The Dwarven Clans

Across the lands of Aetherion, numerous Dwarven clans exist, but only four hold true prominence: 

• Blackrock Clan
• IronFoot Clan 
• Mor’Adin Clan 
• Terra’Gar Clan (Now known as the Dark Dwarves)

The Blackrock, IronFoot, and Mor’Adin clans reside within the mighty mountains of Bellegast, where the IronFoot Clan presides as the leader of the Dwarven Conclave. The Terra’Gar Clan, once thriving in Bellegast, was forced to abandon its ancestral city of Terra Modan after a devastating assault orchestrated by the newly formed Conclave. Retreating to the mainland, they established a new stronghold in the Kogur Mountains of Illdoridri—a city that would come to be known as Terralode.

The History of the Dwarven Clans

Since the dawn of time, two great Dwarven clans - The Ironfoot and Terra'Gar - have vied for dominance, each seeking to become the ruling power. For centuries, this struggle persisted until a pivotal mistake by the Terra’Gar Clan changed the course of history - they raided the neutral clans.

While most clans fought relentlessly for supremacy, two - Mor’Adin and Blackrock - chose neutrality, focusing instead on refining their unique crafting and mining skills rather than engaging in futile wars. For decades, the fiercest rivalry raged between the IronFoot Clan and the Terra’Gar Clan, each striving for control.

Approximately a century ago, the Mor’Adin and Blackrock clans established a formal trade alliance: The Blackrock clan provided refined ores and masterfully forged weaponry, while the Mor’Adin oversaw all commercial exchange, acting as the primary merchants and negotiators for both clans. These agreements soon drew the ire of Terra’Gar, who launched a bold strike against the Blackrock clan to seize their newly forged weapons before IronFoot could claim them. The raid failed, and in its aftermath, the neutral clans sought protection under IronFoot leadership.

Seizing the opportunity, IronFoot dwarves rallied all clans to deliver a decisive blow against Terra’Gar insurgents. Thus, the Council of Dwarven Lords was born, uniting the clans under IronFoot rule. The largest Dwarven force in history marched on Terra Modan, Terra’Gar’s stronghold - but found only an abandoned city riddled with deadly traps.

Distrustful of the new council, the Terra’Gar clan retreated from Bellegast to Illdoridri, where they founded a new city deep within the Kogur Mountains - a city that would come to be known as Terralode.

The Dark Ages

The Dwarven Council’s thirst for vengeance was not easily quenched. Determined to eradicate the remnants of the Terra’Gar Clan, the Dwarven armies marched to the mainland in pursuit. However, their relentless campaign soon brought them into direct conflict with the Elves of Eryndor and the Human Mining Tribes of the North.

As raids intensified, both Humans and Elves grew increasingly uneasy. Tensions escalated until armies were raised to confront the Dwarves—marking the birth of the Human-Elven alliance.

The war raged for over seventy years, during which the Dwarven Council continued its hunt for Terra’Gar. Eventually, the Dwarven forces and the allied Human-Elven armies clashed on the Mirac Plateau in what became known as the Battle of Mirac—one of the bloodiest conflicts in recorded history. Both sides suffered catastrophic losses, with countless warriors falling in battle.

Realizing they no longer held the upper hand, the Dwarves retreated to Bellegast, while the Human and Elven forces reclaimed control of the mainland.

Battle for Bellegast

Upon returning to Bellegast, the Dwarven Council—its forces weary and diminished — received alarming news: activity had resumed in the deepest caverns of Terra Modan. The Terra’Gar Clan had returned, and with their new allies, the Orcs, they were preparing a massive assault on Ebardac, the seat of the IronFoot Clan and the home of the Dwarven Lords Council.

The initial onslaught was brutal, but the Dwarves held their ground, and Ebardac remained secure — for the moment. Over the next two decades, however, the Dwarven cities came under relentless attack by the newly formed Dominion. In a desperate bid for survival, the Dwarves sought aid from the Human-Elven alliance, traveling back to the mainland and into alliance territory.

At the borders near the site of their former bloody conflict, the Dwarven envoys pleaded for assistance, explaining the dire threat posed by the Dominion. Instead, they were captured and taken to Celestia, where they stood before the Achretian Senate to make their case. They painted a grim picture of the war raging on Bellegast, hoping to sway the alliance.

Meanwhile, the Dominion forces — emboldened by their alliance with the Orcs — launched raids from Bellegast against the alliance on the mainland. But unlike the fractured Dwarves, the alliance had grown strong and swiftly crushed the raiding parties, driving them back to Bellegast.

Upon discovering the origin of the raids, the Alliance agreed to assist in purging Bellegast of Dominion forces. Relieved, the Dwarves returned home with the good news. Soon after, the Conclave armies landed on Bellegast, joining the Dwarven clans in a final campaign against the Dominion. Together, they triumphed — Terra Modan was razed to the ground, ensuring it would never again serve as a Dominion stronghold.

The New ALLIANCE

After the Dominion forces retreated to Dalador, the Covenant recognized the valor and skill of the Dwarves. In turn, the Dwarves saw the Covenant as a trusted ally—one willing to stand with them should the Dominion rise again. This mutual respect led to a historic decision: the Dwarven Conclave joined the Alliance, marking the birth of the Covenant of Illdoridri.

Under this new alliance, Dwarves, Elves, and Humans fought beneath a single banner, united in their resolve to defend their cities and lands against the looming threat of the Dominion.