that mean every time you cast cure light wounds or regenerate, you are in effect stealing the health/limbs of another being? And for every raise dead, some poor NPC most die because you stole their life? And people thought necromancy was evil, truly conjuration (healing) is the work of villains!
AngryJake 12-14-07, 05:38 PM	Only summon spells would actually "Take" things from other places, Conjuration however would create something from molecules from the surrounding area, combining them into the desired item.
Climhazzard 12-14-07, 05:45 PM	Summon spells are conjuration. Besides, it was an attempt at humor corrupted by studying for finals for 6 hours in a row while sequestered in a laundry room. I need more coffee....
Nat_20 12-14-07, 06:57 PM	HAHAHA... ummm, wow. i like this thread haha In the campaigns i have played/run, most of the time there are surface settlements that not only have crops or what ever, but also act at a trading post for merchants that come and protection battlements. from my recollection Dwarves don't like non Dwarves in their mines, but that is mostly my playing experience. I'd say that the standard Dwarves have surface cities that have crops. why not? Also in Forgotten Realms there's an underdark cow like thing called a Rothe. You could assume that they raise them. And there are subterranean silk worms, they could use them to.
Soltares 12-14-07, 07:17 PM	I like to think of Dwarves as mountain-dwellers, sort of like Scottish highlanders or Swiss farmers, complete with herds of mountain sheep and goats and cattle, in the high pastures that most lowland races wouldn't even know existed. They also dig mines deep in the mountains and do the smithing and forging, but they aren't specifically an Underdark race, like the Drow, so having them live off of bugs and mushrooms seems a bit out there. Some clans of Dwarves might have gone fully into the Underdark, such as the Duergar, but the 'generic' Dwarves seem to be more varied in habitat.
AngryJake 12-15-07, 02:37 AM	Summon spells are conjuration. Besides, it was an attempt at humor corrupted by studying for finals for 6 hours in a row while sequestered in a laundry room. I need more coffee.... I was still being humorous, although summons are a sub-school of conjuration.
Neutronium_Dragon 12-15-07, 04:46 AM	Actually, in order to permanently steal it, you'd have to use a Conjuration (Calling) effect to actually bring it there. A Conjuration (Summoning) spell would only result in a temporary relocation, and it would return to its point of origin after the spell expired... Ick.
CliffracerSlayer 12-15-07, 04:57 AM	Upon what basic did the OP decide the Dwarves didn't have all the trades that humans have? In my basic understanding of Dwarves, I reckon that basically the dwarves put down whatever tools they use for their every day use and pick up an axe and shield and armour suit to defend their village from attack. I always understood dwarves to be industrious and hardworking, so a dwarf would primarily be inclined towards his work. They probably however have a small number specialist warriors also, for battling further away from the stronghold. These are likely merceneries, who gain their income in peacetime by hiring themselves out.
HyperFreak 12-15-07, 08:54 AM	Summon from the Elemental Plane of Sandwiches Although Sandwich Elementals are known to be the deadliest elemental in the multiverse.
Legdiwena 12-15-07, 10:12 AM	Fear the Chicken Soup Elementals
Horatio Hornblower 12-15-07, 10:15 AM	I like to think of Dwarves as mountain-dwellers, sort of like Scottish highlanders or Swiss farmers, complete with herds of mountain sheep and goats and cattle, in the high pastures that most lowland races wouldn't even know existed. That sounds about right. Farms in the high valleys between the mountains for grains to make bread and ale. Livestock for meat and dairy. Old mine tunnels that are mined out would be used for mushrooms and maybe even insects. A dwarven meal would have meat, cheese, mushrooms, bread, milk and ale. A high fat and high protein diet makes sense for a hard working society. Traveling from the fields and the mines means a lot of elevation change. Just walking around would expend a lot of energy. That fits with dwarves having a bonus to CON.
