The Underhome Expansion

Population Migration / Travel

With the dwarven kingdom of Underhome stable and beginning to amass vast material wealth and a growing population, they began to push their boundaries further and further inland, hollowing out large swaths of terrain, mining the resources quickly, and encountering other forms of life, much to their own surprise. Having been an isolated society, the other cultures of Cairne seemed alien at first, leading to rising tensions.

With the dwarven kingdom of Underhome firmly established and thriving, their relentless expansion into the surrounding territories became a defining feature of their society. As they delved deeper into the earth, extracting precious resources and expanding their domain, they stumbled upon unexpected encounters with other civilizations, leading to a complex web of interactions fraught with tension and intrigue. Initially insulated from the outside world, the dwarves found themselves face to face with the unfamiliar cultures of Cairne. The first significant encounter occurred with the Gauldowhynna elves and their halfling neighbors. While the initial reception was cordial, the hospitality extended only so far, and subtle signs of resistance emerged as the dwarves encroached upon elven territory. Despite attempts at diplomacy, the elves remained steadfast in their defense of their borders, unwilling to yield to the dwarven expansion. Undeterred, the dwarves pressed onward, venturing further south into the lands of the Becht people, whose burgeoning empire posed a formidable obstacle. Unlike the elves, the Becht were quick to react to the dwarven incursion, mobilizing their military forces to confront the intruders. Diplomatic overtures were met with skepticism and thinly veiled hostility as the Becht sought to assert their dominance and discourage any further encroachment into their realm. The clash of cultures and interests escalated tensions quickly to a boiling point, as the dwarves found themselves caught between the territorial claims of the elves and the imperial ambitions of the Becht. Despite their initial surprise at encountering these other civilizations, the dwarves were determined to secure their place in the world, even if it meant navigating treacherous diplomatic waters and facing the threat of open conflict.