The Duergar are a society of dwarves who were collectively enslaved long ago by the Illithid. Their contact with the eldritch beings has granted them unusual psychic abilities, including their natural talents of enlarging in size and becoming invisible at will. They revolted against their captors and now mostly reside in the deepest places in the earth.
They are an artless, xenophobic and joyless people. Displays of weakness and emotion are forbidden. They are known to despise other Dwarves, the Illithids, and anyone who resides on the surface. Duergar society exists solely to amass personal wealth and fight perceived enemies. They are a dark reflection of the more commonly known dwarven clans whose genuine love of industry and artifice fuel inspiration for generations.
Work or Die.
-Vozala Spikefist
Meeting a Duergar on the surface of the world is extremely unusual. Perhaps the endless night in Icewind Dale has inspired them to conquer new lands beyond the underdark.
Our pockets are never full. Our fight is never done. Our resolve is never shaken.
– The Three Rules of Conduct