One of many sagas about Thorin Metalturner this particular rendition was written by an unknown Loremaster in the year 525 and is the oldest of those recorded dating back some 2100 years. It tells the story of the flight of the Thorinkin from their ancestral home of Dru Grimthorn in Imperial Year -335, the bravery of the people during that flight and the final stand of Thorin and the Warriors of Dru Grimthorn on the bridge into Karak Azul.

The saga itself is not complete and the version below contains only the smallest part of what was once a tale that could, in the narrative tradition of the Thorinkin, take hours and sometimes days to recite. It however is the most widely known and recited among the people of Karak Thorinkin, and this shorter version is taught to all Beardlings by their parents.

The Origins of a conflict and of the death of a King
Karak Thorinkin and the lands of Tilea 2545 - 2575

Being a partial account of the war between realm of Karak Thorinkin and the Kingdoms of the Wood Elven people of Tilea and the Border Princes regions of the Old World.

New beginnings and first contact 2545-2560
Ascending to the throne of Karak Thorinkin in 2520 following the death of his father at the 'Battle of Skull River' King Druegar Stromnisson's reign had passed through 40 years of fire, blood and chaos. The invasion of Archeon's Chaos hordes in 2523, the death of the Kings kinsmen Lord Kurgin at the hands of Archeon himself in 2525, and the massacre of the mining expedition to Karag Gloin in 2534 were but two of the dark events that marked the opening decades of Druegar's Kingship. However, in 2559 the fortunes of King Druegar and Karak Thorinkin finally turned with the striking of a 1000 year old grudge from the holds Great Book of Grudges. The king himself, after an invasion of the southern regions of the Empire, had led the host of Karak Thorinkin to victory over the descendants of the oathbreaker Baron Northover killing in single combat his reigning male heir. In the year following the return of the host of Karak Thorinkin to the hold three events saw the eternal shadow lift from the people of Thorinkin.

The first was the birth of King Druegars son, Kurgin Gimgrim (Kurgin in honour of his fallen kinsmen, and Gimgrim meaning Eternal light in honour of a new dawn for his people), near the end of 2559. The second was the re-opening and strengthening of trade with the human realms of Tilea, especially the human city of Miragliano, trade that bolstered the depleted treasury of the hold and allowed it to recover from decades of war. The third and by far the most important, although none knew it at the time, was the founding of a new brewery in honour of the Kings newborn son on the borders of the Thorinkins western lands in the Tettoverde Wood.

The western expansion and Kurgins Brewery 2560-2575
Increased trade with the human lands of Tilea poured a steady stream of gold into the realm of Karak Thorikin in the years after the birth of Kurgin Druegarsson. The hold expanded steadily over the next decade. New mines were opened throughout the Thorinkins holdings in the Vaults. The birth of the Kings son was followed by a rapid increase in the holds birth-rate and the establishment of new settlements, farms and outposts particularly along its Western borders.

Foremost among those new settlements were those between the foothills of the Vaults and the Tettoverde Woods in the lands of Tilea. These supplied food and game for the holds growing population, and more significantly the wood that was so important to Clan Ragnells Engineers Guild. The wood provided building materials for the expanding Dwarven farming communities, the new mines, and the all important charcoal needed for the production of Iron Ore, weapons and armour.

More significantly they served the site of the holds new brewery, its first in over five centuries, commissioned by the King to celebrate the birth of his son. Over a period of 15 years the Dwarves of Karak Thorinkin worked tirelessly on the brewery and were at peace in a realm that was glowing with fresh life and new found hope.

But it was not to last.

As the brewery and the holds lands and settlements grew in size so too did the demand for wood, food and game from the Tettoverde forest. For the Dwarves ignorant of the history of that forest such demand seemed sustainable and without long term consequence. Yet the truth was far different.

For centuries the Tettoverde forest had been home to scattered tribes of Wood Elves. Kin of the Wood Elven Kingdoms of the great forests of southern Tilea and the Border Prince Regions, they had settled in the forest slowly and represented the more nomadic members of the Southern Kingdoms tribes and clans. At first the increased trade between the humans of Tilea and the Dwarves of Karak Thorinkin had made little impact on the Elven tribes. However, the brewery had a much greater impact. Requiring large quantities of wood and water the Engineers of Karak Thorinkin had diverted a number of small streams to the brewery site and cleared large areas of forest. The diverted streams were essential to the survival of a number of Wood Elf tribes. As the streams dried up and as the scale of the Dwarven presence in Tettoverde increased the Wood Elves finally reacted.

From 2570 to 72 an increasing number of Dwarves began to disappear from the Tettoverde region. Trade caravans would return with news of the disappearance of one of two members of their party. Members of hunting and tree felling groups also began to go missing in ever increasing numbers. For two years few clues were found too explain these disappearances. Then in 2572 a fire broke out near the brewery site. The fire grew out of control and soon enveloped and destroyed a large swath of the Tettoverde forest. Among the areas destroyed were the burial grounds of several Wood Elf tribes and the ancestral homes of their forest allies the Dryads.

The Wood Elf response was swift and immediate. No longer did single members of various Dwarven parties go missing. In 2572 rangers of Clan Morgral came across a small tree felling settlement it had been burned to the ground and its people, including beardlings, killed. Among the dead were the first firm clues as to the origin of the attackers and the source of the disappearances of the last few years – the bodies of strange woodland creatures and the tall thin and pointy eared corpses of Wood Elves.

Following that attack skirmishes between the Wood Elves and Dwarves in Tettoverde escalated culminating in 2575 with a full scale Elven assault on and the destruction of Kurgins Brewery.

War had begun....

Sigmars Betrayal
The Thorinkins campaign against the Empire

King Druegar Stromnisson paced impatiently as Lof Hammersmith the Thorinkins chief RuneLord and current head of Clan Vagar finished consulting the Great Book of Grudges. Druegars hands were constantly stroking his beard as he moved back and forth in front of his throne as the RuneLords deep voice whispered through the chamber.

"The Grudge is an ancient one my Lord. But one we must now act upon given that it has once again risen its head within our walls. We thought the kin of this Baron Northover was long dead, but this fresh news from the North gives us hope that there are still some in the Empire who share his blood."

"That is good news my friend, good news indeed. For too long has the insult paid by this 'Baron' of men and his brood has gone without resolution. It is has been some 1000 years since that lick spittle betrayed my kin, murdering our envoys seeking to cross through his lands purely for trade."

