Dwarves

The dwarves, in their own language known as the Duardam, were, like the elves, some of the first to walk Ayvindor. Traditionally, dwarves dwell underground, but many, especially in the southlands, dwell among humans or in their own above ground strongholds. They are known for being exceptional craftsmanship, stubborn, and martial traditions.

Description
Dwarves were bulky, stout individuals, usually standing between 4'0"- 5'0". They were generally as heavy, if not heavier than a human. Both genders were bearded, though the males were often bushier and longer than females. The females of the Suordram, the surface dwelling dwarves, often shaved their beards. Bronze dwarves, Oradram, often wore their beards short.

Dwarves generally had the same eye colouration as humans, but grey, blue and brown were most common. Among the surface dwellers a greater variation in eye colouration were common.

Dwarven beards were a matter of pride among their people. The longer, thicker, and more lustrous the beard, the greater that dwarves prestige. High ranking dwarves often braided their beards with silver or gold clasps, set with precious gems.

Surface dwellers, especially the women, were renowned for braiding their hair in a similar fashion to their underground kin. Black and bronze/brown hair was common among the Duardam, but there was variation from dwarf to dwarf.

Dwarves lived many times longer than humans and other short lived races. However, they were not immortal, generally living to a thousand years. The oldest recorded dwarf was king Durek Ironbrow, who lived to thirteen hundred years. The bodies of the Duardam turned to stone several days after the moment of their deaths. For this reason, dwarves make it their top priority to recover the bodies of their fallen after a battle, to ensure they were arranged in a dignified manner for their interment in their grand tombs.

Abilities
Dwarves were tougher and stronger than most races. They could lift loads that others would struggle to shift, and could endure wounds that would cripple others. They had an excellent sense of direction, especially underground, allowing them to find their way out of the greatest of subterranean mazes. They could also see very well in the dark, up two twenty metres. There were very few dwarven mages, and those that were touched by the Veil often relied on rites to help channel magic.

Psychology
Dwarves were known as being trustworthy, kind hearted, and unbelievably stubborn. It is said that once a dwarf has made up his mind, he is immovable as a mountain. It is also said that one who befriends a dwarf will find a stalwart defender for life. However, dwarves had little tolerance for liars and traitors, often dealing with them quickly and bluntly. They tended to hold grudges for centuries, and never forgot an insult once one was given.

As a race, dwarves are typically more serious and grim than those around them. They are slow to commit, but quick to anger. Cowardice among the dwarven race was extremely rare, as was cruelty. However, they are merciless in war, and will not stop fighting until their enemy has been destroyed, or they have.

Dwarves who have left their homes are often mercenaries or adventurers. Some are considered criminals who've escaped justice, but many still retain their code of honour. Dwarven adventuring parties are often charged by their lords to fulfill a task, whether it be acquire artefacts, or hunt down an enemy of the dwarves. These adventurers will stop to help those in need, whether it be defending a settlement, guarding a caravan, or building a frontier outpost.

History
The dwarves of Ayvindor share the distinction of being the first beings that walked the world in the early days with the elves. They had very few dealings with the Aeldramar, as the king of stone, Berod Goldrune, distrusted the newcomers to the mainland, and withdrew the majority of his people to the underground strongholds that they had built when the world was young.

Many dwarven clan lords had since spread throughout the continent, carving out minor kingdoms, though they generally kept to themselves. Many lords were extremely independent, believing strongly in strength through isolation and their own clan. These dwarven lords quickly worked to find and fortify the richest veins of metal and deposits of precious stones as they could.

It was well known that the elves loved both gems and precious metals. Several dwarf clans quickly found that they could triple their wealth by trading with the Aeldrathi and the young human kingdoms they ruled. These clans were not only the most independent, but also the most accepting of outsiders. It was several decades after the Aeldrathi people first set foot on Anendior that an elf lord was accepted into one of the dwarven city-fortresses.

