Dwarves

The bloody divinity Oghtaa had coveted the land of Aughmoore once before creating the Orcs. Immediately following the creation of the elves by the fair Norellia, Oghtaa grew jealous. In haste, she drew ores from celestial bodies across the heavens to craft her mighty warriors. When she began to lower her creations to the land, Norellia took notice. Appalled at the selfish motivations of her counterpart, Norellia lashed out in a furious barrage of blades for twenty-two moons. The attack disrupted the spell that cradled the Dwarves in their slow descent, and they began to fall.

As the Dwarves tumbled toward the surface, unbridled by their defeated creator, they felt, for the first time, alone. A tremendous number perished in the Great Fall. Those that survived turned to stern stoicism, which offered the only escape from profound sorrow and loneliness in the early years. This temperament, so characteristic of the lords of stone, ingrained itself permanently in their demeanor.

Despair ultimately turned to introspection, and the Dwarves found divinity in themselves. The celestial ores inhabiting their veins had braced them in impact, and became the focus of their spirituality. They spurned Oghtaa, and by doing so, severed her bond to Aughmoore. The Dwarves then looked to the mountains, and found them to inspire a steadfastness that so captures the resolve of The Fallen. Atop the highest peaks, the Dwarves found peace.

After a great era of tranquil isolation, the squabbling races grew tired of destroying each other and sought a new challenge in the Dwarves. Their armies broke upon the stonework fortifications like waves, searching for any flaw in the exceptional craftsmanship. They found none. Their threats to overtake the sacred temples and towers of the stone ones proved to be empty. There is a secret, however. The Dwarves are quite outnumbered. It is for this reason that they fight with such stalwart courage, making a single defender feel like a thousand, and showing all of Aughmoore that their heavenly blood is not to be boiled.