"The fault is not your own my King, it is mine and that of my Clan. The betrayal came at the time of great peril, you know as, as we all do. It appears that it was entered into the Book by the Runesmiths of King Stellaz Grudgebearer just after the Goblin invasions. In the turmoil that followed that time it was forgotten as new Grudges were added. It is only now that our links with the Empire have been re-forged that my Clan has fulfilled its duty and checked the Book carefully. We thought that Ragani Thoeliksson and Thoelik Goblinhewer had crossed all of the Grudges of that time out of the book, but we were wrong... I was wrong... this one Grudge, this murderous betrayal was left and forgotten until now."

"But not anymore my friend, not anymore... call a meeting of the Clan Thanes. The descendants of this Baron Northover must pay for the murder of our kin in blood."

Some time later the Thanes of the five great clans of Karak Thorinkin met in the Kings hall. Six months had now passed since that first meeting between Druegar and Lof. Six months in which messengers to theEmpire had repeatedly returned with the laughter and derisive responses of the descendants of Baron Northover still ringing in their ears.

"So it is agreed. This new Baron Northover, ruler of the land of Bromley is now an enemy of the Thorinkin. He has refused to resolve our Grudge against his kin, refuses even to acknowledge the legitimacy of our greivance, and he further insults us with his treatment of our envoys. Is our army ready to march."

"Yes my King, it is, and we have ensured that none of the surrounding human lords will interfer in this matter. The High King of Karaz-a-Karak himself has intervened with the Emperor allowing us free rein against this murder and his people. It seems that he has few friends willing to help him."

"Good, we march to war then. We march to the Empire, to fulfill our oaths and to fulfill the Grudge against this Northover and his kin. They shall pay in blood, they shall be wiped clean from the earth as the Grudge shall be wiped from our book and that of the High King himself."

And so it was that in the year 2559 the army of Karak Thorinkin with King Druegar Stromnisson at its head marched forth and into the human lands known as the Empire. In a series of pitched battles of ever increasing size [Battle Report #1] the army of Karak Thorinkin fought and died to meet its Oath. Until finally, on a clear summers day the full might of the hold meet its enemy, bolstered now by mercenarys, including Ogres, and supporters of the Baron Northover. Long and hard they fought [Read Battle Report], the battle swaying back and forth. As darkness fell over the battlefield, both sides retreated to safety, the ground littered with numerous dead including the corpse of Baron Northover. Killed by King Druegar Stromisson himself in single combat. The cost had been high, the Barons few friends had supplied many more troops than the Thorinkin had expected, but the Grudge was fulfilled.

King Druegar Stromnisson ascended to the throne of Karak Thorinkin in the fall of 2520 following the death of his father Stromni Tholiksson at the Battle of Skull River. In the early years of his reign Druegar's wise leadership saw the hold and its people prosper as the Thorinkin entered a period of prosperity not seen since the time of Stellaz Grudgebearer (1524 - 1609). Under his leadership ties with the human realm of Bretonnia were strengthened and fresh trading links established with Elven & independent human settlements in Tilea. The lands controlled by the Thorinkin also expanded with several new settlements and mines founded along the breadth of the mountain ranges known as the 'Vaults'.

Druegar is renowned for his bravery in battle and his steadfast and thoughtful leadership. In battle he is carried forth by two shieldbearers from his clan - Clan Theolik - and wields the Great Axe of Thoelik Goblinhewer inscribed with the Master Rune of Kragg the Grimm and the Rune of Fury. Refusing to carry a shield his armour and body bear numerous scars, including two great wounds taken against Chaos Demons in 2526. Such is his courage however that none of those wounds can be found on his back.

However, the period of prosperity he ushered in upon ascending to the throne was short lived as within a few short years a series of sorrows would befall both the Thorinkin as a people and Druegar himself. Firstly the Storm of Chaos (2523) saw the hordes of Archeon invade the Old World including the lands of the Thorinkin. While the initial Chaos assaults fall on the human realm of the Empire the Thorinkin do little but follow the news brought to them by refugees and ambassadors from the Empire. Only Druegar and few wiser Thanes among the Thorinkin begin preparations for war.

In 2523 news that Archeon and a large part of his force seem to have vanished from the Empire go unheeded by the majority of the Thorinkin that is until northern Thorinkin settlements come under attack. Bloodied refugees from those settlements, many only newly established under Druegars rule, tell of the great Chaos Horde marching toward the Thorinkins Western lands along its border with Bretonnia.

Responding to calls for assistance from their friends in the realm of Bretonnia, and other human settlements in Tilea, Druegar reluctantly gives permission of his kin Lord Kurgin Hadrinsson to march toward Bretonnia to meet the Chaos Horde. In 2525 the Thorinkin suffer the 'Day of Blood' [Read Battle Report] when the forces of Lord Kurgin are met in battle by Archeon himself and annihilated, and a smaller Chaos army assaults the very gates of Karak Thorinkin. Following these battles the Thorinkin learn of Archeons defeat at the hands of a great coalition in the Empire. Just one year later King Druegar Stromnisson leads the remaining forces of Karak Thorinkin in battle against the remnants of Archeons defeated Chaos horde, and is wounded fighting Chaos Spawn and Dragons west of the Copper Mountains. [Read Battle Report]

In the 20 years since these events Druegar has worked hard to restore Karak Thorinkin and the spirits of his people. But at each turn his efforts are thwarted and it seems as if a dark cloud has settled permanently over his reign and his realm. First Skaven incursions along the weakened northern borders see more brave Dwarfs fall, and lastly Grimgor Thalek and his expedition are destroyed at the Iron Mines of Karag Gloin in 2534. In the 11 years since Grimgors last stand, the fortunes of the Thorinkin have barely changed and the darkness that has shrouded Druegar has deepened even further. The few brief years of prosperity established in the first years of his reign now seem a distant memory and in some corners of Karak Thorinkin old wounds are now in danger of re-opening. Whispers and rumours abound and many now fear a second sundering....

It is a cold winter evening in the mountains of Karak Thorinkin. The darkness is heavier, the shadows deeper and the howls of the wind sharper and more cruel to the ears of the sentries on duty around the holds walls. A top one tower a small group of scholars sits, the firelight highlighting the deep lines of age and wisdom on their faces. Among their number is the Holds most reverred story teller, affectionately called Uncle by the Thorinkin. His peers are silent as they await his tale, the first telling of an as yet untold story. Unlike the children who are is normal audience none will interupt him tonight....

