Karaz-a-Karak

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Banner of Karaz-a-Karak

Karaz-a-Karak, is the ancient Dwarf Capital City of the mountainous Karaz Ankor realm. It is located at the Worlds Edge Mountains. Old Dwarf Road connects it to the Empire while Silver Road goes east, towards Cathay. [6f][14][15a]

It has endured through the ages, and its Khazalid name translates into Reikspiel as 'Pinnacle of Mountains', although as the alternative translation of the Khazalid for 'mountain' is 'thing which endures', it is often called 'The Most Enduring' or simply Everpeak by Humans. [6f][14][15a]

Karaz-a-Karak is the oldest, mightiest, most populous, and most heavily fortified of all the remaining Dwarf Holds, and it has never once fallen to an enemy invader.[6f][14][15a]

Although it has lost much of its former glory, as has the entire Dwarf culture, Karaz-a-Karak remains the seat of the High King of the Dwarfs, and the noble clans of the city can trace their lineage back to the Ancestor Gods themselves. Kept in Karaz-a-Karak are the Great Book of Grudges and the Book of Remembering, venerated artefacts of the Dwarf people. [6d][6f][14][15a]

In Karaz-a-Karak, the ancient traditions of the Dwarf people endure against the tides of time, solid as the rock from which the great structures of the city are hewn. The city is one of ritual, temples, statues and tombs. Honour is given to the great Ancestor Gods of Grungni, Grimnir and Valaya, with their great temples. [14][15a]

The Throng of Karaz-a-Karak is a truly mighty force, and the pride of the Dwarf people serves as a motivation, ensuring that no matter the enemy, no matter the odds, Karaz-a-Karak has endured and will endure forever.

Government

The High King holds court in vast vault large enough to engulf a small Human town.[14] [15a]

The High Council advises the High King. In the lead up to the War of Vengeance it consisted of ten Dwarfs including the Runelord Ranuld Silverthumb, the Chief of Lodewardens and the Chief of Reckoners, the Grudgekeeper, Loremaster, Master of Engineers. [8c]

Heraldry

Name-Rune of Karaz-a-Karak depicts the Everpeak itself, the pinnacle of the mountain range. It is instantly recognisable by every Dwarf.[15b]

Warriors of the hold march to war in blue and yellow or blue and gold.[15b]

History

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Main article: Dwarf Timeline

Dwarfs count their years from founding of Karaz-a-Karak: year 1 of the Dwarf calendar equals to year -4523 in Imperial Calendar.[6b]

As the Slann Temple cities were attacked by Daemons so too were the Dwarf holds and many fell but when the neverborn turned their attention to Everpeak, the Dwarfs were ready for them. Ku'gath Plaguefather's horde found the outer gate unguarded but when they entered, the the defenders brought the mountain down upon them, obliterating them. The dwarfs within remained for many years before the world outside was safe enough to venture forth. [7a]

In -1974 IC Phoenix King Bel Shanaar visited High King Snorri Whitebeard at Karaz-a-Karak. They swear eternal friendship.[14]

Time of Woes

In -1500 IC the Time of Woes damaged all Dwarf holds. Even the Great Book of Grudges is silent during this period.[14]

High King Nurn Shieldbreaker encountered humans in the forest whilst hunting greenskins in -1492 IC. When they fled at the approach of the Dwarfs, they examined their primitive camp and dubbed them Umgal, marking the encounter in the Great Book of Grudges.[10a]

In -1494 IC a greenskin horde attacked the city but was beaten off. [5d]

The first Slayer is said to be Gudrun, the best friend of High King Skorri Morgrimson and who tasked him with protecting his son Furgil as he went into the lower halls of Karak Ungor during the Battle of a Thousand Woes circa -975 IC. Attacked by Night Goblins, Gudrun slew sixty of them, but the prince was carried off by a Troll as the warrior was knocked unconscious. Awakening, he tracked the best to its lair and beheaded it but discovered the prince was already dead. Ashamed, he dyed his hair orange to honour the fiery red hair of the young prince and swore an oath to kill every troll he could find. [5a][6b]

In -380 IC The Orc Warlord Ugrok Beardburner led one of only two armies to try and besiege the Hold but found even his giant battering ram could make no impression on the stone defences. As he retreated, the Dwarfs sallied forth and destroyed his horde. [5a] [6b]

Sigmar

In -15 IC Orcs ambush and capture High King Kurgan Ironbeard. He is then rescued by Sigmar Heldenhammer, prince of the Unberogen tribe of Humans. Eternal friendship is sworn by between the two races.[6b]

Around -10 IC Alaric the Mad brought 500 warriors to the aid of Sigmar at the Siege of Middenheim, including Ironbreakers and Hammerers of the personal guard of King Kurgan. [12a]

In -1 IC the Battle of Black Fire Pass is won by Dwarfs and Men. The Empire is founded and Sigmar named Emperor. Their campaign ends Orc and Goblin threat is for centuries. [6b]

The Engineers Guild note that the first Steam Engine was invented by a member of the Roedtfjell Clan in the 8th century IC, Dargo Grindolsson. [13]

King Grundbar Irongut gifted the Bretonnians with a Gromril helm after Questing Knights broke a siege of the hold. [9a]

