Dwarven Holds

Sons of the Mountain

As tough as the mountains themselves, and with memories that last almost as long, many dwarves carve their homes from the very bones of the earth. Forgers of the finest works of steel and gold, they are as mighty as they are determined. Should you try to take that which is theirs, you will face the full vengeance of the Dwarven Holds!

Though the Dwarven Empire fell at the end of the Golden Age, the Holds still control the most lucrative mines of Vetia, producing the finest armours and jewellery. Despite their strong personalities, fierce individuality and allegiances to family and clan reaching back centuries, every dwarf knows their place and would lay down their lives for their Hold.

T9A world map name Dwarven Holds map
decoration Key 1

Living in isolated mountain bastions, Hold dwarves maintain contact by gruelling treks over inhospitable lands, through the treacherous Deeps or via the unpredictable skies; only dwarven obstinacy allows the holds any sense of unity.

Playstyle

The Dwarven Holds has many different playstyles available to them. They can play as an army that focuses on shooting the opponents units off the board, as an army wielding medium sized infantry blocks supported by war machines and as an army which marches fast towards their opponent. Whichever way you play them, expect the Dwarven Holds to be sturdy and determined as well as very resistant and armoured with fine arms and equipment.

Lore of Dwarven Holds

Magic and Runelore

The Dwarves of Vetia shun the nether powers, unlike their eastern brethren. But if a hold-dwarf were to learn magic somehow, what would happen to him? Would he be shunned, exiled, imprisoned, executed? If executed, could he find refuge with his eastern kin?
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I can’t say I have spoken with any dwarves at length on this topic, they seem to be rather closemouthed whenever matters of the arcane are raised. From my own studies, I have found the dwarven relationship with magic to be one of necessity rather than choice or culture. The wolfram which dwarves craft into all manner of potent enchantments appears to draw magic from the surrounding area, once one schooled in the arts has worked rune into it. I have speculated that this is the source of its capacity for power, yet the very quality which gives it this potential makes it very hard to study with magic. Wizards on the battlefield report that being in proximity of so many runes can make it difficult to cast spells effectively. Now imagine living within a hold, surrounded by items crafted with wolfram, of which every hold dwarf appears to possess and carry at least one, and it is soon apparent why most dwarves in that situation do not display or develop a magical aptitude. I have heard stories, albeit rare and not something I have substantiated personally, that dwarves with a talent and a desire to learn have made that unlikely transition from the holds of the mountains to the ziggurats of the plains. Certainly, those who can cast spells are well respected by the Infernal Dwarves, making it a more natural home.

Sigmund Selig

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You will find here the lore that has currently been released. More lore will be released in the future, and will subsequently be added to this section.