DWARVIN & GNOMIC CREATION MYTH
Translated from Dwarfish by Geordus Wordweavor

  In the before time, all was earth, fire and ice.  The three realms traveled about each other, without plan or purpose, occasionally coming into contact with each other.  When fire touched ice, great rivers of water would flow onto the earth, and great billows of steam would fill the air.  When fire touched earth, the earth would heat up and melt, causing great lakes of lava and molten ore to flow across its surface.  When Ice touched earth, the earth would cool, making the rivers of lava slow and become rock, once again.  This occurred unknowable times, until the shape of a great being was shaped upon the earth by the molten ore and flowing rivers.  When the form of this being was complete, he stood up upon the earth and surveyed his realm.  All about him was dry earth, frozen rivers and molten lakes.
  Displeased with his surroundings, he first made great mountains from the molten lava, then threw ice upon them.  Thus the mountains became cool and pleasant to look upon with peaks of ice and snow at the tops.  Some of these mountains did not get doused with enough ice, however, and stayed hot deep inside.  These became volcanoes that would occasionally spew lava across the earth.
  He then moved the great rivers of ice and placed them so in a manner that pleased him.  This done, he reached out to the realm of fire and brought down a great flame to heat the ice and make the rivers flow.  He also took great billows of steam and placed them in the sky, where they were pleasing to the eye.
  And so the first being came to be known as Yemtyr, shaper of the world, first god of the earth.  But Yemtyr was alone in the world he had shaped, and in time, wept great tears of loneliness.  These tears flowed into the great lake known as Ocean, and Ocean became salty from the tears.  The salt of his tears flowed far and wide, but much was gathered together at the shore, where it took the shape of another being, and this being stood up and walked to Yemtyr and place a hand upon his shoulder.  Yemtyr turned and was pleased at the site of a companion,  and this being came to be known as Aludma, the salty woman, goddess of the salty seas.
  As a gesture of betrothal, Yemtyr took a strand of hair from his great beard, and a strand of hair from Aludma's head, and twisted them together.  This twisted hair he placed in the earth and commanded to grow.  And grow it did, to become a wondrous tree with branches that reached high into the sky and roots that firmly entrenched themselves deep into the earth.  The tree grew all manner of nuts and fruits and seeds and flowers, as well as all manner of leaves and needles.  From its seeds grew all types of plants and trees and vines.  Aludma took a deep breath and blew the seeds to all the lands of the earth to grow and make the world green and fresh.  And the tree was called Yemdula, the all-tree, first of green growing things.
  And so, Yemtyr and Aludma made their home in the shade of the great tree, eating the bounty the tree provided them, and drinking from the fresh waters that flowed about them.  In time, Aludma bore thirteen offspring, six who were male, six who were female, and one who was neither.
  The first was called Anvar, the smith, who made his home in one of the great mountains that never cooled.  There, he became a great worker of metals, who could fashion anything in his great forge.  It was Anvar who created the two great stallions, Suhn and Muhn and tethered them to the realms of fire and ice, which pull them across the sky, each in turn.  In this manner, Anvar insured the safety of the earth from the other two realms.  Anvar also created two great wolves to run behind the horses and their burdens, to insure the horses would never pause in their travels across the skies.  And these wolves were called Dhei and Nheit.  Muhn often slows in his travels, allowing Nheit to take great bites of the ice realm, thus his burden diminishes, but he will then run through the clouds and slowly, the ice realm becomes whole again, until the next time Muhn slows in his travels.
  The second was Strumand, the storm-bringer, who ruled the skies.  Armed with the Bow of Lightning and riding the great winged wolf called Thranfang, both made for him by Anvar, Strumand shoots down bolts of lightning as Thranfang roars his thunder.  Strumand often carries a great skin of water, which he shares with the earth as he passes.
  The third was Kilnar, she who became wife to Anvar and maker of mortals.  It was she who took clay from the earth and fashioned it into shapes much like that of Yemtyr and Aludma and breathed life into them, thus making the first of the dwarvin races.