..."What I am about to tell you has been heard only as whisper upon rumour, a tale lost to us during the Sundering when its tellers choose exile rather than slay their kin. It is of the true Lost Ones, those we all remember but have, to our shame, failed to recall. The ones we left behind on the long march. We recall with honor those who fell on that march. Those whose lives were sacrificed to preserve our people and allow the building of our home here in these mountains. But we fail to recall those who stayed behind or who were left abandoned on the long march. This is their tale. It is a tale, the truth, of the Thorinkin's first return to Dru Grimthorn. Not the return of Clan Hūndholm recalled by all, but of those we have forgotten but who you will now enter into the annuls of the hold.

It has taken many a year to piece this tale together and their is still much we do not know and cannot know. But this I am certain is the truth. This tale tells of the origin of the feud and the curse that would destroy 'Clan Hūndholm'. It is a tale of darkness, despair, courage, fear and loss. It is one that reaches to the core of the soul of our people to a place we all fear exists and pretend does not. It is the tale of 'Those who remained' - 'The Silent Killers' - 'The Flesh Eaters' of Dru Grimthorn, and these are its words..."

The original tales of the long march and the origins of Karak Thorinkin tell that on the journey from Karak Azul to the lands of Tilea in the years -265 to -250 none of the people of Thorin stayed among the ruins of Dru Grimthorn, their ancestral home. This however was not the full truth, for some did remain small groups and stragglers left behind by the main body of the march or who became lost and separated in the Worlds Edge Mountains, did come to dwell there.

It was only centuries later that word of these groups reached Karak Thorinkin, or rather only after centuries did we admit that we left some of our people behind. Over time the rumours about this forgotten people became stronger. Many among Karak Thorinkin ignored the rumours preferring to focus on their new home, treating them as myth, stories to be forgotten as substantial as the morning breeze. Many others choose to forget to hide the truth, that many of those left behind were abandoned deliberately. Their hearts and souls were corrupted by darkness and Chaos, their minds warped and for the good of the people many were culled from our ranks. But of those who knew the this truth few survived and none now remain save myself. While the truth did not persist the rumours did and among some, notably Clan Hūndholm they became strong and entrenched. Among the Hūndholm it is they that laid the foundation for 'The Sundering' and the eventual exile of Clan Hūndholm in the reign of King Ntahd Ogreender.

The tales of 'Those who remained' the 'First of the Lost' or as they would later become known by their enemies, and the Dwarves of the World's Edge Mountains 'The Silent Killers' & 'The Flesh Eaters', are few but tell clearly of the origins of Clan Hūndholm's eventual destruction at the hands of the Ogres and of Gloric OgreSmitter, whose blood remains with Griminar's grace untouched upon his banner.

In the years -260 to -255 small groups of our people found their way to the ruins of Dru Grimthorn. There they would settle or at least try to settle, hiding as they did from the remnants of the Orc invasions and the Skaven whose plague had begun to infest that region. Of their early years we know little and most of what we do comes from the Orc Shamans who tell of the 'Valley of Death' the place were all things end. That Valley was the valley of Dru Grimthorn, and a place of death it became for the last of the Orc invaders banished forever by the Thorinkin who had found refuge there. Among the Dwarfs first word of the resettlement of Dru Grimthorn came to Karak Azul some two centuries after the long march. Captured Orcs told of the 'Valley of Death' and of the silent killers. They considered them to be ghosts, the shades of our ancestors slaughtered by the horde of Orc Warlord Ugrok Beardburner.

But shades they were not. Scouts from Karak Azul reached Dru Grimthorn and found the 'Silent Killers', found them to be kin of the exiles who once resided in their halls but who left on their long march to a new home. No contact was maintained though. For the people of Karak Azul sensed as some of us had that a shadow lay over the souls of those people. The valley and the Silent Killers were left behind to fend for themselves, the King of Karak Azul forbidding his people to travel there.

For centuries more the 'Silent Killers' lived in that valley. Increasingly isolated and secretive the myth of the Valley of Death peopled by the Ghosts of Dwarves long past grew. Orcs & Skaven also avoided the place. A few travellers made the journey to that Valley to find the ghosts but those few who returned, most did not, saw nothing but shadows, signs of life, signs of settlement, but shadows only. Soon no travellers ventured there at all, none were brave enough to do so. For all those who looked to deeply into the Shadows did not return.

In what we think was the year 400 the Ogres invaded the lands to the South of Karak Azul, and first entered the Valley of Death, home to the Ghosts. We know of this from the annuls of Karak Azul which tell of the Ogre Incursions, and of the mysterious destruction of an Ogre army in the year 402. Marching south and west from Karak Azul a force of Ogres was said to have entered the Valley and failed to return. The sons of the Lord of that force were following some days behind. The annuls of Karak Azul record what happened next.

Ogre Shamans tell of how the Ogre Lords Son's and their army marched toward Dru Grimthorn. As they did so Ogre Legends tell of the Sky darkening, the air becaming heavy and putrid, and of the very ground itself trembling with fear. No sign of their fallen father and their kin did they find. No sign that is until on a small hill a banner was sighted. Upon first sight it appeared to be the banner of their father its symbols and protections bloodied, torn and burnt but still recognisable. But it was not...

...the banner was the skin of their father. Flayed from his corpse our kin, the Ghosts of Dru Grimthorn, the Silent Killers had used it to remake the Ogres banner. At its feet they had pthe Lord's head, cooked among the ashes of the real banner, burnt and mutilated in a manner even the Ogres found hard to stomach. Alongside it was a Dwarven Axe left so they would know who was responsible for the deed, and a message - Leave our Home of suffer your Lord's Fate. On that day the Sons of this Lord and all their kin and people swore a blood oath against any and all Dwarfs who resided in Dru Grimthorn, their kin, their descendants. For the next 60 years they hunted the people all were now calling 'The Flesh Eaters' among the Worlds Edge Mountains. In the year 485 Karak Azul tell us they succeeded and Dru Grimthorn was once again destroyed, the darkness lifted from the valley.

