Dwarves and Elves will debate until the end of time which of them were the first race of Encara. In truth, many scholars believe that they share a common ancestor, now long lost to the uncharted ages before recorded history, along with gnomes and orcs. Whether this is true will likely never be proven nor disproven, and so the debate will continue until the stars grow cold.
As a whole, the race of dwarves are of stout, sturdy stock. A low center of gravity and short muscles grant them considerable leverage, and as a result they have long been a people of labor that would tax most other races. They have a high constitution, are capable of fighting off most poisons and toxins, and can fall quite a distance without suffering injury. They are heavier than they appear, often surprising larger folk who expect them to weigh considerably less given their size. Dwarves have dense, strong bones and compact muscle, adapted from thousands of generations lived in some of the harshest environments on, as well as under, Encara.
There were six great nations of dwarves on Encara before the Hungering Multitude tore through the interplanar membrane and began its feast. The Hrolevr, who were a quiet and peaceful nation of the desert, content to allow the rest of Encara to go about its business so long as they were not disturbed by it, were very near the initial rift from which the Multitude emerged. They were taken utterly unaware, and lasted no more than days before the onslaught. The Talafkr dwarves were among the first to directly engage the multitude. A nation of martial faith, they were supported by the Athandr and Vardalgr with innovative weapons and armor, and outfitted with gnomish artifice. Though some Talafkr were taken in by the other nations, nearly every adult capable of hefting so much as a knife made oaths to their gods and entered the fray. It is in large part only thanks to the sacrifice of the Talafkyr that the Coalition was able to open the Worldgates at all.
As such, only four of the nations of dwarves ultimately survived as intact cultures. These are the Athandr, Nafaldr, Vardalgr, and Dresvadr.
Athandr
Master builders of the mountains, architects of permanence who shape stone with reverence and precision.
Nafaldr
Stewards of the soil, tending the land with humor, humility, and an unshakable bond to the earth's spirit.