Dwarves of Ravenloft
(Note that the information below focuses on the dwarves of Ravenloft, but most of it applies to hill and mountain dwarves in general. Details on the dwarves of other settings are included in the settings section.)Dwarves are a stout race, built as solidly as the mountains they call home.
Physical description:Dwarves stand only 4 to 4 1/2 feet tall, but they are so broad and compact that they are, on average, almost as heavy as humans. Male dwarves favor long, braided beards, although they often go bald at a relatively young age. Females braid their hair in long pony tails and often tie ribbons to these braids. Hair and eye color, ranges from rust red to browns to black; dwarven hair often turns silver or slate gray by adulthood. Dwarves are dark-featured folk. Their skin, typically a light tan or dark umber tone, is coarse and often streaked with ore dust or soot, as dwarves take pride in displaying the efforts of their labors. Dwarves prefer the same somber, earthen tones and muted colors in their clothing, often adorned with precious metals.
History:There is no unifying history to the dwarven clans of Ravenloft. Each clan will have its own origin story to tell, but they seldom share those with strangers.
Outlook:Like dwarves anywhere, those native to the Demiplane of Dread are stern and rugged. Some say that the dwarf race is the least changed by their time in the Mists. After all, they live underground and are insulated from the terrors of the surface. Others, however, argue that no people know the terrors of Ravenloft better than the dwarves. If the stories of ancient horrors found buried far beneath the Land of the Mists are true, this may well be the case.
The dwarven mindset centers on the forge and family. They respect dedication in all forms — to hard work, to their clan, and to codes of honor. A dwarf holds nothing so precious as her family and nothing so beautiful as finely worked steel. Dwarves have little time for frivolity. Their music consists entirely of dirges for their ancestors or anthems of clan tradition. Other races often view dwarves as dour and humorless creatures but retain high praise for dwarven craftsmanship.
The grim and quiet dwarves of Ravenloft have no use for idle chatter and speak only when the situation demands it. They tell no jokes, sing only dirgelike songs, and frown on festivals or holidays. It is easy to understand why many people consider dwarves a dour race. They work hard and cannot abide laziness. So somber a race, it has often been noted, perfectly suits the shadowy realm of Ravenloft.
Dwarves are an avaricious race, fond of gold and other precious metals. Their mines are always run efficiently and make high profits. They also favor strong drink, although this often makes them argumentative and brings about disputes and brawls.
It is difficult to imagine a more loyal friend or tenacious enemy than a dwarf. Anyone lucky enough to befriend one of these proud demihumans will find an ally who stands by him in even the most dangerous of situations. By the same token, however, angering one of these folk is not something undertaken lightly. Dwarf feuds often span decades and even centuries, with heirs often seeking revenge long after the death of the original combatants.
Dwarves claim a spiritual kinship with the earth itself. Some humans have distorted this, believing that dwarves are actually elemental spirits. Many human folktales speak of dwarves who require a diet of gold and gems or who turn to stone if touched by sunlight.
Society:The center of dwarven culture is the town of Tempe Falls in Darkon, though nearby Corvia also hosts a sizeable dwarven population. Smaller dwarven communities have also spread south along the Balinoks and to other mountainous regions, such as the Sleeping Beast of Lamordia. In recent years, dwarven explorers have also been making inroads into the forsaken region of the Mountains of Misery once known as Arak. There they have been laboring to reopen the abandoned mines and a long-neglected trade route that once connected Tempe Falls to Liara in Nova Vaasa.
Dwarven communities on Ravenloft do not form a unified culture. Some have much in common with the Norse culture, whereas other hold to the traditions of clans following the teachings of the gods of the Morndinsamman.
Relations with other races:Dwarves get along fine wit gnomes, and passably with humans, half-elves, and halflings. Dwarves say, "The difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a hundred years." Humans, with their short life spans, have a hard time forging truly strong bonds with dwarves. The best dwarf-human friendships are between a human and a dwarf who liked the human's parents and grandparents. Dwarves fail to appreciate elves' subtlety and art, regarding elves as unpredictable, fickle, and flighty.
