Short, but powerfully built, Dwarfs are generally bearded and aged in appearance, although this is because they reach maturity when only three years old and are grey-bearded by the age of seven. Their homes are the mountains of Scandinavia and Germany where they mine for precious metals to work into arms and armour and other artifacts which are often endowed with magic properties. it was the Dwarfs sho fashioned Miolnir (the hammer of Thor), the spear Gungnir, the necklace Brisinga-men of Freya and innumerable other marvels, including a new head of hair for Thor's wife Sif and a rope strong enough to bind the giant wolf Fenris yet as slender as a thread.

Dwarfs cannot appear above the ground during the day. One ray of sunlight would turn them to stone. According to some accounts they spend the daylight hours as toads.

A Duergar Story

A story is told of a traveler who, being lost in bad weather sw a light glimmering a short distance away. He found a rough stone hut lit by a dying fire. On either side of the fire were two stones and nearby two logs. He sat on one and revived the fire with some kindling and, shortly afterwards, a Duergar entered and seated himself opposite the traveler. Therethey sat until the fire burnt down again. The Duergar picked up one huge log and broke it across his knees and placed it on the fire. When it had burnt down the Duergar indicated that the traveler should put the other log on but the traveler, suspecting a trick, did nothing. So they sat until dawn when at once the Duergear, the hut, and the fire disappeared and the traveler found himself sitting on the edge of a tall crag. If he had moved to get the log he would have fallen to his death.

--- Faeries --- Brian Froud and Alan Lee

More About Dwarfs

Dwarfs are type of elf or goblin found inthe mythology and folklore of most of the world's societies. In general their description is of a humanoid shape but very small, looking old and wizened, with odd-shaped legs and feet. They usually inhabit caverns and underground palaces or dark forests, and are often associated with watercourses. Their most outstanding accomplishment in most folklore is their magical gift of transforming metals into beautiful and dangerous artifacts that frequently carry some curse. They can shape shift at will, and usually have either a magic cap, cloak, belt, or ring that renders them invisible. They are the guardians of underground treasures such as jewels or precious metals, which they may reveal to the fortunate, or use as a lure for their victims. Although usually immortal, they may be tricked and immobilized, or even turned to stone, when the light of the morning sun falls on them.

--- Spirtis, Faeries, Leprechauns, and Goblins --- Carol Rose