Dwarf Dwarves are small , but strong beings for their size mostly inhabiting the snowy , mountainous Khaz Modan region of central Eastern Kingdoms . They are shorter than humans , but taller than gnomes , taking advantage of their size when possible and relying on their robustness and strength when not . The average dwarf is steady , observant and composed both during work and combat , yet able to rage with fierce zeal and persistence when the situation calls for it . While a dwarf prefers to plan forward to overcome challenges , many of them easily lose their temperament and self - restraint when exposed to conditions stirring their feelings and concerns . Dwarves are treasure seekers , explorers , and courageous fighters . In past ages , the dwarves rarely left the safety of their mountain fortresses , spending their time on refining metal and stone into powerful weapons and beautiful jewelry . However , when the call to battle sounded , they rose up to defend their friends and allies with unmatched courage and valor . Dwarves are fond of drinking , Mining , and finding treasure . However , they are most interested in their past and their relationship with the Titans . History . Origin and evolution . The dwarves derive from the earthen , a prototype race of humanoid creatures consisting of living stone . The earthen were one of the races created by the titans in order to help shape Azeroth after the titans were gone , a so - called " Subterranean being matrix " . As creations by the Vanir - titans ( probably Khaz ' goroth ) , the part of Azeroth the earthen were to shape was the earth and underground . Although the earthen was a successful creation at first , things would soon change . The Curse of Flesh created by the Old Gods affected the earthen , causing them to mutate into the vicious trogg s . As the troggs had a very reduced cognitive ability compared to the original earthen ( and other unfortunate aspects the titan ' s didn ' t find pleasing , such as cannibalism ) the troggs were sealed away , primarily within the ancient Titan city of Uldaman . Although the earthen were susceptible to the Curse of Flesh , the Titans chose to modify the prototype rather than begin all over again . This modification created earthen referred to as " Series Two " . These earthen did not transform into troggs , but into dwarves . While the transformation turned their physical bodies mirroring the stone found on Azeroth into weaker flesh , they still maintained their mental affinity for it , along with their cognitive abilities . The dwarves were actually akin to a return to the default subterranean being that the Titans typically created . This had not been the titan ' s intentions and they would continue to modify the earthen , but they were satisfied with this outcome , seeing the dwarves acceptable to carry out their task in their own right . When the Well of Eternity imploded at the end of the War of the Ancients 10 , 000 years ago , causing the Sundering , the transforming Series Two - earthen were deeply affected , feeling the pain of the earth as if it were their own . They retreated to the places of their origin — the Titan cities of Uldum , Uldaman , and Ulduar — and hibernated for almost eight thousand years . When they awoke , many of them found that their powers over stone and earth had waned and that their rocky hide had softened to smooth skin . Emerging from their Titan - homes , the dwarves from Uldaman made their way out of the Titan city and eventually built Ironforge in Dun Morogh . This transformation along with other factors have created several different kinds of dwarves . Sometimes the differences derive from different ways of living and philosophy , but often they manifest themselves in the amount of change a dwarf has evolved from the earthen . Some dwarves , like the ones living in Ironforge , has undergone a rather complete transformation ( with the exception of Stoneform , see " The Explorer ' s League " below ) , becoming fully fleshy creatures . Others seems to have undergone a semi - change , having aspects of both a fleshy creature and the traits of the earthen , like the Frostborn . The Titans eventually found a way to make earthen that were immune to the Curse of Flesh , which became newly produced by the Forge of Wills and other systems . These earthen never experienced being affected by the Curse of Flesh , still consisting of soil and stone , such as the few remaining Eastern Kingdoms earthen found in Uldaman and the earthen of Ulduar found in Northrend . Although the titans marked their presence all over Azeroth , dwarves evolving from earthen are limited to Northrend and the Eastern Kingdoms . In Northrend , the original earthen from Ulduar evolved into the Frostborn while in the Eastern Kingdoms , the original earthen from Uldaman evolved into Ironforge dwarves ( which later split into the Wildhammer - , Dark Iron - and Bronzebeard - clans , see " War of the Three Hammers " below ) . The Alliance . The dwarves and their progenitors ' ( the Earthen ) interaction with other races and factions ( except from with the titans ) has been most related to the Alliance . Albeit the dwarves are the major actors in this event , earthen were also called upon to join the Alliance during the War of the Ancients . While the Alliance did not actually exist during this time ( the name is probably referring to the gathering of various leaders whose races later would join the future Alliance , some of the leaders were actually sent from the future when the Alliance did exist , such as Rhonin ) this event was probably the first time the earthen encountered races like humans and dragons . As said , the now - flesh dwarves have played a much greater role in the Alliance . While the dwarves in Northrend have stayed rather inactive and never ventured far away from Ulduar , the dwarves emerging from Uldaman have traveled across much of the world and interacted with many other races . They encountered the humans , perhaps their most important allies , ca . 1800 years before the First War and at the same time the high elves as the elves and humans were already allies . Interaction between the dwarves and the humans increased , and the two races soon became allies . For instance , it was the humans who taught the dwarves how to write in common . The humans also introduced the dwarves to the Holy Light . The dwarves on their side used their knowledge to craft powerful weapons for the humans ( such as the Ashbringer ) . Apparently , it was also humans who came up with the name " dwarf " , although the night elves had already used it as a derogatory term for earthen before the War of the Ancients . One of the few humans against this union of dwarves and humans was Lord Garithos who discarded all other races than humans as freaks , calling the dwarves idiots and the like . He was however killed by the forsaken at the end of the Third War . Around 200 years ago , a dwarven explorer set out into the bitter wilderness of Dun Morogh and discovered the gnomes , situated in their small villages west of Ironforge . Both races have a fascination in technology and exchange their creations with one another . Since this union began , the gnomes and dwarves have often been treated as one faction instead of two . By helping each other build amazing devices and weapons , this union has served the Alliance well , supplying the front lines with heavy artillery and explosives . One of the most important events deriving from this friendship was the building of Gnomeregan where both races built the city of gnomes together . When Gnomeregan later was overtaken by troggs during the Third War , the gnome refuges fled under the dwarves protection in Ironforge in order to plan a counterattack . They still remain there , in Tinker Town . These four races were further joined together during the Second War ( which occurred after the " War of the Three Hammers " , see next section below ) , when the humans sought the aid of the various kingdoms inhabiting Lordaeron in the battle against the Horde . Originally only the humans were invited , but races such as the dwarves ( with the gnomes ) and the high elves applied as well when they saw their lands being ravaged . Political leaders like King Terenas and Anduin Lothar gathered the dwarves ( of the Ironforge - and Wildhammer - clans ) , gnomes , high elves and humans into the Alliance of Lordaeron which ultimately defeated the Horde and laid ground for the present - day Alliance . Although this organization has changed much since then , with the departure of some members like most of the high elves ( now blood elves ) and the gaining of new members like the draenei and the night elves , dwarves still stand as one of the core parts of the Alliance . War of the Three Hammers . The dwarves of Ironforge were originally a part of the Ironforge clan . They later were divided into three factions : the Bronzebeard clan who controlled the city , the Wildhammer clan who controlled the foothills of the mountain , and the Dark Iron clan who lived in the shadows of the mountain . When the high king of all the dwarves , Modimus Anvilmar , died , violence broke out into a civil war which resulted with the victorious Bronzebeard clan keeping Dun Morogh , the Wildhammers settling in Grim Batol in the Wetlands , and the Dark Irons settling in the Redridge Mountains and founding the city of Thaurissan — named after their leader . The Dark Irons were bitter about their loss and attacked both kingdoms all at once to prevent one to come to the other ' s aid . Thaurissan led his army to Ironforge and was ultimately defeated . Thaurissan ' s wife , Modgud , invaded Grim Batol and used her magic to break through the gates and lay siege to the Wildhammers . Khardros Wildhammer , ruler of Grim Batol , slew the dark queen and was victorious . The clan of Ironforge then went on the offensive and marched onto the Dark Iron clan ' s capital . But the Dark Irons