Grombrindal
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This article is about the Ancient Dwarf Character; for the Magazine, see White Dwarf. |
The White Dwarf is the legendary Dwarf, known in Khazalid as Grombrindal, which roughly means "The White - Bearded Ancestor". Over the centuries he has been called by several names, but this is the one by which he is best known. [1a]
Contents
Names
- Many Dwarfs believe he is Snorri Whitebeard. [4a][6b]
- Khalash-a-Kalan, the Lord of Slayers: The gods cursed him for his impiety and cursed him to wander the Old World forever fighting the enemies of the Dwarf race. [4a]
The White Dwarf Saga
No one knows where to find the White Dwarf. He appears when and where his people are in serious difficulties. When everything seems to go wrong for the Dwarfs, he arrives. He has been seen many times throughout the extensive history of the Dwarfs and there is evidence of his mysterious and unexpected appearance in the most awful moments of the battle in a multitude of sagas. Each time he has appeared, the tables have changed in favor of the Dwarfs. In the case of Umthi the Damned and his comrades they were surrounded by Goblins. When all seemed to be lost, the goblin horde retreated in panic and could hear Umthi warriors whispering "The White Dwarf" in full of admiration. [6a]
He was in the centre of the enemy and was possible to see his iconic white beard brandishing his mighty axe, cutting his way through the countless ranks of the enemy. Before that motivating vision; The people of Umthi, despite bleeding from multiple wounds and being fully exhausted, drew strength from the greenskins' weakness and lunged forward one last time in a desperate effort to reach the White Dwarf, standing alone among the Goblins. When they got the victory and Umthi glanced around the shattered field, the White Dwarf had disappeared and there was no trace of him except for the piles of dead Goblins. [6a] In the same place there is now an altar in honor of Grombrindal, although there are many more in the kingdoms of the Dwarfs. [6b]
Some say that the White Dwarf is none other than Snorri Whitebeard, the Dwarf High King of Karaz-a-Karak, who was the only ruler of the Dwarfs to receive due and deserved respect from the Phoenix King of the High Elves of Ulthuan. [1a][4a] But that was a long, long time ago, before the War of the Beard; And, if it were true, the White Dwarf could be considered a true ancestor who undoubtedly managed somehow mysteriously to push the limits of mortality. [6b]
He appeared at the first battle in the War of the Beard. [5a]
In the Saga of Grombrindal it is said that he roams the Worlds Edge Mountains following the old dwarf ways. He disguises as an old prospector covered with a large mantle. Always accepts a drink of good dwarf beer from any traveler who is on his way and, in turn, presents him with a prophecy. [6b]
He has been sighted on many occasions a strange and solitary Dwarf that matched his description in a dwarf camp on the eve of a great battle, alone with itself. Sometimes his silhouette has been seen walking on the battlefield of a besieged fortress, which is considered a good omen that bears victory and hope. The next day, the White Dwarf would make his appearance in the battle clad in all his royal panoply of war, like a legendary ancient king, like a true ancestor, like a figure who has come to life from the old dwarf engravings. [6b]
After a six day battle he slew the Ghrandukker, the Father of Trolls. [2a][4a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 4th Edition: Armour of Glimril Scales, Rune Axe of Grimnir, Rune Cloak of Valaya, Rune Helm of Zhufbar. [6a]
- 6th Edition: Armour of Glimril Scales, Rune Axe of Grimnir, Rune Cloak of Valaya, Rune Helm of Zhufbar. [5c]
- 7th Edition: Armour of Glimril Scales, Rune Axe of Grimnir, Rune Cloak of Valaya, Rune Helm of Zhufbar. [1a]
- 7th Edition: Grombindal, Bugman and Gotrek: Ancestor Shield, Armour of Glimril Scales, Rune Axe of Grombrindal, Rune Cloak of Valaya, Rune Helm of Zhufbar. [3a]
- Glimril Scale Armour: After the Battle of Thraag, in which the White Dwarf killed no less than ten thousand Warriors of Chaos to rescue the reckless Ungi No Chance and his companions, a single flake of armor was found stuck in the teeth of the Chaos Lord. It was a metal completely unknown to the dwarf race. The runesmiths were completely stunned and called glimril, thinking that perhaps had been forged by their own Ancestor Gods.[1a] [5c]
- Runic Axe of Grimnir: The mighty axe-wielding White Dwarf carries an axe that matches the description of Grimnir's Runic Axe that appear in several sagas and legends. Perhaps Grimnir gave his legendary weapon to the White Dwarf.[1a] [5c]
- Runic Helmet of Zhufbar: Those Dwarfs who have managed to laid eyes on the stunning helmet that the White Dwarf bears in battle on his furrowed brow have described as a contemplated dazzling vision. The runesmiths have identified this magnificent helmet as the Lost Rune Helm of Zhufbar, who disappeared many years ago when this fort was occupied by enemy forces. [1a] [5c]
- Valaya's Runic Mantle: This huge coat with embroidered runes carrying the White Dwarf was undoubtedly spun by Valaya herself. At least in one of the sagas, it is said that Valaya, the Ancestor Goddess of the Dwarfs and protector of the dwarf race, fell in love with the White Dwarf for his magnificent white beard and gave him the cape as a token of her esteem.[1a] [5c]
Quotes
| Look for me in the unseen places. Look for me when the world is at its darkest and when victory seems far away. I am Grombrindal, the White Dwarf, the grudgekeeper and the reckoner, and my watch is eternal.
~ Grombrindal. [5b] |
See Also
Gallery
On the cover of White Dwarf 200 (UK)
On the cover of White Dwarf 300 (UK)
Grombrindal in Total War Warhammer II
Grombrindal vs Harald Hammerstorm
Grombrindal vs Ghrandukker
Grombirndal vs Orcs
Grombindal
Miniatures
by Colin Dixon created to celebrate WD200.
In WD348
Grombrindal, The White Dwarf with special Shieldbearers: Gotrek Gurnisson and Josef Bugman
Grombrindal in Blood Bowl
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 348 (UK)
- 1a: The Saga of the White Dwarf, pg. 42-45
- 2: White Dwarf 340 (UK)
- 2a: Top 25 Warhammer Characters, pg. 73
- 3: White Dwarf 330 (UK)
- 3a: White Dwarf 30th Anniversary, pg. 67
- 4: White Dwarf 330 (UK)
- 5: White Dwarf 300 (UK)
- 6: White Dwarf 200 (UK)
