The War of Dunmer and Dwarfs

Military action

Due to the dwarfs' desire for Underdark materials, a war broke out between them and the dunmer.

After constant small-scale battles at one mining outpost after another, the dwarfs officially declared war against the dunmer. The war was mostly fought underground and territory borders within the Underdark shifted rapidly in the first years of the conflict.   As the conflict escalated, the dunmer had begun taking prisoners and enslaved them, merging their essence with the Underdark. These slaves came to be known as duergar, or "dark-dwarfs", robbed of all sense of self and free will. The dwarfs viewed this as the highest possible insult towards their race and it led to Tolkien II publicly announcing that the empire would not tolerate their crimes and the usage of such "dark sorcery", as he called it, and that he would see to the end of these savages. Then, a week after this announcement, Tolkien II was staying in Kovir on political business. He and the council were gathered in the throne room at the capitol when suddenly an arrow pierced Garadrin's throat, killing him.