The Deepstone Era

The Deepstone Era, meticulously cataloged by precursor Stone Scribes, spans the critical foundational period from approximately 2300 to 2000 YE. This age is characterized by the dwarves’ first large-scale deep-delving operations into the raw heart of the Iron-Grip Mountains, establishing the precedent for subterranean permanence. Records preserved across the early fragments of Elder Borin's Chronicles indicate a societal obsession with raw geological truth, leading to the cautious study and initial mapping of the subtle energetic flows known globally as Auric Resonance. This early, cautious interaction with the earth’s life force defined the era's technology, which prioritized structural integrity and monumental stonework over magical innovation. Early settlements, including the foundational layers of what would later become the grand Lost City of Umbral, were carved out with defensive precision and painstaking detail, emphasizing longevity above all else. The pervasive atmosphere was one of pragmatic optimism, where the success of each new subterranean hall was seen as a divine validation of the dwarven purpose. The zeitgeist of the time established the core tenets of the traditionalist faction, the Deep-Delvers. This ideology—that strength lies only in the deepest earth—is epitomized by the foundational doctrines later upheld by figures like Elder Vorin and continues to define strongholds such as the Caverns of the Reforged. The era concluded not in violence, but in a gradual shift of focus toward technological advancement, leading directly into the Age of Weaving, where the utilization of Auric Resonance became systemic rather than exploratory. The meticulous documentation from the Deepstone Era, known as the Deepstone Foundations, remains the standard against which all subsequent dwarven construction is judged.