#dwarrowdam ocs

[helplessavacado]

@aspecardaweek

Day 6 / May 15th: Intersectionality || Found Family

Fili, Alda, Khel, and Nayaab prepping for a family portrait after Sauron's defeat.

(Further Lore and Rambling Below the Cut)

The application of found family in media means a lot to me, as does adoption. While they might be family legally, I like to think they demonstrate the strength of family through bond rather than blood.

Both Fili and Alda fall under the Craft-wed label, ace/aro if I go for modern terms. Alda and Fili's relationship is one built on trust and mutual sass, platonic soulmates that annoy each other to show affection well into old age. Fili took the throne after Thorin's abdication with Alda at his side. My favorite blondies in a political QPR 🥰.

Khel and Nayaab were unexpected additions to the royal family, through personal and worldwide tragedy. Despite a myriad of difficulties, they found a steady home in Erebor, and loving parents in Fili and Alda. Don't even get me started on how much the company spoiled those two lmao. Most importantly, at least in my opinion, they found support in each other as siblings. Khel never thought she'd be an older sister, but she took to it like a duck to water. She'd protect her little brother with her life, and Nayaab would do the same.

[helplessavacado]

Rules of the Road (more like requests, advice, and suggestions, but that’s not as alliterative)

Any and all mediums welcome (except ai, fuck ai)!!! Dollmakers, written description, collage, 3d models, make a dwarrowdam in Sims4!! Variety is the spice of life, embrace it!

Combine or ignore as many prompts as you feel led, I know all too well how overwhelming month-long prompt challenges can feel lmao.

On that note, take a breather if you need to!! This is for fun, and if it stops being fun that's not good for anybody!

Support your fellow artists, like comment reblog that whole shebang. You could find a collab partner or a yapping companion, who knows???

Please @ me if you decide to post so I can reblog and geek out about your stuff, it would make my entire day! If y’all have any questions I will be happy to answer, I promise I don’t bite lol

The first tag down below is the Official tag for this challenge, and I’d really appreciate it if y’all used it!!!

And most importantly: Design the dwarrowdams the world needs to see 💖

I’m not sure if I want to post this on Instagram or not since I’ve basically sworn off the app for anything but stories and dms, but if a Hobbit/LotR centered page wants to repost on Instagram lemme know!!

Border brush by the amazing @lonicera-edulis btw (brush pack fully available and FREE for CSP, we’re working on making a Procreate-friendly pack)

[helplessavacado]

Happy Valentine’s day to these two beauties Henní and Gaur💖💖💖 dual custody w/ @pilkypills for Gaur, and I love her so very dearly

[helplessavacado]

My part of an art trade w/ the incredible @lonicera-edulis, and a kinda-sorta free day for Dwarrowdam December, because Novan knows me and my interests 😂. Consider this an extra Pebble and Braids I guess!!!

Anywho, Bifur's actor way back when (if someone could find the interview I'll love you forever, it's hiding from my eyes😭😭😭) had a storyline in mind where his wife and daughter were killed by the same orc who gave him his titular axe-head accessory. I made concept sketches a few months back... And promptly left them to rot in my drafts, as I am wont to do. But Novan had a wonderful suggestion, and I took them up on it, and now I'm obsessed with more gals doomed to brutal death by the narrative. I'm starting to think I have a character type lmao

If there's any typos in the character notes I dont see them, they do not exist ✋🏻😌

(Zâramzunsh means "duck" in Neo-Khuzdul btw, because terms of endearment based on kid's interests means a lot to me)

[helplessavacado]

Estur (Beads, Tattoos, Firebeard)

Estur, despite being the youngest daughter of one of the more influential families in Erebor, is a remarkably well-adjusted individual. Her eldest sister is the heir of the family, her older brother joined Erebor’s army, and Estur had the freedom to do whatever she wished ‘Whatever she wished’ happened to be pursuing a career in music, which was a relief for her parents. Rank doesn’t mean much to her, she’s a firm believer that the content of ones character is more important than any title, and is determined to earn her place through her own merit rather than through her family's influence. She wants to impress her parents and earn the admiration of her people, and one can't do that by throwing money at every problem. Estur is very much aware of the privilege of her birthplace and position, and doesn’t take her freedom or riches lightly.