But that was not the end of the tale. For Ogre Shamans and the annuls of Karak Azul told of how each of the Ogre Lords 5 sons, those who swore the Blood Oath, would eventually die. Killed and their skins flayed. Over centuries many of their descendants would suffer the same fate, until their line became cursed with Death. For not all of those who remained were killed. Some survived and for 300 years they hunted the Ogre Lords kin. For 300 years these survivors enacted their vengenance, until no more was heard of them save myth. But while they did not survive the Blood Feud did and its curse would remain forever binding the descendants of the Ogre Lord and his sons, and of any who resided in Dru Grimthorn.

..."that my brothers is the tale of those who remained, and it is why Clan Hūndholm was doomed from the moment it first sought to return to Dru Grimthorn. Doomed to become victims of the Blood Feud and of the Curse of the Flesh that now binds our ancestral home. No more will I tell you tonight..."

The Battle of the Void
[Story coming soon]
[Read Battle Report]

"You remember dont you children of the how the Sundered kin of Clan Hūndholm returned to our ancestral home of Dru Grimthorn to rebuild it from the ashes we left behind millenia before, and how long after they returned there they were destroyed, by the Ogres."

"For centuries prior to the Battle of Skull River the Ogres had been entering the lands of our kindred in the Worlds Edge Mountains, butchering and plundering settlements, destroying caravans and attacking small holds. The Sundereds long quest to rebuild Dru Grimthorn was, we know now, a constant struggle against the incursions of Ogre Marauders and it is from these truths that Clan Hūndholms Oath of Vengenance against the Ogre Clans was born."

"A sickly and cancerous child it was too and the reasons for it have been almost entirely lost, but we know for certain that the purpose of the Sundered became warped and twisted by hatred for the Ogres. Banished from Karak Thorinkin by the treachery of Llad TunnelCut the Usurper they had sought self-exile and redemption in the rebuilding of our ancestral homeland. But the Oath of Vengence they took against the Ogres would consume them as into they directed all of the spite and venom held by their people for Llad the Usurper and his kin. Unwilling to unleash it upon the faithful within Karak Thorinkin it became twisted and warped on the long march back to Dru Grimthorn to eventually it became all they knew."

"But Uncle the old tales, the Book of the Lost, it tells us that Clan Hūndholm were brave, that their deeds stand among the greatest of all Dwarves?"

"Yes my child they do, but underlying all of their great works, or at least those we know of was the Oath of Vengenance. Behind all of their great deeds it lurked and over time grew until it became all the Sundered knew. It was this Oath that gave birth to Gloric the Ogresmitter the Lost Lord of Clan Hūndholm and it is his tale I tell you now..."

The Blood of Gloric Ogresmitter

Of the many tales told by the Eldars of Karak Thorinkin those of the Lost, the exiled kin of Clan Hūndholm, are among the most reverred. Small in number those that can be counted as true, or at least true enough, are treasured beyond all things. Even after 1400 years the wounds caused by the Sundering still fester among the Thorinkin. It is to honor the memory of the Lost and to ensure that no other Usurper wears the crown of Karak Thorinkin that these tales are told to all children within the Hold. It is to one small group that the one such tale is now being told...

... "gather my children and hear of the tale of Gloric the Ogresmitter of the Lost Lord of Clan Hūndholm. Of all the tales of the Lost it is the most reverred and the most sorrowful for it tells of perhaps their greatest triumph after exile and of their death. "

"How old is the story Uncle?"

"It is very old my child. It has been some 1000 years since it was first told in these halls and we believe its events took place. It was in the time of King Stellaz Grudgebearer the Long Lived (1524 - 1609) that this tale was first heard. A traveller from the East, kin from our ancestors refuge of Karak Azul, came to these very halls and stood in the very spot where you now sit and told our Thanes what he knew. Of the exact time his tale tells we do not know but of the truth of the tale we have some evidence."

"What evidence Uncle?"

"Hush child, once again you interupt me... but that is good... questions are the sign of a bright keen mind. The evidence we have is the blood of Gloric Ogresmitter himself returned to us by that traveller some 1000 years before you walked these halls. Blood that you can see there upon the great wall, there upon the Ogre banner near the Centre."

"But that banner is from the Battle of Skull River it was..."

"Yes my child it was, but not originally for it was only carried by our warriors in that battle and later retrieved along with the dead Kings body. Its origins though are far older for it was first brought here over 1000 years ago by the traveller of whom I speak. The blood you see upon it is that of Gloric, of that much we are sure..."

"But how.."

"Griminar and Thorin himself have told us the truth of this my child, and it is through their blessing that the banner is today as it was 1000 years ago, and will be so forever, their blessings and their runes perserving it and Glorics blood."

"So what is the tale Uncle, what did the traveller tell us?"

"Be patient child, this is what the traveller told the Thanes that day...."

to be continued

Of all the dark events in the history of Karak Thorinkin none has scarred the collective memory of the hold more than the years 1125-1135. It was then that the Usurper took the throne from the rightful King Ntahd Ogreender murdering him in his great hall, and Clan Hūndholm chose exile rather than fight their brethern. While the many great deeds of the Clan were restored to full honor and memory under the reign of King Stromni Tholiksson the 'Righteous' the are, and will forever be, known by one name - 'The Lost'. In the 1400 years since the Sundering many a Dwarf has sought to locate 'the Lost' but none have succeeded, and only whispers and rumour upon rumour have been heard of their ultimate fate. But of those whispers there are some that remain true and strong, some are shared by other Holds within the World's Edge Mountains. These are carefully recorded and preserved by Karak Thorinkin as lasting memories of the exiled Clan Hūndholm in a great tome known as Book of the Lost.

Return to the Iron Mines of Karag Gloin 2534

The Sun rose over Karag Gloin, its rays turning the eastern sky blood red as the light played across the low cloud that blanketed most of the horizon. Around the base of the mountain, and in a few places on its upper slopes, the ruins of an ancient Dwarven mining colony of Dulgwidor could still be seen. Once famed for its iron and gold deposits Dulgwidor had been abandoned centuries before following a devastating earthquake. Many Dwarves were killed in that disaster, but it was the Skaven invasion that followed that finally destroyed the colony. Weakened as they were by the earthquake the colonists were forced to destroy their mine shafts and make a fighting retreat to Karak Thorinkin - most never made it back. Quiet for centuries, the Mount and the fortress ruins it overlooked now rang to the sound of metal on metal and loud gruff voices greeting the morning light - Dwarves once again garrisoned the old fortress. Some months previously King Duregar Stromnisson of Karak Thorinkin had granted permission for a small expeditionary force to return to Dulgwidor in the hope of reopening its once famous iron & gold mines. The hold was in desperate need of that gold to help rebuild its outlying settlements, and army, after numerous battles against Archeon and his Chaos horde over the last 7 years. Constant incursions by Skaven and more recently Ogres had further sapped the holds strength, and it was only in desperation that King Duregar gave his permission for the small expedition.

