Anvil of Doom
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The Anvils of Doom are ancient and powerful heirlooms of the Dwarfen race used to forge the greatest of Dwarf artefacts and were created by the Runelord Kurgaz. [2a]
These Anvils were covered in complex runes that the later Runesmiths could not comprehend. When striking the Anvil, a Runesmith used techniques taught to him by his master, who had learned from his master, and so on back. Because of this, no two Anvils of Doom works the same. [4a]
Their powers were broken down like so: those dedicated to Grungni emphasized effort admn determination, those dedicated to Grimnir emphasized fury, and those dedicated to Valaya emphasized loyalty and bravery. [4b]
Contents
History
The most skilled of the Runesmiths of old, Kurgaz used Gromril to create the anvils and beat the Rune of Sorcery into them in the forges of Thunder Mountain. However, a Dragon attacked and broke open the mountain, killing Kurgaz and many of his peers and destroying its forges. [2a]
Before the War of Vengeance, each of the major holds held six Anvils of Doom, presided over by their chief Runelords. [3a]
In Battle
When an Anvil is brought to battle, it is accompanied by two Anvil Guards. [6a] These Dwarfs are bound by unbreakable oaths never to leave an anvil or its smith to the enemy.
While in the past the Anvil of Doom was mounted on wheels to move it across the battlefield, today it will be placed before the beginning of the battle on one point - often a hill top - to strike the runes and unleash the old power that is bound inside of the Anvil. [4a]
Rune Powers
6th Edition
When struck correctly the Anvil draws magic to it to create various effects:[2a]
- Rune of Air: A dark cloud is summoned to unleash lightning on the enemy. [2a]
- Rune of Earth: The Anvil causes an explosion of rocky shards. [2a]
- Rune of Fire: Unleashes a fireball. [2a]
- Rune of Water: Water is drawn to a location to create an area of swampy ground. [2a]
8th Edition
- Rune of Hearth and Home: A mighty desire to defend their ancestors, clan and home fills the heart of the Dawi. [6a]
- Rune of Oath & Steel: The armour the Dawi wears hardens, remembering the hammer blows that helped forged it. [6a]
- Rune of Wrath & Ruin: The earth cracks, venting fire and sulpher on the enemy. [6a]
W:TOW
- Rune of Haste & Urgency: Time slows around the marching throng. [4b]
- Rune of Hearth and Home: A mighty desire to defend their ancestors, clan and home fills the heart of the Dawi. [4b]
- Rune of Oath & Steel: The armour the Dawi wears hardens, remembering the hammer blows that helped forged it. [4b]
- Rune of Wrath & Ruin: The earth cracks, venting fire and sulpher on the enemy. [4b]
Known Holds with a Anvil
- Karak Angkul. [1a]
- Karak Azul. Including some in the Weapon Shops of the Hold rather than the Guild. [2a]
- Karaz-a-Karak: Including some owned by individual Runesmiths rather than the Guild. [2a]
Weapons and Equipment
- W:TOW: Forgefather and Anvil Guard with Gromril Hand Weapon, Heavy Gromril Armour and Shield. [4a] Ancestral Shield. May take Dwarf Runes. [4a]
- Ancestral Shield: The Anvil protects both itself and the loyal guardians. [4a]
Miniatures
Anvil of Doom with Forge, Guards & Dwarf Runemaster Thorek Ironbrow (6th Edition)
Quotes
How many glory-hungry fools have taken the sacred Anvils of Doom out into battle, boldly thinking they can command the vast powers of such sacred relics? And how many of these precious artifacts have been lost forever because they broke beneath the hammers of these same fools? |
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Chronicles: Thanquol and Boneripper (anthology): Thanquol's Doom (Novel)
- 1a: Chapter Six, pg. 545
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (6th Edition)
- 2a: The Dwarf Throng, pg. 8-9
- 3: The Great Betrayal (Novel)
- 3a: Chapter Twelve: Old Magic, pg. 180
- 4: Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook
- 5: White Dwarf 314 (UK)
- 5a: Secrets of the Runes, pg. 65
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (8th Edition)
- 6a: Anvil of Doom, pg. 37
- Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (4th Edition), Needs Citation