Coal Dwarves

Coal Dwarves are one of the seven Great Nations of Dwarves.

The Coal Dwarves’ history is troubled. The Coal Dwarves formed the majority of the Frost Giants’ slave labor force at the height of their power. The Coal Dwarves' fortresses were ransacked, and then converted into things suitable for the giants. Two of these fortresses were reclaimed by the coal dwarves after the demise of the frost giants’ empire. These are the coal dwarves’ only permanent settlements.

The half-a-dozen or so transient tribes live in semi-permanent settlements that are erected for the duration of a contract. Coal Dwarves contract their services out to other humanoids. These contracts typically last for decades and are most often for mining or construction projects. However, a few times coal dwarf tribes have been employed to fight a war for a wealthy customer. Humans and other dwarves are coal dwarves’ main customers, but coal dwarves will not discriminate against hobgoblins or centaurs, granted that they are able to pay and that the contract will be profitable for the whole coal dwarf tribe.

Coal Dwarves sing together as they go through their day: walking to and from the mine or worksite, while working, while cooking, and even in battle. Their deep, rolling chants, hymns, and dirges can carry for miles when the whole clan joins in. When a Coal Dwarves come of age, they are said to ‘‘join the choir.’ A coal dwarf’s bond to his family and tribe is very strong. They never betray family. They regard other dwarves positively, except for the Deep Dwarves. Coal Dwarves harbor and abiding hatred for Deep Dwarves. Coal Dwarf Chieftains often travel to find new work. The beards of coal dwarves are soot or brown colored. Eye colors vary.

Elves and many humans tend to be very wary of coal dwarves because they have made contracts in the past with hobgoblins, humans, and dwarves who all have conflicting interest to equip them and construct fortresses for them.