Duer

The Duer were an ancient group of dwarves native to the Djot-ten planet of Nem. Largely considered to be the premier inter-planar nation, the Duer were responsible for the rediscovery of Aethership technology following the Cataclysm.

Much of the proliferation of the Terran and Duer language families can be attributed to the colonization of the planes under the ancient Duer nation.

Pre-History
Archaeological evidence places the first dwarves in the Duer region as early as the Brass Age, though the nation would not be officially founded for two more epochs. The early dwarves of the area (known as proto-Duerians) are known to have constructed several large-scale buildings of ornately carved stone, some of which have been preserved through magical means.

The Topaz Age
As the planet of Jixal began to rise in economic importance, a golden age of exploration arose on Djot-ten. Most known habitable planets and planetary systems were discovered by use of the newly-invented cavernship; the planet of Nem was rediscovered and apparently found to be uninhabited.

For several centuries, Nem was a unified territory under Jixal rule, operating as a major trade hub in its respective sector. The first nation of Nem to break away from the greater Jixal kingdom was the religious group known as Djot. The Duer revolution followed shortly thereafter and the Duer nation was officially founded.

Maintaining its position as a minor trade authority on Djot-ten, Duer continued to see steady economic growth for several centuries.

The Shale Age
The re-invention of the Aethership in Duer marked the fall of the Topaz Age. Discovering the ability to consistently reach beyond the confines of Djot-ten, the Duer nation expanded rapidly across the planes. Most material planes saw at least a minor Duer colony, while many were wholly colonized by the dwarven nation.

This period of rapid Duer exploration and colonization is known as the Shale Age.