For a few hundred years on Midgard, this community of Dwarves flourished in their trading post hall of Dunhirm, eventually being developed into a fortress as well from within. Halls were made to be strategic chokepoints, and the Dwarves that guarded these halls were also forged finer arms and armour to suit their needs. Axes, hammers, falchions, and polearms became the bigger product of importance that mattered more to the isolated culture of Dunhirm. Eventually, using their hoards of mortal gold and Asgardian steel, they amassed an army that collectively began to challenge the foreign powers around them for the sake of expansion and pride in their talents and skill. Ships of steel were built with great and strong engines fueled with magical flames and liquids to support their propulsion, and ultimately - Their route towards darkness.



Mortal man was divided in their petty squabbles over farmland and grazing rights for their pastures and cattle. Norse settlements and clans were weak from years of war and lessened harvests from harsh conditions in the northern fringes of Europe. As such, these warriors were easily cut down by the hardened infantry of Dunhirm. Each dwarf easily toppled a dozen raiders and reavers with his axe and shield. Long shall Dunhirm reign over these weak and fragile humans, they thought. However, one began to grow ambitious and plotted for absolute power over northern Europe. This Dwarven warrior was named Dirrihm, fierce in battle and claimed the respect of his comrades in their blind ignorance. Stubborn as any other of his kin, he was set to be the warrior of Dunhirm.



Soon enough, he conquered the northern lands of Norway and amassed his army at Ursula, razing dozens of jarldoms before finally capturing the sacred settlement. This sacrilege insulted the gods, whom had provided Dunhirm with such generosity. Odin, having seen enough and ignored the counsel of the other gods such as Thor and Forseti to punish them before they had taken Ursula, raised his spear. From the sky, he cast down a javelin that smited Dirrihm with such force, it shattered his armour into thousands of pieces and cast his blood unto the straits surrounding Scandinavia. The Dwarven forces of Dunhirm, surrendered Ursula back to the gods and the people of Norway & retreated to Dunhirm at the mercy of Odin.



For Forseti, he was authorized to curse Dunhirm - May their mines run with cursed metal, their halls filled with shadows and plagued with fear, their gold turned to lead and stone. As for Hel, she foresaw the usefulness of Dirrihm whom was admittedly persuasive for his release back to life. He was adamant in stature and voice that he’d be able to challenge the gods and serve Hel upon the day of Ragnarok, in exchange for absolute control over Dunhirm once more along with any Dwarf whom would serve him for dark powers. Clearly, he had been seduced by fantasies of vast power, Hel reasoned.



She deduced it was the power of Surtr, the fire giant. How brutal, it may be. However, she noted that Dunhirm was indeed a powerful force to be reckoned with. They had devastated all of Norway and captured Ursula, having the nerve and wit to challenge the gods directly and gifted to Hel hundreds of souls that bent their will for weakness, for ‘mercy’. This offering was hard to ignore, and thus Hel turned her eye. She released Dirrihm as a Champion of Hel, bestowed with her powers and cast back into the world with her light, to serve her and Surtr. As for Surtr, he gave his blessing - others claim a curse - to the rest of Dunhirm. Dwarves as a race, are naturally resistant to flames and thus became absorbed to his essence. Hundreds of his warriors had the capability of fire to decimate any warlord or raider.



For hundreds of years, they remained quiet to gather their power. Though cursed their steel may be, so long as it is moldable and able to retain its shape, the Dwarves cared not. Seduced now by the inevitable goal of power and rulership over mortal man and an opportunity to smite the gods rather than petty gold and jewels, they prepare their army.