Dwarf

A sturdy and brazen folk, dwarves are known for their skills in mining, architecture, jewelcrafting and smithing. Shorter than the mortal races of elves and humans, they carry their dignity in their posture as well as their beards.

3 types of dwarves are known to exist:

Mountain dwarves are the most numerous of the dwarven subraces. They live within mountains and delve deep to create their halls of glory. Given their lives of mining for room, wealth as well as for food, mountain dwarves are the strongest of the dwarven subraces.

Hill dwarves usually live in the lowest regions of the mountains, or not in them at all. Hill dwarves are sometimes called "Skyseekers" given their proclivity to seek the outdoors, instead of living within the confinces of the mountain halls. The outcome of their more free-seeking nature, is that they are not as strong as their mountain loving cousins, yet are more adaptable in nature.

Duegar are a name not spoken lightly. Nowadays thought to be merely a legend, the Duegar are both a race and a curse. Having delved too deeply and greedily into forbidden magic, these dwarves were exiled from their ancestral home of Karadum. Not heard from since, they have been thought to have died out. Though sometimes, rumors of dwarves with skin as grey as the stormy sky surfaces from the depths of the world.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Dwarves are sometimes compared to Humans, though one should not do this in front of a dwarf. Both races have, as do all humanoids, 1 head, 1 torso, 2 arms, 2 legs, and while there are other similarities, dwarves are much sturdier.  Some claim it is because of their bones being made of rock, though this is not the case according to scholars; their bones do, however, have a higher density than most other race.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dwarves mature much slower than some other races, only reaching maturity at the age of 80. Any dwarf younger than this is seen as a "tree-beard", ie. one whose beard is as themselves: not yet ready to take on the coming force of the wind.
Dwarves also live considerably longer, than most other races. Though not as long as the Elves who can become thousands of years old, dwarves tend to live well into the centuries, some even into their first millennium.

Ecology and Habitats

The Dwarves natural habitat is that of the underground, though not the dank, moldy darkness some might think of.  A dwarven hall is a place of light, warmth, laughter, and mead. The Hill Dwarves have evolved somewhat away from this trait, though most still prefer at least hills over a flat landscape.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Dwarves typically live of off meat and mead. Some actually enjoy vegetables, though they are usually seen on with a deal of pity.

Biological Cycle

A dwarfs beard grows its entire life, turning greyer as they become older.  An exceptionally old dwarf often has to tie its beard around its belt, as to not stumble on it when walking.

Behaviour

Dwarves are a stubborn, proud, and shrewd race. They have a well known hunger for gold and wealth, making them hard and sometimes dangerous to deal with.  While they also exhibit warmth and comradery, they can just as easily turn cold and hard at the mere mention of potential monetary losses.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Most dwarven cultures have a strict and somewhat cruel social hierarchy.  In Karadum, the dwarves of Elpiri have settled themselves into a series of kingdoms, ranging from the lowest and poorest in the outskirts of the mountain region, to the richest and highest at the summit.  Inside the kingdoms, the population is segregated in a complex and rigid hierarchy, where a person is born into a social group and stays belonging to that group for the rest of their lives. Only in the rarest cases have an individual ascended within the hierarchy, usually through hard work, exploitation of others, and accumulation of wealth.  Only the highest ranking dwarves have a fair chance to ascend in the system, through a decree of the High-King/Queen.  This is also rare, though not unheard of. If a kingdom is poorly managed, the High-King/Queen, may shuffle around some of the Kings/Queens, to punish/reward subjects and hopefully teach everybody a lesson along they way.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Most dwarves of the Material Plane lives in mountainous regions, though some have ventured into the lands of the world, to settle among other civilizations.

Average Intelligence

Dwarves are above average in terms of intelligence, at least in terms of gold, mining, fighting, and bargaining.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Given their natural habitat, dwarves have keen eyes, made for seeing in the dark of the tunnels.  They also have some inherent ability to read stones, as if the material is talking to them. Dwarves are often able to tell which culture build a structure and how old it is, just by touching or being near it.

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

The Axe of the Dwarven Lords Once upon a time, Muradin himself went onto the Material Plane in search of a metal said to exist deep underneath Karadum. With him on his journey went the greatest of the dwarven lords, each bringing with them nothing more than their equipment and their strength.  Travelling deep underground and slaying many a monster of the dark, the God and his fellowship travelled so far underground, they finally came to the core of the world.  Only the 4 mightiest of the dwarven lords went into that final cavernous space with Muradin, to slay the avatar of fire that lay slumbering within. And only 1 dwarven lord returned alongside his God. From the heart of the avatar, Muradin forged the greatest weapon to ever have graced the Material Plane, The Axe of the Dwarven Lords, and he gifted it upon his companion, effectively naming him the first High-King of Karadum.
Over the decades, the axe went from King to heir, again and again, until one fateful day, when it mysteriously vanished from the Vault of the High-Kings.  The dwarven lords, and especially the High-King, never recovered from the tremendous loss, and many a doomsayer whispered that Muradin had taken his axe back, as punishment for his disdain over the dwarven lords. 
Recently, a rumor have spread among the dwarven kingdoms: a visiting adventurer claims to have seen the axe and was partly responsible for the returning of the axe to Muradin.  Since then, the High-King and High-Queen have invoked the name of Muradin everyday at midnight, the time of the forging of the axe, but to no avail.
Though, as strange as it may sound, a simple dwarven priest of Muradin, living as a hermit in the outskirts of the mountains claims to know the location of the axe, though none take him seriously. And why would they?

Lifespan

500-800

Average Height

1.2m - 1.7m

Average Weight

80-150kg

Average Physique

Dwarves are built sturdier than most other races, giving them a natural strength and constitution, especially against poisons.