Need I repost my crazy-ass family history?
Why not?
And yes, true story.
Dwarves in D&D are stereotypically scottish. I've yet to see a DF dwarf say och or aye or laddie, though, thank goodness (for originality).
Scots pretty much fail though--when you look at wars they've had bad luck. It's why DF dwarves are Russian. Look how often Russia has been sieged! Not to mention the quasi-communism that goes on in these forts.
I prefer to see my dwarves in an Irish manner. We're happy little boozers (oddly enough, stereotypically accurate.), we yoik and sing, and we fight and we dance til' the morning. (Sorry, I've been listening to a bit of Korpiklanni lately. BTW, awesome band.) Inventive, and just plain nuts.
Proof of concept, and a little easter egg as to why I like the name Bloodfist (IE- Megaproject). It's also sorta in honor of my great ancestor who won a decent chunk of land in a race. By technicality, the first person to touch the land wins it. My great-ancestor was losing the boat race, to reach the land.
Now, I must repeat. The first one to TOUCH the land, wins it. He was losing. You can guess what happened next.
He chopped off his own carping hand, and threw it over to the land... AND WON!!
...Yeah. I think I'm a descendant of dwarves. There's even a coat of arms that chronicles it with a similar tribute.
...My entire family (including myself) is just plain nuts. I love it.
Source: Re: When you kill important figures...
My family breed formula is primarily made up of Irish New Yorkers (around since maybe the beginnings of Brooklyn, before it was riddled with houses and crime and such; hell, much of them still probably live there). Heck, my grandfather was a captain of a naval vessel. Saved the thing from blowing up after a kamikaze slammed into it by ordering the crew to shut it off, and assess the problem ASAP. Amazingly, the ship continued to fight with minimal repairs needed.
When I say nuts, I freaking mean nuts. I can guarantee not a single dull moment with anyone related to me. And that's just my mother's side.
My father's side was mostly carpenters and blacksmiths and such. A rather talented family, still have some stuff they've built since ages past. They knew how to build stuff to last. I don't fully recall where his family mostly originated from though. I assume Czech if memory serves me correctly.
And as for a more immediate makeup; I kid ye not; I'm a middle child of a breeding pair of masterful (if not, legendary) Broadway performers.
Heck, reading back all of that, even I would question if all that history is really possible. But reality does toss a surprise here and there. I apologize if any of this sounds like I'm bragging; but I'm not exaggerating a single part of this. That's maybe the craziest part.
EDIT:
The Latin meaning at the bottom of the family crest literally translates to:
Fortitudine et prudentia
Physical strength and practical judgment
Bad. Ass.
EDIT EDIT:
More info on the coat of arms to follow tomorrow.
EDIT EDIT EDIT:
Here we go:
Color- Vert(Green) ; Or(Gold) = Hope, joy, and loyalty in love ; Generousity and elevation of the mind (respectively)
A Pair of Lions- Fierce Courage; In Ireland the Lion represented the 'lion' season, prior to the full arrival of Summer. The symbol can also represent a great Warrior or Chief.
Snake on a tree- Wisdom; In Ireland the Snake was a symbol of fertility and renewal, and also, because of its forked tongue, was associated with lightning and the sun.
Tree- Life and the mystical connection of the earth with heaven and the underworld
Helmet- Wise defence
Crown- Regal or senior authority, heavenly reward
Hand- Faith, sincerity, justice ; In Ireland the open hand was often used as a means of communicating through the ancient language known as 'Ogham'. The open hand may have also signified the sun.
Drops (Red)- Blood
Standard Shield (no border or additional background markings)- Nothing too groundbreaking, apparently
Motto: Fortitudine et prudentia ==> Physical strength and practical judgment