The Ironthal Enclave

What remains of their sprawling underground metropolises is a true demonstration to how hardy and resilient the Dwarves truly are.
Tremors From The Deep
Eons ago during the events of the Dawn War, the Dwarves’ underground cities were demolished and millions of their kind were killed due to an event they called the ‘Convergence’. Little is known of this event other than the sudden collapses of their underground cities and to this day and age, most Dwarves believe it to be an unprecedented and unforeseen disaster.
When asked about the past, most Dwarves shrug it off as a natural catastrophe that occurred from tunneling too far into the earth, while others have suspicions that ‘something else’ caused the earthquakes.
Strong As Stone Itself
Though the Dwarves have little in the way of magic, the King commands a large legion of soldiers willing to die in order to protect their race and homeland.
Clad in chain-mail and plate, Iron Legionnaires wade to the front-lines of battle and guard the entrances to Raslun’s Spine and Undermountain with an iron fist. A shock troop squad usually consists of three Legionnaires, an Onyx Knight, one Stone Sentinel and a Crystal Guardian. Extremely skilled in battle and tactics, these squads can take down up to three times as many enemies in about half as much effort.
Blood of My Blood
When a Dwarf makes an oath to an ally, be it another Dwarf or even an outsider of another race it is never done lightly; for once an oath has been made to a ‘blood-brother’ the Dwarf will honor this bond with his life - and expects the same in return.
The Dwarves are willing to trade with and form relationships with outsiders of most other races, but struggle to do so with Elves of any race due to a deal gone bad in ages past resulting in a war known as ‘The Battle of Three Peaks’, in which the Dwarves lay siege to the Elven Empire for their betrayal.
To betray a dwarf is to betray the very ground one stands on.
A Life of Duty
Though the Dwarves don’t live a life of festivity or extravagance, this doesn’t mean they don’t know how to have a good time; always ready to share tales over strong drink or involve themselves in a drunken brawl.
Many Dwarves find themselves within a certain line of work in their life without ever experiencing a change of pace or profession, and most don’t mind it; becoming masters in their field of work. Common professions within Dwarven culture include Blacksmiths, Craftsmen, Stonemasons and Miners.
One With the Earth
Dwarves feel most at home underground or within the valleys and tunnels that lead through the mountainous ranges of Raslun’s Spine and for this reason, many never leave; though a good deal of Dwarves have become ‘Top-Siders’ over the ages, seeking out adventure and fame that will set them apart from their brethren.

“The first time I left my home, I swear I was going to fall into the great above; so large was the sky it would’ve swallowed me up had I let my feet from the ground.”

Time Unchanging
Deep below the earth the Dwarves have established extremely strong and old family clans over the course of millennia and refuse to turn from such age old traditions, favoring older and more prominent clans when it comes to trade agreements and most other matters.
These well known and established houses receive orders from the Ironthal Council which has an active role in deciding upon nearly every aspect of Dwarven society and life; from what merchants are allowed to sell within the city, who is allowed to enter, and even who sits upon the throne when it is time to choose a successor to the King.
There may be a chance to export rare metals in exchange for precious crafting materials, but the process must be approved through the Ironthal Council with all the proper documentation and records being kept track of; the most trustworthy merchant caste being held responsible for establishing the contract and ensuring that the deal is carried to fruition.
Lesser known houses and castes populate the lowest echelons of Dwarven society; those that break honor-bound agreements or turn to crime being stripped of their caste and exiled to the pits or surface in an attempt to seek out and forge a new life.
Return to the Stone-Father
When a Dwarf dies they are usually given a proper and honorable burial in the form of a lit funeral pyre which returns their brothers ashes to the earth and the Stone-Father of all Dwarves; Moradin. The only exception being the Dwarven King, whom is entombed within the Hall of Kings so that his ancestor spirit may continue to assist and guide his people.
While the passing of a blood-brother is indeed a sad thing to other Dwarves, it is also revered as a time for celebration and good drink, in order to honor their fallen brothers life and deeds. After the conclusion of the funeral pyre, the Dwarves waste no time in returning to daily life, seeing it as a way to keep the spirits of their brethren alive.
While this death rite is usually reserved only for Dwarves, there have been exceptions in which outsiders have gained the trust of the Dwarves through exceptional actions or deeds and are given this honorable send-off. Those that find themselves caste-less are not given this rite; their names and bodies being lost to the stone and the ages.
The Beginning of Time
Dwarven legends speak of an ancient and prominent Dwarf by the name of Thurmil that united his people and became the first King after completing what was said to be an impossible task beset by the great Stone-Father, Moradin himself.
It is said that Moradin tasked Thurmil with moving the very mountains themselves in order to prove his determination and might to lead his people. It is said that day in and day out for centuries, Thurmil attempted to move the very mountains that he called home, until at last he knew the task could not be done by strength alone.
Legend says Thurmil gathered the smartest and most resourceful Dwarven wise-men of the age and tasked them with the creation of a device that would turn back the very stars in the sky. After centuries of tinkering and creation, the device was activated and so it was that the very sky reversed direction and the mountains turned back to dust.
Thurmil called upon Moradin, and he was so surprised to see the mountains gone from where they stood that he imbued Thurmil’s ancestor spirit with a portion of his own, ensuring that he would live on through the stone for eternity everlasting.