Race: Dwarf

Dwarves are well known for their long beards and short legs, their lust for gold and alcohol and the mountain homes they carve for their clans.

Appearance
Dwarves are taller than gnomes and halflings, but are still counted as short by human terms. It's a deceptive category, because the dwarven race is made up of extremely strong and hardy folk, easily able to compete with the finest of humankind. Perhaps it is the similarity in skin tone, eye colour and hair that has the human race confused.

Dwarven beards are a matter of pride, and the longer and whiter it is the more respect a dwarf gets from its fellows. Styling beards is popular, shaving absolutely not. Rumour has it dwarven females grow beards just like the men, but there are also accounts to the contrary. Visitors will rarely see (or identify) dwarf women, and the race as a whole is strangely close-lipped and easily offended when asked about gender or womenfolk.

When dressing, even casually, dwarves prefer protective clothing, such as thick leathers, metal caps or even chainmail. They pay little attention to fashion and frivolous colours, but when it comes to metalwork they are immaculate in polish and ornamental detail.

Mentality
Dwarves are one of the most long-lived mortal races in the lands, but unlike the free-spirited elves a dwarf devotes his life to his reputation and his clan. Isolated in their mountain homes, decades can slip away unnoticed.

A job done well is cause for pride, and so is acquiring the gold or tools needed to secure the future of a dwarf's family and society for generations to come. Dwarves do not mind working hard and long, often entering trance-like states for much of the day, and relish in duty and a chance to gain personal glory before their peers. Although their lives seem bleak to other races, to a dwarf it's honest and functional. If a dwarf is shamed or even cast out, they will either do everything in their power to excel or fall into a deep pit of despair and gloom.

The fun in their lives comes from telling tall tales, drinking alcohol, eating fat meats, brawling and fighting. All of these are opportunities to stand out and gain respect, although it's not customary for a dwarf to brag about his status; courtesy dictates that others do so for him.

Dwarves are very much children of the earth, hollowing out entire mountains in pursuit of a gold vein or ore deposit and making their homes in the chambers so made. They will rarely get lost underground, and have a good sense for the kind of stone, humidity and gases in any seemingly monotonous bit of tunnel they happen to be in. Earth means sanctuary and sustenance to them.