Where in the FR dwarven timeline do we stand?
Let's completly forget the 4th edition, not even worth mentioning.
We have 3 possible canon source possible.
1st Edition:
Dwarven apotheosis, settlements everywhere, very prolific races.
2nd Edition:
Saying better than I could do.Shield or mountain dwarves (the variety that live in Mithral Hall and other dwarven settlements in the North) are being driven to extinction. They are fighting goblins of all stripes (goblins, orcs, and hobgoblins primarily) and killing many of them, but the goblin races reproduce much more quickly. Therefore dwarves are diminishing quickly. The shield dwarves have become very fatalistic as a result and are divided generally into two categories, the hidden and wanderers. The hidden have reacted to their impending doom by hiding away and throwing themselves into their work. They seek constant self-improvement in trades such as smithing and mining. Wanderers have taken to the road in an attempt to do such great deeds that dwarves will be well remembered when they are all gone.
3rd Edition:
Getting out of being a race in extinction to a prolific race (in term of birthing rate), clash of the generation.
The old one are still in their extinction mindset while the younger are eager for the world and curious about everything the ancient abhore like arcane magic and others races.
I don't really mind where we put ourselves, if we want to follow the canons, then I would say we move toward 3rd edition little by little and take the revamp of MH as a good opportunity.
But I'm eager to know what the others thinks about it
Brar