And small it was, led by Master Engineer Grimgor Thalek the expedition consisted of only a small force of warriors and war machines - no more could be spared by the hold. If it were to run into trouble then the expedition would be on its own, isolated and weeks away from help and home and with no friendly settlements within easy reach. In just two years at Dulgwidor the expedition had made solid progress reopening two of the abandoned mines and even identifying a new gold seam near the Mountains eastern base. But those years had been costly. The long march to Dulgwidor had been beset with difficulties such that the force that arrived at Dulgwidor was less than half its original size. Constant attacks by roving bands of Skaven, and even Ogres, had sapped the expedition’s strength along the way. But it was the appearance of the strange green skins that had proven more deadly, the cold blooded creatures killing, and often mutilating, many a Dwarven patrol and foraging party.

Only a few of the Dwarves had heard of these creatures, lizard men and beasts from far off lands. Those that had could not remember a time when they had ever appeared near Dulgwidor. Even more worrying was news from Karak Thorinkin, delivered by Gyrocopter, that the remnants of Archeons defeated Chaos horde was threatening to cut off the Mine from the Hold. So it was with some trepidation that Grimgor scanned the horizon around Karag Gloin, his old eyes moving from plain to forest and back again. He knew that should the remnants of Archeons horde march West toward them then his forces could not hold out against both them and the strange lizard men that now infested the region. With supply caravans from the Hold now stopped, the Dwarves now relied on foraging and small crops for supplies. But these were not enough especially when many foraging parties never returned - killed by Lizard men or worse. Reinforcements from the hold were also not expected, and so the Mines of Dulgwidor would be defended by what remained of the expedition. Although the walls of Dulgwidor had been repaired in many places, and Bolt-Throwers manufactured from materials newly forged, there were simply too few Dwarves to forage, fight and work.

The Battle for Dulgwidor & Grimgor's last stand
All work had stopped at the mines of Dulgwidor and the few remaining Dwarves under Grimgor's command were doning their armour and racing to their defensive positions. A foraging party had just returned with grim news a large force of Lizardmen was approaching from the North. A top his battle position on the summit of Karag Gloin Grimgor listened as the breathless Dwarven foragers gave their report...

"My Lord, our foraging party was attacked by greenskins, the small ones with the blowpipes hit us out of the forest, and we counted many more larger creatures we have not seen before advancing behind them."

"What of the other foraging parties to the Northwest and Northeast?"

"My Lord they are dead or at least we can only assume they are the sounds of battle could clearly be heard to our left as we withdrew to the walls, we..."

"That is enough Druegar, no explanation is necessary return to your position."

As Grimgor dismissed the forager a string of warning shouts rang up from the lower slopes of the Mountain...

"My Lord - it is the forces of Archeon... there on the Southern flank - we are surrounded!!!"

Turning quickly Grimgor blanched in horror as he realised the full extent of the peril his expedition was in. Advancing toward the mountain fortress from its Southern flank was a huge force of Chaos Knights and Warhounds accompanied by scores of the small lizards known as Skinks. More warning cries came from the Northern defenses and turning that way Grimgor saw that the fortress was truly surrounded. Across the entire horizon from Northwest to East the skyline was full of Lizardmen big and small and the forces of Chaos. Only to the West was the way clear, but there was no hope there - out in the open, outnumbered and facing Chaos and Lizard cavalry Grimgor knew his Dwarves would stand no chance. Tightening the buckles on his armour he issued a string of orders and moved to his defensive position with the expeditions great cannon on the mountain summit.

As he did so, the sun rose further in the mid-morning sky and its bright rays illuminated the glittering armour and artillery of the Dwarven positions. The sun shining of warriors iron and chainmail and of the precious gems that studded the mine entrances. Silence fell on the mountain as Grimgor's loud clear voice echoed across the fortress...

"Brothers the forces of Evil approach as we knew they would. It has fallen to us to show these scum how the mighty of Karak Thorinkin can fight. We will die here today my brothers, but by Griminar we will make them pay a heavy toll. No mercy, no quarter, send these creatures of the dark back to the pits from whence they came."

And with that, as if seemingly waiting for Grimgor to speak, the Lizardmen and Chao forces began their advance and the battle was joined....

... the events of that fateful day were not to be revealed until some weeks after Grimgor's fall. After clearing the mountain passes supply caravans were finally able to return to Dulgwidor and the mines of Karag Gloin. The first caravan to do so found not a thriving settlement but a pile of corpses bloated and rotting in the sun. The dead cold ones and Chaos warriors amongst them told of the reason for the death. Searching the dead the leader of the caravan located Grimgor's body where it had fallen, defending the summit of Karag Gloin and the last of the Dwarfs artillery pieces. It great sorrow it was taken back to Karak Thorinkin as the sun set on Karag Gloin yet again.

The Sundering & time of Exile 1025 - 1135

Around a fire high in the mountains near Karak Thorinkin, a small group of Dwarven children sat and listened enthralled to the tales of a Clan Elder. The tales were part of every Dwarfs education, the oral history of the Hold passed down from generation to generation, remembered, recited and honored by all. Some tales were of bravery and happiness but many, too many it seemed, were of despair, darkness and sadness. It was to one of these tales that the Elder now turned...

"Now my children it is time for the tale of the Sundered people, the lost ones of the Thorinkin, do any of you know this story?"

"I have heard of it Uncle, but... but it is always talked of in hushed tones as though our kin are afraid of its memory? It is from the dark time the year of the black death."

"You are right Drulak it is a tale from that time, when the great plague swept the Old World and the lands of the Thorinkin. But we are not afraid of its memory only of the failing to heed its lessons. For at no other time in our history since that of Thorin himself has the Hold been in such peril."

"Not even during the Goblin Wars Uncle?"

