Dwarves

Dwarves are expert stonemasons, weapon & armour smiths, gem cutters, and jewellers. Short, stocky, and exceptionally tough, they also make excellent front-line troops. As a species, they originate from deep in the Underdark of Svartalfheim, and have been at war with the Black Elves since time immemorial.
Each Dwarf belongs to a clan, and each clan looks to build up and hold on to a stronghold deep in the Underdark. Each is a warren of workshops, forges, mines, and great hall. The mines constantly pull out tons upon tons of metal ores and gems, while the smelters & forges work these into anything from jewellery, to armour & weapons, and other desirable goods, usually after passing through the workshops. Some are hoarded, while others are used, and the rest is sold on to other strongholds, and to the surface world. Many adult Dwarves (male & female) are also trained fighters, practising from a young age ready to defend their homes from predatory creatures who would see the stronghold torn down or raids of it's wealth.
A few priests are found in each of these settlements. Many are clerics of war deities, while others are dedicated to brewing, smithing, family and law. Each is ruled over by a Noble with the largest by a King. A clan can rule over more than one settlement, and in some cases, the largest strongholds contain more than one clan. Each has a standing army of well-drilled and well-maintained warriors ready to defend it, and many of the locals will act as backup or a militia. One thing Dwarves lack is ranged attacks, though they have picked up crossbows and readily use them in addition to melee weapons, along with warmachines like bolt throwers & catapults.
Dwarves can be split generally between two types, the Hill Dwarves, and the Mountain Dwarves. Hill Dwarves are generally slightly taller & thinner, and more outgoing. They are found in the lower mountainous regions, and are more inclined to be found above ground than the Mountain Dwarves. They get on easily with other species, and are close to their brother Dwarves. In this capacity they act as scouts, and go-betweens for the Mountain Dwarves & surface dwellers. Each Hill Dwarf is as much as skilled warrior as any Dwarf, and many are expert smiths too, and can be found practising either trade in the world.
Mountain Dwarves are found deep in the Underdark, and have the most impressive strongholds of any Dwarf. They are quite surly at times, and aren't as friendly as other Dwarves. They are expert miners, artisans and also stonemasons. As usual they are primarily known for their fighting skills. When they are encountered it takes some time to be able to befriend one. Rarely found on the surface, they generally take up a trade, or go into service as some type of warrior role.
The Dwarves in general are regularly encountered in lands populated by peoples of Germanic descent, having a similar language & writing style. Their sense of kinship, ability to fight and able to put up with harsh conditions helps to endear them further.

Related Technologies

• Dwarven Plate Armour