Giant over dwarf because of giant resist and extra strength. The dwarfs hp and resistances makes it superior versus mages and bards, so maybe consider the playing field you're aiming for before making a final decision. Dwarven roleplay tends to be superior to a giants (it's simply more fun abusing Scottish Dwarf Syndrome) so that might play into your decision. There's also Ysaloerye's religion to try out if you want to go the hardcore dwarven path.

Between drum and flurry, you'll have a high damage skill for every situation. Boneshatter will handle those annoying evasive characters, and the sword spec will give you defense as well as offense. Take chilling and crashing for legacies - auto-disarm will be handy for piercing defenses you haven't already fucked with boneshatter and deflect shield. Drum also has the added advantage of lagging for 2+ rounds when you hit a 5 shot one, letting you get off 2 drums before your opponents next command (or in the highly unlikely event you get two five hit drums, 6 rounds!!!). With some edge-love, you should have able to get bleeding stacked onto an opponent too for damage over time and lower regen.

Yhorian