Shield dwarves are known for their martial discipline, endurance, and the stoic determination that allowed their ancestors to carve vast halls beneath the mountains. Hardened by centuries of war against orcs, goblinoids, and giants, they possess a cultural reverence for armor, stonecraft, and the defense of clan and citadel. Though slow to laughter and wary of strangers, shield dwarves are steadfast companions once trust is earned, and their loyalty is rarely broken.

Shield dwarves stand roughly 4 to 4 1/2 feet tall but are powerfully built, broad of shoulder and thick of limb, giving them a compact strength that belies their height. Their skin tones range from deep tan to light brown, and their hair is typically black, gray, or brown. Among shield dwarven men, beards are a mark of pride and heritage, often worn long and braided with metal rings or clan tokens.

Shield Dwarf Ability Adjustments: +2 Con, -2 Cha.
Favored Class (Fighter): A multiclass shield dwarf's fighter class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.

Special Abilities:

- Stonecunning: +2 racial bonus on Investigate checks made in subterranean areas.
- Darkvision: Shield dwarves are able to see in the dark.
- Hardiness vs. Poisons: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against poisons.
- Hardiness vs. Spells: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against spells.
- Offensive Training vs. Orcs: +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against orcs.
- Offensive Training vs. Goblinoids: +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against goblinoids (goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears).
- Defensive Training vs. Giants: +4 dodge bonus to AC against giants.
- Skill Affinity (Stone and metal crafts): +2 racial bonus to Craft checks with armorsmithing, weaponsmithing, jewelry, and stonework.
- Skill Affinity (Architecture and delving): +2 racial bonus to Knowledge checks with architecture and dungeoneering.
- Weapon Proficiency (Dwarf): Dwarves can use the dwarven waraxe, warhammer, shortbow, heavy crossbow, and mace at no penalty.