At the time, this news was met with outrage, and the offending clan was shunned, and many other clans threatened violence. It was also at this time when Berod Goldrune sickened and died. Though some of the more paranoid dwarf clans suspected poison, Berods' young son, a dwarf of only a hundred years, took the throne without issue.

Gerenat Goldrune was much more accepting of outsiders. However,he also believed that a united dwarven kingdom was better for all involved. There was a certain belief among the younger generation of dwarves that presenting a united front was better for everyone involved.

The first great kingdom
The first dwarven great kingdom was formed after several decades of king Gerenat Goldrunes' rule. The kingdoms' core was formed by a coalition of several of the larger, more powerful clans, seeking to share wealth and power. With this coalition formed, even the most stubborn isolationists had no choice but to fall in line. There were many bitter feuds fought beneath the earth, away from the eyes of elves and men.

Eventually, when the last clan had fallen into line, the first great kingdom of the Duardam was formed. It spanned all the way from the Worlds' Edge mountains, the southern foothills of the Gold coast. The dwarves entered an age of prosperity that would never again be seen after. Gold, gems, and minerals flowed like water, and relations between the three races had never been stronger.

It was during this time that the dwarves and the elves of the Cyrandir mountains started to create their hybrid cities. The elves building graceful structures above ground, and sturdy dwarvish craftmanship below. Though this was seem as odd by both races, it helped to build the foundation for a lasting friendship between the elves and dwarves of the Cyrandir mountains.

Dwarven armies were no longer mustered by each clan, but soldiers were pooled together, and called upon to fight in times of conflict. This decreased the time it took to muster and move forces greatly. Many times, orcish hordes, descending from the north would catch human or elvish forces by surprise. These hordes were often surprised themselves by a hastily assembled, but well rested and well equipped force of dwarves.

It was this steadfast loyalty to their friends, underground lines of communication, and blossoming trade that lead to a golden age for all of Anendior. Alliances and promises were forged, and cultural exchanges were commonplace. Something that would have been unthinkable a century or two previous.

The Morning War
When the vampires first emerged, the dwarves quickly moved to support their elven allies. Well armed and armoured dwarven armies emerged from their mountain holds, their heavy armour and superior weaponry quickly proving difficult for the vampires to over come. Though slow moving, they relentlessly overcame or destroyed several vampire strongholds that had withstood the attacks of the Aeldramari armies.

As the war dragged on, the allied armies closed in on the heartlands of the Imperium of Night. The vampiric armies fought with a renewed frenzy and a stalemate was reached. Neither dwarf nor elf could break through the undead defences, despite their greater numbers. Eventually, word slipped out as to where the vampires had originated from. Feeling used and betrayed by those they had invited into their homes, the dwarves abandoned the siege, and broke ties with most of the Aeldramar empire.

The great decline
Shortly after the dwarves broke their ties with the Aeldramar empire, they returned to their holds, diminished and disheartened. With only a few independent human kingdoms to trade with, the great wealth of the dwarves began to decline, and they clung to what gold they had ever more jealously. Soon, only a few of the mountain fortresses remained open to outsiders, and those that came were subjected to intense scrutiny.

Suspicion and hostility reigned, even among the dwarven clans. The elder dwarves remembered and feared a resurgence of the clan wars from before their unification. While there was no great bloodletting as before, many holds closed their gates even to those related by blood. Slowly, the great dwarven kingdom fell apart, piece by piece, as enemies, disease, and distrust took their toll.

Current day
In the current day, the dwarven high kingdom is unified in name only. Most holds are isolated, and the tunnels used to travel between holds have become dangerous. Neglect has made them unstable, or caused monsters of various number and sizes to move into them. Above ground, dwarves fair slightly better. In the south, many human nations appreciate their craftsmanship and willingly trade with them. In the north, most have little choice but to ally to face the threat of the Forsaken, or roving orcish warbands.