History

Dwarf

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Beginning • First War • Second War • Respite • Third War • Gilded Age

The Beginning

The exact origins of the Dwarves have been long lost in myth and legend. It is believed, however, that when the first Dwarves awoke, they spread out across the lands—each creating a Great Clan and Great Hold within the mountains forged for them by Saerin. The clans created were known as Slateforge, Leadmantle, and Alekeeper. Their respective holds were named Beldordauk, Thor Gomath, and, grandest of them all, Karagard.

Each clan ruled independently of one another, forming their own culture and customs. They traded heavily with the other Clans initially but quickly began to expand their trade to the other races. The bounty provided to them by Saerin and their mountain homes helped each clan grow exponentially in wealth and power, each using that wealth to ever expand their lands and holdings.

For many centuries the clans prospered greatly through trade and commerce, but that swiftly changed after the First Great War.

The War of Iron - First Great War

“They marched as one, their armor bright in the summer sun, and I saw, to my despair, terror in my Thane’s eyes.” — Kargral Slateforge on the Siege of Beldordauk

Thun II of Clan Slateforge was the first Thane to encounter the young Human race, whose kingdom was still new to the lands. Though little was known of the Humans, Thun II saw great potential for trade between the two races, and trade routes were quickly established. When Thun II met the Human King, he noted that he wore no crown or jewels and ordered his greatest smiths and gemcutters to forge a great crown to seal their new friendship. He gifted the crown to the Human King, and together their peoples prospered for many decades.

Over the years, however, the Humans expanded quickly and changed just as swiftly—their kings, their customs, and their demands. This confused the Dwarves, who had dealt mostly with the Elves, a people of steady hearts and timeless pacts. The Dwarves began to feel slighted when Humans sought to renegotiate old agreements and, when refused, threatened to take trade elsewhere.

It was not until one of their shipments of iron was stolen and the dwarves guarding it slain that open hostilities began.

Thun II, having no concept of banditry among his own kind, believed the Humans had deceived him. He met with their King and demanded repayment for the lost shipment and compensation for the dwarven lives taken. The King’s explanations fell upon deaf ears. Enraged, Thun II demanded the return of the crown he had gifted. When the King refused, Thun struck him down and fled with his kin into the mountains.

The war that followed was quick and bloody, lasting but a few decades. The Dwarves, unaccustomed to organized warfare, were unprepared for the disciplined Human armies. Battle by battle, they were driven back until Thun II and his warriors were forced to retreat to the hold of Beldordauk.

The Humans laid siege, cutting off food and trade. Starvation followed, and in one final act of defiance Thun II led his warriors in a desperate charge. They were annihilated. The gates were breached, and the remaining Dwarves were slaughtered. The few survivors fled to Karagard, where they found refuge among kin.

Thus ended the first great war.

Kurand’s Folly - The Second Great War

“Like shadow they came. The Thane raised his hammer, but the words died in his throat. I heard no screams, no clash of steel. Only silence.” — Brorud Leadmantle on the Death of Thane Kurand II at the hands of the Shadowclan

Kurand I of Clan Leadmantle founded his hold of Thor Gomath deep within the caverns of the mountains. He prided himself on having the deepest hold of any Clan. Each generation delved further, expanding their domain into the very bones of the world. Their mines brought great wealth, and they soon became the richest of all the Dwarven clans.

When Kurand II became Thane, he redoubled the effort, delving deeper than ever before. Amidst veins of silver and mithril, his miners unearthed something far older—something darker.

It was centuries after the War of Iron when the Leadmantle clan first encountered the Shadowclan Orcs, whose origins lay in the burning pits beneath Shadowclan Mountain. The first skirmish was small, but more followed, and soon entire mining parties vanished. Thane Kurand II led a company of his finest warriors to investigate. None returned.

Only one survivor made it back to Thor Gomath, half-blind and burned, whispering the name of Igneos, Firelord of the Shadowclan. Under Thane Emdahr I, the dwarves rallied their armies and marched into the depths to purge their ancestral halls of this new terror.

The wars that followed were the bloodiest in dwarven history. The Shadowclan fought with savage fury, their shamans wielding fire and molten stone as weapons. For every orc slain, two dwarves fell. Decade by decade, the dwarves were forced back until only Thor Gomath remained.

Believing themselves safe, they sealed the tunnels and swore never to open them again.

Six decades later, the Shadowclan returned in greater numbers. They breached the hold through forgotten shafts, overwhelming its defenders. Thane Emdahr I led what survivors he could to the surface. They wandered for years before reaching Karagard, where they were welcomed and given new homes.

Thus ended the second great war.

The Age of Respite

“He spoke not with the voice of a Thane or a warrior, but with the voice of Saerin himself.” — Druddin Alekeeper, First Royal Historian, on High King Dolrem of Clan Alekeeper

An astute and learned dwarf, Thane Dolrem of Clan Alekeeper recognized the ruin that disunity had brought upon their people. He united the remaining clans under his rule and was crowned the first High King of the Dwarves.

Within the walls of Karagard, the Founding Oath was sworn, and the Mithril Crown was forged—a symbol of unity and dwarven endurance. The Council of Clans was established, and the Dwarves entered a golden age of rebuilding and prosperity.

Dolrem’s War - The Third Great War

“Clad in gold and red they marched into the depths, their battle hymns echoing through the stone like thunder.” — Druddin Alekeeper, First Royal Historian, on the Dark March against the Shadowclan

After centuries of peace, the forges of war were stoked once more. From beneath Shadowclan Mountain, the Firelord Igneos rose again, rallying his horde and unleashing devastation upon the northern realms. Mines, trade routes, and entire outposts were destroyed by his fiery legions.

The Dwarves of Karagard, hardened by memory, answered in force. The High King called the banners, and the Thanes united their armies. Their march into the depths became legend—the Dark March—a campaign to reclaim the underworld from the Shadowclan.

As the war spread, the Shadowclan’s destruction reached the surface. The Human settlements of Olverton and Ameresh burned, and the Elves faced invasion from the north. For the first time since Saerin’s age, the races of Men, Elves, and Dwarves united at Mohrladen Hold to stand against the Shadowclan horde.

The battle was apocalyptic—stone shattered, fire consumed the sky, and the roar of Igneos echoed for leagues. Yet the Alliance held firm. United, they struck the Firelord’s armies down and drove him back into the Burning Depths.

The cost, however, was grave. Thane Dratton of Clan Slateforge led his clan into an ambush of molten fire; none survived. Their name passed into song and sorrow.

At last, weary from a century of bloodshed, High King Dolrem declared the war ended. The Dwarves sealed the tunnels and reforged their walls, vowing that no enemy would breach them again.

Thus ended the third great war.

The Gilded Age

“As they came, carrying what little they owned, I saw not strangers—but kinsmen, long lost.” — Durin Alekeeper, Royal Historian, on the Gnomish Exodus

Following Dolrem’s War, peace reigned once more. Thedru Cinderbrew, a renowned warrior of noble stock who fought bravely against the Shadowclan, was granted Clanhood and took Slateforge’s place upon the Council. With the Council whole again, the Kingdom began to rebuild.

Though their numbers dwindled and their fortunes were strained, the Dwarves’ craftsmanship and resilience endured. Centuries later came the Gnomish Exodus, when the Gnomes fled their ruined city and sought refuge within Karagard.

The High King welcomed them as kin. At first, there was conflict—their lighthearted ways clashing with dwarven solemnity—but time forged fellowship between them. Together, they rekindled the forges and restored the mountain halls to their former glory.

Thus begins the present era.