Dwarf Thane

Dwarf Thane

Dwarf Thanes are the nobles of Dwarfs and a powerful military leaders within a Dwarf army. They are not too fond of titles and keep them simple. Aside from King and his heirs the Princes, all nobles are Thanes even if related to royalty. They can hold nonheriditary offices and each swears an oath of office to the King. To progress into a Lord, a Thane must have royal blood. ^[2b][5a]

Usually they are fairly grim people, as they are leaders of dour people. On their shoulders rests the old Gruges of their people and it is their job to avenge these wrongdoings to their clans. Failure to do so would brimg much disrespect to their Ancestors.^[5b]

Each Thane has within him a vast experience combating the enemies of their race, often built up over several centuries of constant warfare and strict studies. Dwarf leaders are well tutored in the art of war, learning both from the Elders of their own clans, the venerable Runesmiths and Engineers. When the time comes for them to lead, they will have learnt more than most commanders ever know and will have been tried and tested on the battlefield many times over. This experience and wisdom is reflected upon their beards, a clear indication that the other Dwarfs in the throng would do well to follow their example. ^[3][5b]

When battle is joined, it is the Lords and Thanes, with their finely crafted armour and rune-inscribed weapons who seek out the enemy's most powerful combatants, matching bestial fury or dark magic with courage, honour and honest steel. On several occasions, Dwarf Thanes are known to take command of smaller units of Dwarfs as their own and lead them personally into combat. ^[3][5b] Most Thanes are readily identified by the large wings that protrude from their helmets.^{Needs Citation}

Weapons and Equipment

• 6th Edition: Hand Weapon. May have Crossbow, Dwarf Handgun, Great Weapon, Gromril Armour, Heavy Armour, Light Armour, Pistol, Shield. May have Dwarf Rune items. May be Battle Standard Bearer.^[1a]
• 6th Edition Revised: Hand Weapon and Gromril Armour. May have Crossbow, Dwarf Handgun, Great Weapon, Gromril Armour, Pistol, Shield. May have Dwarf Rune items. May be Battle Standard Bearer.^[5c]
• 8th Edition: Gromril Armour, Hand Weapon. May have Dwarf Crossbow, Dwarf Handgun, Dwarf Pistol, Great Weapon, Shield. May have Ancestral Heirlooms and Rune items. May be Battle Standard Bearer. ^[2a]
• W:TOW: Full Plate Gromril Armour, Gromril Hand Weapon. May take Pistol, Shield. May take one of Crossbow, Great Weapon, Handgun. May take Oathstone or Shieldbearers. May have Dwarf Runes. May be Battle Standard Bearer. ^[3]

Gallery

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Miniatures

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  Dwarf Lord which can represent a King or Thane. ^[3]

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  Thane with Handgun on Oathstone

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  Thane with Battle Standard

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  Thane in Mordheim

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  Skeggi Threkkson

Quotes

You think the hard work stops now I’ve inherited the title? Funny thing about Dwarf Kings and their heirs — they have a nasty habit of dying in battle. I’ll wager odds are good that, in a hundred year’s time, there’ll be a whole cluster of us Thanes making the case that we should be the next on the throne. So pull your socks up, cousins. We have a lot of work to do, and only one century to do it in.. ~ Birgit Grogrilsdottir, Thane of Clan Oakenhaft.[4]

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (6th Edition)
  • 1a: Forces of the Dwarfs, pg. 27
• 2: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (8th Edition)
  • 2a: Dwarf Army List, pg. 89
  • 2b: Lords & Thanes, pg. 34
• 3: Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook, Dwarfen Mountain Holds, pgs. 11-12
• 4: Dwarf Players Guide, Thane, pg. 79
• 5: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (Revised 6th Edition)
  • 5a: Dwarf Society, pgs. 26-27
  • 5b: Lords & Thanes, pg. 29
  • 5c: Forces of the Dwarfs, pg. 51