Alignments:Dwarves are usually lawful, and they tend toward good. Adventuring dwarves are less likely to fit the common mold, however, since they are more likely to be those who did not fit perfectly into dwarven society.
Religion:Many Ravenloft dwarves have much in common with the Viking and Norse culture. As a result, they usually worship the gods of the Norse pantheon. A few adopt the religious practices of the land they live in. Other clans drawn from other worlds may also worship the gods of the Morndinsamman, the Dwarven Pantheon, whose chief deity is Moradin, the Soul Forger.
Language:Dwarves speak Dwarven, which has its own runic script. Dwarven literature is marked by comprehensive histories of kingdoms and wars through the millennia.
Names:Norse and Scandinavian names, like Gunila, Kallio, and Thorvid are excellent choices for dwarf characters. A dwarf's name is granted to him by his clan elder, in accordance with tradition. Every proper dwarven name has been used and reused down through the generations. A dwarf's name is not his own. It belongs to his clan. If he misuses it or brings shame to it, his clan will strip him of it. A dwarf stripped of his name is forbidden by dwarven law to use any dwarven name in its place. In addition, every dwarf has an appellation of some sort. Common examples might be "the Bold" or "the Foe Breaker." A typical dwarf changes these titles several times over the course of his life, always striving to reflect his greatest accomplishment.
Male dwarven names:Agbert, Agdi, Agfrith, Agrun, Aldkarl, Alf, Alfgautur, Alfgeir, Alfsteinn, Alfstyrr, Alrek, Althjof, Alviss, Andvari, Angantyr, Ansgar, Aricin, Arild, Arkin, Armod, Arngrim, Arnljot, Arnvardur, Asbiorn, Asbjorn, Asgaut, Asgrim, Ask, Aslak, Asmund, Asrod, Athalketill, Audun, Avang, Bafur, Balki, Bard, Bardi, Barri, Baug, Beinir, Beiti, Bekan, Bifur, Birgir, Bjarkmar, Bjarni, Bjolf, Bjornarr, Bjornlaugur, Bjornolf, Bjornvaldur, Bodil, Bolli, Bombor, Booth, Borgar, Borgvaldur, Bothe, Bothi, Brand, Brander, Bresi, Brian, Brondolf, Brunvaldur, Brunvardur, Brynjolf, Bui, Cnute, Cortie, Dagbeinn, Dagolfur,
Dagvaldur, Dain, Dellingr, Den, Denny, Dolghvari, Draupnir, Dreng, Drott, Duartr, Durin, Dvalin, Eddval, Egil, Eikinskjaldi, Eikki, Einar, Einbert, Einolfur, Eirik, Eitri, Eldfrith, Eldgrim, Eldkell, Elvis, Enar, Eric, Erik, Erland, Erling, Eylimi, Eystein, Eyvind, Fafnir, Fastbert, Fasthallur, Faststyrr, Fastvarr, Finnbogi, Fjalar, Fjolmod, Fjolvar, Floki, Flosi, Freyhallur, Fridleif, Frithjof, Frosti, Fundin, Fyri, Galar, Gamble, Ganger, Ganndalf, Gardar, Gardi, Garrett, Garth, Gauk, Gaute, Geiri, Geirleif, Geirmarr, Geirmund, Ginnar, Gjest, Gjuki, Glammad, Gloin, Grenjad, Grim, Gris, Gudmund, Gudolfur, Gunnar, Gunnbjorn, Gunnvardur, Guthhallur, Haaken, Haeming, Hafgrim, Hafleikr, Hakon, Hallarinn, Hallbjorn, Hallstein, Hallthor, Halvard,
