There are a large number of Dwarvish Peoples to be found in the Hidden Realms. First, the tallest and proudest, are those who are known as 'High Dwarves.' They are the most civilised of Dwarves and they call themselves 'The Kindred of Stone.' All High Dwarves belong to one of the forty-nine 'Houses' of The Kindred and they generally live in well ordered Holds, which is what they call their underground fortified towns and cities. Next are the 'Lesser Dwarves' these are, in effect, all those dwarves who do not belong to The Kindred of Stone, including outcasts from that society. Lesser Dwarves tend to be shorter and more rotund than High Dwarves and they live in smaller communities in caves or caverns. These settlements are usually centred on a mine or a group of workshops and smithies. Lastly there are the 'Rustic Dwarves', of various sorts, they are often smaller than even Lesser Dwarves and live in rustic, tribal societies, although still underground.

Broadly speaking all Dwarves have certain distinctive characteristics that make them 'Dwarves.' They are invariably short; rarely standing over three (human) feet tall. They are solidly built and stoutness or even a tendency towards being fat is commonplace. Dwarves are usually hairy, beards are almost universal amongst them; to be beardless is a sign of childhood or immaturity. Other characteristics vary but short legs and limbs, a largish head and large round ears might all be said to be indicative of Dwarvish ancestry.

A dwarf knight A Dwarvish Knight in full plate              armour with distinctive war axe.

If one had to categorise the various sorts of Dwarfs you might say High Dwarves (or The Kindred) are between two and a half and three foot tall. Lesser Dwarves are two to two and a half foot tall and Rustic Dwarves are one and a half to two foot tall. But the differences are more to do with their society and culture than size or height, although the latter may be taken as guide.

All Dwarvish folk have a close affinity to earth and stone. Generally they live in or beneath the surface of the earth in caves or caverns, indeed, one might even call Dwarves troglodytes. But to lump them in the same category as trolls would be, to a dwarf, a gross insult! Dwarves work stone; delighting in carving and tunnelling and mining. As a result some of their underground homes and mansions of stone are very magnificent.

As well as being masters of stonemasonry and miners of renown, dwarf men excel in working the materials they dig up from 'father earth.' Metalwork of all sorts; forging, smelting, casting and so forth are all important industries in Dwarvish society. Metal smiths, silver smiths and gold smiths are highly respected, as are jewellers, precious stone polishers and grinders, along with stone masons, sculptors and stone carvers.

Dwarves love treasure over all things

Dwarves hoard their treasure in well guarded underground strongholds or 'holds.'

Dwarves love treasure; they are avaricious, grasping and hoarders by nature. There are, of course, good and evil dwarves, as there are of any race. But their lust for treasure of any sort often leads Dwarven Folk to commit ill or dishonourable deeds. Few other people will trust them if there is any silver, gold, jewels or money of any sort to tempt a Dwarf ! Having said this there are positive sides to Dwarvish natures ~ they are loyal, hard-working and proud. They make excellent allies in a tight spot, for their valour in battle is renowned. This, combined with their high quality iron weapons and armour, make Dwarf Warriors a force to be reckoned with!

                           Cornelius Clifford

                                     The above extracts are taken from the Green Book of Dwarves