Paragon

The title bestowed upon Dwarves who have performed extraordinary feats and are recognized as so important that they are worthy of reverence within their own lifetime. Paragon.

Paragons represent the pinnacle of dwarven excellence. They are the one of two exceptions to the rigid caste structure, the only other being a Dwarf who becomes a Grey Warden. Paragons can be drawn from any caste, even the casteless. In practice, however, paragons are traditionally drawn from the ranks of the warriors, smiths, or artisans.

Biological Traits

Dwarves are typically short, stocky, and powerfully built, favoring dense musculature over tall stature. They exhibit the following general characteristics:

Height & Build: Most stand between 130 - 140cm tall, though some clans produce taller individuals, and have broad shoulders.
Skin & Hair: Complexions range from fair to various warm tans and brown shades, reflecting both underground and surface exposure. Hair color tends toward browns, blacks, or dark reds; men often grow impressive beards as a point of pride, while women may style their hair in elaborate braids.
Longevity: Dwarves reach adulthood in their mid-twenties and can live well past 100 years, though the perils of mining, darkspawn incursions, and clan feuds often shorten lifespans.
No Fade Connection: Dwarves are famously “earth-bound,” generally unable to sense or enter the Fade in dreams, which makes them highly resistant to most forms of magic, but also incapable of becoming mages themselves.

Below are a few subgroups or major communities where these traits can vary slightly due to environment, lifestyle, and culture:

Orzammar: The largest surviving dwarven city. Orzammar dwarves often have lighter or medium-toned skin (depending on caste and how deep they dwell). Sturdy builds are universal, with elaborate hair braiding that signifies rank or house affiliation.
Kal-Sharok: A kingdom with many of its roads cut off from Orzammar after the First Blight began. Kal-Sharok dwarves tend to be grim and pale, shaped by deeper tunnels and a long history of isolation. Rumors persist that their traditions diverge markedly from Orzammar’s over the last two centuries.
Surface Dwarves: Those who have chosen (or been forced) to live above ground, often adopting local human customs. Their skin may be tanned from sunlight, and beards or braids might be trimmed more casually. Many surface dwarves operate as merchants, smiths, or scouts.

Racial Traits

Lifespan: Roughly a century

Height: 110 - 140cm

Languages: Common, Dwarvish

Physique: Small Humanoid

Movement Rate: 6 Tiles

Features

Base Race - Dwarf: All Dwarf Features

Attributes +1: STR, DEX, VIT
Available Cultures: Anderfels, Antiva, Dwarven Thaig, Free Marches, Orlais, Nevarra, Rivain
Paragon Resistance: Starts with +1 resistance to all magical damage types and -4 Encumbrance

Paragon Ethic: +1 Energy available, for 4 total per Rest.

Cultures

Dwarves share a distinct sense of identity anchored in ancestry and the Stone, yet their communities can differ drastically in governance, trade relationships, and day-to-day customs. The following Cultures are available to Dwarves and can be explored further on the Cultures page.

Functionality

Paragons are considered living Ancestors, their actions and words carrying the wisdom and will of the Ancestors. Even though the title grants no official power, the word of a Paragon carries a great deal of weight in the Assembly, even surpassing that of Orzammar's monarch.

Dwarven cities are decorated by monolithic lifelike statues of Paragons from days past. The most impressive are located within Orzammar's Hall of Heroes beneath the surface gates of the Frostback Mountains, where the giant statues appear to hold up the ceiling. This is meant to impress—and perhaps intimidate—visitors to Orzammar and to convey upon dwarves heading to the surface all that they are leaving behind.

King Endrin Stonehammer is known as the First Paragon of the Dwarves.

The act by which one becomes a Paragon can vary. Typically, it is bestowed upon a dwarf for a feat of bravery in warfare or an incredible invention, though it can also be given for something as simple as embodying the ideals and tasks of one's caste to an unprecedented perfection. Some have earned the rank for less important pursuits such as writing particularly good rhymes or brewing stronger ales. The only constant is that it be an act that betters or sustains the dwarven way of life in some notable fashion.

A Paragon is elected by the Assembly, which is no easy feat and often involves long debates weighing the political consequences; a Paragon creates a noble house with a deshyr representative, which may upset the political balance as the Paragon's entire house, who can be of any caste, will be uplifted to the privileged noble caste. This new house bears the name of the Paragon and is recorded in the Memories, the records of the dwarves. Paragons can also be named posthumously, which is usually the case for Paragons of the servant caste.

In ancient times, the best warriors of Grand Provings were named Paragons and many statues were constructed in their honor.