Dwarves

Of all the humanoid peoples, dwarves are among the most ancient, and no underground race is more civilized. They can be met throughout the known world, though most live in mountain country; small island clans are rumored too, but they are very uncommon. Long wars with goblins and trolls have cut their population sharply, and only a few large clans are believed to remain.

Dwarves are stocky and short, plain of face, with eyes of dark brown. Their skin may be tan, ruddy reddish-brown or black, and their hair black, brown or auburn. Both sexes wear beards, which dwarves treat as a genuine badge of honor; a longer beard is a finer one.

Dwarves share the elves' long lifespans and small families. They are earnest and industrious, not much given to merrymaking unless there is strong drink about. As miners and smiths they have few equals, and they cherish gems and precious metals. Every dwarven community boasts a fine forge and one or more mines in good working order.

Dwarves are on reasonable terms with all humanoid races save the Netherfolk, whose goblin ancestry leaves dwarves wary and distrustful. They hold the Aesir in special affection, having fought the trolls alongside them, and while elves and dwarves have little in common, the two bear each other no real ill will.

In game terms dwarves have infravision, a 95% chance to identify rocks and minerals, a save vs INT to notice unsafe stonework, +1 on saves vs CON, a natural talent for mining and stonecutting, and the Dark Tongue of goblins and trolls as a bonus language. They can carry 12 lb for each point of STR, but their leaps are 25% shorter than normal.