1 ton ghost 12-15-07, 01:14 PM	That sounds about right. Farms in the high valleys between the mountains for grains to make bread and ale. Livestock for meat and dairy. Old mine tunnels that are mined out would be used for mushrooms and maybe even insects. A dwarven meal would have meat, cheese, mushrooms, bread, milk and ale. A high fat and high protein diet makes sense for a hard working society. Traveling from the fields and the mines means a lot of elevation change. Just walking around would expend a lot of energy. That fits with dwarves having a bonus to CON. this is very logical. a sound conclusion to be sure. nj. it stands to reason if they have grain to pi-s away on ale (and is it not supposed to be top shelf?), then they must surely be able to feed themselves w/ surface agricultural techniques as well. luxury item vs. foodstuffs. guns or butter. granted, some ale is in lieu of clean water, but i digress. perhaps they also employ (un)natural lighting techniques subeterraneously as well, but having airable land makes sense. given their general level of efficiency and industry, it alludes to "waste not want not". every inch of surface holdings would be terraformed immaculately for farming or military purposes given proclivity to live in hills/mountains. not terribly good for crop rotation and the like, but they can make do, they're tough. this is traditionally why they trade w/ humans metalworks for foodstuffs in peacetime. their strongsuit is metal/stone goods, hence, they can dedicate more time to this by trading their exceptional wares for human commerce, namely cattlenot to say they are not/can be self-sufficient, but if the shoe fits...
Horatio Hornblower 12-15-07, 02:00 PM	perhaps they also employ (un)natural lighting techniques subeterraneously as well That's a good idea. They could safely produce food during a time of war and they could grow food all year round. Depending on the crop they would need maybe 1/3 as much area. Growing what they need for making ale in a controlled underground "greenhouse" would improve quality control. this is traditionally why they trade w/ humans metalworks for foodstuffs in peacetime. their strongsuit is metal/stone goods, hence, they can dedicate more time to this by trading their exceptional wares for human commerce, namely cattlenot to say they are not/can be self-sufficient, but if the shoe fits... Dwarves would be self-sufficient, but they would probably just grow what is needed for survival. As you point out they would spend more time on what they are good at and trade for the rest.
Hochiu 12-15-07, 02:37 PM	I usually have my dwarves (usually, since this has generally changed in my settings) make their settlements underground in their standard Tolkien-style halls and holdfasts. I usually construct these closer to the actual surface, close enough that it can shoot out communities and outposts that can exist on the surface or in other locations in order to farm, log, or do other things that Dwarves are intelligent creatures. There's nothing to say thay function independently, nor do they even have to be remotely self-sufficient within their communities. There's nothing wrong with having them transport their food from another settlement that is considered the bread basket of the dwarven community. Ultimately it depends on how one wants to portray the dwarves in their settings, and how they want to be further fleshed out from the (optional) Races of Stone supplement.
AngryJake 12-15-07, 03:37 PM	Upon what basic did the OP decide the Dwarves didn't have all the trades that humans have? In my basic understanding of Dwarves, I reckon that basically the dwarves put down whatever tools they use for their every day use and pick up an axe and shield and armour suit to defend their village from attack. I always understood dwarves to be industrious and hardworking, so a dwarf would primarily be inclined towards his work. They probably however have a small number specialist warriors also, for battling further away from the stronghold. These are likely merceneries, who gain their income in peacetime by hiring themselves out. Seriously, Races of stone, all Dwarves are part of the militia, thiose dwarves who are the best are part of the standing army, even though most still choose to be craftsman as well.
ADHadh 12-15-07, 04:09 PM	(...) Mushrooms are very nutritious (...) I'm no biologist, but as far as I know it's quite the opposite - mushrooms are for the taste really. And they're certainly not easy to digest. Those sandwich elementals reminded me of Tuptus (Tooptoosh), the Strawberry Golem from one of my friends' campaign ;P
AtsuiShoto 12-15-07, 04:38 PM	it stands to reason if they have grain to pi-s away on ale (and is it not supposed to be top shelf?)... Beer is a good source of calories. It's also the purest form of water available to many cultures, because it's the only form that has been boiled. For these reasons, beer was the only drink the Puritans and others of the period would drink on a regular, daily basis, even serving a weak beer to their children. I don't think brewing is considered a luxury use for grains, at least not outside of the modern age.