  The fourth was Nateru, she who became wife to Strumand and patron of the green things.  It was she who filled Strumands great water skin and tells him where best to share it.  Nateru insures that the trees and plants get the water they need.
  The fifth was Mhynoer, the digger.  It is he who brings up from the earth the ore that Anvar smelts to get metals.  From his ores comes gold and silver, copper and bronze, iron and all other metals as well as gemstones and diamonds.  Mhynoer left all manner of caves, tunnels and caverns in his wake.
  The sixth was Juelahr, the worker of gemstones.   It was he that first made shine the plain rock from the earth.  Juelahr, often places his works into the skies for all to see and wonder at in the night sky.  Sometimes, when the jewel is too heavy, or is trod upon by Muhn, it will fall from the sky and be lost forever, though some few of these return to earth with such great force that the ground shakes and dirt is flung high into the sky.
  The seventh was Suhbwah, she who brings water under the earth, wife to Mhynoer.  It is she who brings water down to Mhynoer when he digs for ore and gemstones, and fills the wells dug unto the earth from above.  She uses the tunnels that Mhynoer leaves in his wake.
  The eighth was Luemm, who weaves all manner of things, wife to Juelahr.  It was she that first made clothing for the gods from strands of woven gold.  She also forms gold into chains in which Juelahr sets gemstones.  Luemm taught the spider how to make webs and the caterpillar to spin cocoons.
  The ninth was Lohgar, he who brings down great trees that he might make things.  Lohgar is the craftsman that makes all manner of furniture and dwellings.  It is he that makes the supports to hold up the earth when Mhynoer digs.
  The tenth was Trakkohr, the hunter.  It was for him that Anvar and Kilnar created all manner of beast, fowl and fish, that he might have sport.  Trakkohr wares only the skins, and eats the meat of his kills.  He also shares the meat with the other gods.  Trakkohr is the god of the hunt.
  The eleventh was Juhnah, the planter, wife Lohgar.  When Lohgar brings down a tree, Juhnah plants the seeds to bring forth a new tree in its place.  She is also the patroness of domestic agriculture.  Often, she will advise Nateru where Strumands water is most needed.
  The twelfth was Husfrauh, the homemaker, wife to Trakkohr,  It is she who cleans and prepares the meat from Trakkohr's kills.  Always her stew-pots are full, and skins always hang outside to be tanned.  She is the goddess of the housewife and domestics.
  The thirteenth is Sloaktain, the evil one.  Lacking in gender and goodness, Sloaktain seeks the destruction of all.  The destroyer, he/she/it sometimes fools Suhn into bringing the fire realm to close to the earth, while tricking  Strumand to share his water in the wrong places.  This brings great draught to the earth.  Other times Sloaktain will cause Muhn to come to close the earth, causing great coldness to sweep the earth, freezing water and killing crops, as well as upsetting Aludma, who raises up the waves in her displeasure.  Unable to mate with others, he/she/it tricked Anvar and Kilnar into making two hollow beings, one male, called Sokin, and one female, called Lata, that he could divide his/her/its essence into and reproduce.  All the offspring from these hollow beings were hideous of aspect and evil in intent.
    Many where the offspring of the gods.  From Anvar and Kilnar came Magtor, Hyet and Fillisof.  From Strumand and Nateru came Fytor, Brayv and Noliy.  From Mhynoer and Suhbwah came Salta, Ryte and Taskk.  from Juelahr and Luemm came Ballikese, Affrey and Venfrey.  From Lohgar and Juhnah came Maekk, Kraft and Esum.  From Trakkhor and Husfrauh came Rhuhnner, Deftor and Iheer.  All represented the wondrous gifts and powers they possessed and bestowed upon Dwarvenkind.
