The Creation of the World (CBD)

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Dwarves are a long-lived race, 350 years on average, and so they are closer to the creation of the world than shorter lived races, such as humans. Dwarves have a clear idea of how they and the world came into existence and this in turn affects how they see themselves, the world, and other races. Many are the myths of creation. The Scrolls of Narvil, much debated, describe creation as an accident.
: After the Creator had forged the world and made the dwarves, he became weary and slept. Some Lesser Gods, jealous of the Creator's skill, bound him as he slept. They heated the Great Forge to make races in their own likenesses, men, and elves. These they placed upon the world.
: But they fell to arguing among themselves over which part of the world should be given to their peoples. The clamor of dispute woke the Creator who saw what they had done and became angry. But they laughed at him and bound him fast and swore he would never be released.
: They fueled the fire of the Eternal Forge and continued to work. However, they did not know how to control the Great Forge and it became too hot. Great globules of molten stone flew into the air and fell to the earth. As they fell, the Creator breathed on them to cool them so that his people would not be injured. The force of his breath gave life to the molten fragments and these became dragons.
: And so, of all the creatures of the earth, only the dwarves and the dragons were made by the Creator. Dwarves by the skill of his hands, and dragons by the power of his breath.
The idea of a forge to create the world and its people is a typical dwarven myth. Marak and Narvil share the myth, though they name it differently. Marak speaks of a Maker and Narvil of a Creator. Dwarves in different parts of the world will have contrasting views of the creation myth, in far kingdoms even contradictory views.
Some might believe the world was an accident, a piece of rock that was chipped away from a greater one by the blow of a hammer or other force, and became separated from it, and developed on its own.
The creation story is normally part of a greater cycle of creation, in which the world is created only to be ravaged, but ultimately saved, as Narvil foretold:
: The Creator tried to break his bonds, but they were too secure. He argued with the Lesser Gods but they would not listen. "You cannot rule the world unless you can work the forge," he warned.
: Sometimes when the forge became too hot or too cold, he gave the Lesser Gods advice, "add more air", "use less fuel". They laughed at him for his weakness in telling the secrets of the forge. Again he warned: "One day, the forge will burn beyond your control and the world will be seared by the heat of its flames. Then you shall free me or all will perish, even we. Then will I bring justice to the world you have abused. And my people shall be saved from your waging of war."
Other myths exist. Gully dwarf priests believe the world was swallowed by a giant monster, digested, and later reformed.
Many foretell the destruction of all within the world. Some tell of a world ravaged by dragons who burned away all life with their fiery breaths. Only the races living deep within the world survived. Dwarves, orcs, and goblins, protected in their subterranean homes, escaped the wrath of the dragons.
Different mythical beliefs may cause friction between dwarves and other races and even among the dwarves themselves. Most mountain dwarves shun humans and believe in the quest for mithral, the metal of unconquerable weapons. Irvak, a mountain dwarf teacher, tells children why.
: Beware the ways of man. He is greedy and avaricious beyond understanding. He seeks to possess wealth and riches, but most of all power over others. It is our duty to resist the mad lust of humankind to dominate other races. Not all men are evil, but the worst are their leaders who lead them into wars against us. It is written that only through the power of mithral can we protect our halls.
This mountain dwarf credo is rejected by Yakir, a gully dwarf priest.
: Learn to accept the ways of humans, we have no other choice. If a man kicks you, keep out of reach of his boot. If he spits at you, it will not break your bones. We breed slowly and must protect our numbers. If we fight mankind, they will eventually kill us all. Avoid wealth and riches, but if you must have treasure, hide it well in a filthy place where none would guess to look. Always avoid mithril and those who bear it. It is so precious that men are driven crazy with desire.