A dwarf is a short humanoid creature in Norse mythology as well as other Germanic mythologies, fairy tales, fantasy fiction and role-playing games. Its plural was traditionally dwarfs, but Tolkien used the plural dwarves, which has gone into general usage. Dwarves are much like humans, but generally living underground or in mountainous areas. Here they have heaped up countless treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, and pass their time in fabricating costly armour. They are famed miners and smiths although, like humans, they specialise in any number of trades. Generally shorter than humans, they are on average stockier and hairier, usually sporting full beards. Dwarvish smiths created some of the greatest and most powerful items of power in Norse mythology, such as the magic chain which bound the wolf, Fenris.