Hamar, Hamdir, Hammer, Harald, Hardar, Harry, Hastein, Havard, Heimir, Heptifili, Herbert, Herryk, Herthjof, Hilario, Hildibardur, Hildigrimm, Hildiingur, Hildikell, Hildiolfur, Hildithegn, Hjalm-Gunnar, Hjalmvothur, Hjorolf, Hjorvard, Hlothver, Hogna, Homstein, Hord, Hoskuld, Hraerek, Hrafknel, Hrapp, Hreggvid, Hroald, Hrodmar, Hrolf, Hunding, Hymling, Idmund, Ingemar, Ingemur, Inger, Ingharr, Ingimund, Ingjald, Isleif, Isrod, Ivar, Iver, Ivor, Jarnskeggi, Jokul, Jolgeir, Jormunrek, Kalf, Kari, Karr, Kiarr, Kirk, Kjar, Kjarr, Kjartan, Kleng, Knui, Kodran, Kol, Kolgrim, Koll, Konal, Kotkel, Krossbyr, Kveld, Lang, Leidolf, Leif, Magne, Magnus, Melnir, Mikkel, Modolf, Mord, Njordstyrr, Njorthrbiartr, Norbert, Nori, Nyr, Oddvar, Odell, Oin, Ola, Olaf, Olav, Olvir, Olyn, Onar, Onund, Ori, Orm, Orn, Orr, Ospak, Osvif, Otkel, Ozur, Raevil, Ref, Regin, Reidar, Reider, Rekk, Roar, Rolf,
Runolf, Sigbardur, Sighildur, Sigingur, Sigkell, Sigmund, Sigurd, Sigvat, Sinfjotli, Siv, Sjolf, Skagi, Skallagrim, Skarphedin, Skefil, Skirvir, Snaebjorn, Snaevar, Snorri, Solvi, Soti, Stein, Steinar, Steinbjorn, Steinleifur, Steinthegn, Steinvothur, Stigandi, Storvirk, Sumarlidi, Svafnir, Svanmundur, Svanrun, Svart, Sveinstyrr, Sveinulfur, Svewn, Syver, Tait, Tanni, Tarjei, Terje, Thangbrand, Thjodrek, Thjodrorir, Thorald, Thorarin, Thorbert, Thorfinn, Thorgrim, Thorhadd, Thorhall, Thorin, Thorir, Thorkel, Thorlak, Thorleik, Thorolf, Thorstein, Thorualdr, Thorvid, Thrain, Thror, Throst, Thurlow, Tind, Torald, Torger, Tormundur, Torrad, Trigg, Tryfing, Turfeinar, Tyrkir, Ugbjorn, Ulf, Ulfmaerr, Valgard, Vali, Vegeir, Vestri, Vibald, Vidar, Vidgrip, Vigbardur, Vigfus, Vigingur, Vignarr, Vignir, Vigrid, Vikar, Viking, Vinndalf, Vit, Volund, Yngvi,
Female Dwarven Names:Aadny, Aafrid, Aalaug, Aasa, Aasbjorg, Aase, Aasfrid, Aasgerd, Aashild, Aaslaug, Aasrunn, Aasveig, Aesa, Agnhild, Alfhild, Alfrid, Alof, Annbjorg, Annfrid, Anngjerd, Annhild, Annlaug, Annveig, Arnbjorg, Arnhild, Arnhill, Arnlaug, Arnora, Asa, Asbjorg, Asfrid, Asgjerd, Aslaug, Asrunn, Asta, Astrid, Asveig, Aud, Audbjorg, Audfrid, Audgerd, Audgunn, Audhild, Audrun, Audveig, Bekkhild, Bera, Bergfrid, Bergljot, Bergthora, Bergunn, Bestla,
Bjarnhild, Bjorg, Bjorgfrid, Bjorghild, Bjorgunn, Bjorgveig, Bjornhild, Bodhild, Bodil, Bodvild, Borghild, Borgny, Borgunn, Bryngerd, Brynhild, Busla, Dageid, Dagfrid, Daghild, Dagmaer, Dagmoy, Dagny, Dagrun, Edda, Edny, Eidbjorg, Eidfrid, Eidunn, Eirunn, Eldrid, Embla, Erika, Eydis, Eyfura, Eyrun, Eyvor, Finngerd, Finnlaug, Fjotra, Fredbjorg, Fredgunn, Fredhild, Fredlaug, Freydis, Frida, Fridbjorg, Fridgunn, Fridhild, Galumvor, Geirhild, Geirrid, Gjaflaug, Grimhild, Gro, Groa, Gudbjorg, Gudfrid, Gudlaug, Gudrid, Gudrun, Gudveig, Gudvor, Gullrond, Gunbjorg, Gunda, Gunila, Gunn, Gunnfrid, Gunnlaug, Gunnveig, Gunnvor, Gyda, Hallbjorg, Halldis, Hallfrid, Hallgunn, Hallrid, Hallveig, Heidrun, Hekja, Helga, Helgunn, Hella,
