In the annals of history it is hard to find a race as influential as the ancient Duru. Reigning supreme as the architects of the Dawn Empire, their towering constructs and intricate workings are celebrated as marvels of ancient engineering and continue to captivate scholars and cultivators alike throughout the multiverse.

However, while the accomplishments and works of the Duru rightly occupy the prominent focus of historical study, it is a grave misstep to overlook the pivotal contributions of the other ancestral races during the height of the Dawn Empire.

The Shadowkin: These enigmatic beings, cloaked in perpetual twilight, were the pioneers of ream travel and were the first to venture into the spirit world, the realm beyond the physical plane. Their mastery of this ethereal domain allowed for groundbreaking advancements in communication and transportation, paving the way for a truly unified Empire.

The Giants: Towering figures of immense strength, the Giants possessed an unparalleled understanding of Aetherium, the magic quasi-stone that makes up all Duru artefacts. Their ingenuity made possible the construction of the colossal Duru structures, feats of engineering that continue to defy explanation.

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The Humans: Often dismissed as the weakest of the ancient races, humans possessed an invaluable asset - their adaptability and boundless imagination. They were the inventors, the artists, the ones who translated Duru Concepts into practical applications, breathing life into the Empire's grand designs.

The Spiderkin: Arguably the most intriguing, yet tragically lost, race were the Spiderkin. Possessing an innate connection to the Firstborn entity known as the Spinner on High, they were the closest allies to the Duru. Their unique ability to see intricate connections and patterns was instrumental in unravelling the mysteries of Aetherium and unlocking its true potential. Sadly, the Spiderkin vanished alongside the Duru during the Cataclysm, taking with them a wealth of knowledge and the potential to access the most enigmatic Duru technologies.

Understanding the contributions of each race is crucial to appreciating the true brilliance of the Dawn Empire. It was not just the power of the Duru, but the combined ingenuity of all these ancient races that gave rise to a civilization that continues to inspire awe millennia after its fall.

Excerpt from "The Dawnforge Ancients" by Lord Archivist Pelori