Space_Dragon 12-15-07, 05:52 PM	Agree with all that has been said about mountaintop farms and goat herding. Aquaculture is another big one. Being master stonemasons, dwarves would know how to dam up rivers and create artificial, mountaintop lakes to stock with fish and edible water plants. Some of these fish farms could exist on the surface, relying on sunlight for photosynthesis, but others could be underground, geothermal farms stocked with schools of blind cave fish and crabs. If the dwarves get a lot of rainfall (or if there is a convenient river they can redirect), they might also build rice farms on the slopes of their mountains. To grow rice, you carve shelves into the sides of a mountain, each layer catching rainfall and retaining enough soil for farming. Again, dwarves like stonecutting, so this would be right up their alley.
vagabonvoid 12-15-07, 06:12 PM	I'm no biologist, but as far as I know it's quite the opposite - mushrooms are for the taste really. And they're certainly not easy to digest. I don't know what mushrooms you are eating but, my GF is a mycologist and last summer, she harvested +20lbs of edible mushrooms and we practically survived on them for the summer. Depending on the mushroom there is a varying degree of nutrition of course... and if you get the good ones (not the ones in the can from the supermarket) they digest very well... mmmmm, chicken of the wood.... yum...
Legdiwena 12-16-07, 03:56 PM	Beer is a good source of calories. It's also the purest form of water available to many cultures, because it's the only form that has been boiled. For these reasons, beer was the only drink the Puritans and others of the period would drink on a regular, daily basis, even serving a weak beer to their children. I don't think brewing is considered a luxury use for grains, at least not outside of the modern age. Otherwise known as Dwarven Holy Water
ADHadh 12-16-07, 04:10 PM	I don't know what mushrooms you are eating but, my GF is a mycologist and last summer, she harvested +20lbs of edible mushrooms and we practically survived on them for the summer. Depending on the mushroom there is a varying degree of nutrition of course... and if you get the good ones (not the ones in the can from the supermarket) they digest very well... mmmmm, chicken of the wood.... yum... They sell mushrooms in CANS? Now that's a weird idea. Well, yeah, it might depend on the species; most popular around here are Boletus and Xerocomus and I think you're talking about Agaricus (English really needs common names for different kinds of mushrooms). I second the "yum". I don't think Dwarves could farm those mushrooms though; they grow in forests. No trees underground. I'd say they're mostly meat eaters or forgot how to farm over the years.
M1kh43l_P4r4d1s0 12-16-07, 04:19 PM	*snip* cave fish and crabs. *snip* So those would be crabs in a cave? crabs in cave = cave demon. Ugh... Crab Battle!
Space_Dragon 12-16-07, 06:01 PM	So those would be crabs in a cave? crabs in cave = cave demon. Ugh... Crab Battle! Aye, a true testament to the greatness of the dwarves. Not even the tank-rending claws of the cave demon can deter dwarven aquaculture. :cool:
teamfireyleader 12-16-07, 07:01 PM	To the mushrooms why not have Death angel (i think that is what it is called) roasted. Totally not poisonous. Always thought it has to be.
