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40d:Intimidator
The intimidator skill is a useful trait of the outpost broker and dwarves in particular. It is often used in trade negotiations to secure a better deal.
Qualities of a high intimidation skill
The intimidator skill is proportionate to the length of a dwarves beard. Naturally in a dwarven kingdom the king or high ranking authorities are chosen by the length of their beard. The dwarven King is pronounced at birth by a baby having a beard length longer than its own height. Because of this reason for leadership, nobles are exempt from working because of the dangerous attributes and scenarios arising from having too long a beard in the work place. Often injuries occur when the beard is underfoot or gets caught in a pumping gear requiring quick assistance from neighbouring dwarves. Therefore nobles and Kings have devised a method of walking to avoid treading their own beards. This pattern of step includes a wider stance when walking and has the effect of causing nobles to swagger or even waddle depending on the size of the said nobles beard and waist. New styles of beard wearing has been seen in upper circles of nobility as nobles have begun to wear their beards in knots or bows with cave spider silk ribbons with the purposed showing of wide and flowing loops of beard to show of their royalty. Naturally any peasant dwarf or non-legendary dwarf caught growing their beards for too long are punished by having their heads shorn and lashes given. The beard length is a long and appreciated tradition. Going back to Urist the great who was so great a King and had so mighty a beard that all dwarves in the Kingdom sought to grow their beards after his example and chose future kings based off the size of their beards.
Sometimes a beard grows so rugged and wild that the majority of the face is covered by it, this is a desired condition known as beardism. The trait leaves only dwarven beady eyes peering out of a tangle of hair. This is seen as a very scary and an intimidating sight by most dwarves and will hasten to avoid arguments or confrontations with these said dwarves. Naturally Elves as well are frightened by excessive beard growing, as their own faces grow no facial hair at all. Therefore, they will often attempt to prove their manliness/superiority by offering better deals or elven virgins to appease an dwarven broker with a very long beard. A common practice is for a long bearded dwarf having a tough deal with an elven liason to stand still with crossed arms and to stare at the elf long enough until the elf breaks down in tears and agrees to any bargain the broker would choose to make.
Conclusively, the intimidator skill is the prime trait a broker should always have, and even more importantly than mastery in all skills combined. An intimidating dwarf is a respected dwarf, and a respected dwarf more likely to get better deals, authority, and loyal obedience.