Kingdom of the dwarfs pr

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I SBN: 978 -1- 68 4 05 - 323 - 0

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K I NG D OM OF T H E DWA R F S . S E P T E M BE R 2 018 . F I R S T P R I N T I NG . I l lu s t r a t ion s c opy r i g ht © 198 0, 2 018 by D a v id T hor n We n z el. Te x t c opy r i g ht ©198 0 by Robb Wa l sh , 2 018 by D a v id T hor n We n z el. T he I DW log o i s r e g i s t e r e d i n t he U. S . Pa t e nt a n d Tr a d e m a rk Of f ic e. I DW P u bl i sh i n g, a d i v i sion of Id e a a n d D e s i g n Work s, L L C .

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G r e g G old stei n, P r esident & P u bl isher Joh n B a rber, E d it or - i n - C h ief Robbie Robbi n s, E V P/Sr. A r t D i r e c tor C a r a Mor r i s on, C h ief Fi n a ncia l Of f ic er M a t t he w R u zick a , C h ief A c c ou nt i n g Of f ic er A n it a Fr a zier, S V P of S a le s a nd M a rket i n g D a v id Hed g e c o ck , A s s o c i a te P u bl isher Jer r y B en n i n g t on, V P of Ne w P r oduc t D e velopment L orelei Bu nje s, V P of D i g it a l S er v ic e s Ju st i n E i si n g er, E d it or i a l D i r e c tor, G r a ph ic Novel s & C ol lec t ion s E r ic Mos s, Sr. D i r e c tor, L ic e n si n g & Bu si ness D e velopment Te d A d a m s, I DW Fou nder

Edited by Scott Dunbier and Chase Marotz Design by David Wenzel Production Assistance by Shawn Lee Publisher Greg Goldstein

An ingenious labyrinth of passageways vented Aegol’s smoke in such a manner that the surrounding valleys appeared to be shrouded in ground fog.

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ur first task was to confirm our suspicions about the inhabitants of this amazing ruin. Within an hour we had collected an assortment of ancient artifacts. Small hammerheads and miniature chisels, a sewing needle no more than half an inch in length and portions of a child-size coat of armor in various states of rusted ruin convinced us that Aegol Barrow was once the site of an underground dwarf civilization.

The overview of the first day’s exploration revealed a central core of four levels. On the first level, the enormous Common Hall and the Throne Room of the dwarf king. One floor below stood the foundry and forges of metal smiths. The third level down was occupied by smelting furnaces, and the lowest level was a depot for a system of mining tunnels that ran for countless miles in all directions.

For the next eight months we explored this astounding underground ruin. Because of the deadline imposed by Sir Rupert Grootes, we gave up any plans of a full-scale archaeological undertaking. We concentrated instead on the fascinating details of the dwarfs’ underground existence. We have attempted to reconstruct through illustration portions of the kingdom as they once existed. From the dwellings and workplaces and artifacts we have tried to capture the likeness and spirit of the dwarfs who lived here.

Scholars will debate the findings of Aegol for years to come. Careful study will confirm or deny many of the theories and speculations we have set forth. We are convinced, however, after these months of exploration, that the dwarfs of Aegol are a lost race whose buried secrets hold the key to understanding the beginnings of technology and civilization on this planet.

Standing only three or four foot tall a dwarf could travel in a stooped posture through tunnels only two and a half high if need be. A height most full-grown men would find claustrophobic.

Known as the “Old Ones,” these dwarfish folk dwelt under the earth. They erected standing stones and knew the whereabouts of all buried treasure.

Scottish legends tell of “Black Dwarves”–the word “black” possibly a description for their appearance or temperament.

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warfs are a part of our dim recollections of the distant past. Ancient legends and folklore from all over the world describe dwarfs as hoarders of gold, builders of swords, and masters of alchemy. Christianity denounced the legacy of the dwarfs as part of pagan mythology and much of the truth about them was lost or forgotten. Scholars attempting to reconstruct the history of ancient times have come to the conclusion that dwarfs were, in fact, a technologically advanced race that preceded our own.

Over the centuries countless numbers of dwarfs traversed the passageways.

The floors in many connecting tunnels were sunken and worn perfectly smooth by the daily hubbub of hundreds of bustling pedestrians.

Dogs were used to transport goods between tunnels attended by young striplings.