had accidentally summoned Ragnaros , the lord of fire . Ragnaros ravaged the Redridge Mountains and enslaved the Dark Iron clan . Seeing this terror those of Ironforge turned back to their homes . Unfortunately , Modgud ' s magic had made the Wildhammer homeland uninhabitable , so they left and migrated north and settled in the Hinterlands and founded the city of Aerie Peak . There , the Wildhammers became more bonded with nature and learned to ride the mighty gryphon s . However , some Dark Iron dwarves who had survived the end of the war fled into Grim Batol . They were transformed by the Modgud ' s dark magic and became something more reptilian than humanoid , called the Skardyn . The Explorer ' s League . The Explorer ' s League , or Explorer ' s Guild as it is also called , is a recent organization founded by dwarves seeking to uncover their past and relation to the titans . Searching for titan ( and all other kinds as well , for that matter ) artifacts and ruins , their dig sites and camps can be found all over Azeroth - some are even stationed in Outland . Information recovered is carefully analyzed and stored in the Hall of Explorers in Ironforge . The shared duties of either being out on adventure , digging in the ground for lost treasures , or sitting home in Ironforge while filing reports and schedules have given the Explorer ' s League an effective system with a rapid development . Information recovered increases all the time , and so does the league ' s members . The Explorer ' s League was founded shortly after the Third War . The dwarves had followed the humans to Kalimdor as soldiers against the Burning Legion , and in the aftermath of this war the dwarves discovered they might have been created by powerful beings to shape the earth . Ruins in Kalimdor suggested that the dwarves ' past may have been connected to the titans , and teams of prospectors , excavators and archaeologists were quickly assembled and dispatched to all corners of the world in order to investigate . Additionally , a new area of Ironforge was financed in order to house the league ' s work . As much of the information about the titans was lost during the earthen ' s slumber after the Great Sundering , the information has to be gathered all over again from relics and data the titans left behind . Becoming a member of the league is not an easy task . It requires the applicant ( which nearly always is a dwarf ) to possess supreme skills in everything from the recognition of mines and herbs to map - making and geography . The league ' s most profound member is Brann Bronzebeard , a Dwarven explorer who has seen nearly all corners of the world , which has granted him quite the insight in the dwarves ' past . While the dwarves ' allies ( such as the humans and the gnomes ) do not share as much motivation for this project as the dwarves do , they still support and aid the organization . Not only does the league provide much information about distant areas and cultures , several goldmines have also been found during the league ' s excavations . The humans have also found a greater interest in the league ' s activity as result from encounters with the vrykul in Northrend , which are the progenitors of humans . Apparently , humans seem to ( although somewhat indirectly ) derive from the titans as well . The league ' s struggle to gain knowledge of the titans has not only resulted in a better understanding of the world , it has also unlocked one of the dwarves ' ancient abilities - Stoneform . This ability lets the dwarves turn their skin into stone , becoming similar to the earthen for a short period of time . While this ability is already useful against effects such as poison , the dwarves believe that this is only the first step in reclaiming their earthen - powers . Current situation . The dwarves today are spread over all of Azeroth , Outland and Draenor , helping their friends with everything from slaying monsters to seeking for treasures . Their talent of forging metals and ore have had a large impact on their culture and style of living - their cities consists of enormous forges and seething foundries accompanied by enchanted anvils and tools for handling molten ore . Runes and various shapes creates intricate borders and ornaments adorning their constructs and architecture , possibly inspired by the runes passed down to them from the titans . Dwarves are aligned with all kinds of organizations and associations . One may divide them into two groups ; those who serve the Alliance one way or the other , and those who do not . The majority of dwarves serve the Alliance . This includes the Ironforge , Wildhammer and Frostborn dwarves . The Ironforge ones are those most populous , found as everything from guards within Ironforge to soldiers on the frontlines against whatever the Alliance is fighting . The wildhammer dwarves are also often found as soldiers for the Alliance , but many of them spend their time at their home in the Hinterlands . The