The dwarves were one of the most ancient living races in Auriin. They were, for the most part, a proud and industrious people who were responsible for a large share of the goods trade in Auriin, and were most certainly unafraid of flaunting the wealth this afforded them. Dwarven architecture was grandiose and elaborate, with every detail designed to showcase the craftmanship of their smiths and masons.

While the lifespan of a dwarf was comparable to that of a human, the memory of dwarfkind extended far into the past; the dwarven race remembered events that were ancient history in the libraries of men. As a result, they held long grudges: against giants, whose ancestors once enslaved dwarven miners; against orcs whose hordes destroyed dwarven fortresses, mines, and forges; and against goblins who stole their hard-won gold.

Dwarven kingdoms were mere extensions of the mines and forges where they harvested precious stones and ores and the practice their crafts. Their settlements consisted of a mixture of extensive tunnel networks hewn into the rock, deep below mountain ranges, and sturdy stone constructions spilling out from the mouths of their mineshafts.

The largest dwarven holds could be found in the mountains that mark the eastern and southern borders of Fëaforn, and in the highlands to the north of Morlan. Many dwarves came down from the mountains to live among men, elves, and their other humanoid cousins. Most any sizeable human, elf or halfling settlement was home to at least a handful of dwarves.

A map of Auriin depicting the distribution of Dwarf subraces across the continent. [view enlarged]

Dwarves tended to be short and broad, typically standing between 4 and 5 feet tall and weighing as much as a human standing up to two feet taller. There was a diverse range of skin tones among dwarves, even within subraces, from the sandy, terra-cotta skin of the Orrik dwarves to the pallid translucency of Duergar flesh.

Dwarves of all ages and sexes had the ability to grow facial hair, to varying degrees. In most dwarven cultures, it was the norm to cultivate a thick, full-faced beard whenever possible, though dwarven women and children were known to prefer a shaven face while living among less tolerant humans and elves.

Duergar

The duergar, or grey dwarves, were a clade of dwarfkin whose ancestors were so bitter and reclusive, that they withdrew themselves deeper below the surface than any of their kin. Duergar were children of the Underdark, residing in volcanic tunnels deep below the surface. They were rarely seen higher than even the deepest tunnels of mountain dwarves.

Duergar Traits

See Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, p.81.

Orrik Dwarves

The Orrik dwarves, or hill dwarves, were native to the foothills of the Auzger Mountains to the north of Morlan, as well as the deserts of Canolze. They were shorter and broader than their brethren, with skin matching the colour and rough texture of the sandy rock in which they built their great halls.

Orrik dwarves were the administrators of the great tradeway between Morqhād and Carricall, and as such they could be found throughout the mainland of Auriin.

Orrik Dwarf Traits

See Player's Handbook, p.20.

Erechai Dwarves

Erechai dwarves, or mountain dwarves, were the most common variety of dwarf in Auriin. Their territories were some of the largest contiguous mountain ranges in the continent, so they inherited the majority of the Dueva kingdom. They were the most culturally conservative of all dwarfkind, seeking to preserve dwarven crafts, language and influence. The Erechai originated from two mountain ranges in the north-west of Auriin: Pfosmenedh and The Evening Wall.

Erechai Dwarf Traits

See Player's Handbook, p.20.