Dwarf characters

Dwarves cluster exactly where you would expect — clerics and fighters level with each other, then barbarians. What is less expected is how much of the character ends up in the kit rather than the beard: a soot-stained coat with a rune brand at the throat, a belt of dented carabiners for quick holds on ruined walls. Beards are a given. The gear is where you get to say something.

Beards come in every colour from ash grey to molten copper and fiery crimson, mostly braided and hung with iron, copper or silver rings. Skin goes from ruddy and copper to granite grey and deep earthen brown, and a few have silver veins or soot in it. Clerics carry chainmail and hammers, fighters carry battered steel, and the barbarians are the wild-haired ones. Most are men, but there are enough women here to compare, including a paladin in steel armour with indigo enamel. If the beard is a given, the armour finish is the next thing to decide.