Most of the Known World's dwarves who make active contact with outside society are hill dwarves. Compared to the mountain dwarves, they have a relaxed and open attitude toward the outside world, though they're not nearly as mercantile as the dune dwarves. Because they dwell in regions that lack the towering peaks that their mountain kin favor, they build stone fortresses that start above ground and end in chambers that tunnel deep beneath the surface. A typical clan's settlement features stout walls and a sturdy gate, inside which are living quarters, community areas, and a well-protected treasure vault. Hill dwarves are more perceptive and empathetic than their mountain dwarf relatives, and have a much more relaxed and sturdy attitude than their dune cousins. They rely on intuition and insight to guide them in relationships with other races. To offset the disadvantage of not being protected by mountains, they frequently form defensive pacts with humans, gnomes, and elves that live nearby. Although the best artisans are revered for their skills, just as in any dwarf clan, hill dwarves put special emphasis on diplomacy and trade as key elements in the clan's survival. They appreciate the value of creating high-quality goods to trade with others, both to enrich the clan and to form bonds with neighbors.