[quote=@DraconiWarlord]
IT IS SETTLED! I SHALL BE A DUAL-AXE WIELDING DWARF WITH A PET GIANT BEAR!
Seriously I like the concept of this
[/quote]

You could do that with the Ranger class tree, if you so desire. You wouldn't get the bear until later level (3rd, if half-awake memory serves me well) Going a forest dwarf route would work for this build

Be sure to read the modifications made for Dwarven race, if you haven't already. They're not quite as broad/bulky as their Faerun counterparts. :)

Let me know if the bard or paladin/cleric builds are more to your tastes thought. There's room for any of these options.