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Originally posted by Markustay

I have some HB Dwarven lore, which easily rectified the Bruenor thing.

Every dwarf, during some point in his life - usually later but not necessarily - gets a racial compunction (Divine urge?) to create his "Great Work". He sequesters himself, working on the project for months, sometimes years, until it is completed. No two two are exactly alike, and although usually taking the form of some type of weapon, any sort of creation is possible, including jewelry, staves, crowns, thrones and statuary, etc... even non-magical items (of an immensely beautiful and ornate nature, so as to be considered priceless).

The power (level) of the Dwarf has no bearing on the final product, although the item is normally related to the dwarf's chosen profession (ie, an armorer would likely craft a piece of armor), and in rare cases even young and inexperienced dwarves have created greater artifacts, and ancient, knowledgeable dwarves have created non-magical works of art.

This is considered (by dwarves) to be part of their nature, and is 'mandated' by their gods. Ergo, the magic used to create the items (but not necessarily the magic in the item) is Divine - it has been reported that in some cases the dwarf's hands even glow with an 'other-worldy light' during the fashioning.

Runes can be added to these items, normally during their creation but in very rare circumstances at some later time. These Runes are unrelated to the forging of the item in most cases, but some scholars believe that the 'Creation Magic' that the dwarves are gifted with is indeed related to Rune Magic in some incomprehensible way.

And in extremely rare cases, some dwarves have been allowed to create a second 'Great Work'. These dwarves become folk-heroes, and often rise to demi-power status. Folktales tell of a dwarf who was able to create three, but Sages of Dwarven lore find no proof of the veracity of these tales.


Once again, home-brew lore.
Sorry Erik - I dd it again. I just can't help myself, dammit.

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"In the mists of time, before the Dverge first crawled forth into the burningbright, they were given the Runetharc - the power to mold the elements and shape the world. Many believe Dverge are of the earth, and rightly so; it was from the womb of Bairôe-nahr, the earth mother, that they issued forth. But what the unforged do not understand is that the dwarves know the secrets of all elements. From the earth they draw the ores, extracting the mineral essence to fashion their craft. With their bellows they blow the air onto the forge, so they may feed its flames. With the Fire of their forge they may heat and mold the world to their liking, and with the cool waters they temper their great works, adding the seithr. Only by mixing the other four elements together in perfect proportions and at the right moments can they bring out the seithr - the life force of all things. This is the fabled Fifth Element, and this is why the Dwarves call their greatest works the 'Quint-Essence" - they have captured the elusive five-fold element and bent its will to their needs."

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