Khiir

The Khiir are an ancient race, predating even the elves by thousands of years. In appearance, they greatly resemble dwarves, with similar proportional girth and thick limbs- the quite notable difference being their height, easily standing three heads taller than an average human. Native to the northeastern edge of the Heartlands, the Khiir are a sturdy and determined people. In their early days, they expanded rapidly to the south and west, claiming much land before eventually clashing with the Fomorian Empire. The rivaling empires would wage war for centuries, but the Khiir would eventually be pushed back to their ancestral lands. Broken and beaten, the Khiir were shown mercy by the Fomorians who ultimately decided to leave them to their own devices, having become the undisputed rulers of the continent.

Following the eventual death of the Khiiric pantheon, their five gods were said to be laid to rest within five great mountains across the world. A group of priests would eventually settle at the mountain of Kerabar- the god of fire and smithing. This small temple would grow in size over the centuries- while its people would seemingly degenerate, growing short and stocky, eventually becoming the first Dwarves.

While the Khiir are primarily known as the ancestors of the dwarves, they are also noteworthy for their rich mythology and multitude of legends and myths, much of which has been given attention in recent times by dwarven scholars who seek to rewrite many of the old stories in a way that makes them more appealing to modern dwarvish audiences.