Free Dwarvirim

In a long-past era, now only myths, stories, and tall tales, the Dwarvirim of Khazâdgâlâkha fell to blows and then into a civil war, the great Dwarvirim clans fighting to reclaim honor against the basest of insults made by the chieftains of rival clans. After years, perhaps decades, of fighting, duels to the death, intrigues, and backstabbing, a treaty among the clans was signed at a great conclave in the city, ending the war. But greatly weakened, with reduced numbers that were never high from the beginning, the Dwarvirim were attacked by aggressive Orkrim tribes that outnumbered the Dwarvirim by a huge margin.   Some tales say Khazâdgâlâkha was breached by the Orkrim, with the all of the Dwarvirim of the great capital wiped out, averring that Khazâdgâlâkha is now nothing more than an enormous tomb, home to Daemorim and beasts of unfathomable evil. Others say that the city held and is home to the True Dwarvirim, that remnant of the ancient clans still holding to their age-old customs and traditions, shunning all contact with the outside world.   Whatever the truth - and it may be some combination of those stories, or something else entirely - it is apparent now that some Dwarvirim made their way out of Khazâdgâlâkha and established towns and villages throughout Derkomai, using their unsurpassed skill in rockcraft and mining to delve into the mountains and carve out new homes. Some of these small towns and villages are known to the Humans and Elvirim, like Baraz-dûm, near the town of Coalton, and Zaram-gund, in the West Hills of Daskar. Though still few in number, the Dwarvirim that are encountered among the Humans and Elvirim refer to themselves as "Free Dwarvirim." Though reticent to talk with outsiders about their history, some claim to be descendants of the remnant that survived the prehistoric battles with the Orkrim. Others simply say that their origins are lost to time. Whatever the case, it is true that the Dwarvirim have been changed by their contact with other peoples, especially the Humans. While the Dwarvirim and Elvirim struggle to find any common ground, many Dwarvirim find companionship and even friendship with some Humans, especially rangers, miners, smiths, and jewelers, with which they share a bond to the land, the deep rock, and its products. Those Dwarvirim have forgotten most of their ancient customs and traditions, though they still cling to and speak their Dwarvrimkou language amongst themselves.