Now of all the beings made in the final creation it cannot be written, but the tale of a few may be told.

Behold, the first creatures placed upon the Earth after the Creator began the last creation were the children of Pelor, who are called gnomes. And even as Pelor is hasty, so are his people. And thus it is, each creature having some portion of the nature of the Bright One who created it. Thus do the Dragons say that we hold some small part of the gift of the Creator.

Now among all the races created in the last creation by the hands of the Bright Ones, the races of the Elves and Dwarves have gained the most renown on the Earth. For though each creature has a purpose and a destiny, to each is given according to his ability and according to his needs.

And to one is given a great loud song, and another a soft song, but every song has its place in the great chorus of the Creation.

The race of Dwarves was made by Brethain the smith. Now when the world was first made, Brethain of all the Bright Ones took the most joy in this making, for while all others looked forward to the making of life, Brethain took much joy in the making of stone and the shaping of mountains. And he was pleased to place precious metals among the stones. It was his delight to stud the mountains with gems, yea he rejoiced to make beauty beneath the stones where it would lie hidden until searched out.

So it was that when Brethain set out to make a race to dwell upon the Earth that he created his race in the caverns beneath the ground. Thus it is not known when the Dwarves first set foot upon the Earth, for they had already been long in their caverns when they first came to the surface and met the other races.

Of the love that Brethain had for stone the dwarves have a generous measure, delighting above all in delving in stone. They work the treasures of Brethain, gold and silver, diamond, ruby, sapphire and all the many other bounties of the stones, with love and skill. Other beings live in the deep caverns, but none love them as the Dwarves do.

"Drevass... does the Book say anything about humans?"

The large dragon shook his head. "It says a little, but not very much. Nobody knows which of the Bright Ones made them, or what their destiny is. And I know only a little of their own lore, you no doubt know much more than I."

"I don't think human lore says anything about a destiny, though most stories I've heard say that Aldon made them. But the Book says that he couldn't make things. So are the human religions all a lie?"

Drevass smiled. "That depends on how you look at it. Whether the story of creation they tell is true, or the story in the Book is true, I know that most of the human religions teach what the Book teaches, and that's goodness and love. Though much evil has come of religion too, among them and among us. But I myself tend to think that more good has come of it than bad. We all have to judge for ourselves though. I asked you to read the Book of Truth so that you would understand dragons, most of us follow it, to a greater or lesser degree. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."