Dwarves
Dwarves are shorter and stockier than humans or elves, but as such they are more solid than either of the taller races. Dwarves live in underground dwellings for the most part, preferring to spend their days mining precious metals or shaping stone and metal to their will. They are exceptional blacksmiths and craftsmen. Dwarves live to be about 350 years old.
The most important feature of any dwarf is his beard. Even dwarven women have whiskers, but the men are able to grow a full beard, of which they are intensely proud. The only dwarf to shave his beard was Kharas, the dwarven hero, who shaved it to show his shame in killing his countrymen during the Dwarfgate War. In addition, dwarves have infravision, the ability to sense direction, depth and slope underground and are incredibly resistant to magic, distrusting its properties almost entirely.
Like the elves, the dwarves experienced a split in their unity when some of the dwarves who preferred to live outside left the underground dwellings for the freedom of the exterior. These dwarves came to be known as the Neidar, or Hill Dwarves. The remaining clans of Mountain Dwarves are known as the Hylar, Daewar, Theiwar, Daergar, Dewar, Aghar, Klar and Zhakar.
HYLAR
The Hylar are generally considered to be the most noble of the dwarves. They also have had the most members of their clan hold the position of the High King, which requires the acquisition of the Hammer of Kharas, the most famous Hylar next to Derkin Lawgiver.
DAEWAR
Daewar are the dwarven craftsman. They excel at battle and at metalworking and are considered to be 'good' dwarves as well. Daewar are almost as 'noble' as the Hylar, but they are more concerned with the acquisition of wealth and are usually the merchants of dwarvenkind. Severus Stonehand is perhaps the most famous Daewar.
THEIWAR
Theiwar are the dark dwarves. Conniving and scheming, Theiwar are always looking for ways to further their own evil self interest. Theiwar prefer the dark dwellings of Thorbardin, and are easily distinguishable from other dwarves because of their paler complexions, larger eyes and their ability to use magic.
DAERGAR
These are the dumbest dwarves. Daergar are the counterpart of the Theiwar in much the same way the Daewar are the counterpart of the Hylar-they are the brawn behind the Theiwar brains. However, they are not allies: the Daergar are even more murderous than their Theiwar cousins, and much more prone to physical violence rather than cunning to resolve any given situation.
DEWAR
Not to be confused with their Daewar cousins, the Dewar are a third group of 'dark' dwarves. They live in caverns beneath Thorbardin where the other clans refuse to live. The Dewar were exiled because of their insanity; now after years of inbreeding, it has become that much more pronounced (in fact, those deemed 'sane' are shunned). The Dewar excel at killing and at cruelty, and are quick to anger.
AGHAR
The Aghar, or Gully Dwarves, are considered by many to be the most repulsive of races on Krynn. Gully dwarves are the diminutive cousins of true dwarves, though they still have a seat on the Council of Thanes in Thorbardin. Their leader, the Highbulp, is the Aghar who is most accomplished at grovelling his way out of any given situation. Terrified of any threat, Gully Dwarves are exceptionally hard-headed and stupid, but when driven into a corner can fight with a surprising ferocity using their only weapons-tooth and nail. (In the entire history of the three gully dwarf clans only Bupu - Raistlin Majere's charmed friend - and Raf - Tika Waylan Majere's helper at the Inn of the Last Home, have had the ability to count up to three).
KLAR
The Klar, a thanedom of hill dwarves, were subjugated by the Hylar following the Dwarfgate War, and many now act as servants to many Hylar, though they have their own underground city on the banks of the Urkhan Sea. They seek a leader to deliver them from their plight. Many of them are still a little crazy after losing the war.
NEIDAR
All hill dwarves are grouped into this thanedom. Defeated by the mountain dwarves in the Dwarfgate War, this clan of dwarves lives in the hills outside of Thorbardin. They dislike the confines of the underground fortress, but still seek representation on the Council of Thanes. Neidar are generally 'good' dwarves who exhibit none of the Theiwar of Daergar. The most famous Neidar dwarf is Flint Fireforge, Hero of the Lance.
ZHAKAR
Another clan of evil dwarves, the Zhakar were the inhabitants of Thoradin before they were defeated by Severus Stonehand. The Zhakar were afflicted with a strange illness, caused by a mold which resulted in their constant state of decay: they could be considered lepers. The Zhakar were thrown out of Thoradin by Stonehand if they did not swear allegiance to him after their defeat and removal of the mold curse.