  Many were the offspring of evil Slaoktain, as well.  Vile and petty, they were, degrading even the best of dwarves.  They were Byel, Rhaej, Spyet, Vyel, Chyet, Slaihn, Taekk, Merdor, Fehl, Luhst, Gryehd, Duhmm, Bygomni, Lheyz, Ehnvhi, Fuhl, Wympi, Kluhmsi, Jyrkk, Osamabyn, Mye, Myyni, Mhuel, Mohkk, Sihk, Skayrred and Eygoh.  But they were better known for their depravities as Hatred, Anger, Spite, Treachery, Deceit, Murder, Thievery, Injustice, Cannibalism, Lechery, Avarice, Stupidity, Adultery, Sloth, Jealousy, Ignorance, Weakness, Carelessness, Ineptitude, Misogyny, Vanity, Cruelty, Stubbornness, Mockery, Disease, Cowardice and Conceit.  Though they are imprisoned in the nameless caverns in the realm of fire, still is their influence felt in the mortal realm.
  With the creation of the first dwarves, a new god arose; Ehxyst, the goddess of life.  Upon the first death of a dwarf came Rhigohr, god of death.  Born from unknown and unknowable forces, their existence is tied to that of mortal life.  Life made her home on the earth, with all things living.  Death made his home in the realm of Ice, the place of the dead.  While life rules the world unseen, death makes two kingdoms for himself.  The first he made deep inside the living earth, where righteous spirits gather and find perfect peace.  Here, there is always milk and honey for all, with great forges that can make anything the spirit desires.  The second, he made in the realm of Ice, where wicked or lazy or cowardly spirits wandered across the frozen surface with naught but the ice to eat for all eternity.

THE FIRST DWARVES AND THE RACES TO FOLLOW
Translated from Dwarfish by Geordus Wordweavor

  Kilnar created the first dwarves in the image of Yemtyr and Aludma.  The male, called Fhursste, and the female, called Nhexxte, were molded from the clay of the earth, then baked in an oven until hard as stone.  After they were removed from the oven, Kilnar blew into each of them the breath of life.  Yemtyr placed the two in a garden on the earth and granted them dominion over it.  For their protection, Yemtyr commanded a great wolf to stand guard over them, and protect them should other animals attack.  The wolf happily obeyed the Earth Shaper, and became great friends with the mortal pair.
  In time, the mortals gave rise to new generations, just as did the gods.  First came Seeker, the hunter, gifted with a keen eye and wondrous skill.  Second came Homa, she who made a home for herself and Seeker.  Third was Wyrkk, who made a hammer and anvil on which to fashion all manner of tools and weapons.  Fourth was Colla, she who worked planted things, wife to Wyrkk.  Fifth was Mohg, the digger, who tunneled into the earth an brought up ore and stone, used by Wyrkk to make things.  Sixth was Wandah, the weaver, who made the baskets that Mohg used to carry his ore from out of the ground.  Wandah became wife to Mohg.
  And so the population grew and spread out upon the land.  Many were content to mine ore, while others worked the metal brought forth from the ore.  As the numbers grew, the gods looked down upon them with growing favor.  Then came the day that Yemtyr asked three of his gods to go among the mortals and spread their seed, that the mortals might achieve greater heights.
  First was Anvar, who traveled over many hills following Suhn until he came upon a house.  There, he met Oren, the digger, his wife Jemm and their three daughters, Ahna, Ahnya and Ahnla.  The women were strong and stout, able workers with nimble fingers and keen eyes.  There he was given lodging for the night, meat to eat and ale to drink.  Ere the night was over, he gifted the three daughters with his seed.  The offspring of Anvar became great miners and smiths, warriors and hunters.  These became the true race of Dwarves.
  Second was Fillisof, who also traveled over many hills following Suhn until he came upon a house.  There, he met Gnomad, the teacher, his wife Gnora, and their three daughters, Bara, Bala and Bassa.  The women were bright and curious, with quick minds and keen ears.  There he was given lodging for the night, goose to eat and wine to drink.  Ere the night was over, he gifted the three daughters with his seed.  The offspring of Fillisof became teachers and writers and seekers of knowledge.  These became the true race of Gnomes.
