'DWARF SPEECH' 'DWARVEN SPEECH' (2562)
Dwarves and their speech can vary as widely as the length of their beards. Whether it is mildly slurred or having crudely shortened words, their dialogue is often hurried, the dwarves as a whole preferring action to words. Attributed as a testament to their short tempers, the loud use of colorful phrases or curses may sometimes slip it's way into the average dwarf's speech, something which even the most refined of dwarves may succumb to. In addition to their common speech, some dwarves are also fond of using runes to communicate. Be it for inspiration, demoralization, divine guidance, or some other reason, the language is an ancient one, understood almost exclusively by the sages, historians, blacksmiths, or priests of their society. A few common dwarven phrases and idioms include: "Axes high!" or "Hammers high!" - calling allies to arms, regardless of weapons used "... smells like a duergar!" - common dwarven insult "... unworthy of the beard you/I wear" - used to shame another dwarf, or self "stoking my fire and raising my ire" - used to warn of increased anger "Dull blades and stale ale!" - common dwarven curse "One must delve deep to mine the most precious jewels." - dwarven proverb "My kin can move mountains!" - expression of pride among dwarves "A duergar can't smell his own stench." - dwarven proverb "Small axe-strokes can fell the greatest of oaks." - dwarven proverb, in defense of their stature "...clinging to my mother's beard" - reference to infancy/childhood "The Final Quenching" - dwarven reference to death