Regarding dwarf runes, might they not negate magic? Dwarves in D&D (contrary to German legend) don't practice a lot of arcana. Ergo, it makes sense that they can ward themselves against it and negate it.

I could see dwarf runes that "bring the enemy down to be whaled upon", a sort of "on your knees, punk!" rune and a rune that stops people in their tracks and one that enhances the dwarf to be a much better grappler or that negates the size advantage to some degree of bigger critters?

More ideas later if I think of them.

With dwarves being metal and stone workers, I would think runes that enhance the usefulness of those items would fit very well.

Weapons: Improve Enhancement bonus, hardness, add adamantine, mithral, cold iron (etc) qualities to existing weapons.

Stone: Hide a door, change the look of a hall (un-worked stone to high quality work, stone-shape type effect (widen/shrink a portal).

Perhaps adding some elemental effects or summoning (i.e. firebrand or summon an earth elemental) to the runes will improve the dwarf-aspect.

Ericc

Why not offer both short and long term enhancements? And as far as enhancements, lets look outside just a bonus to hit/damage. 4e might give some inspiration here:

Allow a once per encounter power (or once per five minutes) that does things dwarves are known for.

A rune that when placed on a staff, provides a bonus against bull-rushes, tramples or other forced movement.
A rune that goes on a shield providing the ability to shield bash as a free action.
A rune that causes armor to active the fire shield spell for a very limited duration.
A rune that allows the wearer of a dwarven helm to improve their Spot/Listen/Perception when underground and/or grants darkvision for a short time.
A rune that empowers a gem to act as a "bouncing betty" explosive effect.
A rune that causes a pair of gauntlets to cast Move Earth.

All sorts of things come to mind.

Ericc