frostborn dwarves are the least active kind of dwarf within the Alliance , only found at their home , Frosthold , in the Storm Peaks where they seem to be doing next to nothing . A large part of the Alliance ' s dwarves are also as mentioned dedicated to the Explorer ' s League , differing from many of the other dwarfs in the Alliance as the goals of the league ( discover the secrets of the titans ) and the Alliance ( kill whatever threatens the nation of humans and their allies ) are rather different . Still they work together , suppressing their enemies and aiding their allies while revealing the secrets of the world . The Alliance has been deeply affected by their dwarf - members since the humans began it - known for firing flaming gunshots and cannonballs at the enemy during war , while drinking ale and beer in surplus amounts during peace , dwarves have affected the Alliance ' s style of warfare and culture . Dwarves not allied with the Alliance includes the Dark Iron dwarves and various dwarves working for different organizations such as the Venture Co , pirates , the Argent Dawn and the Twilight ' s Hammer . Of these , only the dark irons resemble a " true " faction of dwarves . In the other cases , the dwarf could be swapped out with any random creature also aligned with the said faction , such as a gnoll or a tauren , without any relevant change occurring . Their goals and desires differs from most other dwarves , making them freelancing individuals following whatever seemed more profitable . Culture . Dwarves in nature are masters in the arts of blacksmithing , metalwork and mining . They are also superb at developing and constructing machinery , and they have developed several different types of Siege weapon s , such as Siege engine s and Steam tank s and flying machines , such as Gyrocopter s and Dwarven flying machine s . As for blacksmithing , the Dwarves are masters at creating new weaponry and armor . There are some who believe that Dwarves have the capability of imparting their emotions directly into the weapons and armor they craft . With the example of Magni Bronzebeard , who did not believe much in the notion that his race could possess such an incredible capability , but when he was creating the Ashbringer at the The Great Anvil , he held so much pain for the loss of his brother , and when he struck down his hammer on the blade he harnessed all of his fury and vengeance and imbued it into the weapon . Appearance . Male dwarves . Dwarves are 4 - 5 feet tall , stocky , and muscular . Males prize their elaborate beards ; females , their decorative hairstyles and piercings . Female dwarves . Most female dwarves do not appear to have beards . However , Falstad ' s grandmother , a wild dwarf is described as having a beard and female hill dwarves are described as having beards . A female dwarf with a beard is referenced in a quest in " World of Warcraft " as well , during the Blump fishing challenge . Graun Blump is said to have a beard . Beards owned by female dwarves appear to be rare ( especially in Ironforge dwarves ) however , female dwarves who sported strong beards are considered a sign of beauty among members of the race . Two bearded sisters fought in the battle to retake Grim Batol . It is unknown if other female dwarves grow beards , but then chose to shave . Dwarven clans . Northrend . Hill dwarf is a term to describe dwarves living in the hills . Mountain dwarf is a term used to describe dwarves living in the mountains . Characters described as being hill dwarves include ; Rom , Gimmel , Joj , Narn . Characters described as mountain dwarves include ; Falstad Dragonreaver , Glodin , Molok , Tupan and Yorg Stormheart . The Bronzebeard clan and the Wildhammer clan have both been described as having hill dwarves and mountain dwarves . Notable dwarves . Bronzebeard dwarves . " Note : Also referred to as Ironforge dwarves . " Wildhammer Dwarves . " Note : Also referred to as wild dwarves " . Earthen . " Note : Earthen are often called " dwarves " by other races , and by Brann Bronzebeard when speaking of his ancestors . " Frostborn . " Note : Frostborn are also referred to as Frost Dwarves . " Inspirations . As in most modern fantasy , the dwarves in the Warcraft universe draw parallels to those in legendarium as well as the original race in Norse mythology . Most notably , and common to both sources , are their facility with and affinity for mining and other crafts of earth and stone . Their short stature and general appearance are common throughout mythology as well as fiction . The Warcraft dwarves ' descent from the earthen also mirrors both sources . The Warcraft dwarven affinity for mechanical engineering may derive in part from the Warhammer games ' depiction of dwarves as technologically apt or may itself simply be an extension of their affinity for mining and metalcraft . This also relates to Norse mythology where they are the creators of many of the gods ' artifacts and weapons , such as ' s hammer .