"Stone Remembers. Steel Endures."
Khazad-Dur
Confederation of Great Holds governed by the Anvil Council
Forge Iron (#4A4F55)
Molten Gold (#C88B2A)
Granite Stone (#7A7468)
Long before the first human kingdoms rose from the plains and before the great forests of Sylvaran had names, the dwarves carved their first halls into the roots of the Worldspine Mountains.
According to dwarven legend, the Forge Father shaped the first dwarves from stone and iron deep beneath the mountains. He taught them three sacred virtues:
Craftsmanship
Perseverance
Honor
The first settlement became Khazad-Dur, the City Beneath the Mountain.
From this ancestral hold, dwarven civilization spread throughout the Worldspine range.
For nearly two thousand years the dwarves expanded deeper into the mountains.
They discovered:
Vast caverns
Ancient rivers
Rich mineral veins
Starfire deposits
Forgotten ruins older than recorded history
This period became known as the Age of Delving.
Entire underground kingdoms were connected by tunnels, bridges, and subterranean roads.
Many of the greatest dwarven engineering feats date from this era.
Eight centuries ago the dwarves encountered horrors in the deepest reaches of the mountains.
Ancient creatures emerged from beneath the world.
The Deep Wars lasted nearly two centuries.
Entire holds were lost.
Countless warriors perished defending their people.
Though the dwarves eventually prevailed, many lower tunnels remain sealed to this day.
Some say terrible things still lurk beyond those gates.
Following the Deep Wars, the surviving holds recognized that no kingdom could stand alone.
The rulers of the great holds gathered in Khazad-Dur and established the Anvil Council.
Its purpose was simple:
Unite the holds.
Prevent civil war.
Coordinate defense.
Protect dwarven traditions.
The Council remains the foundation of dwarven government.
Following the Deep Wars, dwarven civilization entered a golden age of craftsmanship.
This era produced:
Legendary weapons
Great halls
Massive bridges
Starfire forges
Mechanical wonders
Many items created during this age are still treasured throughout Mythea.
Even today, a dwarf-forged weapon commands tremendous respect.
Today the dwarves remain one of the most respected civilizations in Mythea.
While their population is smaller than many nations, their wealth, craftsmanship, and military strength make them a major power.
The dwarves care little for politics between surface kingdoms.
They focus instead on:
Industry
Trade
Engineering
Defense
The elected leader of the Anvil Council.
Current ruler:
A veteran warrior, master smith, and respected statesman.
Representatives from each Great Hold.
Responsible for:
Trade agreements
Military coordination
Mining rights
Engineering projects
Foreign relations
No single hold rules the others.
All major decisions require council approval.
The dwarves inhabit the Worldspine Mountains.
Most outsiders underestimate the true scale of their realm.
Only a small portion exists above ground.
The largest dwarven city in existence.
A colossal underground metropolis illuminated by rivers of molten metal, crystal lanterns, and forge-fire.
Massive underground highways connecting the holds.
Protected by dwarven patrols.
Ancient mining complexes.
Source of many rare metals.
The oldest surviving districts of Khazad-Dur.
Many structures are over a thousand years old.
Dwarves value:
Honor
Craftsmanship
Loyalty
Family
Tradition
Hard work
A dwarf's reputation may follow them for centuries.
Promises are considered sacred.
Breaking one's word is among the greatest disgraces imaginable.
Khazad-Dur is renowned for monumental architecture.
Common features include:
Massive stone pillars
Carved mountain halls
Underground lakes
Forge chambers
Monumental statues
Ancient runic inscriptions
Everything is built to endure for generations.
The dwarves maintain some of the finest heavy infantry in Mythea.
Elite defenders of Khazad-Dur.
Veteran heavy infantry.
Feared throughout the continent.
Guardians of the lower tunnels.
Their battles often occur far from public view.
Heavily armored champions equipped with master-crafted gear.
Khazad-Dur controls enormous mineral wealth.
Major exports include:
Weapons
Armor
Steel
Gold
Silver
Gems
Engineering expertise
Precision tools
Nearly every kingdom purchases dwarven goods.
Dwarven faith centers around:
Creator of the dwarves.
Patron of craftsmanship and endurance.
Guardian of home and family.
Patron of memory and ancestry.
Ancestors play a central role in dwarven spiritual life.
Strong allies and trading partners.
The Iron Banner frequently commissions dwarven arms and armor.
Mutual respect despite cultural differences.
Important trading partner.
Cautious diplomacy.
Viewed with suspicion and little patience.
Deep beneath Khazad-Dur lies the Black Gate, a massive sealed portal dating back to the Deep Wars.
Only the High Thane and the Deep Wardens know the full truth.
Every generation, dwarves are sent to guard it.
Every generation, strange sounds are reportedly heard from the other side.
Most citizens believe it is merely a legend.
The Deep Wardens know otherwise.
Khazad-Dur stands stronger than ever.
Yet challenges grow:
Ancient mines are becoming exhausted.
New Starfire deposits are being discovered.
Strange activity has been reported near the Black Gate.
Younger dwarves increasingly travel the surface world.
Foreign powers seek access to dwarven technology.
The Anvil Council must balance tradition with change if it wishes to remain a great power.
"Gold may buy a kingdom. Steel may defend it. But stone outlasts them both."
This belief has guided the dwarves of Khazad-Dur for over two millennia, making them one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most enduring civilizations in all of Mythea.