Dwarves

The Homo Pumilus, otherwise known as the Dwarves, are a subspecies of Solarisian hominids. They originated from the planet Beetise, and are a race that highly values tenacity, technology, and craftsmanship. Their creations have made them respected contributors to the Solaris System’s technological advancement. They are a part of The Great Five Races.

Physiology and Characteristics
Dwarves are humanoids typically shorter than humans, standing at an average of 4’6” (137 cm). As with the rest of the Great Five, they are anatomically similar to humans, with the exception of their shorter stature, Kelfos glands, and sometimes enlarged eyes. Because of this, they tend to be at a disadvantage due to their height, which they make up for in their physical endurance. Dwarven bodies are much more efficient with their bodily energy than the other races, and are physically more durable.

Dwarves as a race tend to be more polymorphic than humans. Some ethnicities have hairy and pale skin with large protruding eyes, while others have tanned skin and no hair.

When severely injured, Dwarves may stock their bellies up with food before entering a deep state of sleep torpor, in which they heal much faster than the other races. A broken bone may be healed within a couple weeks, provided that their sleep isn’t heavily disturbed and they are protected.

Underneath certain areas of skin are Dwarven glands that secrete a crystal-like substance called Kelfos that acts as a callus or a carapace. Dwarves are able to willfully don this natural armor within a minute. Once hardened, kelfos can protect against mildly dull blades and scalding attacks. It’s a natural defense for Dwarves in their hostile environment.

Dwarven fingernails may extend up to the same length as their finger, with their width expanding up to almost two fingers’ width at the ends. This length and shape, coupled with continuously active kelfos glands in their fingers, allow Dwarven fingernails to act as natural shovels. It was a common practice for tribal and agricultural Dwarves to chew off the nails of their first three fingers to free them for everyday use, while leaving the ring and pinky nails long.

The saliva produced from their salivary glands are more acidic, allowing them to break down harder substances.

Dwarven lungs are relatively strong. They can inhale clouds of dust without much difficulty, and filter out mild concentrations of poisonous substances from the air. Their bodies are also very efficient when it comes to using oxygen, and their breathing rates are much slower than the other Great Five.

The ethnicities with protruding eyes have more sensitive vision, allowing them to see easier in the dark, but also making them more vulnerable to bright lights.