Hochiu 12-17-07, 11:52 AM	Beer is a good source of calories. It's also the purest form of water available to many cultures, because it's the only form that has been boiled. For these reasons, beer was the only drink the Puritans and others of the period would drink on a regular, daily basis, even serving a weak beer to their children. I don't think brewing is considered a luxury use for grains, at least not outside of the modern age. Mmhm. Generally, beer was the best way to preserve the nutrient value of grains. In societies where you see excess harvests of grains, you don't see them making extra bread to store. Its generally beer. In addition to calories, certain (dark)beers are both good sources of carbs and provide otherwise antitoxidant qualities. @ Mushroom discourse: Also, dwarves get a +2 bonus to saving throws against poison. Mushrooms that would otherwise be poisonous to us (humans) as we know it could be ingested a lot easier. Maybe dwarven physiology has the ability to break down some forms of natural poisons (as represented by their heightened ability to resist them) or they developed some kind of resistance to it. Formerly poisonous mushrooms would become more edible now if properly prepared, like some poisonous plants. As it is, there are already conditionally edible species of mushrooms that are poisonous, but can have their poisonous properties generally removed. @ Nutritional Value: Mushrooms are reputed to be a great source of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and selenium. They are low in sodium, high in fiber, and contain no fat or cholesterol. Thus, they're good with other foods in order to supplement the nutrients of the dish. Although edible puffballs cooked in a light olive oil are damned tasty.
Legdiwena 12-17-07, 03:25 PM	Mushrooms grow best in dark, damp areas (such as the Underdark).
sigma999 12-17-07, 08:55 PM	A solid theocracy could ensure that every Dwarf joins the clergy at some time in their life, like youths in the Israeli military or an American draft. However, this isn't for the purpose of war, no; all civilian/clergy magic it put towards sustaining the population, like a Black and White game on small scale. Then, each family uses Create Water, Create Food, etc for basic needs. Place spells on items, even. Permanent Daylight spells are used to grow plants as desired, or even better, train Druids.
Legdiwena 12-17-07, 09:46 PM	Dwarven doodads with green hair?
1 ton ghost 12-18-07, 02:48 AM	-apart from beer being an alternative to ?'able water, it is probably the hallmark of civility. that is, babylonians and other ancient cultures did not consider a man really urbane or sophisticated until he came into the city and drank beer. i know, i thought, uhh...? take it up w/ PBS, Nova i think. but it makes sense. bars/pubs now are for recreational purposes (now a days), but in times past and this hypothesis, taverns, meadhalls and the like, are congregating areas, not just a place where you get a pint. they are where ppl meet and exchange info, commerce, and a modicum of intertainment. like a council hall, movie theatre, church, and cafe in one. and when you're there, you drink beer. when you go to starbuck's, you drink coffee. when in rome. this is crucial, especially in a society where the default align is LN typically. being extra clannish, industrious, and very lawful, it does more than conjure images of what it is most like. -someone mentioned caloric intake; real estate in the mountains, much less subterranean environs is at a premium. not much room to squander on grazing land for cattle (look at what a steak costs in japan). typically, the room they make is hewn from stone and it's not as easy as clearning trees, etc. beer helps fill the gap beef/pork/chicken would take. now, it takes 3lbs of corn/1 lb of chicken, 12/1lb pork and 20/1lb beef. all that corn on the highway is not for ppl btw. that's gotta' come from somewhere green and arid, not rocky and barren. beer, in a liquid state, is more concentrated, easier to store in terms of mass, and has a much longer shelf life. meat rots, especially in damp caves. -nice alternative would be to trade steel for pork bellies from humans. but think about dwarven meat industry and their room/societal constraints. so, true to their form, they would make it terribly efficient and pragmatic, and you think PETA would have issues w/ our stockyards. anyway, yeah, beer/ale/etc. would be part of the daily diet to offset wasted potential. and you get get a Hell of alot of eggs, chicken, pork, etc., for a MW axe... -fungi, sure why not. don't know much about the 5th kingdom, save for the psilocybin variety, which makes me wonder about the dwarven equivalent, though ours' are contingent on cows i thought. i'm sure there's some funky Underdark lizard or a rothe, etc... consider a battlerager or deepwarden. afterall, it was proven many times over viking berserkers were often indulging in scandanavian shrooms pre-frenzy. i imagine it might change your POV enough to do horrendous things and mentally come to grips w/ it later when you stop tripping. "oh, i was just frying, so he's dead you know, no biggie." a moral crutch if you will. like having a shot or 2 before you have to do something harrowing. liquid courage.
