Dwarf (race)

The Dwarves are one of many races in RuneScape. They live predominately in Keldagrim, their capital city, but are also found in various mines and settlements across Gielinor. In stature, Dwarves tend to be shorter than humans, usually being slightly above human-waist height. They are long-lived, although they tend to be gruff and short in temper. They are particularly fond of ale and often have long beards. Dwarves are particularly well known for being excellent blacksmiths, miners, and craftsmen. Dwarves often use battleaxes and warhammers of all kinds, though some also use crossbows. They live longer than humans, as Veldaban mentions that his father Dondakan is older than 150 years.

History
Before the God Wars, dwarves were most likely a sub-race of humans, made by Guthix for an unknown purpose. They are possibly also related to gnomes. The dwarves probably lived on the surface, in villages like the humans.

However, the God Wars sent the dwarves underground. During the God Wars, most dwarves hid themselves beneath the surface. Over time they constructed Keldagrim, a massive city that has grown tremendously wealthy. Dwarves adapted to underground life in this time. There they also encountered hostile Trolls, resulting a series of conflicts collectively called Keldagrim - Troll Country War which continues today.

During the Fourth age (although Dwarves use different ages to humans) King Alvis created the consortium, a collection of mining companies. It was originally intended to help the Kings rule, but by King Alvis's death it had become powerful and took over Keldagrim. This occurred approximately 500 years since the present date.

Only after thousands of years, during the end of the Fourth Age or beginning of the Fifth Age, did the dwarves return to the surface to find the wars over. Despite this, most dwarves still live underground.

Culture
Dwarven culture consists mostly of feasting, sparring, and songs of great deeds long ago. The dwarven capital of Keldagrim is more advanced, and has many industrial works, banks and trading corporations. Dwarves love gold, and value it greatly; they are portrayed as greedy, which is not untrue- their people are ruled by merchants and bureaucrats. Nearly all activities in Dwarven territory, particularly Keldagrim, are based around the acquisition of wealth.

The dwarves are not religious, and although they are Guthixian, they never really worship Guthix in festivals or rituals. There is also a small and secretive cult of Dwarves in the Wilderness known as the Chaos Dwarves, who worship Zamorak. (It is discovered during Forgiveness of a Chaos Dwarf that the Chaos Dwarves also have a base in an abandoned mine and are planning an attack on Keldagrim.) Dwarven technology is arguably greater than that of the gnomes, with mine carts, trains and cannons all being used by dwarves. Gnomes, however, generally use their technology to raise living standards, unlike Dwarves. It is revealed in the Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf that Dwarves are now incapable of magic use, except when casting Superheat Item. They probably once had a great deal of it, but it was lost after constructing Keldagrim. The Imcando dwarves were almost wiped out during the Fremennik crusades, because the Fremennik believed their use of the superheat spell was an insult to the gods.

Places

 * Keldagrim
 * Dwarven Mines
 * Under White Wolf Mountain
 * Mines North west of Seers' Village
 * Small camp in the Underground pass

Notable Dwarves

 * King Alvis
 * Hreidmar
 * Colonel Grimsson
 * Doric
 * Commander Veldaban
 * The Drunken Dwarf
 * Supreme Commander Bisi
 * Colonel Grenda

Champions' Challenge
Dwarves are one of the 'races' who have champions of champions in the Champions' Challenge activity. It is not currently possible to fight the dwarf champion. Many players expect a future update will allow this champion to be fought, like a 2009 update allowed Glophren, the gnome champion, to be fought.

Chathead Update
On 19 January 2010, most dwarves in RuneScape apparently "Went to the Makeover Mage" and got their chatheads updated. Their heads now look more round, more detailed, and they move faster than before.