Nolkh

The Nolkh are a short, stocky, odd-looking folk, with limited physical and magical capabilities. What they lack in other areas, however, they make up for in intelligence- they have a formidable knowledge of machines and engineering, and are skilled diplomats and traders. They primarily inhabit the barren, frozen tundras, rough taiga, and high mountains of Keldor, living inside mountains to beat out the cold.

Appearance
Nolkh are the shortest of the hommian races, averaging between three to four feet. Their frames tend to be either stocky and unwieldy, or slight and fragile, granting little physical strength in either case. Their skin is usually quite pale, and hair colours typically only range from dark brown to black. However it is their large, elliptical eyes and wide-nostriled noses that are considered their primary distinguishing features.

History
The hommian clan that would become the Nolkh were one of the first tribes to split off from the rest, migrating directly north, and eventually settling permanently in the mountains of Keldor. Because they lived in the mountains and under the earth, they had more pressure on their body so over time they grew shorter and stockier; in addition, their eyes grew larger to accommodate for the lower light, and their nostrils grew wider to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the tunnels.

Culture
Nolkh are most known for the prominence of machinery within their societies. Without magical prowess or military might, their mastery of technology has been essential to the prosperity of the race. The abundance of quality minerals available within their mountain homes means they have the resources to create very durable and effective machines, with a variety of purpose including weaponry, mining equipment, and infrastructure. Furthermore, Nolkh tend to be skilled businessmen, a trait of bartering that evolved from their limited, but high-value, available resources. They have throughout history had trade relations with every race within the continent. Most notably, when the Drakyr began colonising nearby their lands, they knew they would swiftly be taken over should they decide to conquer them. Instead, hoping to have that kind of power on their side, they sparked up trade- the Nolkh provided metal for weapons from their ample mountain resources, and the Drakyr kept them guarded from harm. This evolved into a steadfast alliance that has remained intact throughout most of their history.