The Legend of Cadmus Godforger

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Passed down by the people of Dwar Fell for over a thousand years, this tale explains the origins of dwarven Communion. The story recounts the efforts of a renowned scientist named Cadmus Godforger who was supposed to have lived before the start of the Great War. While some modern-day scholars question the legitimacy of this tale, most who grew up in Dwar Fell accept it as fact.

I

n the kingdom of Dwar Fell, before the Great Dwarven Age, there lived a human scientist by the name of Cadmus. Specializing in the study of kinfire, he was lauded as a genius among his fellow scientists. His latest research led him to a simple but shocking theory: ingesting kinfire could produce beneficial effects on the body and mind.

Cadmus was so greatly respected among his peers that he was granted full funding in order to research this new theory, despite the many whispered doubts. Hemalt, an elder and a soothsayer, came to Dwar Fell's leaders to recount a terrifying dream. A vision of the future.

In this vision, humans allowed kinfire into their bodies. At first, they radiated with magical energy and acquired strange abilities, with some transforming into animals. But soon, the very blood in their veins began to boil. Their eyes shriveled within their sockets. Their skin crumbled to ash and blew away with the wind. The whole of Dwar Fell cried out with one great echoing scream until all that was left was charred embers and smoking ash.

In those days, before the Great Dwarven Age, the words of soothsayers and fortune-tellers were heard as truth among the people of Dwar Fell. The leaders took Hemalt's vision as a warning and withdrew the funding for Cadmus's research.

"Fools!" Cadmus cried out. "Are you so easily swayed by mere dreams?"

Cadmus locked himself away for weeks, angry and dismayed. When he finally emerged with an unkempt beard and unwashed clothes, it was with a crazed and determined look in his eyes. He filled a wagon with valuable items–heirlooms, golden frames, furniture, amulets, inventions–and traveled from market to market until he had sold every last thing he owned, leaving behind only his laboratory equipment.

He had earned just enough coin to purchase a single kinfire ember from a black market merchant. But the leaders were informed of his plan. He rushed to his lab. With no time to lose and no proper subject, he had no choice but to experiment on himself.

When the Dwar Fell guards arrived at his door, it was too late. Cadmus had ingested kinfire.

His body convulsed in pain. A shimmering streak of white shot through his dark hair. When he finally stilled, his eyes opened with a fiery glow, and, surprisingly, he laughed. "I can feel it…the kinfire..." He traced a finger along the inside of his forearm. "...it's in my blood."

Hemalt, the soothsayer, warned all that Cadmus would soon die. But days passed. Weeks. Several months went by until it became clear that Cadmus was as healthy as he'd ever been. His skin was impervious to flame. And the kinfire within him allowed him easy access to magical energy.

Curious, the leaders of the city agreed to grant Cadmus limited funds for his research. After many years, while those around him aged and died of failing health, Cadmus remained healthy and young.

Little-by-little, the people of Dwar Fell came to believe that Cadmus was right. Kinfire would not destroy them after all but instead would make them stronger. As strong as the elves across the mountains. As strong as the mountains themselves. As strong as gods.

Cadmus himself became immortalized in stories, statues, and songs. No longer was he a mere human. Cadmus Godforger became known as the very first dwarf in the land of Dwar Fell.