Dwarf

Dwarves are a race of sentient bipeds native to the planet Daerraphere. By 500 AGE, Dwarves (alongside the other Daerrapherian races) had become an established spacefaring species, and around 2000 AGE, they had begun their Era of Paragon.

Anatomy and Physiology
Dwarves are short, stout humanoid mammals who, among both sexes, tend to grow long beards. Dwarves have deep red blood and small, compact bodies. This allows them to travel through narrow mines, where many Dwarves have spent their livelihoods. Their glassy eyes have a layer of translucent tissue that makes them more sensitive to dim light, allowing Dwarves to see up to 30 feet in the dark.

Dwarves natural strength and heavy muscle mass allows them to work restlessly for long periods of time. This has proven them to be skilled workers and hardy soldiers.

Population
Dwarves, while not as abundant as Humans, live by the rule of the clan. Because of their large families, Dwarves make up a large population of many cultures, and are often found in packed areas.

Intelligence
Dwarves are not naturally dull or stupid, but since the most important aspect of any Dwarf's life is their livelihood (often being hard labor, such as mining or smithing), not many Dwarves are known for their intelligence.

Subspecies
There are three subspecies of Dwarf; Hill Dwarves, Mountain Dwarves, and Steel Dwarves.
 * Hill Dwarves are the shortest Dwarves. With extremely keen senses and a more active immune system, they make up around 43% of the Dwarven population.
 * Mountain Dwarves are hardy, rugged folk. Much more coordinated and physically powerful than the rest of the Dwarves, they are known to make great soldiers. Mountain Dwarves make up around 42% of the Dwarven population.
 * Steel Dwarf are magically-adept Dwarves who evolved from Mountain Dwarves who lived on barren, terrestrial moons and planets beyond the Daerraphere System. They are much more mentally flexible than other Dwarves and are one of the only Dwarf cultures where shaving one's beard is a common fashion. Steel Dwarves make up around 15% of the Dwarven population.

Trivia

 * Dwarf-run mining colonies make up over 74% of the ore industry of the Psaella Ring.