Ardoth

Ardoth is a harsh, dry and hazardous planet, and homeworld to the Dwarves. The surface is marked by dangerous dust storms, intense heat and little to no surface vegetation. Because of this, the vast majority of the population lives beneath the surface, which has been the foundation to much of Dwarven society since time immemorial.

The planet is filled with minerals and riches, which continues to supply the Dwarven Forge Worlds with an abundance of raw materials to propel the collective into the unknown.

A Surface of Fire


The Surface of Ardoth is harsh and unforgivable. Even for a Dwarf the surface is uncomfortable, to a human it is dangerous at most times, and to an Elf it is next to unlivable. Most of the harshness of the world comes from the dryness and intense winds, resulting dust storms than can rage for months. Even in the colder climates of the planet, the heat is just replaced by a dry cold and thin air.

But this does not mean the surface is completely devoid of life, scattered across the surface are pockets of fertile areas, mostly valleys with large mountain ridges which protect from the winds and maintain moisture. What's more, the surface itself is home to wondering lifeforms which provide, among other things, a source of shade and food.

A World Beneath the Sands


While at a glance life appears to be a scarce resource on Ardoth, nothing could be farther from the truth. Beneath the fiery surface sands lies multiple complex eco systems in a network of caves and caverns. And perhaps more importantly, this is where the Dwarves truly call home. Massive cities and industrial complexes fill the caverns and dug-out mines and quarries, while they continue to expand down and outwards into the crust itself. This is the world most Dwarves think of when Ardoth is mentioned.

The Dwarven communities and cities themselves are few in number, as the harshness of the conditions on Ardoth has lead to communities being densely populated pockets. While there are some small communities that spring up from time to time, the majority of Dwarven Civilization is within the 12 cities.

Monuments to Artistry


For a tourist, what the planet lacks in terms of comfortable resorts of island retreats, it more than makes up for in architecture and wonder. The Dwarves are nothing if not great craftsmen, and the cities of Ardoth is filled with numerous examples of this, some dating back millennia.