Space_Dragon 12-18-07, 03:48 AM	I still think rice farming would be the smartest way for dwarven agriculture to go. Agree?
Phelix_the_Warrior 12-18-07, 04:38 AM	A) Provided the dwarves were forced into this then yes, they could survive (so if your talking about a community thats been cut off forever, so it would adapt then yes) B) if its a community thats lost all its trade routes due to cave ins ect. then it probably couldnt survive forever (based on how large the community is) but it could last long enough to dig its way out again, and it could survive till that happened
AtsuiShoto 12-18-07, 09:32 AM	As with most logistical networks, the best solution is actually a variety of solutions. If rice farming works, then go farm some rice! Go ahead, brew it up into some decent beer (sake, I'm looking at you)! Need some meat? Well, I recall a certain wizard saying "there are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the earth". Well, what do they eat for meat? Try some of that, see if you like it! Need leafy greens? Diversify, diversify, diversify.
Hochiu 12-18-07, 11:26 AM	I still think rice farming would be the smartest way for dwarven agriculture to go. Agree? It depends on how realistic you're wanting to be in this instance, I think. If the dwarves have access to a surface community in which they grow their foodstuffs above ground in traditional (non-fantastical) ways, then it depends on their location. I would think, since most of them live higher in the mountains, that hardier foodstuffs would be acceptable. Tubers, low-growing greens, things that can survive colder climates and rocky soil, etc. I see dwarves being great connoisseursof the onion family. Rice farming has the benefit of being far more able to space, as opposed to traditional farming methods, simply because it can be adapted easier to terrace farming. Other crops can similarly be planted in terraces, such as those the Inca grew in Peru. Vineyards can also similarly be terraced - perhaps dwarven wine is an exquisite, rare treat only reserved for nobility as they are more commonly associated with their ales and porters? Fantastically, it's quite easy for the dwarves to grow food underground, even foods that require above-ground exposure. This goes beyond even a simple application of a mass-create food/water spell. I think that's a waste of ability. While possible, its far more likely that a trade of farmers would grow up in order to provide to the community. Though with magic, they could be tenders, instead of true farmers. Caverns can be converted into magical hot-houses or green houses with the use of a permanent, modified daylight spell, that functions similar to the optimum growing cycle for the plants in question, dimming and brightening in cycles. Great caverns of otherwise dug-out material can be utilized for these purposes and, if the caves got large enough, with similar mage-development, herds of livestock can be cared for. Goats, predominately, due to their ease of survival. Not pigs, though. Pigs require the food that humanoids need - domestic swine can't survive on ruffage too well. Mutton, tripe, haggis-style dishes, I see the dwarves using everything at their disposal with none of the elves' sensitive delicacies about eating the "gross parts". Semi-permanent cold rooms function as meatlockers or, in a non-magic setting, mountain ice could be harvested and brought underground into a chamber and then sealed up. Caves are naturally chilly. It wouldn't take much to turn them into long-lasting coolers. They aren't bound to rely on natural forms of agriculture and food production under the ground. Nor are they reliant on wholly magical means of production. Depending on the campaign and the flavor, a median needs to be reached. In my games, magic us generally underutilized for day-to-day life, so they'd take more of the natural approach.
