Contrary to popular belief amongst the other races, Dwarves are not
strictly a subterranean culture. Multiple crops that they depend upon for
their staple diet are grown above ground, and it is far more fiscally sound
to maintain colonies above ground to grow and harvest these crops, than it
is to receive in trade from the other races at a hyper-inflated rate. So it
was that Hadrelan was born in such a community, his mother a well-practiced
herbalist, his father a merchant for their clan. Childhood for the dwarves
of the surface colony offered many opportunities not afforded to those
raised underground. While expectations were upon the young to help harvest
crops and perform other menial tasks once old enough, free time was still
plentiful and there was relative safety in their lands. Many adults and
children spent time in the nearby forests, his own mother there on an almost
daily basis harvesting reagents for her shop. Hadrelan often accompanied
his mother on her trips, though preferred the solitude of exploring the
forest or nearby plains on his own. As his appreciation of nature grew with
age, his kinship with animals also became apparent. Often, he was tasked
with helping the adults with the handling of livestock, his presence a
calming influence upon the creatures, making milking of the goats, or
shearing the sheep easier tasks for both the Dwarves and the animals.
Tending livestock grew overtime into raising orphaned wildlife he found in
the forest, starting with birds and squirrels and growing to encompass fawns
and even a bear cub. The dwarven people are as capable of compassion as any
of the other civilized races, and while not all comprehended how he managed
the raising of wildlife, none questioned the acts themselves. As he grew
closer to adulthood, Hadrelan decided he wished to learn more of nature.
After discussing it with his parents, he received their blessing to leave
the settlement and travel on his own in his pursuit of knowledge. To some
it would seem wildly inappropriate to let a child not yet grown into
adulthood venture off on their own into the unknown. Dwarves however, are
made of sterner stuff, and while it was uncommon for one of theirs to leave
the safety of a clan settlement, there was never a question of their ability
to protect themselves. So Hadrelan was off with good wishes at his back,
helping drive him forward on his journey for knowledge.
Description:
Bald at the top, his face still is quite hairy, sporting a massive salt
and pepper beard that runs down to the middle of his chest, the sideburns on
his cheeks thick and full. Sharp brown eyes stare out from underneath thick
shaggy eyebrows, blending well with his deeply tanned brown skin. Shoulders
bred to carry heavy loads with ease, sport thick arms and massive hands with
sausage fingers. A thick broad chest, it displays more gray and white hairs
where they're visible in large patches. His legs are noticeably shorter
than his gorilla torso, his arms almost hanging down to his knees.
