Where does the modern D&D concept of a dwarf come from? I've noticed it's fairly far from the old Germanic concept of a dwarf. Where did Gary Gygax and company get the idea for the current long-bearded, honorable, armored, axe-wielding creature we know (and love) today?
[RPG] Where does the D&D concept of a dwarf come from
dungeons-and-dragonsdwarfhistory-of-gamingraces
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Best Answer
Tolkien's Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion lead directly to Perren and Gygax's minis-battles fantasy supplement, Dwarves in Chainmail (see Chainmail 3rd Ed, p. 28, and the later designer's notes article). Also, Gygax and Arneson made much use of this in the games which would later become D&D.
Tolkien claimed inspiration from the Norse and Anglo-Saxon dwarves, but admitted to changing them substantially. Terry Brooks (Shanarra Series), Poul Anderson, and several other authors specifically draw from Tolkien's presentation of the race of Dwarves.
A number of games specifically move away from Tolkien; Some make them short Norse, some make them otherwise different (like the Mostal of Glorantha, or the Shtuntee of Orkworld), and later D&D dwarves are drifted from Tolkien's model as well.
Most games follow the D&D pseudo-Tolkienian model. Most modern authors do so as well; Tolkien has been noted as stating he intended to create a saga for the English Speaking World; by most accounts, he's succeeded.
His vision of Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits/Halflings, Trolls, Orcs, and Goblins have become the English cultural norm; only Elfquest has given much challenge to this superiority, tho' the medieval English and French fairy elf views still have some traction, especially since they have much place in another still widely held cultural myth: King Arthur.