Dwarfs

"The Ancestors smile upon our quest — now let us make them proud!" Loyal, resolute and strong, the Dawi, as the Dwarfs refer to themselves, descend from a lineage marked out by greatness. During their long and storied history, they ruled an empire stretching out across the Old World, holding most of the land in their iron grip; the finest miners, craftsmen and warriors all hailed from their mighty Halls. Now, while their skills are no less coveted, the Dwarfs once glorious empire has long since crumbled amidst centuries of war, and the vast treasures they once held lie scattered among their numerous enemies. The years since have seen many of the great Holds, that were once centres of culture and industry, fall to the relentless onslaught of their foes. They now lie in ruin, and only a few remain standing as the last bastions of the ancient Dawi homeland. But all is recorded in the Dammaz Kron; within the Book of Grudges is written every slight the Dwarfs have suffered, to one day be avenged by the proud sons of Karaz Ankor. There are none more proud than Thorek Ironbrow, the Master Runelord of Karak Azul. A staunch traditionalist and defender of the old ways, Thorek maintains that only by looking to the glorious image of the past will the Dawi finally be able to carve out a future. It is the weapons forged the old way, under his strict tutelage, that the warriors of Karaz Ankor wield to defend the realm. Thorek is no stranger to battle either. In times of great need, he will join the fray beside the Anvil of Doom, and smite the foes of the Dawi with his formidable runed hammer Klad Brakak. And it is clear such times of need are at hand. Under the instruction of the High King, the Runelord has assembled an expedition force and journeyed to the unfamiliar landscape of the New World. It is written in the Book of Grudges, that there among the dense jungles of Lustria will be found the most powerful of stolen Relics — Artefacts of the Ancestors which must be reclaimed! With their strength, Thorek is certain that the ancient glory of the Dwarfs may yet still be reclaimed. Though the New World is strange and alien, brimming with threats both new and old, he remains unshaken. Nothing will stand between him and the task of recovering what once was lost. There are Grudges to be stricken from the Dammaz Kron, and past wrongs to be set right. By the will of the Ancestors, Thorek Ironbrow is determined to take back what is rightfully theirs, and finally restore the legacy of their wonderous past once and for all.

Karak Eight Peaks was once a Greathold, second only to the majesty and strength of Everpeak in the Karaz Ankor. It was ruled by Clan Angrund, whose Royal line can trace its Ancestry back to Grungni and Valaya, which makes the loss of Eight Peaks the most bitter of grudges for all Dwarfs. None feel it more so than the descendants of King Lunn, the last Dwarf to sit on its throne. Since the fall of Karak Eight Peaks, Clan Angrund has scattered across the Karaz Ankor but retained significant sway simply because of its legacy. When Belegar Ironhammer, descended from King Lunn, rose to power he made great oaths - that he would not rest until the lost Hold had been reclaimed and he, its rightful heir, sat upon its throne. The High King, Thorgrim Grudgebearer, was initially sceptical – Ironhammer’s expedition would not be the first to attempt such a feat. Karak Eight Peaks has notoriously been riddled with foes of all kinds ever since its fall. Currently, a particularly sneaky and cunning Night Goblin 'Warlord' rules the upper levels of Eight Peaks, one who has easily thwarted such quests in the past. Yet two things work to Belegar's advantage. Skarsnik has problems of his own right now - problems of the mutinous kind - and Belegar has a will of iron, as a great leader who excels at subterranean warfare. It should be noted, though, that this is his fourth attempt to recapture his Ancestral fortress, to the great shame of all Dawi, living or dead. However, the Ironhammer will not easily be stopped. Finally, after decades spent fostering the support of Guilds and allies, and with the full support of the High King, Belegar gathers Clan Angrund at Karak Izor. Once more a throng of vengeful Dwarfs will set off under Ironhammer’s command, to claim what is rightfully theirs!

For as long as there has been the Karaz Ankor, there has been the White Dwarf. Grombrindal is an enigmatic figure, recorded throughout the Dwarfs' history, appearing to give aid to his bearded kin whenever their situation becomes especially dire. However, what can one Dwarf do when a Karak is besieged by thousands of Greenskins, or a Dwarf throng surrounded and outnumbered by a warherd of braying, ravenous Beastmen? In Grombrindal’s case, turns out he can do quite a lot; the White Dwarf is a mighty warrior, some say bettered only by Grimnir himself. Every slash of his legendary axe sees the heads of urks tumble from their dishonourable shoulders. Grombrindal has faced armies of thousands on his own and won, which is why many believe him to be a living Ancestor. According to the bards he was - and maybe still is - the lover of the venerated hearth goddess Valaya. Grombrindal himself is never drawn on such a vulgar subject, even when the beer starts to flow during the inevitable post-battle feasts. This matters little to most Dwarfs, who are just grateful to have fought beside such a legend and lived to tell of his deeds and achievements on the battlefield. Long before most other Dwarfs have sobered, the White Dwarf dons his hooded cloak and wanders away into the night - for there are always more Dawi to aid, more urks to slay!

Thorgrim Grudgebearer is the current High King of the Dwarfs. He is a throwback to the High Kings of old - eager for new conquests, mighty in battle, and a merciless enemy. Yet upon his worn brow, there also sits great wisdom, and he is able to uphold the ancient traditions as well as to accept (if not embrace) needed changes, such as alliances and new technology. Thorgrim is forever brooding upon how to return his people to their former glory. As the ultimate ruler of the Dwarfs, the Great Book of Grudges is entrusted into his keeping. It is Thorgrim’s avowed wish to avenge every single entry contained in that voluminous tome. Such is his resolve that he has already rejuvenated the Karaz Ankor. Tales of his deeds, and the long list of grudges already struck out, fill his grim warriors with the feeling that the Dwarfs have long done without: hope. A new age of retribution has begun.

The tale of Ungrim’s family is full of woe, as those in the Clan of Royal blood bear a history of calamities. Many years ago, King Barador, Ungrim’s five-time great-grandsire, suffered a terrible loss which drove him to take the Oath of the Slayers to forevermore seek death in battle at the hands of the most deadly enemy they can find. He was torn between conflicting vows: the Slayer Oath to seek out death and the oath of a King to protect his people. His son inherited his vows and continued the line of Slayer Kings, of which King Ungrim Ironfist is but the latest. Although Ungrim cannot seek his death in the Slayer fashion, he grows ever more restless, leading the throng of Karak Kadrin into countless battles. Inspired by his High King and seeking to avenge the death of his lone son who was slain, Ungrim will march to war with the least provocation.