Herbjorg, Herborg, Herfrid, Hergunn, Herkja, Hervor, Hilda, Hilde, Hildebjorg, Hildeborg, Hildegunn, Hildigunn, Hildrid, Hill, Hjordis, Hjotra, Hladgerd, Hleid, Holmfrid, Hrafnhild, Hrodrglod, Inga, Ingebjorg, Ingegerd, Inger, Inghild, Ingibjorg, Ingigerd, Inglaug, Ingrid, Ingunn, Ingvild, Isgerd, Jarlaug, Joreid, Jorfrid, Jorgunn, Jorlaug, Jorunn, Kara, Kjellaug, Kjellbjorg, Kjellfrid, Kjerlaug, Knuthild, Kolfrosta, Kollbjorg, Kostbera, Lidveig, Lidvor, Liv, Liveig, Livunn, Lofnheid, Lofthaena, Lydveig, Lydvor, Lyngheid, Malfrid, Malmfrid, Mildfrid, Mildrun, Modgunn, Modhild, Moyfrid, Nauma, Norbjorg, Norfrid, Norgunn, Norhild, Norlaug, Norveig, Oda, Oddfrid, Oddgunn, Oddlaug, Oddrun, Oddrunn, Oddveig, Odfrid, Odlaug,
Odveig, Olbjorg, Oleiv, Olrun, Olvor, Oslaug, Oyfrid, Oylaug, Oyonn, Oyvor, Ragna, Ragnfrid, Ragnhild, Rambjorg, Ramfrid, Randi, Ranfrid, Rannveig, Ranveig, Reidhild, Reidun, Reinhild, Runa, Runhild, Saereid, Salmoy, Sebjorg, Sif, Sigbjorg, Sigfrid, Signe, Signhild, Signy, Sigrid, Sigrlinn, Sigrunn, Sigvor, Silksif, Sinrjod, Siv, Skjalf, Snefrid, Solaug, Solfrid, Solgerd, Solgunn, Solhild, Solmoy, Solrunn, Solunn, Solveig, Solvor, Steinunn, Steinvor, Svanbjorg, Svanhvit, Svanlaug, Swanhild, Sylgja, Thjodhild, Thorbjorg, Thordny, Thordun, Thorfrid, Thorgerd, Thorhild, Thorunn, Thorvalda, Throa, Thurid, Tofa, Torgerd, Tova, Tove, Trudi, Tryghild, Turid, Tuva, Unn, Unnfrid, Unnhild, Unni, Unnlaug, Unnveig, Urda, Vaetild, Valbjorg, Valfrid, Varunn, Velaug, Vidrun, Vigdis, Vighild, Vilbjorg, Vilborg, Vilfrid, Vilgerd, Vilgunn, Ymbjorg, Yngvild, Yrsa,
Dwarven Surnames and Bynames:[name of enemy]'s-Bane, [name of enemy]'s-Killer., Absent-Minded, Anvilmaker, Anvilsmith, Anvilworker, Armormaker, Arrow-Odd, Axearm, Axebeard, Axecaster, Axecrafter, Axeforger, Axehand, Axeheart, Axeoath, Axeshadow, Axesmith, Bag-Nose, Bare-Legs, Belly-Shaker, Berserks-Killer, Black, Blackpick, Blacksword, Blind, Blood-Axe, Bloodaxe, Bloodblade, Bloodpick, Bloodsword, Bluearm, Blueaxe, Bluebeard, Blueblade, Blueclub, Bluehammer, Bluehand, Bluehelm, Bluespear, Bluespike, Bluesword, Bold, Boulderdelver, Boulderdig, Brave, Breat Rope, Bronzebeard, Bronzecaster, Bronzecrafter, Bronzefist, Bronzefoot, Bronzeforger, Bronzehand, Bronzeheart, Bronzemaker, Bronzesmith, Bull-Bear, Buttered-Bread, Chertbeard, Chertbreaker, Chertcrusher, Chertcutter, Chertdigger, Chertdweller, Cherthand, Cherthelm, Cherttracker, Copperback, Copperbeard, Copperfist, Copperhand, Copperleg, Crow, Deep-Minded, Dueller, Earthcarver, Earthcrusher, Earthdelver, Earthdigger, Earthhewer, Earthsmash, Easterner, Fair, Fardig, Feeble, Fetter-Hound, Finehair, Firearm, Fireaxe, Firebeard, Fireblade, Firefist, Firepick, Firespike, Firmbeard, Firmfist, Firmfoot, Fish-Hook,
