Myriad Worlds: The Dworgs

Dworgs, also known as Earth-Children, Keepers of the Emerald Path, Twig-beards, Masons, and more derogatorily, Dogs, are an ancient people, perhaps the oldest beings among the Myriad Worlds.

The first mention of the Dworg people is carved into the Plinth of Uilyll, the seventh facet. There, the eponymous Uilyll comes across an ancient ruin who provides them with the secret of the enduring name.¹ While the debate over the age of the Plinth is ongoing, there are few who challenge the sentiment that Dworgs have existed since before travel between the Myriad Worlds was first attempted.

Dworgs are a smaller people, measuring on the shorter side of the many heights and widths among the Myriad Folk. Measurement is usually carried out from ground to shoulder, as the more regular measurement of toe to crown is not nearly as useful among Dworgs, considering their unusual posture.

Dworgs walk on their feet and palms, in such a manner as to keep their backs almost perfectly flat. Were their heads oriented on their shoulders in a more bi-pedal manner, they would be forced to face the ground. However, their necks are not oriented in a suitably quadrupedal shape, either. Instead, their long faces angle down in a strange average between the two, forcing them to either crane their necks up to see ahead of them, or down to see beneath them.

There is uncertainty as to whether or not Dworgs are made of flesh and bone, as most living beings are. There is a theory that their bodies are exclusively a collection of mismatched pieces of stone, wood, and various plants including vines, grasses, and sometimes even flowers. These ingredients certainly make the majority of their coverings, and their faces, while certainly having the mobility of flesh, are rough and craggy. The fact that their hair is made of grass and twig would also seem to support this idea.

Perhaps most interesting, while no Dworg has ever been observed to ‘build’ themselves or others, their language uses the word ‘dwig’ for everything ranging from basic tool usage to birthing another Dworg. This has caused a large amount of translation-conflict in the past, as the majority of active verbs in other languages all fall under the Dworg word ‘dwig,’ which translates to ‘make,’ or perhaps ’to cause to be manifested.’ One does not cook but makes a meal. One does not dance but makes a dance. The conflict in translation arises when the context does not make it immediately clear what it is that is being made. This suggests that ‘making’ is a deep philosophical concept in Dworg society, much as the verb ‘being’ is in ours.

Dworgs do not wear clothing, excepting for ceremonial or special occasions, as one might wear makeup or a tie. They use a great many tools, however, and are famed for their engineering sense. Dworg cities are deep and complicated warrens of earth and wood turned into masterful pieces of art, comparable to our own ancient religious buildings or cultural treasures.

As Dworgs have a cultural recalcitrance to discussing anything that has to do with procreation, scholars are uncertain as to whether dwig being used to make a Dworg is simply a linguistic oddity, or an admission that Dworgs are carved, constructed, or grown from the surrounding environs.

Dworg Culture

The Dworg folk are famed for their poetic verve and pragmatic attitudes, such that if you have never met a Dworg before, you may find their choice of words odd, if not confusing. A few notes below:

When a Dworg speaks of the Emerald Path, they are usually talking about nature or life in a broad sense. While most hold great reverence to the Emerald Path as a concept, you need not comment.

The phrase “From my mothers to your feet” is a mistranslation of an ancient Dworg saying. It is a phrase used in multiple circumstances with multiple intents, meaning it is wisest for travelers to simply change the subject without giving thanks or apology. As of yet, this hasn’t caused any social conflict.

When saying farewell to a Dworg, never say “goodbye.” It is always better to say either “farewell” or “until we meet again.” In spite of many years of cultural cross-pollination, the Dworg people have never been able to accept that ‘goodbye’ is not an expression of delight at the Dworg’s leaving.

Dworg do not eat food palatable to most folk of the Myraid Worlds. Do not offer to eat or drink with a Dworg, and if you offer to purchase them a drink, be prepared to look for a long time for a bar that serves suitable Dworg beverages.

Dworgs do not have a strong culture of friendship. While they are generally cordial and polite — at least as far as they understand the concepts — the idea of ‘befriending’ someone remains fairly alien to them. Acts of kindness and courtesy are respected, of course, but ongoing relationships are not a regular part of Dworg society.

Should you meet a Dworg in your travels, It is polite not to stare.

Dwaga

In recent years, there have been sightings of Dworgs with a more hunched posture, resulting from longer forelimbs or shorter legs. It is the belief of some scholars that this is a natural adjustment occurring through time, that will result in the Dworg people eventually walking upright as most modern people do. The Dworgs resent this implication, and call these hunched Dworgs ‘Dwaga,’ which does not appear to have a suitable translation.

Of interest is the suggestion that these Dwaga are more xenophiliac than other Dworgs. Multiple papers have suggested that Dwaga are likely to know more languages, adapt to more social norms, and be more flexible with Dworg taboos.

At the same time, there is at least one recorded reference of a “chief” Dwaga, so assumptions of Dwaga being a Dworg “foreigner class” are still suspect.

Dwomgi

For centuries, the strange markings seen on various Dworgs were believed to be some kind of tribal markings, or perhaps war-paint of some kind. Any discussion of these markings was considered taboo by the addressed Dworgs, and so it was not for many years that a reason for these markings was discovered by an Aeolam anthropologist who lived among a Dworg camp for several years.

These markings, made by any available Dworgs with paints, charcoal, or any other marking implement at hand, are made when a Dworg requires social punishment. These markings are, apparently, signs of shame or correction, and the marked Dworg will remain so until the markings naturally wash off.² It is a practice comparable to placing criminals in stocks, or parading them through town in fool’s garb.

The markings themselves are simple stripes, handprints, and blots, along with symbols that have been translated using the Rezna Cuniform to relate to animals, plants, or textures. The most any Dworg will say about such markings is that they are ‘dwomgi.’ The closest translation we have achieved would be “make again,” or “corrections.” These dwomgi are always unique, and as of yet there have been no recorded instances of repeated symbols.

This use of dwomgi is one of the most curious aspects of the Dworg people, as the scholars and sages of many nations, creeds, and cultures have studied the dwomgi, and no discernible significance has been attributed to these corrections by any non-Dworg. They appear to be placed randomly, or at least haphazardly.

Of equal interest to Dworg sociologists is the behavior of the corrected Dworg, as there has likewise been no recorded instance of resistance to this punishment. Dworgs accept these markings with complete calm and resignation, and no Dworg has ever reported feeling shame or embarrassment due to their punishment. This has led many scholars to suggest that the term “punishment” is a poor translation for the act of placing dwomgi on an undesirable.