Dwarves in the Realms

Background
Dwarves are fairly common in the Realms. Many dwarves lives in the hills and mountains in their own towns and underground fortresses, or in other secluded places, but others live in the towns and cities of men. It is more likely to find dwarves in larger cities, or in towns that are close to a sizable dwarf hold. A dwarf is more likely to be a curiosity in the small rural villages and hamlets.

There are two main types of dwarves, Rock dwarves and Stone dwarves.

Rock dwarves are taller and typically have reddish-brown skin with black or dark brown hair and beards. They are less likely to form dwarven communities within human cities, and do not often live by themselves outside of a family or clan group. They generally only roam the realms individually when the adventuring call has pulled them away from their homes. Perhaps two-thirds to three-quarters of dwarves are Rock dwarves.

Stone dwarves are shorter and stockier, and are more likely to live with the other races, both individually and in entire communities within human cities. They are more likely to wander the realms individually, or to live outside of a family group. Stone dwarves have fairer skin, typically tan or pale like a human. Their beards and hair range from medium reddish-browns through light browns and blonds. A quarter to a third of dwarves are Stone dwarves.

A third type of dwarf, and the rarest by far, are the Granite dwarves. Granite dwarves live almost entirely in hidden communities deep within the mountains and far from civilization, rarely associate with the other races, and are rarely seen outside of their hidden holds. Granite dwarves typically have gray skin, white hair (regardless of age), and are the tallest of the dwarves while being slighter in build. Most common folk in the Realms have never seen a Granite dwarf, and their numbers are unknown.

Dwarves traditionally come of age at their 40th birthday. Rock dwarves live approximately 200 years, with their longest lived reaching 250. Stone dwarves live approximately 175 years, with some in excess of 200 years, and only a few reaching 225. Nobody is quite sure about Granite dwarves. A generation to dwarves is approximately 100 years.

The Dwarven Outlook
All dwarves in the Northlands share a certain sense of melancholy over the fallen dwarf holds and the kin that were lost when evil brought down the Elder Nations. As the Elder Nations fell, the demi-human realms associated with them were also laid low, and the survivors scattered and driven south. The long generational cycle of dwarves and elves makes those losses more deeply felt, and also grants them a longer memory.

Rock dwarves are more likely to dwell on the defeats of the past, holding grudges and planning for some future day when revenge can be taken. Rock dwarves tend to feel superior to Stone dwarves, feeling that they did more to try to prevent the fall of the northern kingdoms than the Stone dwarves did. They believe themselves to be the "true dwarves", while the Stone dwarves are the "men friends", as if the Stone dwarves' willingness to deal with and live amongst the other races makes them somehow less dwarven. They are more militaristic and warlike. Other races typically see Rock dwarves as haughty, sullen, gruff and withdrawn.

Stone dwarves are much more likely to be pragmatic about their racial past and willing to concentrate on the future. They view the superiority of the Rock dwarves as silly hubris, and are just as likely to tease a Rock dwarf than to be offended by one. They are more accepting of other races and are generally more outgoing and friendly.

A tradition that highlights the differences between Rock dwarves and Stone dwarves is that of the Hammer March. As a part of the Rock dwarf coming of age process, many dwarf holds or clans will send out periodic military expeditions consisting of many of the group's younger members, led by some of the group's more experienced warriors. A Hammer March will set out from home with a specific goal in mind, typically an expedition against a specific enemy (for example, a nearby orc tribe). In addition to be part of the overall coming of age process, these Hammer Marches serve the role of ongoing basic armor and weapon training that can be drawn on later in times of need. While Stone dwarves receive much of the same armor and weapons training, they do not do so in nearly the same structured way.

All of the above notwithstanding, not all dwarves can be so easily defined by their type, and individual variation among the different types is widespread...