Dwarves are heavier than humans, but even more so than their height would suggest. Though few opportunities present themselves for anatomical study (see "Dwarven Death" below), dwarven bones are notably dark in coloration, and slightly magnetic, indicating a high iron content, which seems to agree with their greater resilience and load capacity. Their muscles are similarly different in substance, able to bear greater stress before tearing than those of humans. Dwarves typically eat an iron-rich diet (see "Diet" below) so it seems their bodies incorporate iron in ways the human body does not, and an iron deficiency could seriously undermine their skeletal and muscular systems.

It goes without saying that dwarves enjoy a natural advantage of strength and resilience compared to humans. Still, these properties are a function of their size, so they are generally outclassed by dragons, save the very young who are physically smaller.

It is apparent that dwarves have an unusual affinity for minerals. When a dwarf dies, his body naturally petrifies as it dries. This process can be greatly disrupted by decay, so it is customary for dwarves to be burned (preferably slowly, amidst coals or even in molten metal, as opposed to a bonfire) upon death--when properly implemented, this process causes the dwarf's non-mineral tissue to be replaced with minerals, and allows their body to retain its shape and form (rather than withering).

This process, and the strong tendency for dwarves to securely inter their dead (and violently protect the remains) means that little anatomical study has been done. Were such a study conducted, with properly advanced methods and understanding of science, they would find that the dwarven body is capable of incorporating almost any minerals, seemingly with an understanding of and preference for those that will yield the best strength/weight ratio.

Indeed, there exists a forbidden art known as Metalmancy (METLSRA) in which dwarves can deliberately incorporate minerals while still alive, their bodies becoming partially or even entirely metallic or crystalline while retaining mobility and facility. The practice is known in modern times only to Deep Dwarves and secret cults.

Dwarven reproduction takes place in a manner very similar to that of humans. The gestation period is slightly longer (averaging 48 weeks), with birth weights often exceeding 11 or 12 pounds. Infant mortality is notably higher among dwarves (compared to humans), but mortality for the mother is lower, although risk of complications leading to infertility remain elevated.

Unlike humans, dwarves seem to respond strongly to environmental factors in determining gender selection. Under normal circumstances, dwarves in a peaceful, thriving settlement tend to have nearly equal sex distribution, while those in a harsher environment strongly favor male offspring. This process has been known to go awry, with the birth rate of females dropping to dangerous and unsustainable levels--in some cases, it has even led to the extinction of tribal lines. It is likely for this reason that many traditional dwarven cultures place limits on the activities and mobility of females, to minimize the risk of harm or death, given a small breeding pool.

Dwarves have a markedly different metabolism from humans. Notably, they have three stomachs, and a number of additional digestive organs for which there are no parallels in humankind. Food consumed by a dwarf spends much longer in the digestive tract--as much as three times longer than in a human--and is more thoroughly processed. Dwarves can derive benefit from many foodstuffs humans cannot, including straw, seed husks, and plant fibers. The longer tract puts them at risk for foodborne illness, but the additional organs seemingly counter this danger with an array of chemicals to neutralize harmful organisms.

This adaptation has proven highly useful for those dwarves (read: most) who dwell in harsh environments with limited access to abundant food (read: mountains). Dwarves cultivate many of the same plants and animals as humans, but prepare their food differently. Notably, "dwarf bread" is made of whole grain, including not only bran but husk and chaff. The taste has been described by humans as "like eating sawdust", and it is sometimes derisively called "horse food" or similar insults.

Dwarves are also capable of digesting gristle, sinew, and bone meal, and tend to be very thorough in the consumption of animals. This is not to say that dwarves prefer such things; rich dwarves often eat only choice cuts of meat, preferring soft organs as a delicacy, and eat refined grains--however, this diet does not seem to be healthy, and dwarves who so indulge often suffer obesity alongside weakened bone and muscle strength.

Dwarves enjoy the same intoxicating effects of alcohol as humans, although requiring a substantially larger dose. To the chagrin of their human companions, dwarves feel little ill effect from over-consumption of alcohol (read: hangovers), due to their ability to break down its toxic byproducts, although they are still prone to alcohol poisoning if they grossly over-indulge.

The long digestive tract of a dwarf means they can maintain a more consistent level of energy with inconsistent intake. While they prefer to eat often (generally 1 large meal per day and numerous small ones), they are quite capable of eating sporadically (every few days) without suffering great hunger, and can even gorge themselves on very large feasts to retain energy for an extended period of inactivity--some dwarves have been known to so "hibernate" for several months, though most succumb to thirst before that point.