Flamefist, Flamefoot, Flamehair, Flamehammer, Flameheart, Flameoath, Flamespear, Flat-Nose, Flayer, Foebane, Foebreaker, Foecrusher, Foehammer, Foehewer, Foemaul, Foepick, Foespike, Fosterer, Gemcheek, Gemfist, Gemfoot, Gemheart, Gemhelm, Gemmaker, Gemworker, Good, Gossip, Graniteaxe, Granitedelver, Granitefist, Granitefoot, Granitehair, Granitehammer, Granitehand, Graniteminer, Granitepick, Gravelbeard, Gravelcheek, Gravelfist, Gravelfoot, Gravelhelm, Grayback, Graybeard, Grayhammer, Grayhand, Grayheart, Grayoath, Graypick, Grayshadow, Grayspike, Graysword, Grey-Cloak, Groundbreaker, Groundcrusher, Grounddweller, Groundsmash, Hairy-Breeks, Hairy-Cheek, Hammerback, Hammerbeard, Hammerfist, Hammerhand, Hammerheart, Hard-Mouth, Horse-Head, Hot-Head, Hunter, Ironaxe, Ironback, Ironcarver, Ironcrafter,
Irondelver, Irondigger, Ironfoot, Ironforger, Ironheart, Ironhelm, Ironhewer, Ironsmash, Ironsmith, Keen-Eyed, Lean, Little, Long-Leg, Lucky, Mansion-Might, Marblecarver, Marblecutter, Marbledweller, Marbleminer, Metalmaker, Metalsmith, Mooncheek, Moonfist, Moonhand, Moonheart, Moonoath, Night-Sun, Noisy, Oakback, Oakbeard, Oakheart, Old, One-Hand, Onyxbeard, Onyxfist, Onyxfoot, Onyxheart, Peaceful, Peacock, Pickfoot, Pickheart, Pilgrim, Pin-Leg, Powerful, Proud, Prow-Gleam, Quartzheart, Quartzoath, Red, Redaxe, Redfist, Redhammer, Redhand, Redheart, Redhelm, Redleg, Redmaul, Redspike, Ringcaster, Ringforger, Ringmaker, Ringworker, Rockarm, Rockaxe, Rockback, Rockbeard, Rockcutter, Rockhand, Rockhelm, Rockhewer, Rockquarry, Rocksmash, Rockspear, Rocktracker, Serpent-Tongue, Shalecarver, Shalecrusher, Shaledig, Shielddelver, Shieldminer, Shieldquarry, Shieldsmash, Showy, Silk-Beard, Silveraxe, Silverbeard, Silverblade, Silvercheek, Silverclub, Silverfist,
Silverfoot, Silverhammer, Silverhelm, Silvershadow, Silverspike, Skinflint, Skull-Splitter, Sleekstone-Eye, Smooth-Tongue, Snake-in-the-Eye, Southerner, Spideraxe, Spiderbane, Spiderbreaker, Spiderhewer, Spiderpick, Spiderslayer, Spiderspear, Steelaxe, Steelbeard, Steelhammer, Steelmaul, Steelpick, Steelspear, Stonecrusher, Stonecutter, Stonedig, Stonedigger, Stonedweller, Stonehammer, Stoneheart, Stonehewer, Stoneshadow, Stonesmash, Stonespear, Stonespike, Stout, Strongbeard, Strongblade, Strongcheek, Stronghammer, Stronghand, Stronghelm, Strongshadow, Stubborn, Swordcrafter, Swordforger, Swordmaker, Swordsmith, Swordworker, Thunderaxe, Thunderblade, Thunderfist, Thunderhammer, Thunderoath, Thundersword, Tit-Bit, Trollaxe, Trollbasher, Trollbender, Trollblade, Trollhammer, Trollhewer, Tunnelcarver, Tunnelhewer, Unruly, Wartooth, Wealthy, Whelp, White, Wry-Mouth, Wry-Neck, Yeoman,
Adventurers:A dwarven adventurer may be motivated by crusading zeal, a love of excitement, or simple greed. As long as his accomplishments bring honor to his clan, his deeds earn him respect and status. Defeating giants and claiming powerful magic weapons are sure ways for a dwarf to earn the respect of other dwarves.
