Dwarf

Dwarves are a race native to the mountains of the Known World. According to their myths and legends, they were hewn from the rock by the Elder Spirit, Fâris.
Dwarves are short, sturdy and brawny. They average 1.5 feet shorter than a Human of equivalent ST, but weigh 100 pounds more than that same Human. Dwarvish features are broad and coarse, and their bodies are thickly muscled. Their legs are short, but their heads and torsos are nearly the size of a Human's. Their hair is thick and can be any color found in humanity, though it usually turns gray or silver in old age (baldness is also common). All male Dwarves wear thick, full beards. They wear practical, sturdy clothing.
Dwarves are most at home in the mountains. They are a private and moody race, not given to display around strangers. Dwarves glory in work, and will labor for days without rest at opening a new mine shaft, crafting a new artifact or decorating a new hall.
Dwarves are the preeminent craftsmen of the world — only the Elves can match their quality, and Elves are not nearly so prolific. Although best known as smiths, jewelers, masons, and brewers, the Dwarves are masters of many crafts. They are superb merchants and tough bargainers. Dwarven quality costs dearly, but the buyer knows he'll get what he paid for, and that his contract will be carried out to the letter.
Though Dwarves are, as a race, both greedy and miserly, individuals may lack these faults. Even those who possess them in full measure will still abide by the stern morals of the race. Rarely will a Dwarf resort to outright theft or swindling. The Dwarves regard their homes and families as sacred and are staunchly protective. Should someone harm a Dwarf's family, he will immediately have an enemy that will devote every waking moment of his life to tracking the offender down.
Although most Dwarves are hardworking homebodies, there are always a few born with the wanderlust and who become mercenaries or adventurers. These wanderers serve a useful purpose in Dwarven society, bringing news of the world and other clans to the more isolated Dwarven communities and kingdoms. A Dwarven wanderer is always welcome at any Dwarvish hearth.
The Dwarven race has produced many great heroes and mighty wizards, but the two seldom combine in a single individual. Most Dwarven mages specialize in the Enchantment and Making and Breaking colleges.
Many Dwarven warriors prefer to fight with an axe or hammer — martial versions of the tools they spend their life mastering. This correspondence between martial and mundane skills has much to do with the Dwarves' traditional success in battle. The Dwarven battle-axe is also universally feared among the race's enemies. Dwarves often wear heavy armor — usually scale or plate. However, they seldom armor their lower bodies, which offer a tiny target to enemies.
Dwarvish is an ancient language, with a runic alphabet unrelated to Elven or Human tongues. They use it to keep minutely-detailed chronicles in ancient, hidden tomes. Only a handful of non-Dwarves are fluent in Dwarvish and many of the common workers only know a few words of it.
STATS: Attributes: ST +1 [10] Secondary Characteristics: Move -1 [-5]; Fatigue +1 [3]; Will +1 [5]; SM -1 Advantages: Damage Resistance +1 (Tough Skin, -40%) [3]; Extended Lifespan 2 (x4) [4]; Hard to Kill +1 [2]; Lifting ST +3 [9]; Night Vision +5 [5]; Talent: Artificer +3 [15] Disadvantages: Greed (15) [-7]; Miserliness (15) [-5]; Distrusts Elves and Goblins [-1]; Intolerance (Orcs) [-1]; Never Shave Beards [-1] Skills: Axe/Mace DX [2]; Merchant IQ [2] Talents: Artificer: Armoury, Carpentry, Engineer, Machinist, Masonry, and Smith. Reaction bonus: Anyone you do work for. 5 points/level.