Duergar | Shadow Dwarfs of the North

In folklore and gaming, Duergar (also known as Gray Dwarves) are malevolent subterranean beings. While popularly known today through Dungeons & Dragons, their origins lie in the traditional folk tales of Northumberland, England. 

The Duergars of Simonside (English Folklore)

In the folklore of the North of England, specifically the Simonside Hills in Northumberland, Duergars are a malicious race of "Shadow Dwarfs" known for their enmity toward mankind. 

• Appearance: They are described as broad, stout figures, shorter but stronger than men. Traditional descriptions portray them wearing lambskin coats, moleskin trousers, and hats made of moss.
• Behaviour: Known as the "worst and most malicious order of fairies," they delight in leading travellers astray after dark. They often use flickering torchlight to lure victims into dangerous bogs (moss hags) or over precipices.
• Abilities: These creatures are said to have the supernatural ability to appear and vanish at will. They are fiercely protective of their hills and moors and may resort to physical violence if their tricks fail.

Duergar in Dungeons & Dragons

In fantasy settings like the Forgotten Realms, Duergar are an offshoot of the dwarven race living in the Underdark. 

• Physiology: They are characterized by ashen-gray skin, bald heads (for both males and females), and a lean, wiry build. Unlike surface dwarves, they have a special vulnerability to sunlight.
• Innate Magic: Due to generations of experimentation by Mind Flayers, Duergar possess psionic-like abilities, most notably the power to turn invisible and enlarge their physical size to that of an ogre.
• Culture: They are a pessimistic, industrious, and tyrannical society that values toil and utilitarianism above all else. They harbor a deep-seated hatred for their surface-dwelling cousins, whom they believe abandoned them to slavery.