"No my child, not even then for it was during this time that the greatest danger to our people came from within not without. A time when kin turned against kin and the people were nearly torn, their bonds of kinship destroyed but for the sacrifice and one part of them - the Clan Hundhōlm, the Sunderers the Lost ones. This my children is their tale."

The origins of Clan Hundhōlm
In the year 1111 a great plague swept the Old World, its vicious curse swept the lands of the humans to the North the Seafarers to the South and West and all through the Worlds Edge Mountains. Our people suffered greatly, during this period, many of our bravest and most skilled were struck down. The plague knew no boundaries striking all clans. At that time tClan Hundhōlm had ruled in Karak Thorinkin for the two centuries after the death of Kuhali Stonecutter in 935. The clan was once greatly honored, they like Clan Theolik were descended from the warriors who defended the bridge of Karak Azul with Thorin Metalturner. It is rumoured, though the truth has long been lost, that some could lay claim to being Thanes of Dru Grimthorn and if true it is perhaps that which led to their tragic downfall.

On the long retreat to Karak Azul they like all the clans suffered and lost many kin. Followers of the old religon they set themselves apart from us in Karak Azul and joined with refugees from Holds and settlements to the East of the Worlds Edge Mountains. Over time the Clan gained greater kinship with these people than with the Thorinkin although they were still honored among them. On the long march it was Clan Hundhōlm who fought the hardest for us to remain at Dru Grimthorn and to rebuild our lives there among the ruins, to start anew. But they were overruled as the sadness of that place was too much for most to bear. Some stayed however, a small number remained at Dru Grimthorn to try to rebuild it...

"What happened to them Uncle, I thought that no-one strayed on the Long March... I..."

"Be still, as you will learn there are many truths that are based on lies, and many lies based upon truth and that which we often hold most dear is not to be trusted... be patient and you will learn what you wish to know.."

It is true that the annuls tell us that only at one point, at Karag Gloin, did some of our people stop and forsake the Thorinkin on the long march. But this hides many a tale of sorrow and much of the discord that marred that trek. Many were the number of Thorinkin who were lost on the march from Karak Azul to disease, famine and war, and many to despair. Still others in small groups stayed at places they felt safe, many a settlement we passed on the way and at those some of the Thorinkin remained. But Clan Hundhōlm's people, those who had not stayed at Dru Grimthorn, remained with the Thorinkin until we came to this valley and built Karak Thorinkin. They laboured long and hard and shared equally in the burdens of all the clans, wearing no colour of their own they called themselves 'Kin to all', and so it remained until the time of the plague.

The Great Death & the Great Restoration
The plague of 1111 killed many of our people, and it took time for the Thorinkin to recover. In the Imperial Year 1025 Ntahd Ogreender of Clan Hundhōlm had assumed the Kingship of Karak Thorinkin. Throughout the long centuries since the Long March Ntahd and Clan Hundhōlm had never lost faith in the restoration of Dru Grimthorn. Most still believed that their ancestors, those who strayed from the Long March, remained alive and had prospered among the ruins of our ancestral home. Ntahd saw in the aftermath of the plague a chance to rebuild the Hold yet again and to aid his long lost kin. He ordered that the Hold prepare to march again, this time back to Dru Grimthorn in what he called the Great Restoration. A restoration to rebuild our people after the calamity of the Great Death. But his desire and that of his clan were not shared by all of the Thorikin, and for the first and only time in our history Thanes plotted to overthrow the king.

"You mean to kill him, kill their liege Lord, but..."

"Yes my child, and it is for this reason that we do not speak of but always seek to remember those days. But please let me finish."

Among those most opposed to Nthads plans was Llald Tunnelcut the Usurper. Thane of a minor clan, he saw in the Thanes opposition to Nthads Great Restoration a chance to seize power. While other Thanes opposed Nthad all would follow him honor bound as they were to obey the King, only by reason would they seek to change his mind. Llald sought another way, the way of blood and death and he was joined by many of the impure among us.

The Bloodletting and the time of Llad the Usurper
Strong willed as he was Nthad could not fail to see the rifts his Great Restoration was causing in his people. In 1125 a conclave of Thanes from the other clans sought to change his plans, with only Clan Hundhōlm and those of the other clans who wished to leave for Dru Grimthorn doing so while he hold of Karak Thorinkin remained. None now know if that conclave would have succeeded, as Nthad never made it to the Great Hall where it was to be held.

"Why Uncle... I mean..."

"Hush child I will not tell you again, let me continue."

The conclave was never called as Nthad did not live to hear it speak. Upon arriving at the Great Hall the other Thanes did not see Nthad on the Throne but Llad flanked by warriors from his clan, and many from their own. At this feet was Nthad's head and in his hands the remnants of Nthads beard cut from his face before he fell. Many lies were told that day, many untruths spun by Llad to convince the Thanes of the righteousness of his act and of the need for Nthad to die. To our great shame those lies were believed.

The Hold was threatened with the possibility of civil war Clan Hundhōlm would claim blood vengence upon Llad and all those who supported him. But they did not. Rather than fight their kin, for Clan Hundhōlm were linked to all the ruling clans of Karak Thorinkin, they choose exile. Unwilling to spill the blood of their brothers as Llad had the Clan left Karak Thorinkin for Dru Grimthorn never to return, their only act toward him was to curse him, his lineage and all those who would kill their kin for power for all time.

The Great Sacrifice
Surprised by the voluntary exile of Clan Hundhōlm the remaining clans failed to act. The years that followed are now remembered only in sorrow, a sorrow that runs deep within our people. To consolidate his power Llad had assassins kill those who opposed his will, and any who even questioned his act in seizing the throne. The annuls were culled of any reference to Clan Hundhōlm and for 10 years he controlled Karak Thorinkin through fear. But while all feared Llad most feared the curse of Clan Hundhōlm more, the curse placed on all who would kill their kin for power. All therefore feared their fate if they followed Llads path and attempted to overthrow him. But not quite all, the sons of Ardak Redfist feared the curse true, but they feared the loss of the honor of the hold more and the retribution of Thorin himself in the afterworld. In an act of sacrifice Ardak and his sons overthrew Llad, beheading him and removing his beard as he had done to Nthad. They then banished his kin from the Hold, and also themselves sacrificing their own honor to remove the curse of all oath breakers from Karak Thorinkin.

"What happenened next Uncle, who became King?"

