All is quiet in the halls of the Dwarven Forges. During the Great War the Dwarves were able to finally vanquish the demon of the Abyss. With the Abyss sealed and the Accordlands rid of its evil, the Dwarves had upheld their portion of the great Accord: their watch was over and they were left to explore new paths. Some chose to maintain vigilance, some sought societal advancements, and sought out the dark corners hidden in the furthest depths of their mountain homes. The three leading subfactions of the Dwarven Forges are the Seekers of the Sun, the Watcher’s Vow, and the Priests of Hrun.
Many Dwarves, called The Seekers of the Sun, found themselves curious about the surface world. Welcomed by allies, they ascended out of their tunnels and established smithies, cities and kingdoms above ground. These Dwarves have become tinkers, machinists, and skilled artisans, ushering in a new age of technological advancement. For the first time in the history of the Dwarven race, the future looks bright, and The Seekers of the Sun are eager to discover it.
Not all Dwarves sought the surface, however. Many, particularly the older Dwarves most familiar with horrors of the Abyss, took the Watcher’s Vow. They knew that something as evil as the Abyss could never truly be defeated, and they knew that when the Abyss reopened, it must be the Dwarves who faced it. Ever the traditionalists, these Dwarves maintain a brutal caste system, knowing that each Dwarf must play their part perfectly for the whole to succeed against the evil they may face. A Dwarf may die, but the Dwarves will never be defeated.
The Abyss is a subtle and enterprising foe. With its entrance to the Accordlands sealed, the Abyss has spread throughout the Earth, corrupting those dwelling in its deepest caverns. Dwarves fallen to this corruption have become The Priests of Hrun. These apostles know that against the Abyss there can be no victory, only assimilation. The Priests of Hrun pass hidden from both the Watchers and Seekers, preparing the way for their master’s return. But the wisest of the Watchers are catching on and the depths of the Accordlands may soon break into chaos once more.