Dwarf-Dusk

"The Dwarves of northern Everwealth, did not always occupy their stone fortresses among the Cloudrend Mountains. They once soared the skies of Kathar, roving adventurers, blacksmiths, mages and scientists within grand flying ships of magic and metal." -O'Reilley, Farron. Compendium of the Dwarves. Newforge, Scholar's Guild, 21 CA

Unlike the Dwarves' modern traditions of deep-rooted ties to their homes, and unyielding kinship, their ancestors, the Katharan Dwarves, were quite the opposite. The Katharan Dwarves were content to wander the world in small clans for the sum of their 2-3 century long lives. Few took up a permanent residence, or even stayed for long in their ancient "cities", more comparable to large villages, which were scattered throughout Kathar's verdant savannas and towering cliffs at the time. Though this life would fulfill them contently, it would unfortunately lead to their ultimate downfall at the hands of the early Katharan natives. These native races, mainly the Orcs within cliffside cities of wood and stone, like many other Katharans such as Gnolls, Minotaur, and Leonin, suffered greatly following the Fall of Tiamat. All but the Dwarves prospered in the wake of this tragedy, while their civilizations were toppled and scattered.
They would appeal to the Dwarves for aid, at first, entire civilizations would come to their stout countrymen following the disaster, and try as the Dwarves did, despite their overall success they simply did not have enough resources to spare for so many suffering individuals, especially as divided as the Fall had rendered them. Though their shared dilemma, did not matter to many who were still left cold and hungry, growing impatient as days passed, fed-up survivors would begin desperate raids on Dwarven cities and ships for what supplies remained. Though, these thieves more often than not, were comprised of miniscule, unorganized forces, which met only a swift death at the hands of the Dwarves' advanced arsenal of enchanted weapons, the first firearms, and thinking golems of steel and weaponry known as the 'Warforged' along with many instruments of destruction, all inventions of the early Dwarves.
This defense would not stand forever unfortunately, for when the Dwarves were faced with a tenuous unity of Orc and the native Beast-Folk, on a scale of proportions yet untold, even the might of a technological prowess unmatched in it's day, was too divided to stave off the onslaught, outnumbered at every turn 15-1, with dwindling numbers and resources, they were helplessly thrust from their homeland in droves towards the Northern continent of Everwealth, land of the Elves. The native Elves however, would not allow the Dwarves' or their way of life among their strict, uncompromising vision of civilization, turning them away, leaving the now embittered Dwarves desperate as well. With nowhere to turn for shelter, the Dwarves sought out the Humans, who were as well derelict refugees following Tiamat's Fall. Forming a comradery in their mutual distaste of the Elves' totalitarian ways, and their refusal to aid in their plights despite the Elves' lavish abundance. The two races would form an alliance, prepared to wage a war that would kick-start the worst of the Great Schism.