It is told that in the beginning the Dwarves were made by <link="tech:Age 1 Aule">Aul</link> in the darkness of Middle Earth, for so greatly did <link="tech:Age 1 Aule">Aul</link> desire the coming of the children, to have learners to whom he could teach his lore and his craft, that he was unwilling to await the fulfillment of the designs of Iluvatar.

The exact year is untold but it is written that <link="tech:Age 1 Aule">Aul</link> made them in a hall under the mountains in Middle Earth. It is also told that <link="tech:Age 2 Yavanna">Yavanna</link> went to <link="tech:Age 1 Manwe">Manw</link> with her anxiousness of Aul`s creation and he answered her "when the children awake, then the thought of Yavanna will awake also." 

And <link="tech:Age 1 Aule">Aul</link> made the Dwarves even as they still are, because the forms of the children who were to come was unclear to his mind, and because the power of <link="tech:Age 1 Melkor">Melkor</link> was yet over the earth, and he wished therefore that they should be strong and unyielding.

But fearing that the other Valar might blame his work, he wrought in secret, and he made first the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, but it was revealed to Iluvatar who was angry with Aul. But Aul had no ill intentions and only did it because he was eager to see the glory of Arda and unwilling to await for the children of Iluvatar and he was willing to destroy his work if so wished, even if it would be with great sadness. Then Iluvatar forgave him and gave life to the Dwarves but he ordered Aul to put them asleep in caves two by two awaiting the rising of the Firstborn. The Dwarves were then finally reborn into Arda in the second age of the imprisoning of <link="tech:Age 1 Melkor">Melkor</link> in Valinor.

Dwarves are about four feet tall with the male Dwarves long-bearded (the females have shorter beards!). Dwarves are a stocky, strong and proud race with a resistance to fire and hardier than any other. Dwarves are great miners, craftsmen and work wonders with stone, metals, and jewels. In war, Dwarves use an axe as their weapon of choice. 

Dwarven Major Valar:

<link="tech:Age 1 Aule">Aul</link>

Dwarven Minor Valar, Maiar and Forefathers

<link="tech:Age 2 Feanor">Fanor</link>
<link="tech:Age 2 Yavanna">Yavanna</link>
<link="tech:Age 3 Gwaihir">Aul</link>
<link="tech:Age 3 Eol">El </link>
<link="tech:Age 4 Durin">Aul</link>
<link="tech:Age 4 Thorin">Aul</link>


Source: www.annalsofarda.dk


