OK, Quick and dirty backstory submission
Dark Crucible: The Divine Wager
Among the gods, there has always been a rivalry between the divinities of darkness, and those of creation. War in heaven has been tried in the past, but the results are too terrible even for the gods themselves. Even the lords of eternal night have forsworn to never act in such a way again.
Instead, to settle disputes and challenges, a system of "resolution through proof" was established. It was through this new celestial decree, that the world of the Dark Crucible was created.
The forces of light and creation, disturbed by the corrupt and destructive nature of the beings produced by the forces of darkness, laid a challenge before their dark kinsmen. "We labor eternally to create worlds of peace and harmony, and you create nothing. You take what we have made, and twist it into horrors. You take the great forests we labor to cultivate, and turn them into barren expanses of death and decay. We challenge you-- CREATE SOMETHING OF YOUR OWN."
And so, they did.
In a shameless mockery of the denizens of light and creation, the dark gods created this world; Ever effort was taken. The safe, orderly matter of the world's foundations was instead produced from the essences of pestilence, pain, cruelty and decay itself given solid forms. Unfathomable numbers of unspeakable horrors were created wholesale, and placed upon the world. Vast forests of evil, seas of despair, deserts of madness, and savannas of cruelty were meticulously crafted. Then finally-- In a final backhanded blow, the gods of darkness performed one final act of blasphemous creation.
They created perfect replicas of the favored children of the light-- Elves, Men, and Dwarves, and placed them into this savage charnel-house of their design. To test their plans, then watched for over 1000 years, as the creatures they had made ruthlessly slaughtered the facsimiles of the light-- Quickly, Efficiently, and in their totality. Content with their design, they issued their own challenge.
"let us see, oh brothers, which of our creations is indeed the most fitting!" Hissed the dark lords in bellicose laughter, having thoroughly tested and perfected their world. "Your children-- OR OURS. You complain that our children threaten the existence of yours in your precious green worlds. Worlds that are soft, and easy. We have risen to your challenge-- We have made a world of our own. A PERFECT WORLD. Now, Prove that your children are greater than ours! Send forth the strongest and most stalwart of your children, and subdue this world-- The world of our challenge-- If you can! You may send aid twice, and twice only-- and then your children must prosper, or you concede the challenge!" they rasped; Gleaming sharp teeth behind blood soaked lips and glowing eyes. "Rise to our challenge, or admit your hollow conceit!"
And so, One fateful day on that doom-spoken world, 7 dwarves awoke next to a wagon loaded with supplies, Alone, and besieged on all sides. A booming voice came from all around.
"DIG! Strike the earth! Conquer and Subdue this harsh land! Be Vigilant, for we are watchful, You who are the hope of the light. Bring order to this land of chaos!"
Then all was silent.