Origin World: Strontia
Current Homeland: Strontian Mountains
Pantheon: The Holy Strata
The Dwarves of Terminus are stout and industrious miners whose societies have thrived in subterranean kingdoms for centuries. The “underfolke,” (as Elves call them) live most of their lives within the great halls and caverns of their vast underground societies. The stocky and brawny Dwarf physique makes them excellent miners and their affinity for minerals has led them to become masters of metalworking, which in turn allows them to achieve some of the most astounding feats of engineering. Need a hole through a mountain? Rally the dwarves! Because of the many dangers in subterranean realms, Dwarven societies have become compartmentalized with various clans being charged with specific tasks, all contributing to the overall prosperity. The Dwarves are also revered for their mastery of warfare. They are excellent warriors, with each and every citizen being trained in combat on some level. Bolstered by rare materials and superior arms, Dwarven armies are arguably the most powerful to march upon the battlefields of Terminus. For those Dwarves who choose to live beyond the borders of the Strontian Mountains, they are quick to find their skills extremely welcome in nearly every society.
Before they arrived, the Dwarves had long existed beneath their origin world of Strontia, a harsh stormy environment that kept most populations below ground. When their lands appeared on Terminus, the ongoing quakes began to rip their kingdom asunder. Their deities, the gods of the Holy Strata, appeared to them and although with waning strength, offered the last of their arcane powers to stabilize and save the underworld. No longer capable of form, the essences of the deities were imbued into the mountains. The Dwarves directed by the wise and powerful King Udo Ironstorm created temple-tombs for each of these great gods, sealing them all in hopes that their deities might one day return from within. As time went on, the threat of the Ogre raiders was revealed and led to the building of the North Watch, a series of guard towers overlooking Icehammer Steppes. And from the south, Elven scouts had arrived to tell tales of a fragment of the Dwarf realm that had appeared in theirs. Within the forest of Falmyrys a chunk of mountain had appeared and let loose the creatures called the Trolls, an ancient enemy of the Dwarves thought left behind. A Dwarf and Elf alliance was formed and together they began the Troll War. The long conflict resulted in driving the Trolls into the swamplands and a life long alliance with the Elven Kingdom. Soon after, the Humans of Marata were met and through a shared love of warfare and overflowing tankards, another bond was forged. The Dwarves formed mining and trade pacts with each of their allies and that resulted in the creation of the great Trade Roads that have become primary travel routes through the dangerous lands of Celestius.