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Dwarfism in Daxia: Difference between revisions
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In ancient [[Corumm]] dwarves and pygmies were seen as people that had been cursed by deities or whose parents were being punished for transgressions. This led dwarves to be shunned at best and persecuted at worst. Ancient Corummese religions sometimes made use of dwarves in rituals, and many times the dwarves did not make it out unscathed. While this attitude changed very little through the centuries, the arrival of Christianity and its doctrines of mercy saw some limited shift in public attitudes. Still, dwarves could usually only make a living as objects of fun and derision, working as part of entertainment troupes or 'freak' shows, as servants to the wealthy or as menial laborers. Significant official changes in the societal status of dwarves only came about with the Qian dynasty. | In ancient [[Corumm]] dwarves and pygmies were seen as people that had been cursed by deities or whose parents were being punished for transgressions. This led dwarves to be shunned at best and persecuted at worst. Ancient Corummese religions sometimes made use of dwarves in rituals, and many times the dwarves did not make it out unscathed. While this attitude changed very little through the centuries, the arrival of Christianity and its doctrines of mercy saw some limited shift in public attitudes. Still, dwarves could usually only make a living as objects of fun and derision, working as part of entertainment troupes or 'freak' shows, as servants to the wealthy or as menial laborers. Significant official changes in the societal status of dwarves only came about with the Qian dynasty. | ||
The last Corummese dynasty happened to have included through its history a significant number of members born with dwarfism and it banned the killing of dwarves, who were often preyed upon for the supposed miraculous properties of their body parts. Moreover not only did royal dwarves were able to attain high office in this period, but base born dwarves too served as royal eunuchs, bureaucrats, craftsmen and there even was a dwarf who attained the rank of admiral. For their protection of dwarves the Qian came to be known as the dynasty of dwarves. The favor of the Qian was not reserved for domestic dwarves, foreign ones were also appreciated. The [[Carto-Pelaxian Commonwealth]] was the first to take notice of this trend by sending Don Juan Fonseca as its first ambassador to the court of the Qian. A dwarf of noble descent, Don Juan succesfully negotiated for the opening of economic relations between the two nations and stayed in his post for eighteen years, becoming somewhat of a socialite who mingled [[Mirzak]]'s upper crust. | The last Corummese dynasty happened to have included through its history a significant number of members born with dwarfism and it banned the killing of dwarves, who were often preyed upon for the supposed miraculous properties of their body parts. Moreover not only did royal dwarves were able to attain high office in this period, but base born dwarves too served as royal eunuchs, bureaucrats, craftsmen and there even was a dwarf who attained the rank of admiral. The Qian court created many positions that were filled exclusively with dwarves. The Keeper of Imperial Shoes was a dwarf responsible for the crafting, storage and maintenance of the Emperor's shoes. Likewise the Stool Groom was a dwarf official who maintained the imperial stocks of toiletries, assisted the Emperor in his personal hygiene and excretion if necessary, and applied perfumes and lemon scented oils on the monarch after the deed. These positions were salaried ones and prestigious for they kept these office holders in close proximity to the monarch. For their protection of dwarves the Qian came to be known as the dynasty of dwarves. The favor of the Qian was not reserved for domestic dwarves, foreign ones were also appreciated and feted. The [[Carto-Pelaxian Commonwealth]] was the first to take notice of this trend by sending Don Juan Fonseca as its first ambassador to the court of the Qian. A dwarf of noble descent, Don Juan succesfully negotiated for the opening of economic relations between the two nations and stayed in his post for eighteen years, becoming somewhat of a socialite who mingled [[Mirzak]]'s upper crust. | ||
The patronage of dwarves by the Qian backfired terribly after the collapse of the imperial system, as they were seen as complicit in the corruption and mismanagement of the nation. While some dwarf officials were indeed corrupt and self serving, the vast majority of the dwarven population were entirely innocent citizens. Many dwarves were forced out of the cities and denied employment during the early period of military rule. Rising military oppression helped dissipate residual ill will against dwarves as they were later seen as just as oppressed as anyone else. | The patronage of dwarves by the Qian backfired terribly after the collapse of the imperial system, as they were seen as complicit in the corruption and mismanagement of the nation. While some dwarf officials were indeed corrupt and self serving, the vast majority of the dwarven population were entirely innocent citizens. Many dwarves were forced out of the cities and denied employment during the early period of military rule. Rising military oppression helped dissipate residual ill will against dwarves as they were later seen as just as oppressed as anyone else. | ||