Nalgrim

The Nalgrim are more commonly known as Deep Iron Dwarves, though Dark Dwarves and Grey Dwarves are terms used to describe them as well. They are an evil offshoot of the Runir. Physically, they look similar to the Stone Dwarves, but their skin has an ashy, grey color to it and their eyes are tinged with a brownish-red.

The origin of the Nalgrim is a mystery. Ages ago, only the Runir existed. They were a subterranean people, carving great halls and strongholds out of the rock of mountains and under the ground of the sunlit world. They were generally content to keep within a few miles of the surface, finding plenty of ore and gems at that depth. The Deepiron clan, however, was convinced that the greatest and rarest of the earth's treasures could only be found farther underground. Over the course of a few centuries, the large clan delved deeper and deeper until they eventually lost contact with the other Runir and were forgotten outside of dwarven legend.

Half a millennium later, the Deepiron dwarves returned - though much different from before. Their physical appearance had changed as described above, and their hearts were filled with malice. Now known as the Nalgrim, they had been consumed by evil, killing and enslaving all who they encountered. The Runir fought them to a stalemate, and the Nalgrim dispersed to pursue their malevolent goals, abandoning their attacks on Runic strongholds and establishing their own domains both in the Underworld as well as on the surface.

In addition to captured slaves, the Nalgrim employ alchemically created beings to labor and fight for them. Though no more magically-inclined than the Runir, a number of the Deep Iron Dwarves are alchemists and artificers, forming a group known simply as the Makers. The Makers are constantly tinkering and experimenting, creating bizarre new weapons, simulacrums, constructs, and other unnatural oddities. Those few that are successful find a place in Nalgrim society. The Makers have recently taken an interest in the ruins of Ravillus in eastern Karnathas.