Dwarves

The earliest known mention of dwarves (singular dwarf, plural dwarves, sometimes also spelled dwarfs) can be found in the Poetica Edda (Norse mythology, 13th century) and Prose Edda from the same time period. Dwarves often play a role in the rich tapestry of fairy tales - the best known example is probably Snow White and the Seven Dwarves – and are key characters in the books of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, to name but two well known writers. They, together with gnomes and leprechauns, are sometimes referred to as “the little people”.

Dwarves are sturdy, rather short, generally bearded and live in woods or mountainous areas, far from human habitation. The public most often associates them with mining, but they are also gifted blacksmiths and whitesmiths and are known to be very useful handymen. Not very gregarious, they are relatively short-tempered and are not particularly known for their sense of humour. To give them their due, they are industrious and hard-working, diligent and thorough. Dwarves' ability to perform magic is severely limited,  i.e. they cannot fly or make themselves invisible, though they are usually able to telepath, as can most magical beings; but their ability to find gold, diamonds and other riches is uncanny, if not magical.

If riled, they can be ferocious in battle and will fearlessly take on opponents against overwhelming odds. However, being pragmatists, they will carefully weigh the odds and refuse to be drawn into a hopeless endeavour.

Rumour has it, that dwarves are misogynists. Without wanting to cast aspersions one might mention, that there are few well-known female dwarves, the female dwarf population seemingly being content to live quietly in the background. Certainly, no-one has ever heard of dwarf suffragettes chaining themselves to any given tree.

Image courtesy of Matt, www.dragonbones.net