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(For further information see my thread for Dwarves in the Peoples, Races, Tribes forum. This topic may contain several excerpts from other topics related to the Dwarves)
Of Dwarven Art
Before you can fully understand Dwarven Art, you must understand that Dwarven Culture in general experiences almost no differences between certain times, or certain places. Dwarven culture is effect slightly by such natural differences-in that a certain location may necessitate architecture not common in the general culture, or that at a certain time depicting a certain historical event may be more relevant than at an other time-but such differences are not nearly as great as differences in Elvish and Manish culture.
The Dwarven definition of art (which is represented by a word which cannot be translated with complete accuracy into English) divides the arts into several groups. Arts of the hand, arts of the mind, and arts of the entire body. There are many arts (painting, for example) which bridge these groups and are arbitrarily assigned to one of the groups which they bridge.
Arts of the Hand
Surgical Medicine: Surgical medicine is considered an art in than it is a work of the hand and requires considerable skill to be performed effectively. The Dwarves excel above men in this field, but have not rivaled the Elves, which is due partly to the greater resistance to harm which Dwarves possess.
Construction/Engineering: Dwarven architecture is mostly misunderstood by those who have not visited the homeland of the Dwarves. Most people believe Dwarven buildings to be basic, box-like structures. In actuality, Dwarven design focuses on reflecting four essences. (Thanks again Lauser family!) Wind, Water, Ice, and Earth.
Wind: Building located on the slopes of high mountains typically reflect this theme. Buildings are generally one level, and sprawl across the slopes. The construction conforms itself to whatever features the slope may have, whether it is a ravine or a rock fall.
Water: Defensive structures and buildings in low or flat lands are typically built after this pattern. Buildings range from one story (called "stream level") to three stories (called "lake level") These buildings are built of hard, shock-absorbing materials. The main focus of the architecture is a defensive pattern: The main portion of the building (citadel) is always uphill (sometimes the terrain is artificial) from the rest of the building, which "flows" downhill from the citadel. This pattern forces enemies to attack the lowest level first and gradually force their way up the slope to the citadel.
Ice: This is a popular pattern in the flatlands and on the coast. Buildings have no sprawl and are generally between three to five levels. Buildings have harsh, sheer walls. Windows are narrow, battlements are tall.
Earth: This is the underground building design. Buildings are somewhere between a sprawling a multi-leveling. Other than the distinctive feature of being underground, Earth style buildings share very little similarities.
(For those wondering, yes, architecture is both and art of the hand and an art of the mind.)
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I am Ebed Eleutheros, redeemed from slavery in sin to the bond-service of my Master, Jesus Christ.
Redemption is to be purchased, to have a price paid. So I was redeemed from my master sin, and from justice, which demanded my death. For He paid the price of sin by becoming sin, and met the demands of justice by dying for us.
For all men have a master. But a man cannot have two masters. For he will love one and hate the other. You cannot serve God and sin. So I die to the old, as He died, and I am resurrected to the new, as He was resurrected.
Note: Ebed is Hebrew for bondsman, Eleutheros is Greek for unrestrained (not a slave).
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