handhewers

Handhewers are a fictional race from the world of Eldoria, primarily featured in the tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder. They are a hardy, subterranean people known for their exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in metalworking and gem cutting. Physically, Handhewers are typically shorter and more stout than humans, with broad shoulders and strong hands, indicative of their labor-intensive lifestyle. Their skin often has a grayish or earthy hue, and they possess excellent darkvision, allowing them to navigate the depths of their underground homes with ease.

Handhewers are a pragmatic and disciplined race, valuing community and tradition above all else. Their society is organized around clans, each with its own specialized skills and territories. Loyalty to one's clan is paramount, and disputes are often resolved through intricate rituals and trials of skill. While generally reserved and stoic, Handhewers possess a deep appreciation for beauty, which they express through their intricate carvings, finely wrought tools, and the dazzling gems they extract from the earth.

Their primary settlements are found in vast underground cavern systems, often carved into mountainsides or deep beneath the surface. These cities are marvels of engineering, featuring elaborate tunnel networks, sturdy stone structures, and ingenious ventilation systems. Though they prefer their subterranean existence, Handhewers are not isolationist and engage in trade with surface dwellers, offering their superior crafted goods in exchange for resources they cannot easily acquire underground. They have a particular affinity for precious metals and gemstones, which they believe hold a certain innate power.