Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, dwarves are a humanoid race that are one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Most dwarves are renowned for their distrust of magic and skills as axe-wielding warriors and blacksmiths, with the exception of their Underdark-dwelling cousins: the evil, psychic Duergar.

These variations from the standard dwarf archetype are commonly called subraces, which include Azer, Gold Dwarves, Hill Dwarves, Gray Dwarves (Duergar), Mountain Dwarves, Shield Dwarves and Wild Dwarves. Dwarves and humans are interfertile, but their offspring are sterile.

In many campaign settings, the dwarven pantheon of gods consists of the leader Moradin, as well as Abbathor, Berronar Truesilver, Clanggedin Silverbeard, Dugmaren Brightmantle, Dumathoin, Muamman Duathal, and Vergadain. Other dwarven gods may be present in different campaign settings.

Male dwarves all grow thick facial hair it is often a sign of extreme sadness and mourning to shave it off. Most females also grow beards allthough they tend not to be as thick as their male counterparts, this feature often confuses outsiders some thinking that there are no female dwarves. In the Dungeons and Dragons MMORPG stormreach female dwarves have, for some reason, not been given facial hair.

Dwarves in the Dragonlance Saga
Gully dwarves, or Aghar as their race was known, are referred to in the Dragon Lance Chronicles, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, as a "miserable lot". They are the lowest caste in dwarven society, found all over Krynn, living in filth and squalor in places that had been abandoned by most other living creatures, including animals. Like dwarves they are clannish, and several clans live together, fallowing the rule of their chieftains or one particular powerful leader. Females lack whiskers on their chins but had them on their cheeks and may wear tattered overskirts wrapped around their waists extending to their bony knees. Despite their wretched appearance, gully dwarves generally lead a cheerful existence.

Novels
Notables D&D novels prominently featuring dwarves include:


 * Dark Thane by Jeff Crook.
 * Flint the King by Kirchoff and Niles.
 * The Gates of Thorbardin by Dan Parkinson.
 * Gully Dwarves by Dan Parkinson.
 * The Icewind Dale trilogy by RA Salvatore.
 * Storm Blade by Nancy Berberick.
 * The War of the Spider Queen series by RA Salvatore.

Bonuses and Penalties
First & Second Edition +1 Constitution -1 Charisma

Third and Three point Five +2 Constitution -2 Charisma +1 to hit Vrs Goblinkin and Orcs +2 Savings throw Against Poison    +2 savings throw against magic