During the Great War against Chaos, High King Alriksson led the throng from his city to aid Magnus the Pious, together with the Kislevites, raising the siege of their capital. Returning home, tired, childless and wounded he called for a Council of Kings, something that had not occurred for three centuries. There they decided a plans for the succession and a year later the Dwarf royalty again gathered for a contest of deeds and words. [6a]

After acclaim for Ungrim Ironfist and Buregar of the Angrund Clan, the son of Alriksson's sister, Thorgrim, arrived ftom north and presented many once lost relics, now reclaimed by his endeavours. The Norse Dwarf kings spoke highly of his valour in the north before Thorgrim himself spoke, his words and vow so well received that he was named successor. [6a]

Reign of Thorgrim

Main article: Thorgrim Grudgebearer#History

End Times

WIP

Locations

  • Ekrund: The broad stairway that leads from the outer entrance hall to the lower deeps, 250 of the Eagle Watch Quarrellers safeguard it. [8b]
  • Gates: Standing over 400 ft tall, they appear to be carved from the mountain itself with the Symbol of Valaya prominent to protect it from evil magic. The gatekeeper is able to open a much smaller door if required, some 3ft wide and 4 ft high. High King Morgrim Ironbeard ordered them shut in the Time of Woe and they are now only opened when the throng marches to battle. [5b]
  • Halls: Many of these now stand empty and on occassion will become infested with enemies such as greenskins or Skaven and must be cleansed and resealed. [5c]
  • High Kings Hall or Great Hall: A thousand pillars stretch upwards to hold the vast vaulted ceiling and on each of them is carved the history of a particular clan. Once a decade, a clan member will spend several months updating the column. Set into the ceiling itself are diamonds and saphires that represent the constellations, said to be the work of the High Elves but no word of this is spoken by the Dwarfs. The room is illuminated by bronze braziers and the walls depict the whole history of the dwarf race. Such is the skill of the creator of the room that when the High King speaks, all within can hear him. Held twice each century is the Day of Grudgement when the grudges that have been righted are struck out and new grudges marked. [5c][6f][14]
  • Hall of Kings: All previous rulers are remembered here in jewel and stone with artefacts from their lives. It is a place of quiet veneraton although on occasion, Dwarfs will swear oaths of fealty or vengeance before the effigies. [8d]
  • Temple of Grungni: The Ancestor God is shown lifting a great rock with gold veins. [3a]
  • Temple of Valaya. The Ancestor Goddess is depicted holding large mugs of ale. [3a] It is guarded by the Valkyrie Maidens - temple warriors. It contains both ranks of cots and baths. [8b]
  • Walls:Molten lava can be directed through the stone statues of Dragons above the gate and powerful steam engines can cause avalanches and rockslides. [5b]
  • Watchtowers Many hidden watchtowers guard the approaches along Everpeak Pass. [5b]

Notable

Historical

Clans

  • Gnollengrom: Supplied warriors to Alaric the Mad for the Siege of Middenheim. [12a]
  • Grimargul: Supplied warriors to Alaric the Mad for the Siege of Middenheim. [12a]
  • Grimlock: Goldmiths, supplied warriors to Alaric the Mad for the Siege of Middenheim. [12a]
  • Roedtfjell: Engineers. [13]
  • Skrundok: Runesmiths of Morgrim, supplied warriors to Alaric the Mad for the Siege of Middenheim. [12a]
  • Ullek The first of their line, Ullek Redaxe was a thane to Snorri Whitebeard and they have been loyal supporters of the hold since - their battlecry having become famous: Dum Gribbin - Az Baraz Ullekssons-Za (Doom is upon you - the Axe Promise of Clan Ullek has come. [6c]
  • Yinlinsson: Descendants of the master brewer whose ales and lagers were blessed by Valaya herself. Their battle cry is: Yinlinsson Gorug Skuf - Clan Yinlinsson has been drinking and is ready to fight! [6c]

Outposts

Gallery

  • Gates of the Hold

  • The Temple of Grungni

  • Small part of the interior

  • Gyrocopter Pads in the hold.

  • Emblem of Clan Ullek

  • Emblem of Clan Yinlinsson

Notes

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The following information is not to be considered officially sanctioned and/or is not written from an in-universe
point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

In ealy editions it was called Caraz-a-Carak

The Dwarf realms
Karaz-a-Karak - Karak Kadrin - Zhufbar - Karak Azar - Karak Azgal - Karak Azul- Karak Hirn - Karak Angazbar - Karak Gantuk - Karak Izor - Karak Norn - Karak Ziflin - Karak Eight Peaks - Barak Varr - Karak Zorn - Karak Eksfilaz - Karak Kaferkammaz - Karak Grom - Karak Azgaraz - Karak Angkul
Norse Dwarf holds Kraka Dorden - Kraka Drak - Kraka Ornsmotek - Kraka Ravnsvake
Lost holds Kadar-Gravning - Karag Dron - Karak Azorn - Karaz Bryn - Kazad Thrund - Karak Drazh - Karak Dum - Karak Khazarak - Karak Krum - Karak Ungor - Karak Varn - Karak Vlag - Karak Vrag - Karak Zanda - Ekrund - Mount Silverspear - Karaz Ghumzul

Sources

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