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The Dwarves of J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth are beings of short stature who all possess beards, and are often friendly with Hobbit s although long suspicious of Elves . They are typically Blacksmith s and stone workers by profession, unrivalled in some of their arts, even by the Elves. The Dwarves called themselves the ''Khazad'', the name Aulë gave them; the corresponding definition in Sindarin is ''Hadhodrim'', and in Quenya ''Casari''. Casari was the common word for Dwarves among the Ñoldor , but the Sindar usually called them the ''Naugrim'' or ''Nogothrim'', the Stunted People. OVERVIEW Unlike Elves and Men , the Dwarves are not counted among the Children Of Ilúvatar . They were created by Aulë the Smith. They were kept asleep until after the Awakening of the Elves. Aulë created the Seven Fathers Of The Dwarves , from whom all other Dwarves are descended. Aulë's work was doomed, though, because he did not have the power to grant independent life to his creations, that is, Free Will - that power belonged to Ilúvatar alone. Aulë later repented and confessed to Ilúvatar. When the Dwarves were completed, though, the voice of Ilúvatar spoke to Aulë and agreed to grant them true life, and include them in His plan for Arda. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, and therefore they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar. They mined and worked Precious Metal s and stones throughout the mountains of Middle-earth. They were great miners and craftsmen, derived from their maker Aulë. Gandalf described Gold and Jewels as the dwarves' toys and Iron as their servant. In ancient times, they were said to have preferred working with Copper and iron, though in later days they wrought gold and Silver , and the Mithril they found in the mines of Khazad-dûm. with the dwarves' weapon of choice - the axe, as portrayed in '']] The Dwarven language was created by Aulë, and was known as of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!" Dwarves were famous for using axes. However, as seen in ''The Hobbit'', they were not above using swords, shields and bows. Seldom were females seen among them. When they were seen, they were often mistaken for male Dwarves, because They Too Had Beards . NATURE OF THE DWARVES Aulë made the Dwarves at a time when the World outside Aman still lay under the dominion of Melkor, and so he made them sturdy and hardy to survive the dangers and hardships of that time. In nature, the typical Dwarf is stubborn and secretive. Though they make loyal and good friends, they are also a proud and stern race. They do not suffer grievance or insult, and their enmity is long-lasting. They are said, though, to be quick to learn new skills. In many ways, they were in between the Elves and Men . They were not immortal, but lived to two hundred and fifty years or more. They were less corruptible than Men, but committed their share of rash and greedy acts. (Among these was the slaying of Elu Thingol because of the dispute over the Nauglamír .) KINDS OF DWARVES 's . See common misconception below.]] Most Dwarves mentioned in Tolkien's works are of Durin's Folk , the clan founded by Durin I of Khazad-dûm , called the Longbeards. (A notable exception are the inhabitants of the dwarf-cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains , spoken of in '' The Silmarillion ''). The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers Of The Dwarves first awoke before the First Age. There were three pairs of Dwarf Fathers that awoke together, and their Folk would build their halls near each other, though Durin himself had awoken alone. (In his letters, Tolkien adds that all the Dwarf Fathers except for Durin also had wives who awoke with them). Therefore the halls of the Longbeards at Khazad-dûm were not located near the halls of another Dwarf-kingdom. The seven clans of the Dwarves were: # Longbeards. Durin's Folk. Durin originally awoke at Gundabad and wandered alone, but eventually founded a colony at Khazad-dûm. # Firebeards. Originally from Nogrod. Paired with the; # Broadbeams. Originally from Belegost. # Ironfists. Originated somewhere far in the East. Located paired with the; # Stiffbeards. # Blacklocks. Originated somewhere far in the East. Located paired with the; # Stonefoots. Although never stated, it's commonly (and perhaps inaccurately) believed that the Fathers Of The Dwarves received the Seven Rings . Often thought because both groups totalled seven mighty Dwarves. There was also an eighth group of Dwarves that was not a separate member from these seven kindreds, but composed of exiles from each: the Petty-dwarves , who were hunted like animals almost to the point of extinction by the Elves in the First Age. LOCATION The Dwarves had several mines throughout Middle-earth at various times, including:
DECLINE Dwarf-men were overprotective of their women who they sheltered from other races. Few dwarf-women were seen by other races, hence the myth of Men which lead to the belief that Dwarves grow out of stone (supported by the fact that both male and female Dwarves looked similar by other races). In addition, no more than one third of the dwarven population was female, and few men took wives as they were too busy in the mines. As a result, they dwindled after the Fourth Age, like the Elves, Hobbits, and other races, until Men were the only of the great races left to rule Middle-earth. TRIVIA
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