Space_Dragon 12-18-07, 11:52 AM	It depends on how realistic you're wanting to be in this instance, I think. If the dwarves have access to a surface community in which they grow their foodstuffs above ground in traditional (non-fantastical) ways, then it depends on their location. I would think, since most of them live higher in the mountains, that hardier foodstuffs would be acceptable. Tubers, low-growing greens, things that can survive colder climates and rocky soil, etc. I see dwarves being great connoisseursof the onion family. Rice farming has the benefit of being far more able to space, as opposed to traditional farming methods, simply because it can be adapted easier to terrace farming. Other crops can similarly be planted in terraces, such as those the Inca grew in Peru. Vineyards can also similarly be terraced - perhaps dwarven wine is an exquisite, rare treat only reserved for nobility as they are more commonly associated with their ales and porters? I did not know that about the Incas. Thanks. You also have a good point about the onions, since onions kind of have the same characteristics as dwarves to begin with (short, broad, and defensive :D). Maybe they can make beet or onion vodka?
The Ubbergeek 12-18-07, 01:00 PM	incan and other natives of the region had developped crops for mountanous lands, as tibetas and all. Potatoes, quinoa, oat, other roots, tea... etc... Dwarves could have developped this (I think myself of making a tibetan-like dwarven culture in my world).
Hochiu 12-20-07, 02:59 PM	I did not know that about the Incas. Thanks. You also have a good point about the onions, since onions kind of have the same characteristics as dwarves to begin with (short, broad, and defensive :D). Maybe they can make beet or onion vodka? Dwarves have...layers? :confused: :D And the onion vodka makes my stomach want to turn. Beet vodka is interesting, to say the least, but still.
The Ubbergeek 12-20-07, 03:15 PM	Maybe they created a sugar beet that don't have the bitter, unpalatable salts in it... *shrugs*
CliffracerSlayer 12-28-07, 11:30 AM	A solid theocracy could ensure that every Dwarf joins the clergy at some time in their life, like youths in the Israeli military or an American draft. However, this isn't for the purpose of war, no; all civilian/clergy magic it put towards sustaining the population, like a Black and White game on small scale. Then, each family uses Create Water, Create Food, etc for basic needs. Place spells on items, even. Permanent Daylight spells are used to grow plants as desired, or even better, train Druids. I don't think Clergy conscription would work, since wouldn't you need to have a particularly high level of religious belief to be a cleric, something that not everyone has.
Hochiu 12-31-07, 11:40 PM	I don't think Clergy conscription would work, since wouldn't you need to have a particularly high level of religious belief to be a cleric, something that not everyone has. Not everyone in our society. Dwarven society could very well be so indoctrinated that it takes decades to actually fall from the high level of religious belief.
Learned_Barbarian 01-01-08, 11:46 PM	They could always have magical hydroponic farms. You can grow various grasses and mushrooms using hydroponics.
narack 01-02-08, 12:34 PM	Fear the Chicken Soup Elementals Those are made when a Water Elemental do it with a chicken while a fire elemental looking at them from close.
Legdiwena 01-02-08, 12:58 PM	WTMI
-rewind- 01-02-08, 02:16 PM	Oi, there isnt mush that i wanted to say that Hochiu hasn't already. When I make dwarven mountain settlement,s i usually try to make it all above sea level, to distinguish it from the underdark. I don't see any reasons why dwarves would not apply their renoun dedication to agriculture as they have with manufacturing. I've always been a stickler for realisim in my games, so i've always made dwarven mountains covered in terraces, with goat herders along the mountain ranges, and a few human villages that have settled around the base which have set up for ease of trade with the dwarves, and to provide crops and food that dwarves to not usually grow. this is kinda like the arrangement between dale and the misty mountain in the hobbit. However, one thing that i enjoy adding, are short yet hearty beings which live at the mountains peak, preferring more fresh air than the dwarves. To survive at low air at high altitudes they chew on leaves which, on occasion give them strange hallucinations. Over generations of leave chewing they have deveoped a few arcane powers and have become their own race. gnomes :)
pigknight 01-03-08, 03:24 AM	In my campain most dwarven cities are self sufficent (they grow things humans would grow) because their's a big ol' empire ruled by a NE tyrant in between 'em. Only one village isn't self sufficent, Ice-Forge clan (guess where they live), but they are supplied by the Necropolis (a LN city with mostly clergy of Wee Jas).