Dwarves

The Dwarves survived the Dragon Wars because they were largely out of reach of them. Beginning the Dragon Wars as communities of miners, they retreated into the depths of the mountains, and there found places to make new homes. The changes to the planet caused some communities to be lost to the depravations of the planet's core, but most survived, and instead found themselves using the remnants of extinct volcanoes and lava floes as their homes.

Sturdy, dependable, and expert miners, the Dwarves retreated into the tunnels they had built.  The Ravages of Dragonkind almost entirely missed them as they dug deeper than ever before.  The reason that they changed is because they dove too deep and encountered pure elemental Earth magic.  This magic as it changed to adapt to the changing world, also changed the Dwarves.  They garnered an affinity to the earth, becoming as sturdy and as dependable as the rocks that surrounded them.  As the Dwarves retreated into their tunnels, they found it harder and harder to trade with others, and so were forced to develop the means to farm.  What small amount of arable land they found, they fought to protect from the Dragons depravations.  This led the Dwarves to know both how to fight Dragons, and provided both food and armor for their growing numbers.

Dwarves look much like Orcs though shorter and stouter.  Their hair has much redder hues to it than the other races.  They are gruff and to the point, have an affinity for war.    Unlike Orcs, Dwarves think about what they do before they do it.  A Dwarf can be as slow as a rock to decide on a plan, but when they decide, they can bring their whole clan with them just like one stone can causes avalanche.

Now that they have re-emerged into the world, they have been accepted as the great builders they always were, though it was their newfound ability to find superior metals and to forge them into heroic armor quickly that made them rich, as both Elves and Humans traded for their wares.