Should Wizards and Dwarves mix?

The idea that certain "races" shouldn't be "allowed" to be certain types of characters or heroes is just limiting yourself to all kinds of stories for no good reason. Copying what other people have done before (elves are rangers, orcs are barbarians, dwarves can't be wizards) because you think you gotta is just kneecapping your creativity. Do whatever you want, man.

 

Well, yes, and I use the term species or kinds in my writing (and using race like that is kinda Icky), but generally in fantasy people are using the term "race," hence why I used it here (and also in quotes).

 

I'd turn the question round and ask you why you think they shouldn't mix? To me, it's one of the fundamental questions authors and game creators need to ask themselves when creating a fantasy world. What species exist, what are their defining characteristics and what does this mean for their lives in that world? Are there things they can't do, and if so, why?

 

Why shouldn't they mix? In our world, Dwarves can combine clockworking & magic

 

Define wizard.

I think the idea that dwarves don't use magic only really comes from Warhammer. A lot of other dwarves use magic. Tolkien's dwarves had magical weapons, magical doors, magical toys and so on. They were about as magical as elves were. Magical artifacts are fairly common for dwarves. Less common I think is the hand-waving wizards. But there's not really any reason dwarves wouldn't be able to use it. I do think that their magic should tie in with their culture. If you go the traditional artificer - miner route for dwarves than the magical artifacts and magic related to earth make sense. Which I guess is why a lot of writers go there. But I would say, go for it.

Also, Dwizards sounds cool!

 

I have suggested in my world building—but not made it canon—that wizardly/sorcerous abilities in men are the result of elves passing along some genes in the past (they, and my other 'races,' are exactly that: races or subspecies, not separate species). I've never given any dwarfs powers but in theory they could inherit them via the same route. I have placed shamans with wizard power among my trolls, who are closely related to dwarfs, so it might just happen. If I need a dwarf with abilities. That's what matters most.