Race: Dwarf
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Dwarves are much like the mountains that they mine and often make their homes in. They are strong and stubborn, with solid constitutions. They are somewhat shorter than the average human, with both a stockier build and stubbier features. Almost all dwarves are bearded, including the women. Their high night vision and also their near-sightedness are from generations of living underground. They are excellent smiths and miners. Many dwarves trace their lineage proudly pointing to the famous smiths in dwarven history. Dwaves are most happy with other dwarves, and are often distasteful of other races. Dwarves are very proud, and would steadfastly die in battle protecting their friends although it's not certain whether from a feeling of honor or merely the stubbornness to not admit defeat.
from Frederic's "Bestiary"
Dwarf
Dwarves are a race of gruff and hardy individuals. They are fierce in battle, and solid as the stone of their mines.
As a race, dwarves are most at home underground. Legends say that one of the gods chiseled the dwarves out of the stone of an underground cave and then gave them the skills to mine their way out. This may or may not be the case, but the dwarves certainly do not belie the tale. They tend to build their cities underground, usually in mines that have existed for so long that enough of the earth has been removed to form a giant central cave. The dwarves then shore the cave; anyone who has dealt with a dwarven architect or seen a dwarven mine will know what it means when a dwarf shores a cave or tunnel. A dwarven support is designed to survive an earthquake, an explosion, an attack by giants, and the world coming to an end, all at the same time.
This solidity of structure is very symbolic of the dwarves. Another example of this is the fighting style of dwarves. They themselves are not very quick, thus when they enter battle they enter it wearing enough armor to block any attack. They become less mobile because of it, but they would rather trust to their craftsmanship than to their luck.
There are two results of this philosophy. The first result is that dwarves are superb craftsmen. There are few things that last longer than an object or structure built by a dwarf. Only elves surpass the dwarves in the ability to work fine metals and precious stones. The other result is that dwarves tend to be a grim and stalwart race of people. They are brought up always planning and expecting the worst to happen. This is unfortunate, except when the worst does happen.
Another, lesser corollary to this is that most dwarves are trained as fighters for at least part of their lives. I once knew a dwarf who trained to become a healer, Clonk was her name. She was the apprentice of Flynn, and was off practicing her spells one day when some would-be healer-killer attacked her. I believe she allowed him to live, but she did break both of his arms and one of his legs, bare handed. As I recall, I think she was even kind enough to heal the limbs afterwards.
Dwarves are also known for their intense greed. No one really knows where this stems from, but they are often as greedy as dragons. Occasionally this can cause problems between these two races, but the dragons rarely seem to have trouble dealing with the trouble.
Dwarves are physically just as you would imagine them to be. They are small, standing only four to five feet in height, but they are very strong and sturdy. They are nearly as strong as orcs and perhaps more tough. Both male and female dwarves have long beards, which are often used as symbols of status in dwarven society. When a child can first braid his or her beard, they are proclaimed an adult.
Another interesting note about the dwarvish desire to always be prepared is that it is strongly incorporated into their religion. They believe that at the end of time, the Great Mother will come for them. And then they must rise from their graves and follow her into the final battle. This is why dwarves are always buried with their weapons and armor. To skin and butcher a slain dwarf is a great insult to that dwarf in particular, and an offense against the dwarven race.
There is a long-standing hatred between the dwarves and orcs which occasionally erupts the two races into war. Dwarves often do not get along well with elves or gnomes either, who are generally too lighthearted for the taste of the normally somber dwarves. They do tend to get along well with halflings who are at least very earnest and serious about a few things, even if those things are meals and comfort.