"Clan Theolik assumed stewardship of the Hold. They and the other ruling clans shared power. It was only when the wounds caused by Llad had healed suffuciently that a King returned to Karak Thorinkin."

"And of the Hundhōlm what happened to them"

"That is another story my child and alas it is equally as sad as that of their exile. The returned to Dru Grimthorn it is true, but only to find their long sundered kin dead. What we know we know only in passing from travellers and from half remembered tales. What we are certain of is that the Hundhōlm were destroyed by Ogres and are no more. But when and how we are unsure of, but I will tell that story another day."

Druegar Stromnisson 2520 - Present
The present king of Karak Thorinkin brought reluctantly to the throne after the death of his father Stromni Tholiksson at the Battle of Skull River. Under his leadership Karak Thorinkin has entered a period of prosperity not seen since the time of Stellaz Grudgebearer. However, the Storm of Chaos has laid a shadow over his reign following the death of his kinsman Kurgan Hadrinsson at the Day of Blood.


Stromni Tholiksson 2425 - 2520
The 'Righteous' who laid to rest those grudges sown at the time of Sundering when Clan Hundhōlm was exiled from the hold.

Ragani Thoeliksson 1690 - 1732
The 'Steward', he took the crown offered to his father Thoelik after the end of the Goblin wars, but never wore it. Named the steward he left the throne of Karak Thorinkin empty throughout his reign.

Thoelik Goblinhewer 1609 - 1690
Balagsson, the king who never was, he who saved Karak Thorinkin during the Goblin wars and returned the body of Stellaz Grudgebearer to his people. Weilder of Stellaz's Axe which he passed to his son before departing the hold to take up his Slayer oath. Some legends tell that his spirit will return to defend the hold during its time of greatest need.


Stellaz Grudgebearer 1524 - 1609
The 'Long-Lived' he restored the hold's wealth and power after the loss of the settlements of Karag Gloin and the Skaven incursions.

Llald Tunnelcut 1125 - 1135
The 'Usurper', it was his short reign that led to the exile of Clan Hundhōlm and the striking of their name and deeds from the annuls of Karak Thorinkin. Overthrown by the sons of Ardak Redfist who later banished his kin from the hold as punishment for his deeds.

Ntahd Ogreender 1025 - 1125
The 'Sunderer', he sought to return the Thorinkin to their ancestral home of Dru Grimthorn to rebuild after the plague of 1111. Murdered by Llald the Usurper his clan, Clan Hundhōlm, chose exile in the East rather than fight their own kin.

Kuhali Stonecutter 876 - 935
The last King of Clan Morgal with no sons to pass his crown onto his kinsman Kinag Nordumnsson from Clan Theolik took up the crown upon his death.

Clan Theolik
Defenders of the Hold, The Goblin Killers & those of Pure Blood
The ruling clan of Karak Thorinkin for some 1600 years. Clan Theolik are the direct descendants of Theolik IV the Goblinhewer the unbidden King of Karak Thorinkin during the Goblin Wars of 1609 - 1690, and of a line of Kings stretching back to 935, some 1600 years. It was Theolik Balagsson only the fourth to bear the name of the Clans father who earned the clan the title of Goblin Killers, for it was Clan Theolik who bore the brunt of the fighting against the hordes of Yakbin Hairchewer and Zufil Slaughterbreath. But it is their descent from the warriors who defended the bridge of Karak Azul with Thorin Metalturner for which they are most renowned. Standing with Thorin that morning were Theolik Bagdorson and three of his four sons, the fourth born on the long retreat had been taken to safety in Karak Azul. It was Theolik himself who as the last warrior remaining threw himself at the feet of Ozgod Bonecrusher in an attempt to save Thorin. It is for their sacrifice on the bridge, that Theoliks remaining son and his kin have assumed their rightful place on honor and power in Karak Thorinkin. It is rumoured that Clan Theolik along with Clan Ragnell are the only members of the hold whose bloodline was untainted while at Karak Azul, hence the title given to them by many of the other clans - 'Those of pure Blood'.

Clan Morgral
Lords of the North, The Pathfinders
Those who formed the vanguard on the Thorinkins long march from Karak Azul. Second only to Clan Theolik in strength and power, kin to Lord Kurgan Hadrinsson slain by Archeon at the Day of Blood.

Clan Ragnell
Lords of Smoke and Fire, Wards of Karag Gloin, The Watchers & Kin of Thorin sistersson
Descended directly from Thorin Metalturner himself, this is the smallest and most secretive clan in the hold and the masters of its Guild of Engineers. Despite their blood, or some say because of it, they renounced their claim on the throne of Karak Thorinkin for all time.

Clan Boerdin
Lords of the Deep, The Vermin Killers
Protectors of the underway and the deep places, Clan Boerdin is home to the Miners and Ironbreakers of the Karak Thorinkin, they alone (outside of Clan Thanes) have the right to wear Gromil armour.

Clan Vagar
Lords of the Water, Masters of the Runes
Home clan of the Runesmiths of Karak Thorinkin much of their blood line can be traced to the Dwarves of Karak Azul and refugees from other settlements, that like those of Dru Grimthorn, found refuge there during the Chaos years.

All Dates use the Imperial calendar - some notes linked to additional information. Map indicates location of Karak Thorinkin (red dot) and key events (yellow stars)

2559
King Druegar Stromisson marches into the lands of Sigmar to fulfil a 1000 year old Grudge against the descendants of a Baron Northover of Bromley. The Baron is killed in single combat by the King himself and the grudge struck from the Holds book.
[Read Battle Report]

2534
Master Engineer Grimgor Thalek and his expeditionary force are surrounded and wiped out by a combined force of Lizardmen and Chaos Warriors at the mining settlement of Dulgwidor.
[Read Battle Report]

2532

2525 - 32
Skaven incursions threaten Karak Thorinkin's northern borders and outlying farming settlements. These are beaten off but only with heavy losses including some of the holds few remaining Runesmiths. [Read Battle Report]

2526
King Druegar Stromnisson leads the army of Karak Thorinkin in battle against the remnants of Archeons defeated Chaos horde, and is wounded fighting Chaos Spawn and Dragons west of the Copper Mountains. [Read Battle Report]

2525
In what the outside world called the 'Battle of the Bretonnian crossroads' but the what the Dwarves of Karak Thorinkin now refer to as the 'Day of Blood' Lord Kurgin Hadrinsson kinsmen of King Druegar is killed fighting Archeon and his Chaos horde. The few survivors of the battle tell of how Kurgin was literally torn apart by Archeon and his warriors devoured by his army as the sun set over the battlefield. [Read Battle Report]

2525
Chaos assualt on Karak Thorinkin is defeated.

2523
Chaos Storm erupts across the Old World, Archeons forces march into the human lands known as the Empire and fighting erupts along the entire length and breadth of the Worlds Edge Mountains. [Read Battle Report]

2520
Lord Druegar Stromnisson becomes the new King of Karak Thorinkin after the death of his father Lord Stromni Tholiksson at the Battle of Skull River. The battle was between the army Karak Thorinkin and the remnants of the Ogre incursions defeated the previous year at the Battle of the 100 Cannons.

