Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

From the Blue Mountains to the Iron Hills...

Moderators: caedmon, Greg

User avatar
Peter Remling
Athel Dunedain
Posts: 3735
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am

Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Peter Remling »

The Rohan have their horses.

The Elves use both animals and plants.

Why don't we see Bats represented in Dwarven art? No, I don't expect to see a dwarf don a cowl to become Batdwarf but, they are subterranean.
User avatar
Manveruon
Thangailhir
Posts: 2582
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:11 am
Location: Littleton, CO
Contact:

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Manveruon »

Peter Remling wrote: Sat Nov 05, 2022 2:02 am Why don't we see Bats represented in Dwarven art? No, I don't expect to see a dwarf don a cowl to become Batdwarf but, they are subterranean.
Oh no! Don’t give them ideas! :lol:

But in all seriousness, I always kind of saw goats and maybe boars as Dwarven totem animals, to an extent. As well as ravens, because of their prevalence in the Hobbit. The goats for obvious reasons - but boars fit to my mind mostly because they’re stout, hearty, stubborn, and DANGEROUS.
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
User avatar
ForgeCorvus
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 302
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:07 pm

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by ForgeCorvus »

Bats belong to 'The Other Guy'

I like boar....... A dog looks up to you, a cat looks down on you. But Pig looks you right in the eye.
All debts are paid....... Nothing forgiven. Nothing forgotten.

"All Things Strive" Gd Tak 'Gar

Barron (BAH-Ron) son of Barris (BAH-Ras) AKA Barron 'Blackcap'.
Independent Fellsward, Jobber, Tinker and Traveller in Trifles
User avatar
redhandfilms
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:11 pm
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Contact:

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by redhandfilms »

Bats may be considered pests to Dwarves. You don't see many humans putting rats on their banners. They likely chase them out of Dwarven caves. No one wants guano in their beard!
User avatar
Peter Remling
Athel Dunedain
Posts: 3735
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Peter Remling »

redhandfilms wrote: Mon Nov 07, 2022 3:39 pm Bats may be considered pests to Dwarves. You don't see many humans putting rats on their banners. They likely chase them out of Dwarven caves. No one wants guano in their beard!
Makes a great hair/beard dye! :D
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Iodo »

redhandfilms wrote: Mon Nov 07, 2022 3:39 pm Bats may be considered pests to Dwarves. You don't see many humans putting rats on their banners. They likely chase them out of Dwarven caves. No one wants guano in their beard!
that is most likely true, I've done plenty of caving and bats are what makes caves messy, kinda like underground pigeons, but they do keep the insects down I guess
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
redhandfilms
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:11 pm
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Contact:

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by redhandfilms »

Iodo wrote: Tue Nov 08, 2022 8:42 am that is most likely true, I've done plenty of caving and bats are what makes caves messy, kinda like underground pigeons, but they do keep the insects down I guess
They cannot be worse than London Pigeons. Those are a different breed. Swarming servants of the Dark One, they are.
As for insects, there's naturally not too many inside caves, with or without bats. However, removing bats could grow the insect population outside the caves. That might be a bonus. It just adds one more nuisance to deter any outsider who might come knocking on Dwarven doors.
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Iodo »

redhandfilms wrote: Tue Nov 08, 2022 4:38 pm They cannot be worse than London Pigeons. Those are a different breed. Swarming servants of the Dark One, they are
Nahh, factory site pigeons are way worse than London pigeons and I have to contend with those every day. But still not as bad as the much feared seagull! (specifically the inland trash bag hunting variety) Once I tried to eat a sandwich outside at work, if I had stayed there for 10 more seconds I would have been pecked to death, and if I ever have to go on the roof during nesting season they dive bomb me and claw at my head. Those are true EVIL :evil:
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
User avatar
Cimrandir
Haeropada
Posts: 938
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:44 am

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Cimrandir »

Manveruon wrote: Sat Nov 05, 2022 2:43 am
Peter Remling wrote: Sat Nov 05, 2022 2:02 am Why don't we see Bats represented in Dwarven art? No, I don't expect to see a dwarf don a cowl to become Batdwarf but, they are subterranean.
Oh no! Don’t give them ideas! :lol:

But in all seriousness, I always kind of saw goats and maybe boars as Dwarven totem animals, to an extent. As well as ravens, because of their prevalence in the Hobbit. The goats for obvious reasons - but boars fit to my mind mostly because they’re stout, hearty, stubborn, and DANGEROUS.
ForgeCorvus wrote: Sat Nov 05, 2022 5:45 pm Bats belong to 'The Other Guy'

I like boar....... A dog looks up to you, a cat looks down on you. But Pig looks you right in the eye.
I think one "Eofor" of the Rohirrim might take some issue with the boar, haha. I do like the goat and raven idea though.
Persona : Cimrandir - late 3rd Age Dunedain
Meganbeyer
Wanderer
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:03 pm
Location: Mountains in Oklahoma

