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Dwarfs or dwarves are members of one of several canonical species based on the dwarfs of Germanic mythology. They are typically portrayed as mountain-dwelling, industrious, and unlovely (i.e. short and hairy), at least as compared to the local elves, with whom they are often at odds.

J.R.R. Tolkien popularized the plural spelling dwarves over dwarfs. He described it as "just a piece of private bad grammar, rather shocking in a philologist; but I shall have to go with it." And as Tolkien went, so went the fantasy genre at large.

Species of Dwarf[]

Discworld[]

Dwarfs on the Disc are a parody of fantasy dwarfs in general, notably Disney's seven dwarfs and Tolkien's dwarves. They live in the mountains and dig for gold, which they love. Actually, they don't; they just say that to get it into bed. They do love to sing about it, though, and even name their children after it.

Dwarf culture places small emphasis on gender, such that courtship can be a rather tricky business indeed. All dwarfs have beards, the Dwarfish language has a gender-neutral pronoun, and until recently in Disc history, all dwarfs dressed alike—usually in chainmail, with a helmet and ax.

Dwarfs are extremely literal-minded and thus tend to miss sarcasm, irony, and figurative language in general.

Middle-earth[]

Main article: Dwarf (Middle-earth)

Dwarves are distinguished from other humanoids in Middle-earth in that they were not created by Eru Ilúvatar, but rather by a lesser deity, Aulë. Eru graciously allowed them to exist anyway, and even gave them souls so they wouldn't be slavish automatons; but he did decree that they would not wake before his other children, Elves and Men.

Middle-earth Dwarves are short, bearded, and gruff. They are known to be fine warriors and craftsmen, but also greedy and secretive.

Agents Jane Doe and Justin Agent are from Middle-earth.

World of Warcraft[]

Dwarves in Azeroth are of typical modern fantasy stock: mountain-dwelling, bearded, etc. Two of the three Dwarven clans, the Bronzebeards of Ironforge and the Wildhammers of Aerie Peak, are part of the Alliance, and therefore generally regarded as "good," though your mileage may vary with individual dwarves, especially if you're a member of the Horde. The third clan, the Dark Irons of Blackrock Mountain, is generally hostile to everyone.

Agent Eamon Brightbeard is from WoW.

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