2519
Ogre incursions into the Worlds Edge Mountains and the Battle of the 100 Cannons. King Stromni Tholiksson marches to Karaz-a-Karak to help defeat them.

2425
Lord Stromni Tholiksson becomes King of Karak Thorinkin, his reign begins a period of prosperity not seen since the destruction of the holds southern colonies.

1690 The Goblin horde in the Northern reaches is defeated and its remnants scattered to the four winds, by a force of men from Bretonnia and Thoeliks army. The goblin threat to Karak Thorinkin, Tilea and Southern Bretonnia is ended. The Thorinkin beg Thoelik to finally take up the crown of Karak Thorinkin. But he again refuses saying that he is yet to fulfill his Slayer oath and avenge his son's death. He instead passes the crown to his remaining son and leader of the Clan Thoelik and leaves the hold never to return.

1663
The army of Karak Thorinkin is defeated at the battle of Karag Belak, Thoelik himself suffers terrible wounds and only barely recovers. Goblins continue to control the holds Northern reaches.

1657
Thoelik defeats the giant Zufil Slaughterbreath and his army at the battle of the Crystal River. The victory sees the end of the goblin horde in the holds eastern reaches.

1633
Battle of Drumman Moor. Where Thoelik Balagsson earns the name 'Goblinhewer' from the men of Bretonnia when his army defeats a large goblin force under the command of Gothmog Sporefilth besieging a Bretonnian outpost. In an epic single combat lasting half a day Thoelik defeats Gothmog and carries his head back to Karak Thorinkin.

1622
Glorurt the son of Thoelik Balagsson is killed and his army defeated at the battle of 10000 tears, by the Goblin Lord Yakbin Hairchewer. Thoelik takes the Slayer oath and vows to avenge his sons death with the deaths of 10000 goblins, and Yakbin Hairchewer.

1609
Death of King Stellaz Grudgebearer at the hands of the Goblin Kridug Boarkeeper. Stellaz's body and war axe are later recovered by Thoelik Balagsson who alone braved the camp of the goblin army to retrieve his fallen King and return him to Karak Thorinkin. Thoelik assumes the leadership of the Dwarves of Karak Thorinkin but does not take the title of King.

1608 - 1692
The Goblin invasions of Karak Thorinkin, Tilea and Southern Bretonnia, and time of Thoelik Balagsson, later and forever to be known as Thoelik Goblinhewer. From the Clan Thoelik - 'Defenders of the Hold' - he is only the fourth clan member to bear its fathers name in 2000 years.

1435 to 1442
The settlements around Karag Gloin including the great mining colony of Dulgwidor are overrun by Skaven and finally abandoned after years of fighting. The survivors return to Karak Thorinkin.

1430 to 1432
A series of earthquakes tear apart the land around Karag Gloin and partially destroy the mining colony of Dulgwidor. The earthquakes open up new fissures and tunnels under many of the settlements, and the first Skaven begin to appear in the holds southern lands.

1125 - 1135
The time of the Sundering when King Nthad is murdered by Llald the Usurper and his Clan choose voluntary exile rather than spark a civil war within Karak Thorin. In 1135 Llald is overthrown and killed and his kin banished from Karak Thorinkin by the sons of Ardak Redfist

1111
The year of the great plague, it swept most of the Old World including Karak Thorinkin

1025
Ntahd Ogreender of Clan Hundhōlm assumes Kingship of Karak Thorinkin from Gundrim Kaligsson, and embarks on preparations for the Great Restoration.

-265 to -250
The long march from Karak Azul reaches the mountains of Tilea and the survivors of Dru Grimthorn, now known as the Thorinkin, establish their new home - Karak Thorinkin.

-335 to -265
The time of Thorins people. The survivors of the chaos storm who fought their way out of Dru Grimthorn establish a new home among the Dwarves of Karak Azul.

-335
The fall of Dru Grimthorn and the retreat to Karak Azul. This is also the year of the death of Thorin Metalturner after his duel with the Giant Ozgod Bonecrusher.

The Long March: Karak Azul to Karak Thorinkin: Imperial Year -265 to -250

The trek northward took the Thorinkin back through the Worlds Edge Mountains and to the ruins of Dru Grimthorn. Afte 70 years nothing remained of what had once been their home and none of the Thorinkin wished to remain there. Among their number were Dwarves of Karak Azul married into the Thorinkin during their short time there. They told of lands to the West near those of the humans that would be welcoming. With no thought of returning to Karak Azul and only the burning desire to rebuild their lives and honor still further the memory of Thorin Metalturner the Thorinkin marched on. For 15 years they marched through the mountains, across the badlands, then via ship from Barak Var to the coast of Tilea. From their the Thorinkin marched northward toward the human empire of Bretonnia. Many Dwarf settlements they passed on the way, and many a hold that would have welcomed them with open arms. But at none did they stray.

Only at one point did they stop a Mountain they named Karag Gloin, there a small group stayed and formed the mining settlement of Dulgwidor that would soon serve the new hold of the Thorinkin. Onward they marched until at last in a small valley, bounded by tall mountains and fresh water they stopped. To this day none know why this place called to them, some legends say that Thorin Metalturner himself lead them to it, others that the spirit of Griminar spoke to them. Whatever the reason, that small valley became their new home. Amid its deep fresh steams, forested hills, the Thorinkin found caves and rich mineral deposits. Using all their skills they began to delve deep and true into the mountains, and built the first homes in what would be called the Dwarven hold of 'Karak Thorinkin' the Fortress of the kin of Thorin.