Adventuring dwarves favor hafted weapons like axes, war hammers, and picks. They almost always wear the heaviest armor available to them. Because the weapons they wield generally require both hands to use, they often forego shields. For ranged weapons, dwarves favor the crossbow and pistol - the former because it is a traditional weapon of their people, and the latter because it is loud and has a demoralizing effect on the enemy.
Settings:This entry focuses on the dwarves of Ravenloft, but the standard dwarves are common throughout the Multiverse and usually encompass both the Hill and Mountain dwarves of a given setting. The dwarves of Athas and Cerilia have different attributes and have their own entries. The list below gives an overview of the stout folk of other worlds.
DragonlanceThe
Neidar (hill dwarves, knoll dwellers) are the name given to those dwarves who at the time of the creation of Thorbardin chose to live outside. Neidar clans form small villages that consist of modest houses of thatch, wood, and stone. Because of their dwarven roots, they are excellent miners metalsmiths, and woodworkers. Once part of the society of subterranean dwarves, they were cast from their homes in the wake of the cataclysm that preceded the Age of Darkness. Forbidden to return to their former homes, they were forced to live permanently above ground. Neidar have been reasonably successful at integrating themselves into Krynn society and are as likely to be found in urban taverns as in their own modest villages. They get along well with Humans and Kender. Some have established cordial relationships with Elves. However, most other dwarven races shun the Neidar, particularly the mountain dwarves.
The
Hylar (mountain dwarves) live in fabulous underground cities beneath immense mountain ranges. The most famous of all dwarven kingdoms is Thorbardin, a 300 square mile area in the Kharolis Mountains. They have little interest in the affairs of other races. In fact, most mountain dwarves have never seen a non-dwarf. They are not interested in helping others unless they can be shown that the matter affects them directly. Two other dwarven races are closely associated with the Hylar and often live in the same cities. The Daewar, who are respected fighters, deter to the Hylar's leadership. The Klar are hill dwarves who serve the wealthy Hylar in menial roles.
The
Dark dwarves of Krynn refer to the members of three mountain dwarves clans that live the deepest underground: the Daergar, the Theiwar, and the Zhakar. The Daergar and Theiwar are notorious for their violent behavior, and some say, madness. The zhakar were afflicted with a strange illness, caused by a mold, which resulted in their constant state of decay. They withdrew, or were expelled, from dwarven society in general.
The
Gully Dwarves, or Aghar, are considered by many to be the most repulsive of races on Krynn. Gully dwarves are the diminutive cousins of true dwarves, though they still have a seat on the Council of Thanes in Thorbardin. They managed to eke out a meager existence wherever they can, mainly in refuse heaps and other places most civilized races would not care to touch.
EberronDwarves of Khorvaire are natural miners and smiths, and they control most of the precious metals found naturally across the continent of Khorvaire. Powerful dwarf families mint coinage and operate banks, issue letters of credit, hold loans, and collect debts. Dwarf bankers and merchants wield a great deal of economic power throughout Khorvaire, and they are well respected as a result. To an extent, they are also feared, since dwarves are known to be ruthless in collecting unpaid debts.
