The Dawi are an ancient and industrious race that is long past its prime. Their once-great empire of Karak Ankor now lies in ruins and many of the Dawi mighty mountain holds have been abandoned or conquered by Orcs and Goblins, with whom the Dawi have warred for centuries.
It is not uncommon to hear a Dawi wistfully recall the great glories of the past, observing bitterly that nothing the Dawi do in this day and age can compare to the majesty of what once was. An enormously proud people, the Dwarfs are quick to react to any slight, real or imagined, and remember any such infraction for years, even passing on the responsibility of vengeance to their heirs through their Books of Grudges.
It is perhaps because of their obstinate pride that the Dwarfs refuse to openly admit that their culture is slowly creeping towards its nadir. Inwardly, however, they know that they are a doomed race. This gives them a uniquely dour outlook upon the world and perhaps explains their great fondness for drowning their sorrows in tankard after tankard of ale. In fact, the only thing that the Dwarfs love more than a good mug of ale is gold.
A Dawi in the throes of gold lust is a thing to behold. The races legendary drive and stamina is brought into sharp relief when they are presented with the opportunity to acquire gold. As miners and experts on ore and metals, the Dawi are without peer. Items of Dawi craftsmanship and engineering are the most valuable in all the world, revered even by the Asur. The fates of the Dwarfs and men of the Empire are inextricably intertwined.
Ever since the day Sigmar united the tribes of men in the defense of the Dawi at the Battle of Black Fire Pass, the stout warrior-folk have honored their oath to come to the aid of men in times of need. With the fate of the Empire now hanging in the balance, it seems that this old debt may soon come to call.