Black Fire Pass
Black Fire Pass is one of two vital routes through the Black Mountains which has seen many battles. [1a]
The pass was part of the Old Dwarf Road, called by that ancient race Haz Drazh Kadrin. The road connects The Empire with the Dwarfen capital of Karaz-a-Karak. [1a][3]
Contents
Overview
The pass lies to the South-east of the Empire and was formed during volcanic erruptions that tore the Black Mountains in two leaving a chasm of lava flanked by glass walls. [1b]
It is named for the glossy black volanic glass walls that arise on either side of the road, which also means it is an excellent place for a small force ot face a larger army. It is a favourite invasion route of Orcs and Goblins from the Badlands. [1a]
The closest Imperial Province of Averland maintains a garrison that patrols the pass watching for enemies, much of the force are hunters and trappers, lightly armed and armoured but who are extremely familiar with the terrain. [1a]
History
In about -500 IC (Imperial Calendar), the Dwarf Thane Stonebeard defeated Waaagh! Red Klaw with significantly smaller force of Dwarf Warriors. Stonebeard allowed the huge Orc force to break upon his prepared defences and then launched a devastating counter attack with his Longbeards. [1a]
The famous Battle of Black Fire Pass occurred in about -1 IC and was the culmination of Sigmar and Kurgan Ironbeard's campaign to rid the lands of men of the greenskins and to found the Empire. [1a][3]
In 1707 IC as a terrific thunderstorm crashed about the peaks of the Black Mountains, the Waaagh! of Gorbad Ironclaw pushed its way through Black Fire Pass to invade the Empire. [3]
Tarlen da Foeburna’s goblin invasion suffer catastrophic losses at the hands of the Empire’s mortars, all of whom were trained on a single area for maximum psychological effect forcing the left flank of the invaders to break and run, sending panic through the entire army. [1a]
Lord Sossentheim engaged and defeated a force of the Tomb Kings, his Warrior Priests walking the lines and giving rousing speeches, singing hymns to Sigmar, and purifying the dead. The large pike formations he had deployed successfully blunted the charge of the Khemri chariots, and Sossentheim was able to meet and defeat the opposing commander in single combat at which point the invading force crumbled to dust. [1a]
Moving through the pass during the winter, the 33rd Averland Foot were attacked and wiped out by a Orc and Goblin force under Warboss Draig. The Orc captured Ulbrecht Sturm, the official Regimental Historian and ordered him to write about the defeat, Warboss Draig and Da Ghostz. [1a]
In 2520 IC, a large force of Orcs was defeated by an Imperial force, led by the Emperor Karl Franz himself on Deathclaw. [1a]
Locations
- Howling Caves: Legend tells that a Dragon Ogre dwells deep beneath it and still howls out his madness through the great holes in the rock. [1b]
- Kazad Haz-Drazh-Kadrin: Small Dwarf fort at the southern end of the Pass. [2a]
- The Watchtower: A four story fortifcation created as part of chain of watch towers by the Dwarfs, this is the only one still standing and is now manned by soliders of Averland. [1b]
- Vossheim: A large number of tents of all shapes and sizes are pitched around a small, dusty crossroads which is part gypsy encampment and part Merchant’s Quarter. [1b]
Quotes
| Black Fire. The very name describes the impossible, the magical. How appropriate, given all that happened here, that impossible words should stand as a symbol of our Empire and its impossible dream. |
Sources
- 1: Black Fire Pass (book)
- 2: Journey to Black Fire Pass
- 2a: Episode Three: Barnock's Rangers, pg. 19
- 3: Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook, pgs. 27, 29, 43, 70
