Dwarves
Base 8, +1 Vigor, Darkvision, +1 Appraise
Dwarves are a stoic and ancient race, who have historically been ensconced in vast cities carved from the hearts of mountains. More than any other race, the Dwarves have acquired a reputation as dour and humorless craftsmen of the earth. However, over the ages, large Dwarf populations have expanded beyond the security of their mountainous strongholds to almost every part of the known world, and have integrated within most societies. They are sought after architects and stonewrights.
Physical Description
Dwarves are a short and stocky race, and stand about a foot shorter than most humans, with wide, compact bodies that account for their burly appearance. Male and female dwarves pride themselves on the length of their hair, with both bearing facial hair, and men often decorate their beards with a variety of clasps and intricate braids. A clean-shaven male dwarf is a sure sign of madness, or worse—no one familiar with their race trusts a beardless dwarf.
Longevity
Dwarves are considered to have reached adulthood at the age of forty years, with an extended adolescent period often spent learning to perfect their chosen trade. While the age of senility varies among Dwarves, they often live half again as long as the average Human.
Language
While accents are said to be quite thick at times, most Dwarves speak Dwarven in addition to the common trade language of the land they inhabit.
Society
The great distances between their mountain citadels account for many of the cultural differences that exist within Dwarven society. Despite these schisms, dwarves throughout the world are characterized by their love of stonework, their passion for stone and metal craftsmanship and architecture.
Relations
Both dwelling in the mountains, Orcs and Dwarves have long had difficult relations. Dwarves generally distrust and shun half-orcs. They find Halflings, Elves, and Gnomes to be too frail, flighty, or “pretty” to be worthy of proper respect. It is with humans that dwarves share the strongest link, for Humans’ industrious nature and hearty appetites come closest to matching those of the Dwarven ideal.
Religion
Dwarves are driven by honor and tradition, and while they are often satirized as standoffish, they have a strong sense of friendship and justice, and those who win their trust understand that, while they work hard, they play even harder—especially when good ale is involved. Most dwarves are generally lawful and worship The Creator.
Adventures
Dwarves often leave the confines of their fortresses to seek glory for their clans, to find wealth with which to enrich the fortress-homes of their birth, or to reclaim fallen Dwarven citadels.
