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In J. R. R. Tolkien 's Fictional Universe of Middle-earth , Dwarves (also known as the '''Naugrim''') are beings of short stature who all possess beards and are often friendly with Hobbit s, although long suspicious of Elves . They are typically Smiths and Stoneworkers by profession, unrivalled in some of their arts, even by the Elves. The Dwarves called themselves the '''Khazâd''', the name Aulë gave them; the corresponding definition in Sindarin is ''Hadhodrim'', and in Quenya ''Kasári''. The common words for Dwarves among the Elves were ''Naugrim'' or ''Nogothrim'' ('Stunted People'), but they were not used in actual intercourse, being substituted by Hadhodrim or ''Dornhoth'' ('Thrawn Folk'). 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 with consummate skills 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 . Since they mainly live underground, Dwarves do not like farming or herding, and they obtain all their food supplies through trade with Elves and Men. As stated in 'Of Dwarves and Men,' the Dwarves have often formed trade relations with Men whereby they exchange the items of their smithcraft in return for food grown by the Men, in a mutually beneficial relationship. Dwarves were famous for using one handed, two handed and throwing axes in battle. However, as seen in ''The Hobbit'', they also used swords, shields and bows. The Dwarves of the Iron Hills, in addition to axes, carried mattocks and shields slung on their backs, with short swords as secondary weapons. Unlike in other fantasy settings, there is no mention of Tolkien's Dwarves using War Hammers ; these weapons are used by the Olog-hai Trolls instead. CHARACTERISTICS Aulë made the Dwarves at a time when the world outside Aman still lay under the dominion of Melkor, 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 hatred is long-lasting. They are said, though, to be quick to learn new skills, but slow to teach their own. Their homes are often underground, and are usually very large and hospitable. Dwarves are also known for their hearty food and drink. While on a march they usually eat "cram", but a Dwarf feast was something to be remembered: "roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone!" -Gimli In many ways, they were in between the Elves and Men. They were not immortal but usually lived to about two hundred and fifty years of age. They were less corruptible than Men but committed their share of rash and greedy acts (among these was the slaying of Elu Thingol and the sacking of Doriath because of the dispute over the Nauglamír ). Also, Thorin Oakenshield and the Dwarves of the Iron Hills were willing to go to war with the Elves of Mirkwood and the Men of Esgaroth over the treasure of Erebor, refusing to share any of it. THE SEVEN HOUSES OF THE DWARVES Most Dwarves mentioned in Tolkien's works are of Durin's Folk , the House founded by Durin I of Khazad-dûm, called the Longbeards. (The inhabitants of the dwarf-cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains , spoken of in '' The Silmarillion '', are exceptions). The seven different Dwarf kindreds originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke before the First Age. There were three pairs of 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 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 houses of the Dwarves were: # Longbeards. Durin's Folk. Durin originally awoke at Mount Gundabad in the Misty Mountains and wandered alone, but eventually founded the city of Khazad-dûm . # Firebeards. Originally from Nogrod . Paired with: # Broadbeams. Originally from Belegost . # Ironfists. Home unknown, somewhere in the Far East. Paired with: # Stiffbeards. Home unknown, somewhere in the Far East. # Blacklocks. Home unknown, somewhere in the Far East. Paired with: # Stonefoots. Home unknown, somewhere in the Far East. 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 early in the First Age, and died out entirely before the First Age ended. SKILLS The dwarves were great smiths and forged many a famous weapon, like Narsil - the sword of Elendil , later the sword of Aragorn - was originally forged by Telchar in Nogrod. They made the first armor that is resistant to the breath of a dragon. Their metalsmiths and craftsmen rivaled even those of the High Elves. They mined ''mithril'', gold, and silver. They reforged the gates of Minas Tirith and repaired the walls of Helm's Deep after the War of the Ring. Little is known about their use of weapons beside axes but it is known that the dwarves of the Iron Hills used mattocks, swords, and shields in the Battle Of The Five Armies . The party with Thorin Oakenshield used bows and arrows, though shot them in the dark, and spent many arrows. LOCATION The Dwarves lived and mined in several locations throughout Middle-earth at various times, including:
DECLINE Male dwarves were overprotective of their women whom they sheltered from other races. Few female dwarves 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). In addition, no more than one third of the dwarven population was female, and few men took wives because they were too busy in the mines. The female dwarves too are reluctant to marry males that they do not like. Often, if a dwarven female has her eye on a particular dwarven male, and if she cannot have him, she will accept no other. As a result, they had a slow population growth rate and the attrition caused by the many wars they fought would take many years to recover from, if ever. They dwindled after the Fourth Age like the Elves, until Men were the only of the great races left to rule Middle-earth. LANGUAGE AND WRITING SYSTEMS The Dwarven language was created by Aulë and was known as s of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!" They used the Cirth , a writing system invented by the Elves. ADAPTATIONS |
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