How the Ancients made de dwarves

Long long ago there were only the elemental forces. The climate was warmer then. They were the forces ingrained in everything. The elemental forces made the Ancient beings, crafted of the elements themselves: The six-legged. The Antler-headed. The Eagle-winged. And the Fox-tailed.
The ancient ones inhabited the world. They built homes for themselves. They had relationships and children with each other. For a long time, all was good.
But they were lonely. And one winter the child of the antlered one was playing in the snow and created a little snow creature. It was only 1.3 meters tall. Slightly shorter than herself. The creature had 2 sturdy short legs, a round belly, a rough head and two arms. She ran to her parents to show her creation and they loved it. They loved it so much in fact, that the elder ancients got together to create something more than just a snow creature. They called their youngest children and asked them to make more of these little snow creatures. Four little snow creatures were built. In the cold of Iridir, in the shadow of a mountain, near a lake of life in a rift valley, they would each make their own snow creatures. They stuck twigs for hands in the arms. Added moss for a beard, and plopped two jewels in for eyes. Under the face of a full moon, the wind blew away the snow and revealed a living creature underneath.
Thus the four elder dwarves were created.
At first the four dwarves were totally dependent on the ancients, but they learned how to feed, clothe and shelter themselves. As they learned they ventured out further and became more independent. But now they too were lonely. They could not get children, and they could feel that even though their lives were long, they would eventually die, just like snow in the summer heat. So they asked the ancients for help. How to live forever. The ancients taught them, under one condition: The four would have to give up their own life force to give life to their creations. But their creations would be able to reproduce on their own.
In the cold of Iridir, under the light of the sun, in the shadow of a mountain, near a lake of life in a rift valley, they could make their own snow creatures. The four did as the ancients instructed and created 4 snow creatures each in the likeness of themselves but with a variety of traits. Some long and slender, some more round and stocky. Some had emerald eyes, others ruby, or oinu.. .. eyes. Some were more masculine, some more feminine, some in between. 4 creatures in their own likeness were crafted, but one more was crafted according to their own wisdom. Under the face of a full moon, the wind blew and revealed 16 new living dwarves and their 4 guardians.
This is the origin story of the four races of the dwarves. Of which only two still inhabit this world.