Brech’mar
The Brech'mar (brek'mɑ:r) are the people of Brecha, the Goddess of Earth, and were given mastery over her element by bonding their souls with the earth elemental spirit [[Gnome]. They are a short, stout, and hearty people who make their homes in the mountains of Kalesten and Thiskel--primarily in subterranean cities supported by agricultural villages on the surface. They are known for their exquisite metalwork that is often traded with neighboring elemental races. The Brech'mar are a proud, independent people with strong warriors but are also known for their hospitality and appreciation for food and culture.
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Biology
On the surface, the Brech'mar look very different from the other elemental races, many of which are known for their refined beauty and height. In comparison, the Brech'mar are exceptionally short with broad, sturdy frames that carry more fat than their cousins, and are often more hirsute.
Their ears are also much less prominent than many of the other elemental races. Rather than having the long, tapered ears, Brech'mar have ears that lay flat against the side of their head with a two to three inch upward tilted point. These ears do not have the mobility of the tapered ears of the other elemental races, instead being more like human ears. Their hearing may be less acute in an open environment, compared to the other elemental races, but their hearing is marginally better than humans. Hearing is not as important a trait in their subterranean environment as many rely more on vibrations through the earth.
Brech'mar have enhanced night vision in comparison to many of the elemental races and humans, especially those whose eyes are accustomed to the subterranean dark as miners. They have a tapetum lucidum[1] which allows them to see better in low light, much like many nocturnal animals. This also causes Brech'mar eyes to reflect light in the dark.
Appearance
A stark contrast to the other elemental races, the Brech’mar are a short and sturdy people. Males stand between 4’10” and 5’ (147-152cm) and females at 4’6” to 4’9” (137-144cm) with medium to heavy frames with broad shoulders on the men and wide hips on the women. Both genders often carry a bit of extra weight on them, either plump or muscular, depending on their typical physical activities.
Skin color is typically fair, with the rural Brech’mar tanning more readily. Hair and eye color is broad and varied, though each population may have colors that are especially common or especially rare amongst them. Blonde, red, brown, and black hair are all typical of the Brech’mar, and eye colors cover shades of blue, green, gray, brown, hazel, gold, and violet. Also unlike the other elemental races, they have rather small ears, pointed with a length of two or three inches pointing upward rather than the long, tapered ears of their cousins.
The Brech’mar are a rather hirsute people as well, with men often having prodigious amounts of body hair and full facial hair. Beards are highly appreciated amongst the Brech’mar. Some cultures have specific styles for men denoting position or career, while others leave it up to the man to determine his own form of expression via facial hair. Even female Brech’mar are not immune to the hairy traits of their people. Light amounts of facial hair (thin mustaches, hairy chins) often appear on darker haired women which is often plucked, shaved, or otherwise removed.
