Dwarves

Dwarves first appear in the Caucasus and Alps—there is disagreement as to which was first, but it was some time during the later 12th century. At first they founded communities in various locations, but they withdrew in the face of the orc invasions. All through the troubles of the 13th and 14th centuries the dwarves learned to build their fortified communities, formed their partnership with the gnomes (who seem to have appeared along with the dwarves), and established their cantons.

For the purpose of this essay we will leave to one side the Caucasus dwarves. Their history is just as long and complex, which alone is reason enough to devote a separate essay on the topic.

The Alpen Dwarves appear as early as the 13thc AUC, though for a long time we only hear of sightings, strange encounters, or the occasional bitter tale of orcs slaughtering humans while dwarves watched from afar. Dwarf legend tells of brave heroes founding settlements in the high mountains and fighting endless wars against orcs, trolls, giants, and even humans. The first Alp Canton was established in 1606 AUC, either at Konstanz or Genf. The competing claims emphasize the deep historical divide between the Royal Alp (Burgundy, Arles) and the Ducal Alp (Swabia). The split would not be fully healed until the 24thc. For the Alp dwarves long swore fealty to either the Kingdom of Arelat or to the Empire.

The Dragon Age was the big turning point for dwarves. Dragons not only invaded the mountains, they devastated and dispersed the gnome villages on the surface, and they invaded the dwarven cities. Clan and canton, proof against the world so far, proved unequal to the challenge. The dwarves fought, joining humans and even elves in the struggle. When the era came to an end, the dwarves tried to return to their homes, but they found only ruins and devastation.

Some stayed. The Alpen Dwarves spent a century or more rebuilding. Other dwarves dispersed, founding new communities in the Carpati, the Pyrenees, the Appenines, and so on. During these heart-wrenching years there developed a division. There was Newhome, a name given to dwarf communities all across Europa. And there was Truehome, a name reserved for the Alps. This was where dwarves “naturally” belonged. Newhome dwarves cast themselves as brave adventurers who planted dwarf traditions of clan and canton in new soil, even as their ancestors had done in the Long March. The name for the Truehome clans was duergar.

Duergar held to what they saw as traditional values. They were martial, disciplined, the Old Craft. It would be easy to dismiss them as hidebound, backward-looking, arrogant and prone to violence, but reality was more nuanced. They could be compassionate with their own, true to allies, and utterly reliable as business partners. They were relentless but honorable in war. Their social and cultural aspects appalled many, but none disputed they were the best at what they did. No gold for them, nor jewels. These were the Stone Dwarves. Iron dwarves.

Those of Newhome were easy to portray as pale imitations, but at least they let their women leave the home, did not expose deformed children, or use exile and execution as primary tools of justice.

The Century War affected the dwarves only somewhat, with the Iron Dwarves often hiring out as mercenaries. The Scientific Revolution, though, cut at their heart, especially after the discovery of phlogiston. Suddenly, humans could “enchant” objects, without dwarf help. Dwarf society withered. Newhome culture, in particular, had nearly died out by 2600.

The Great War changed all that. With so much fighting in Core, dwarves once more came to the forefront. Many duergar died, but their sacrifice was crucial in out-lasting the drow. The War pulled dwarves out of their caves and their clans irrevocably. They became integrated into human society, though not without difficulty, and longing for old ways. Now we see dwarves working in business and engineering and tech [magic], living in cities. They are big on clubs, where old traditions are artificially nurtured. Dwarves love EDM and a number of the best DJs are dwarves. They’re all about da bass.

Dwarves accept tech and will use it, but their hearts lie in a more organic life. They were natural allies to the Aquarians and their idealistic vision of a peaceful society.

After the trolls were destroyed by Emperor Otto I (1708 AUC), the Alp saw a period of peace. The Grey League was founded in 2148.

A period of incessant war began in the late 21st and lasted until the 24th century. This was the second heroic age, one which saw close cooperation with humans against a resurgence of goblins along with duergar and kobolds. When it was at last over, the independence and security of the Alpen dwarves was all but assured, and lasted until the Great War (2667-2698).