Dwarven Architecture ~ Revisited

Notes:

1. This post is very image heavy, apologies! Believe it or not, this is the edited collection…
2. All images are presented in galleries, you can click and enlarge to see more details.
3. This is very much a layperson’s broad take on Dwarves & Architecture, so would be interested in hearing comments!

The inspiration for Modern Fantasy Dwarves

A few years ago, I put together a very quick series of photographs of Dwarven Architecture across various games. I had noticed that there seems to be a generally agreed style of dwarven architecture across different fantasy worlds, which I suspect traces back to The Lord of the Rings (as most fantasy tropes tend to). I find it interesting that a fantasy race (and it is not the only example) has such conformity across so many different worlds. Of course, there are differences but they are still broadly recognisable as dwarves.

Although, I believe, the characteristics of modern fantasy dwarves have been largely set by Tolkien, he was inspired by the folklore and myths of Germanic Europe, particularly Norse and Anglo-Saxon mythologies. In these sagas and tales, generally speaking, dwarves were people who lived in mountains or stones and were skilled at crafts. Their physical appearance and their role in tales varied but we can clearly see the beginnings of the characteristics of modern, fantasy dwarves.

We first meet Tolkien’s dwarves in The Hobbit and again in The Lord of the Rings.  The Hobbit follows Thorin, his party of dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf on the quest to reclaim Erebor from Smaug. In the Lord of the Rings, the focus was not on the dwarves but the fellowship did spend some time in the Mines of Moria. Tolkien described the Mines of Moria in hints and broad sweeps, with some detailed description of the environment. I believe his aim was to invoke something that was at once grand and majestic (to show the dwarves’ skill and wealth and subsequent decline) but also mysterious, dark and frightening as the fellowship are harried through the mines. From the chapters dealing with the journey through Moria, we read descriptions of lots of stairs and arches, mighty pillars, black polished walls, wide halls, stone doors, lots of passages and tunnels with dark pits and fissures. From Gimli’s poem, the Song of Durin, we learn of the great realm and city of Dwarrowdelf, that it was full of light and splendour. It describes lamps of crystal shining with the light of the sun and the moon. It is a huge contrast to the environs they are travelling through and it really sparks the imagination, both in its current state and how it might have been.

As I’m not an expert in Architecture by any means, I did much googling, and it seems that dwarven architecture in video games seems to be inspired by Mayan and Aztec architecture, and Art Deco, particularly in regard to friezes and decoration.  The pictures below are examples of Art Deco and Mayan/Aztec styles I found online (links at end of post). Art Deco itself, drew upon many ancient cultures for their designs, particularly the arts of Africa, Mesoamerica and Asia but also from archaeological discoveries. There are also nods to other styles (Classical, Gothic) with the vaulted ceilings and pillars, some of the inside halls are very cathedral like. If you have played The Lord of the Rings Online or any of the games I discuss below, these images should resonate with you.

Dwarven architecture is also reminiscent of how dwarves are generally described – they generally live in vast halls under the mountain, are extremely skilled at crafting with metal and stone. Dwarves mine, they are always mining something and usually too deep. Quite often they have suffered some kind of catastrophe. They usually enjoy their ale and can seem dour with a hot temper but they are also durable, brave and honourable. They are almost always described as short and stocky but their buildings are anything but! Both dwarves and their architecture tend to be instantly recognisable. 

I will mostly let the screenshots speak for themselves, but will point out anything interesting. In terms of architecture, look out for the square, blocky buildings, stairs, arches, geometric details, friezes, vaulted ceilings, pillars, verticality (sheer drops!) and just the sheer scale of building.

Films & Tv Series

I’ve included a couple of screenshots from the tv/film series as a starting point. I like that the Rings of Power shows the Dwarves at the height of their splendour and the Lord of the Rings trilogy shows Moria after the Balrog.

The Lord of the Rings Online

Lotro is inspired directly by the books rather than the films, you can see common elements and are immediately recognisable. In Lotro, you can play as a dwarven character and visit many iconic dwarven locations. The Mines of Moria are currently in a desolate and derelict state, Erebor is thriving and is an example of the splendour of the dwarves, and finally Gundabad has been reclaimed and the dwarves are in the process of rebuilding and rooting out the remnants of the previous occupiers. I absolutely love the art style of lotro, it is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric. The first picture is dark, it is worth clicking to see the detail!

Return to Moria

Again, based directly on the books, this is a survival game where you (a dwarf) are tasked with finding your way through the Mines and a way out. It takes place some years after the final battle and you are initially part of a team sent to reclaim the Mines. The visuals are stunning and although different in detail to Lotro, it still very much feels like the Mines of Moria. You can see runic writing in picture 5 (which is also shown in the film screenshot above). (I truly wish all games had some kind of in-game photography tool)

Dragon Age

It was from the DA wiki that I found the Mayan/Aztec influence reference but I think that influence is true for most dwarven architecture that I have seen. In Dragon Age: Origins, you can play as a dwarf and you start in Orzammar the home of the dwarves, which is also a major questing focus later in the game. In Inquisition, you can also play as a dwarf and although you do not visit Orzammar, you do visit dwarven outposts and the Deep Roads. The dwarves mine metals and stone and are skilled craftspeople but they are also the only ones able to mine Lyrium (a magic substance).

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

The main Dwarven home is in Bordinar’s Cleft, if you play as a dwarf, this is your starting area. Although Vanguard has officially closed down, if you previously owned the game, you can still play via an emulator (which is still a work in progress but playable). This is the dwarves’ new city, their previous home (Dargun’s Tomb – now a dungeon) having been “lost”. A note from the dev who built this zone, explains that he chose for Bordinar’s Cleft the Classical style with Celtic decor and iconography, and Dargun’s Tomb in the Gothic style (to show the evolution of their design). 

Everquest 2

There used to be a dwarven home area within Qeynos but it is now an instanced area, only accessible through racial quests (if you play as a dwarf). Kaladim, in the Butcherblock Mountains, was partially destroyed and invaded during the Cataclysm by the Hordes of Serilis. The Irontoe Brigade are now planning on reclaiming their ancestral home.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls’ dwarves are pretty interesting, here they are known as dwarves or dwemer. The dwemer seem to be more elven in appearance rather than the traditional dwarf appearance (they do have beards though!) and the mer suffix shows they are related to the other mer races (e.g. bosmer, orsimer etc). There is a story that suggests they were called dwarves as the giants found them short. The dwemer all disappeared after the Battle of Red Mountain and no one knows why or how. There are a few theories but no official explanation.  

They do have many of the traits typically associated with dwarves: they lived underground and were exceptional stonemasons, forgers, and engineers. Here though, there is a magitech element mixed in along with being highly skilled in mathematics and science. Their architectural style is still recognisable as being dwarven, however it involves more magitech and metallic elements such as machinery & robots.

I have shown images here of Markarth and of the entrance to Nchuand Zel. 

The Elder Scrolls Online

The dwarves here are the same as in Skyrim of course, I’ve chosen some shots of Markarth to compare to Skyrim. There are also shots of one of their underground cities to show the brass, magitech nature of the buildings. 

Craft the World

I’ve played this game for quite a while on and off. You control a number of dwarves, and your aim is to craft, explore underground, build and defend your home. There is a lot of leeway with building but it is quite dwarven themed, in terms of decorations, food & drink, armour and weapons. 

1. Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, New South Wales, Australia
2. Bullocks Wilshire Building, Los Angeles, USA
3. Bullocks Wilshire Building
4. Aztec building (with Spanish church behind)
5. Reconstruction of an Aztec house
6. Reims Cathedral, France