The Dwarves

Steadfast, proud, and slow to change, dwarves are one of the most secretive of races, living in large lavish underground complexes known as Sabaks. Once a vast race, many dwarven sabaks lay empty and abandoned because the population has been decimated by war. Some dwarves have been known to live more than 400 years, although a lifespan of 350 is quite respectable for a dwarf.

Dwarves were forged long ago by the greater god Moradin, also known as Odin the wise by the humans, on a great mithril anvil as a ward against the dark magics that threatened the realm. The dull grey ash that fell to the side during their creation is known as lifestone by the dwarves, is harder then mithril and easily enchantable, but reacts with the arcane crystal banestone and is very explosive when the two opposing metals touch.

Dwarves commonly reflect the nature of their creation in their crafts and religious symbols, calling their god the "Soulforger" and keeping as symbols the anvil and hammer. Forged of earth, Dwarves are peacefully at home in their underground caverns, and have a natural knack in mining. They see great beauty in the gems, coal, and metals they discover underground.

Most Dwarves have a racial resistence to arcane magics due to the nature of their creation, and these truebloods are reflected in the Dwarven Bloodlines feat. If an arcane spell affects a dwarf of true blood, the dwarf must attempt a saving throw regardless whether the spell is beneficial or not. Dwarves of pure blood are not permitted to be Wizards or Sorcerers in my world, but otherwise their strengths and weaknesses are identical to those in the Players Handbook.