The Dwarves, alongside the Elves, belong to the older people of the light. They usually live in cities atop mountains and are known to be hardworking, honourable, and very skilled in their crafts, embraching the hardships life brings their way and overcoming them with strenght.
Origins
Like the rest of the light races, the Dwarves descended from the Shapers after the latter went into hiding to avoid the wrath of the Dragons. Hidden away in the caves of the Grimwarg Mountains, these Shapers returned to barbarism, and over the following tens of thousands of years, they regressed into what would become known as the first Dwarves. Unlike the Humans, the Dwarves adapted to their new lives much quicker, however, due to being hidden away inside small caverns, their stature changed in size, giving them the shorter appearance their race has today.
Early Days
The best weapons and armour in Fiara come from the dark slopes of the Grimwarg Peaks and the snow-covered summits of the Windwall Mountains, items that are highly valued and traded among the races of the light. These amazing wares are forged by the smiths of the dwarves, a race small in height, but of amazing strength and unshakeable courage. Like the elves, the dwarves are an ancient race that survived the reign of the dragons hidden deep in the labyrinth of caverns under the Windwall Mountains. While the giant lizards ruled the air, the dwarves drove the mines and shafts of their stony home deeper and deeper into the rock. There, they found discovered their destiny to work with rock and ore, bonding with the spirits of the earth and the god whose realm is the rock foundation of the world. They became the servants of Niethalf, the Soulsmith and Warrior God, who deep under the surface forges the souls of all living creatures until they become strong and solid. And so it came that the dwarves also became a strong race, a race of builders and blacksmiths, but also warriors and heroes.
Courage and strength are the pillars of their life, and despite being known for a certain greed for gold and other jewellery, they are the only values they truly recognize. And though they may often seem reserved and condescending, they are always ready to help a true friend in need of their aid. Today the dwarves not only live in the dark shafts under the peaks of Grimwarg, but have created imposing cities of stone where they trade with the other races of the light. These are Fastholme, which stands under the old mines at the foot of the Grimwarg Mountains, and Windholme, which is an imposing sight in front of the snow-covered peaks of the Windwall, where it provides cover from the southern storms. There, the hammers of the master smiths ring constantly and merchants loaded with the most valuable of steel and silver travel to all regions of Fiara. And when it comes to war, the closed ranks of dwarf warriors will march from there with their indestructible armour and feared axes, always ready to support their brothers of the light.
Discovering the Humans
Around the year 1000 B.C., the Dwarves of the Grimwarg decided to depart from their homes in search of better ore. This brought them to the Windwall Mountains, where they discovered the Humans, then still Barbarians, hiding away in caves. Impressed by their immense willpower, the Dwarves taught them the art of crafting and forging, and told them stories of this world, bringing forth the Age of the Swords.
Unlike the Elves who often found themselves conflicted with the Humans in these early times, the Dwarves befriended them and used them as trading partners.
War of the Six Races
In an attempt to free the Renegades, the dark races, created by Zarach in his Bone Temple, emerged from the Black Jungle, beginning their line of skirmishes against the races of the light.
During this war, the Dwarves became allied with the Humans and Elves, joining forces to halt the dark ones' advance.
The 150-year-long war was ultimately decided in their favour with the intervention of the Guardians.
Religion
While still in hiding, the Dwarves constructed deep caverns under the Grimwarg Mountains, eventually coming across a forge of the Guardian Niethalf, whom they still worship today. It is him from whom they get their values: strength, virtue, and honour. It is because of this bond that Dwarves prefer to rely on their strength rather than magic, mainly using the latter as a utility to support them in their daily tasks or battle.
Some Dwarves may worship other guardians, but this is quite rare.
Culture
The Dwarven kingdoms are separated into cities led by either a king or thane. They are a very patriarchal society due to a genetic defect that causes only 1 dwarven female to be born for every 1000 males. Due to this, they greatly value their women and, as they are imperative to the survival of their race, seldom allow them to leave the safety of their cities.
Dwarves are known as the best smiths and builders on Eo, with their creations often becoming the stuff of legend, respected even by their enemies - a fact which they take great pride in.