The Ered Luin
This article is about the faction. For the biome, see here.
The Blue Mountains are the peaceful home to the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains, cousins to the Dwarves of the Iron Hills. Like all their kin, Blue Dwarves have a love for the precious metals of the earth, and a large part of their time is spent in mines deep underground.
However, these Dwarves are poorer and less powerful than their eastern bretheren, mostly staying in their halls and not currently engaging in any wars. For their strength over the years was much reduced from their glory in the First Age. Still, of the proud people of the Khazâd they are, and thus valiant, stubborn, and doughty like all their race.
History
The Khazâd of Ered Luin originated from the two Dwarf-Fathers who awoke under Mount Dolmed. From these two Fathers came the Firebeard and Broadbeam clans, who founded the cities of Belegost and Nogrod. So powerful were these two cities that they were effectively city-states, with their inhabitants coming to be known by which city they resided in rather than their clan.
In the Years of the Trees, the Dwarves of Nogrod devised the making of chainmail. This soon became the dominant armor in the West of Middle-earth, and remained so for many long ages after. However, none ever surpassed the metalworking skills of the Khazâd. Nogrod became famous for the smiths Gamil Zirak and his student Telchar. Their works were found in the treasuries of King Thingol. Indeed, it was the Dwarves of Ered Luin who made Menegroth, and some remained there under the payment of the Elvish King. Thus his armouries were filled with axes and spears that rusted not, and armour of fish-mail shimmering in the moonlight.
Relations between the Dwarves of Ered Luin and the Sindar began frosty, due to the slaying of the Petty-dwarves by the Sindar. This the Khazâd begrudged (though they hated the Petty-dwarves themselves). However, it became clear that the fighting was due to attacks by the Petty-dwarves themselves, and the grievance was eased, and a hesitant alliance was set up. In YT 1497, the Elves of Beleriand fought off the first attack of Orcs, and those that fled were slain by the Khazâd.
Azaghal Lord of Belegost
Caranthir of Helevorn was the first of the Noldor to meet the Khazad. He set up trade with them, though he scorned them, and gained great wealth. Eol of Nan Elmoth was one of the few Elves in Beleriand to be friendly with the Khazâd. He studied long the art of smithcraft in their halls, and even learned their language. Dwarves also aided king Finrod (who they named Felak-gundu) in the making of Nargothrond, enlarging the old caves of Nulukkizdin for his uses.
The Dwarves encircle Glaurung
At some point after the Dagor Bragollach, Azaghal Lord of Belegost was waylaid upon the road by Orcs. But Maedhros came to his aid, saving his life and treasure. In reward for this, Azaghal gave him the Dragon-helm of Dor-lomin, wrought in mockery of Glaurung. When the Union of Maedhros was created in FA 473, Azaghal joined, and his host was placed in the Eastern Army of Maedhros. Elsewhere is said of the battle of Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where Fingon fell and the flower of the Eldar withered, but here is laid this: that famously, the Dwarves of Belegost covered the retreat of the Sons of Feanor, encircling Glaurang, Father of Dragons, and hewing at him with their axes. Their iron masks and natural hardiness to fire shielded them from the Dragon-fire, and in rage Glaurung threw down Azaghal and crushed him. But Azaghal stabbed with his knife upward with his last breath, and piercing the Dragon's belly so wounded him that he fled the field. The Dwarves carried the body of Azaghal from the field singing a dirge as if it was a funeral pomp in their own lands, and no foe dared waylay them.
Thingol is slain in the deep
The Dwarves of Nogrod were rather less friendly towards the Elves. After they reforged the Nauglamír for Thingol in FA 503, they demanded it as payment. Upon Thingol's refusal, they killed him, took the necklace, and fled Doriath. Only two escaped the Elven host that followed them and recaptured the Nauglamir, but they successfully persuaded the Dwarf-lord of Nogrod to march on Doriath and sack its capital of Menegroth. The Dwarves, unobstructed by the Girdle of Melian, sacked the city and emptied its treasury, including the necklace. As they returned to Nogrod, the Khazâd were attacked by elves. King Naugladur of Nogrod was slain in combat by Beren son of Barahir. But he cursed all the treasure, and so Beren had it thrown into the River Ascar, later called Rathloriel for its golden bed.
Regardless of their histories, both cities were destroyed in the War of Wrath. However, Khazâd continued to survive in the mountains. Many of their number fled to Khazad-dum, but those that remained mined iron and copper beyond the Little Lune. They traded with the Kingdom of Gil-galad, though they did not grow remarkably wealthy.
Dwarves of Ered Luin prepare for battle in Azanulbizar
The Third Age saw the return of many Dwarves to Ered Luin. As Durin's Bane had been awoken in Moria, the ancestors of those that emigrated from Ered Luin returned. In T.A. 2793, these Khazâd answered the call of Thrain and joined him and the other Houses in the War of the Dwarves and the Orcs. After the decisive Battle of Azanulbizar in T.A. 2799, the Broadbeams and Firebeards returned to Ered Luin, as they had no wish to recolonize Moria.
Here dwell yet Dwarves
Later came Longbeards, moving from Dunland after being driven from Erebor by the Dragon. Thrain and Thorin Oakenshield were their leaders, and both delved separate halls in the Mountains --Thrain in the south, Thorin in the north. They did not prosper much, having little gold, but made what wealth they could mining copper and iron and, worse, coal. Thrain's halls were later abandoned by the Sigin-tarâg, with all the Dwarves of Durin's folk being found in Thorin's Halls. When Erebor was reclaimed, most of those Longbeards left, leaving behind only the remnants of the Firebeards and Broadbeams.
Few are the Dwarves in the Ered Luin, remnants of once-great houses of Elder Days. They are hardworking and humble, removed from the majesty of their kin in the east, but still great craftsmen and delvers. Their kind trades with those around them, with Bree, the Elves, and the Halflings of the Shire. Even to Erebor do their traders come on occasion. But recently, strange Dwarves out of the East, Longbeards and even those from further houses, have come, seeking refuge. From what they flee they say little, but it may be that the Khazâd of the furthest West will have to fight, even as their ancestors did long ago. Then fight they shall, in honor of their ancient heritage.
Alignment
Their Spheres of Influence are centered around the mountains where they make their home.
Inter-faction relations
| Allies |
Friends |
Neutral |
Enemies |
Mortal Enemies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Durin's Folk •Hobbits |
•Dale •Dorwinion |
•Angmar •Dol Guldur |
 The Dwarves of the Blue Mountains 
|
|
Dwarf (Axe Thrower, Banner Bearer, Warrior)
|
|
The Westlands:
Angmar •
Blue Mountains •
Bree-land •
Dale •
Dol Guldur •
Dúnedain of the North Rhûn:
Harad:
Half-Trolls • Morwaith • Near Harad • Taurethrim The Deeps of the Earth:
|