  Third was Kraft, , who also traveled over many hills following Suhn until he came upon a house.  There, he met Korrakk, the worker, his wife Kora, and their three daughters, Gala, Gara and Gamma.  The women were slow of mind and dull of wit, but clever with their hands and willing to do labor.  There he was given lodging for the night, stew to eat and water to drink.  Ere the night was over, he gifted the three daughters with his seed.  The offspring of Kraft became wanderers, craftsmen and day laborers.  These became the true race of Kobalds.
  Yemtyr (now called Ymtar by the Gnomes and Yimar by the Kobalds) was pleased.  However, unknown to him, Sloaktain also sent down three of his offspring to spread their seed.
  First was Fehl, the cannibal, who traveled over many hills following Muhn until he came upon an old shack.  There, he met Orrgon, the brutish, and Grya, the wicked, and their three daughters, Orkia, Orklu and Orkro.  The women were tall and strong, but vicious and ugly.  There he was given lodging for the night, scraps to eat and murky water to drink.  Ere the night was over, he cursed the three daughters with his seed.  The offspring of Fehl became the vile race of Ogres.
  Second was Duhmm, who also traveled over many hills following Muhn until he came upon an old shack.  There he met Gohrr, the misshapen, and his wife Ghahgg, the foul smelling, and their three daughters, Hoer, Hoarid and Horria.  The women were short and squat and vile of temperament.  There he was given lodging for the night, dog meat to eat and muddy water to drink.  Ere the night was over, he cursed the three daughters with his seed.  The offspring of Duhmm became the vile race of Goblins.
  Third was Myyni, who also traveled over many hills following Muhn until he came upon an old shack.  There he met Trogg, the withered, and his wife Trola, the hideous, and their three daughters, Ugga, Uglah and Ugjug.  The women were hideous and evil and vile of manner.  There he was given lodging for the night, tripe to eat and animal blood to drink.  Ere the night was over, he cursed the three daughters with his seed.  The offspring of Myyni became the vile race of Trolls.
  Sloaktain (now called Sokain by the Gnomes and Lotain by the Kobalds) was pleased.  When Yemtyr learned of the vile works of Sloaktain and his progeny, he ordered all the gods to gather them up and imprison them in the realm of fire, where they could harm none.  Mhynoer created twenty-seven great caverns, one for each vile offspring, and Anvar made iron bars to gate them in.  Before Sloaktain could be dealt with, he/she/it hid in a cave in the realm of Ice, along with Sotir and Laka.  There, Sloaktain plots the overthrow of the gods, as well as mischief for all living things.
  
WHY DWARVES LIVE UNDERGROUND
Translated from Dwarfish by Geordus Wordweavor
  
  So it was that the one race of dwarves became first six races, and in time, even more.  Dwarves, Gnomes and Kobalds followed the path of Yemtyr, while the Ogres, Goblins and Trolls worshipped evil Sloaktain.   Sloaktain's followers became known over time as the 'Dark Brood'.  The Dark Brood were fecund and mated with any race they could capture or subjugate.  Goblins mated with captured Kobalds creating the race of Hobgoblins.  Ogres and Trolls mated creating the vile race of Cripplers.  Trolls mated with captured Gnomes creating the race of Gnolls.
  Though all originally of one blood, the degenerate scions of Sloaktain's offspring preyed on the other races, forcing dwarves to become warriors to do battle with the Dark Brood.  Dwarves, more and more, took shelter below ground, where only the vile Goblins could follow.  This allowed them to gather their strength and make new weapons.  In time, Dwarves could tunnel through the earth as quickly as they could walk upon the land.  They became some of the greatest of weapon makers, as well as the greatest workers of metals.
  Gnomes, lacking the great strength of the dwarves but possessing quick minds, turned to studies and magic to aid them against the Dark Brood.  Working with the dwarves, many mighty weapons were enhanced by the magics the Gnomes commanded.
  Kobalds, being neither strong nor wise, were nonetheless clever with their hands, as well as hard workers.  Kobalds would hire themselves out to any person that would feed them and not abuse them.  Tasks, such as the making of shoes and belts fell to them.  Even the simple tasks needs must be done, and all were grateful to the Kobald who did it.
