Dwarves 1

It was around 1400 years ago that the ancient dwarven kingdom of Keldaheim was overrun by the foul orcs and their allies. Deep were its mines and vast were its halls, and in its heyday great quantities of precious metals were found there so that it was sung that Keldaheim's walls shone with gold, and silver ran its streams. Though most treasured by the dwarves were the gems and crystals that were found deep beneath the mountain, many of which were fashioned into great works of renown - though they are remembered now only in song.

After the fall of that ancient kingdom much of the surrounding area was devastated - so that the land to the south of their mountain halls became known as 'The Scorched Plain'. Indeed, not long after the foul orcish creatures had secured their hold on the dwarven halls, a great host issued forth, and much of the northern elven territory (south of the River Sylfren) was also laid to waste.

Yet it is said that while the dwarven realm had lasted, the elves and dwarves had much profit from one another, and so in this time of great peril they made alliance. And so, beneath the shadow of the Thunder Mountains, the joined forces of the elves and dwarves fought a desperate battle, and with their combined might they halted the march of the orcs and eventually forced them back across the great river.

It is sung that in that battle the elven King (Caranmír I) stood side by side with Logi Deepforge (who bore now the mighty mattock of the fallen dwarven king) and together they felled a great two-headed troll captain.

Yet despite their victory a great many orcs still held the dwarven halls, and those creatures that were not slain in the great battle upon the slopes of the Thunder Mountains withdrew thither - swelling their numbers. Thus Keldaheim became known as a fearful place of terror and dread.

Now seeing that their own numbers were not great enough to retake their ancient halls (for many had perished), the dwarves sought the aid of the elf king - deeming that with their combined forces they may yet drive the orcs from their home. Yet Caranmír thought this unwise - for though his own losses had been somewhat less than that of the dwarves, he and his folk were unwilling to do battle beneath the mountain deeming that they would be unsuited to such a fight even if their numbers had not been reduced by the recent events.

But it is said that Logi spoke openly that the elves would not be so eager to give up the fight were it their own homeland that had fallen, and many rash words were exchanged; thus the enmity between the two peoples began.