Forgotten RealmsFound largely in the northern reaches of western and central Faerûn,
shield dwarves. are the dominant northern branch of the Stout Folk. Renowned for their smithwork and craftsmanship, shield dwarves have endured a centuries-long decline in the face of never-ending wars with orcs, goblins, giants, and trolls. Taller by half a foot than their gold dwarf cousins, shield dwarves average 4 1/2 feet tall and weigh as much as an adult human. The skin of a shield dwarf is fair or lightly tanned, and her eyes are usually green or silvered blue. Both genders wear their hair long, and males (and a very few females) have long, carefully groomed beards and mustaches. Hair color ranges from light brown to red, with all shades fading to silver or white as time progresses. Shield dwarves keep to their word, whatever the cost, and are incredibly stubborn, unwilling to concede an inch unless there is absolutely no alternative.
GreyhawkHill dwarves make their home in rolling hills or on mountain sides, perhaps 'dug in' on the mountainside and extending partially into the underdark. There, they or their family or clan usually engages in profitable mining operations and work the stone and earth, mine it for metals or gems, or engage in other occupations. Four to four and a half feet high, weighting a hundred thirty to a hundred seventy pounds, they are stocky and muscular with ruddy cheeks and eyes of any color save blue. Their skin is deep tan or light brown, their hair is black, gray, or brown. A typical life span is about 300 to 400 years, but some as old as 450 years have been known.
Mountain dwarves live deeper under the mountains than hill dwarves but generally not as far underground as deep dwarves. They average about 4-1/2 feet tall and have lighter skin and hair than hill dwarves, but the same general appearance. They claim they were the first dwarf race and that all other dwarves are descended from them, an attitude that contributes to their isolationism.
MystaraThe main breed of modern dwarves,
the rockborn dwarves, hails from Rockhome, which is by far the largest centre of Dwarven culture. The government is a sort of clan-based constitutional monarchy, where the power is shared between the King and the Senate. The population is divided in seven large clans, each having a major focus of interest (military, religion, administration, commerce, etc.). The clans act as political parties, with senators being the head of the largest families. The Dwarven society is also quite complex, with a significant role given to "Guilds", which acts like social clubs.
PlanescapeMany settlements in the dwarven realms engage in profitable trade in metal goods. Like their Prime brethren, planar dwarves are well known for their skill at the forge. Those that leave the realms often use the skills they have learned to set up their own smithies in whatever plane they settle in, and cities such as Sigil are always receptive to dwarves for just this reason. The majority of dwarves are found in the Dwarven Mountain, located in the Outlands. Most non-lawful, non-evil, dwarves are drawn there either when they die or when they find it on their travels. Lawful neutral and lawful good dwarves are most often encountered in Erackinor, located in Solania, a layer of Mount Celestia. Some dwarves can even be found in Nidavellir (the realm), which is located in Nidavellir, the third layer of Ysgard. The dwarves of Nidavellir tend to be slightly chaotic, and many of them are also magically inclined.
SpelljammerWhile many groundling dwarf clans and kingdoms are in decline, the dwarves of wildspace thrive. Within the myriad of asteroids and moons, the dwarves have built vast kingdoms that at times eclipse those found on terrestrial worlds. The wildspace dwarves have come to call themselves the Starforged Clans. The least of their kingdoms are built into flying castles called citadels. Even greater kingdoms can be found on larger, immobile asteroids and moons. Asteroids are the primary home of the Starforged Clans. These range from stark, barren boulders only a few hundred feet across to huge rocks that could qualify as small worlds. Many citadels have been abandoned or lost over the millennia, and wildspace is littered with these enormous structures--many of which have be inhabited by non-dwarves.
Game Stats:+2 Con, -2 Cha
Darkvision
Defensive training vs. giants
Hardiness vs. poisons
Hardiness vs. spells
Offensive training vs. orcs
Offensive training vs. goblinoids
Skill affinity (lore)
Stonecunning
Weapon Proficiency (Dwarven Waraxe)
