The Dwarves of the Nether World

While the Humans and Elves took to building their cities in the race of Dwarves travelled to the mountains to construct their vast subterranean holds, for they more than any of the other Upper races felt a bond with the earth. They tunnelled deep into the mountains of the lands, creating a vast chain of underground fortresses. The Dwarven Kingdom of old was prosperous and full of splendour and glory.

Malign forces of Orc and Goblin that festered within the land swept in from the east, beyond the World’s Spine mountain range, beginning a long and bloodthirsty war of siege and savage tunnel fighting. During this time were rumours of Elves who lead the Greenskin horde, clad in the colours of the night. Whither these rumours held any weight is questionable, though has led to a feeling of mutual mistrust between the Upper races of Dwarf and Elf. Certainly the intractable Dwarves rejected the Elves offer of aid, and over the course of the next few centuries it was not unknown for these races to come to blows though rarely in open conflict.

The majority of the Dwarven strongholds fell, one by one, in the bitter wars with the Orcs and Goblins, even now the remaining few Dwarf cities are under constant siege. These centuries of war have hardened the Dwarfs and moulded them into some of the finest warriors of the Nether World.

The Dwarves are known for their skills as a miner, mining the ground for gold, precious metals and gems. They are skilled artisans and produce fine armour and weapons made from Iron, steel and other rare metals. Metallurgy is a science near exclusive to Dwarven cultures. On the battlefield their enemies fear the sturdy Dwarven armies, the edge and strength of their weaponry making them fearsome foes for any opponent. For the Dwarves are technological wizards, wielders of powerful rune magic, and produce extravagant weapons of war that devastate their enemies.

The World’s Spine Dwarves are in a state of near continuous conflict, and must maintain complete battle readiness at all times. The Dwarven military is experienced, organised and very effective (perhaps even the best in the world). Units of Tunnel Fighters deal with attacks and subterranean clearances, and soldiers deal with surface attacks. Dwarves were never a widespread race so keep good contact with the Holds that still stand. Many travel the lands between holds honouring the old oaths of eternal friendship between all Dwarves, offering their services to neighbouring Hold and Clan alike. For to a Dwarf, honour and oaths are the mainstay of their lives and to break them is to receive the harsh justice of the Dwarven race. Some Dwarves who feel they have committed such an act often take the oath of the Slayer, one who vows to die in battle and hence atone for his dishonour.

All Dwarven military act as guards and watchmen, and are drilled constantly. They also maintain heavy weapons such as trebuchet, catapults and bolt throwers at every tower and wall. They are intelligent combatants and will retreat if a situation is too bad. They are primarily defensive fighters due to their low numbers and generally only launch attacks to free or reclaim fallen holds. Always a stubborn race, the Dwarfs still cling to what remains of their mountain realms, and dream of one day reclaiming what is lost, and extracting a terrible vengeance!