Longbeards

"When you've got proper beards you might understand what a bit of gnollengrom means, what it's like to respect a Dwarf for the fullness of his beard. This beard here says I'm old, and that means I knows best, and you knows that too, so that's why you're going to listen to my advice, then you can grow up to be a proper Dwarf and pass on your advice to the next generation. Remember, a Dwarf's only as big as his beard!..."

- Durgrim Redmane, Longbeard

Dwarf Longbeards are the oldest most battle-hardened heavy infantry within a Dwarf army, and forms the elite core of Veterans that is near unbreakable in combat. Highly respected individuals, these Longbeards garners great respect within Dwarf society, and are often chosen to be the leaders and advisers of many domestic and military issues with a Kingdom or Karak. Only a Dwarf who has reached the age of five hundred, or has a beard that is touching the very floor will he be readily considered a Longbeard. This ensure that they receive the proper respect from other Dwarfs, who have been taught quite rightly to always respect their elders and listen to their well-earned wisdom.

Indeed, for it is true that the Longbeards have fought in more wars, beaten more enemies, and endured greater hardships than any young Dwarf could possibly imagine. They constantly grumble about how today's Goblins are far smaller and weaker than they used to be, and how nothing is as well made as it was in their day. No young Dwarf would dare argue with them, for they indeed have the experience and the beard to prove it.

Should the Kingdom of the Dwarf come under siege by their most hated of enemies, the Longbeards would be one of the first to take command. Equipped with some of the most well-crafted Dwarfen armor and weapons ever created, these Longbeards muster into their own regiment of crack heavy infantry, forming a unbreakable wall that few can ever hope to crack. In battle, Longbeards are able to demonstrate this time-won skills, showing disdain for even the smallest shifts in fortune that would throw less experienced Dwarf warriors into confusion, and enduring punishments that could break the mighty resolve of even a Dwarf.

Such is their inspiring presence on the battlefield that the Longbeards provides the army a reliable anchor from which holds the rest of the army together. With the stern gave of the Longbeards upon them, Dwarf Warriors are all the less keen to falter against the enemy onslaught, and fight ever harder to prove their worth in the eyes of their elders.

Source

 * Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (8th Edition) -- pg. 40