Dwarves

The oldest and most practical race in the lands, dwarves date back their history to stone halls carved into the sides of mountains centuries before the first elves, then demons and finally humans established their own cities and holds in the region. This, combined with their industriousness and love for the new and inventive, has given the dwarves a not altogether unfounded belief that theirs is the most advanced and respectable of civilizations. Though they are hardly free from the need to cut loose and enjoy themselves when entertaining guests or celebrating an important holiday.

The dwarven High King is actually an elected position, though one made by a council of lords and picked from their own number. This position, unlike the human or elf equivalent, is temporary and assigned mostly for ceremonial reasons during times of peace, only being properly reassigned and respected during great crises. The current war between humanity and the Demon Empire being the most recent example.

While officially neutral, the dwarves hold great respect to humanity for their role in ending the dwarves war with the elves and many lords have made it clear that their subjects will not be reprimanded for aiding human friends and travelers. This is in no small part due to the aid humanity first brought to the dwarves in pushing forward their technology.