Gruve

Summary
A heart of mining with an endless drive to survive, the Gruve were originally Valerians from various parts of the world. When rumors that the Snowsvept Mountains in the north contained riches started circulating, many Valerians decided to try their luck, leaving their homes and average life for a chance to form their own luck. With the focus being on mining, most of those that left and gathered were naturally Earth elementalists. Terras, Quakes and Faults gathered together, working together to mine out the area and, with their newly discovered riches, start the town now known as Sentraltind. Over a few thousand more years, the harsh frost, relentless winter and brutal conditions of the mines eventually shaped the race that are known as the Gruve today.

Though all of the Gruve share the same common traits: thick skin to resist the cold, strength to help them work the mines and a resistant to foreign substances (such as alcohol) due to their excessive celebrations, something odd occurred. The Gruve evolved in two vastly different ways. The Haush Gruves have the tallest average height of any race in Laryia, with a frame and build to support an imposing physique. While, on the opposite spectrum, the Stuth Gruve are the shortest height average of any race in Laryia. Their short, stubby builds allow them to access the harder to reach parts of the mine. Yet, this build does not compromise on strength, as somehow, they still have physical capabilities equal to that of the Haush.

A race carved out of survival and necessity, it makes sense that the Gruve are all opportunistic, brave individuals, willing to take risks even if the rewards are not equal.

After all, it was these very same people that made their home in the Snowsvept Mountains in the first place, with nothing more than a rumor and hope to help them survive in the brutal terrain.

Home City & Culture
Though Gruves can be found around Laryia, the vast vast majority still reside in the home city of Sentraltind. Ever since the very first founding of the city thousands of years ago, the Gruve have placed a focus on companionship, teamwork and exceptional standards in their craft. After all, the first two is how they even survived. If they had adopted the 'every man for themselves' culture like the Fen did, their deaths would have been swift indeed. It was only through the forming of a tightly knit community that they overcame the odds, and one that they still share even to this day, even if their population has grown immensly. This is not to say they don't have their own troubles or arguments, but the Gruve are likely to settle them through talks or a good old fashion drinking contest, rather than burning the city to the ground.

As for the standards to their craft, it was the only way they could set themselves apart from Raptured Falls. By only allowing the best of the best to be exported, be it in ore, jewelry, weapons, or other of their creations such as their signature alcohol, the Eimað Himnaríki (though better known as Distilled Heaven), they have created the brand image that Gruve items are the top of the line with uncompromising quality. And this shows the trait that the Gruves are respected for, their amazing business sense. Able to broker deals and keep an eye on the bigger picture of all times, somehow, Gruves always find a way to get everyone involved a 'win-win' situation, even if they may win more.

Yet, the Gruve isn't a perfect race. Their focus on business centrics and honest, no-nonsense dealings have made them short tempered at any sort of fluff. They do not do well being lied to, and what the Gruves might see as a reasonable solution to a conflict, is considered barbaric and often spontaneous to others. And though the Gruves do welcome other Elementalists into Sentraltind, they are well known for quick judgements and basing their entire assumption of someone based upon first impression.

That being said, its hard to generalize the Gruves as a whole, as just like every other race, there are Gruves that exist against these stereotypes (for better or for worse). As such, its better to simply deal with them in order to understand them. Just try not to get into a barfight with a group of Gruves...

Or say something you aren't 100% sure won't offend them in the first place.

Features

 * Naturally thick skin and a layer of fat enables Gruve to survive even the harshest cold and protect from minor blows.


 * Increased muscle mass if trained gives Gruve abnormally large strength.


 * Though it stemmed from copious amounts of alcohol consumption, Gruve have a natural resistance to foreign substances in their blood stream including poison or liquid infections