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Meganbeyer »

My vote is for Raven or crows... as a mountain dweller, crows alert you of danger, incoming people ect.
All the wild boars do is wreck shit, muck up the watering holes and cause general mayhem.
User avatar
redhandfilms
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 121
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:11 pm
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Contact:

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by redhandfilms »

Meganbeyer wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 1:25 am My vote is for Raven or crows... as a mountain dweller, crows alert you of danger, incoming people ect.
All the wild boars do is wreck shit, muck up the watering holes and cause general mayhem.
Ok, I'm confused. You say your vote is for raven or crows, but then you give such a compelling argument FOR dwarves to use wild boars. Wreck shit, muck up the watering hole (i.e. the tavern) and cause general mayhem. What could better represent a dwarf? :P
User avatar
ForgeCorvus
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 302
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:07 pm

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by ForgeCorvus »

Can we make Eofor an honorary Dwarf??

Boar as a totem is still good though...... But I do have a personal bias towards Corvids
All debts are paid....... Nothing forgiven. Nothing forgotten.

"All Things Strive" Gd Tak 'Gar

Barron (BAH-Ron) son of Barris (BAH-Ras) AKA Barron 'Blackcap'.
Independent Fellsward, Jobber, Tinker and Traveller in Trifles
Meganbeyer
Wanderer
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:03 pm
Location: Mountains in Oklahoma

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Meganbeyer »

OK, but look at our corvid friends. They love shining things (gold, silver, pretty rocks), remember and hold grudges, mourn the looses of kin, and come to each other's aid...
Oh, and don't forget they get loud at gatherings. A murder of crow can be heard for miles in the mountains when they find a good piece of grub.
User avatar
Cimrandir
Haeropada
Posts: 938
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 2:44 am

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by Cimrandir »

redhandfilms wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:47 pm
Meganbeyer wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 1:25 am My vote is for Raven or crows... as a mountain dweller, crows alert you of danger, incoming people ect.
All the wild boars do is wreck shit, muck up the watering holes and cause general mayhem.
Ok, I'm confused. You say your vote is for raven or crows, but then you give such a compelling argument FOR dwarves to use wild boars. Wreck shit, muck up the watering hole (i.e. the tavern) and cause general mayhem. What could better represent a dwarf? :P
This is perhaps a slight tangent but I have to say that description is much more reminiscent of Dwarves from popular D&D stereotypes or the PJ films than the characterization Tolkien gave his creation. Far be it from me to say how folks should view a fantasy culture but the Dwarves for the most part always struck me as a bit more quiet and reserved. Too proud and stubborn to create that much of a ruckus. Fearsome in battle but less of the random chaotic mayhem you (jokingly) ascribe to them. Haha perhaps I'm a bit of a buzzkill though.
Persona : Cimrandir - late 3rd Age Dunedain
User avatar
ForgeCorvus
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 302
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:07 pm

Re: Dwarven Totem Animals/Nature

Post by ForgeCorvus »

Cimrandir wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 10:22 pm
redhandfilms wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:47 pm
Meganbeyer wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 1:25 am My vote is for Raven or crows... as a mountain dweller, crows alert you of danger, incoming people ect.
All the wild boars do is wreck shit, muck up the watering holes and cause general mayhem.
Ok, I'm confused. You say your vote is for raven or crows, but then you give such a compelling argument FOR dwarves to use wild boars. Wreck shit, muck up the watering hole (i.e. the tavern) and cause general mayhem. What could better represent a dwarf? :P
This is perhaps a slight tangent but I have to say that description is much more reminiscent of Dwarves from popular D&D stereotypes or the PJ films than the characterization Tolkien gave his creation. Far be it from me to say how folks should view a fantasy culture but the Dwarves for the most part always struck me as a bit more quiet and reserved. Too proud and stubborn to create that much of a ruckus. Fearsome in battle but less of the random chaotic mayhem you (jokingly) ascribe to them. Haha perhaps I'm a bit of a buzzkill though.
That would be the Forty to Seventy age range,,,,, Roughly equivalent to human Teenagers/young Twentysomethings AKA 'Yooffs&Yobs'.
I suppose its easy for humans to tell that other humans are just kids. But if theres a bunch of beings four and a half feet tall and nearly four feet wide with beards you could hide things in, you're not going to assume that they're a bunch of teenage girls out in town for the first time without adult supervision.

You just don't get boisterous and rowdy if you work in a mine, forge or foundry, not thinking first gets you (or some other poor bugger) killed.
All debts are paid....... Nothing forgiven. Nothing forgotten.

"All Things Strive" Gd Tak 'Gar

Barron (BAH-Ron) son of Barris (BAH-Ras) AKA Barron 'Blackcap'.
Independent Fellsward, Jobber, Tinker and Traveller in Trifles
Post Reply