Norse legends about dwarves

[Yusei]

Hi,

I'm writing some dwarf-centered adventures, as a kind of prelude to a Moria campaign. I have a bunch of ideas, and I'm trying to avoid being too dungeony and treasure-hunty. Do you guys know of norse legends or tales that involve dwarves? I remember one where a dwarf had lost its name in a bet, and had to do a quest in order to get it back (but I don't think it's an old tale, it comes from the Thorgal comic-book), I'm looking for stuff like that, mostly for tales that do not involve searching for gold or killing orcs

[Boneguard]

The Edda (Prose or Poetic) could be of help; and the Nibelung does contain a Dwarf Character.

IIRC, there is also a belief among some Scholars, that the Norse "Dark Elf" and "Black Elf" are in fact a reference to the dwarfs.

It's not much, but I hope it helps.

[Mim]

You can also write something about the descendants of the Petty-dwarves from the First Age.

For example, read Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" from The Tolkien Reader.

If you want to use other houses, take a look at another company's boxed Moria set.

[SirKicley]

I remember a story of 7 dwarves all living with a pretty lass in the woods and they mined all day.....

[Arthadan]

I have just read "The Children of Odin" by padraic Colum. It's a very light aproximation to Norse Mythology and Dwarfs show up in some stories.

They don't care at all about the matters of the Gods and they are mainly crafters of incredible things such the chain that holds wolf Fenrir until the coming of Ragnarök, Gungnir (the spear of Odin), Mjollnir (the Hammer of Thor) and some more innusual things such a golden boar that can fly called Gullinbursti or a ship called Skidbladnir or Skithblathnir which is the biggest and best crafted.

They are always greedy and they demand favours in return of their goods. For example, in exchange of the necklace Brisingamen, the Godess Freya had to "marry for one and night" all the four Dwarfs who had made it.

Then there is also the tale of a Dwarf named Andvari that turn himself into a fiery fish to protect his hoard. He is finally captured by Loki and the Dwarf curses his treasure.

So I think, you can build up some legends about powerful items crafted for lost kings by Dwarves and the price they demanded for them. Also something about a legendary Dwarf-treasure protected by some mighty guardian placed by the Dwarf that crafted it or the spirit ofthe Dwarf and so on.

[Yusei]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do intend to use other houses than the Longbeards, but I'd rather stay clear of published MERP/Decipher stuff because I'd like to avoid copyright issues in case I want to make my adventures public. (That and Amazon doesn't want to send Moria books to my country, for some reason.)

SirKickley: I believe that story already got reused in Tales from Wilderlands

[Mim]

Arthadan's excellent reference to "The Children of Odin" (thank you!) reminds me of Alan Garner's books, The Weirdstone of Brisengamen & The Moon of Gomrath.

Don't let their contemporary (well, early 1960s) setting fool you, because you can tweak them quite nicely into an adventure using a couple of his Dwarves, Uthecar Hornskin & Fendodyree Squabnose. They're a mix of Norse & Celtic, but a different twist that may keep your players on their toes .

[eax]

Oh, the legends involving dwarves are in my opinion some of the best. One of my favorite is the murder of Kvaser by the dwarves Fjalar and Galar. Then they brew a mead on his blood which gives great skills in poetry to whoever drinks it.

The group of dwarves called the sons of Ivalde created many wonderous gifts for the gods, including the hammer mjolnir, after a bet with Loki. The stakes involved in the bet was Lokis head, but when the dwarves came to collect it Loki said the could have the head but not a bit of the throat. Enraged at Lokis trickery they sewed his mouth shut.

These are two of the legends I read as a kid, hope it gives some inspiration.

[MrHemlocks]

More to William Morris: Two Books that Inspired J. R. R. Tolkien-The House of the Wolfings and The Roots of the Mountains Both have the dwarf in them...Maybe not old enough for you?

[Sprigg]

This thread has given me several ideas, including using the werewolf of Mirkwood as the base for a Fenrir-like creature. The party would have to search for the only dwarf in middle earth who could fashion a chain to restrain the beast, maybe even links of a chain to be reforged. Could be an excellent way to tie in a trip to Gundabad or Moria...