Dwarf

The Dwarfs are an ancient race, although not quite as old as the Elves. They make use of technology that is highly advanced, being masters of meterlergy and design, and live in a highly structured society centred around their Keeps and mines in the World's Edge Moutains.

Dwarf Ancient History

-4500 Imperial Years

Although no written records exist from this period, it is known from Dwarf legend that this was the period in which Dwarfs first began to slowly colonise the World's Edge Mountains (beginning around -5000IY). This ended with the coming of the First Great War against Chaos and the disappearence of the Dwarf Ancestor Gods, including Grimnir. It is said that Grimnir journeyed to the Chaos Wastes and that he closed the Chaos Gate, thereby saving the world from destruction. This was also the period of first contact between the Dwarfs and High Elves.

-4119 Imperial Years

In this year, the High Elf Malekith and the Dwarf Snorri Whitebeard (High King of the Dwarfs) combined their armies to finally drive Chaos from the Old World. Trade flourished and the Dwarfs created many new Strongholds.

-2839 Imperial Years

Bel-Shanaar, High Elf Phoenix King, visits the new Dwarf stronghold of Karaz-a-Karak where he was greeted by Snorri Whitebeard, who then form an oath of friendship and Malekith remains as the ambassador of the High Elves to the Dwarfs. Dwarfs and Elves prosper until the Elves are drawn back to Ulthuan due to civil strife.

-2188 Imperial Years

The Elves finally return to the Old World and the Dwarfs learn of the treachery of Malekith and begin to trade again. Dwarf abilities and creativity reaches new heights.

-2005 Imperial Years

The Great Betrayal, where the Dark Elf leader, Malekith, sends raiders to harry the Dwarfs, stealing their gold and killing their followers. The Dwarfs believe the Elves are to blame and retaliate, the High Elves then retaliate in kind. Both sides began arming their warriors.

-1997 Imperial Years

The Dwarfs under High King Gotrek Starbreaker send ambassadors to the Elves of Ulthuan in a last ditch attempt to secure peace, but ask for fair recompence for the damage the Elves supposedly caused. The Elves throw the Dwarfs out and shave their beards, the ultimate insult to a Dwarf. The War of the Beard formally begins, also known by the Dwarfs as the War Against the Elves or the War of Vengence.

-1500 Imperial Years

Disaster strikes the Dwarfs a few years after the end of the War of the Beard. The Worlds Edge Mountains are riven by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the period known as the Time of Woes. Many records of strongholds are lost of interrupted and the Great Book of Grudges in Karaz-a-Karak falls silent. Many Dwarfs are slain and smaller settlements destroyed, while the larger strongholds are badly damaged. The great Underway was blocked or destroyed in places, cutting off several Dwarf strongholds from each other.

The first stronghold to fall to the oncoming hordes of Orcs, Goblins, Skaven, Trolls and Ogres is Karak Ungor. It is taken by Night Goblins and is from then onwards known as Red Eye Mountain. The period following this is known as the Goblin Wars.

-1499 Imperial Years

Karak Varn falls to the Skaven and Night Goblins and is destroyed.

-1498 Imperial Years

The mines of Ekrund are siezed by the Orcs after heavy fighting against the Dragonback Dwarfs and the watch towers of Mad Dog Pass are gradually abandoned and siezed by the Goblins.

-1387 Imperial Years

The beginning of the Silver Road Wars. Battles range around Mount Silverspire for the richest remaining Dwarf mine.

-1367 Imperial Years

Mount Silverspire is taken by the Orc Warlord Urk Grimfang and further fortifies the mine, while renaming it Mount Grimfang, which still bears this name.

-1362 Imperial Years

The Dwarfs withdraw from their eastern empire in the World's Edge Mountains, including their mines and smaller settlements.

-1250 Imperial Years

Thunder Mountain, quiet since the Time of Woes, erupts, forcing Orcs, Goblins and Trolls towards the north. Valhorn and Budrikhorn fall, to the south of Karaz-a-Karak, to rampaging Trolls. These wars against the Trolls are known as the Troll Wars.

-1245 Imperial Years

Dwarf King Morgrim Blackbeard lead his forces to the south and push the Orcs and other creatures out of the mountains to the north of the Mad Dog Pass. Logazor Brightaxe leads another army east and retakes Mount Gunbad but has to abandon the mines. Mount Silverspire is unsuccessfully attacked when Trolls and Ogres move against Karaz-a-Karak. Many Trolls and Ogres are killed and vast piles are made and burnt.

-975 Imperial Years

The Battle of a Thousand Woes rages. King Skorri Morgrimson leads a huge Dwarf army north to attempt to recapture Karak Ungor. They are partially successful but ambushed as they attempt to enter the Keep itself. Skorri's youngest son (Furgil) and a few other Dwards succeed at infiltrating the lower keep but do not return. Skorri leads his forces back to Karaz-a-Karak and dies shortly after.