For Estur's hair, tattoos, and ornaments, I took inspiration from the amazing @mrkida-art for Firebeards (specifically these posts). I also yoinked the golden eyes, because I'm unoriginal and they're also very pretty. My art isn't nearly as intricate or shiny, but I hope y'all can see the influence lmao

Estur began as a cutie with no backstory… And now she’s Khel’s romantic interest, because Sapphic Dwarrow make me happy and I need no other reason. Khel is kinda bad at flirting (just like her Amad) and Estur is a baddie with standards. It'll be a trainwreck and I’ll enjoy every moment of it

Height chart below for funzies

[helplessavacado]

Sifa (Stonefoot, Smith, Piercings)

Sifa spends all of her life in the East, settled in one of the larger cities of the Red Mountains. Her youth was filled with tension, as she was born when Sauron began amassing power in the East. While Sifa’s family planned on escaping to the West, their routes were blocked by both Sauron’s people and their own, and they were forced to remain in Orocarni. Their loyalties were to their kin, and Sifa’s family made life difficult in thousands of small ways for Sauron’s loyalists. Postponing weapon shipments, delaying messages, minor sabotages left and right.

Despite the danger, Sifa managed to carve out a prosperous life for herself and her family. While her older siblings dealt with politics and soldiers, she threw herself into jewelry, sculpture, and architecture, avoiding making weapons for the enemy as much as she could. She views it as connecting the dwarrow under Sauron’s rule back to their culture, and takes great pride in her work. The Red Mountains are her home, and Sifa has put her neck out to protect her home, craft, and people. When Sauron’s defeated, Sifa is one of the first dwarves to send gifts of thanks to the dwarven strongholds in the West, reopening trade despite never traveling there herself.

I FORGOT TO POST HER ON THE 14TH BUT IT’S FINE IT’S OKAY I’M ONLY A DAY LATE 😭😭😭 I’m really proud of her jewelry, and I’m especially happy with the way the oxidized copper turned out!!

Height chart and piercing layout below for funzies

(I was gonna do the 9, 7, 5, 3, 1 pattern but it looked strange so bleh, boring symmetry)

[helplessavacado]

Káruun (Furs, Merchant, and Sideburns)

As written in the image notes, Káruun is one of Khel's bio mothers! While her passing is arguably the most important part of her role in Tag-Along AU, we’re ignoring that because thinking about her death makes me sad!! Focusing on her life and bonds with the world around her for now, I can work on angst later lmao

Káruun lived in the Blue Mountains (or Erid Luin, I use them interchangeably) for most of her life. Her mother taught her the tricks behind trading, and her father taught her to hunt and skin game. Her father also taught her how to process wool from the family’s sheep, so that was another skill added to Káruun’s belt. She found the whole process very rewarding, especially seeing the furs she prepared sell well. Unfortunately, as her father aged, his eyesight deteriorated (a trait she inherited), so Káruun became the primary hunter/trapper, while also bringing furs to market. It was there she met Alda, who would become a lifelong friend, as well as her future wife, Belle (we'll see her later this month)!!

Káruun is well-versed in the art of bending the truth in order to sell her wares. While she’s mostly honest with other dwarrow, condescending men are usually met with a sudden price-hike, a frigid smile, and a few choice words. She’s petty and she’s stubborn, an unfortunate and hilarious combo that's led to more than a few scuffles in the marketplace Alda may or may not share this trait lmao

Height chart below for funzies

[helplessavacado]

Svelldís (Bald Spot, Blacklock, Scholar)

Svelldís is remarkably intelligent, an incredible speaker, and a big fan of uncovering the secrets of past civilizations. She was always interested in the architecture of ancient dwarven strongholds, living in Erebor was basically her dream come true. The admiration she held towards members of Thorin Oakenshield’s company almost bordered on worship, and she was ecstatic when she became Ori’s apprentice. However, studying under Ori gave her a new interest: Moria, Khazad-dûm. As fervor for the reclamation of Khazad-dûm grew, as did her interest in being one of the dwarrow sent to restore it. As soon as Balin presented the opportunity, she took it. Unfortunately, that decision would lead to both her and her mentor’s death.

As soon as I paired up Bald Spot with Scholar and Blacklock, I knew I had to look toward ancient Japan for inspiration. Bald spots aren’t viewed kindly amongst human women, nor amongst Western men, so this was a great opportunity to look at civilizations where shaving was intentional and trendy amongst the nobility. While Svelldís’ shaving was a fashion choice, I also decided it would be representative of her pursuit of knowledge! Shaving her head so that information might have easier access to the brain, idk, I’ll figure out a more flowery way to communicate the idea later.

Height chart below for funzies