Karak Kadrin
Karak Kadrin is a Dwarf stronghold named after the pass which it guards—Peak Pass, an important trading route which runs through the Worlds Edge Mountains from the distant east to the Old World. Karak Kadrin benefits from its position, having become a wealthy trading center. [9a]
Karak Kadrin is also an invasion route for the creatures plaguing the lands to the east, who, unchecked, would be free to rampage into the Old World. Despite being besieged countless times, Karak Kadrin has never fallen. Its impregnability is probably due to the fact it has become the home of the Dwarf Slayer Cult, who are naturally attracted to such a contested place. On account of this, Karak Kadrin is commonly known as Slayer Keep, and is an important centre for the worship of Grimnir, the Dwarf Ancestor God epitomizing fearlessness and fighting spirit. [9a]
The Dwarfs and the many outposts they garrison along the route provide welcome security to the caravans in what would otherwise be a dangerous region, as well as keep a vital trade route open. In return, the Dwarfs collect much gold in tolls, paid willingly by merchants. [9a]
At Karak Kadrin, a weary Slayer may find lodging, food, and hospitality for as long as he needs it before resuming his quest for death. In return, those Slayers who remain at the keep are expected to help the King uphold his pledge to guard Peak Pass.
Contents
Clans
- Drakebeard: The most famous clan of the hold and one of those of the entire Karaz Ankor. Grudge-driven, even amongst the Dawi, their thanes seek prove themselves to the head of the clan - Ungrim Ironfist. [12a]
History
The Emperor Dragon Skaladrak Incarnadine slew entire armies from the Hold. [2a]
Prince Malekith, his lieutenant Alandrian and fifty elves were taken to the hold to meet king Gazarund before heading on the Karaz-a-Karak. [10a] Malekith often campaigned with the armies of the hold against the creatures of Chaos coming south, on occasion joined by the High King. [10b] It was at the hold, during the rule of King Brundin that Malekith learned that Snorri Whitebeard was dying. [10c]
King Grundin was plagued by greenskins in the lead up to the War of Vengeance, citing them as a much bigger threat than the rumours of the Skaven. He attempted to strengthen his links with the High King Gotrek Starbreaker, but Gotrek's son Snorri refused to marry his daughter Helga. [4a]
In -650 IC, King Baragor consecrates the great shrine to Grimnir in the hold attracting slayers from across the Karaz Ankor and giving them a place to be honored and where priests of Grimnir could teach them to focus their rage. [11a]
In -4 IC the throng of the hold marched with that of Zhufbar to destroy the orcs that had invaded the lands of the Ostagoths. [7a]
Around 1200 IC and whilst the throng of Karak Kadrin fought against minions of the Blood God, Mur'gagh the Thrice Pustulent led his Coterie of Disease up through the catacombs and tunnels. Even the armour of Ironbreakers was little protection against the filth they unleashed and it took only a few hours for the Plaguebearers to overrun the Under Wardens and fill the lower levels with a putrid mixture of blood and effluent. King Kram Starhammer gathered his Runesmiths leading a counter-attack that banished the Daemons with their runic weapons. [6a]
However, even as they were defeated, three Bloodthirsters suddenly appeared in the upper levels, leading the Tetragore of Skullgrind. They slaughtered their way through the hold, heading for the workshop of the ancient Runelord Skalf Ironbrow. They dismembered him and then turned against his works, shattering the precious Anvil of Krong and other irreplaceable runic items. King Kram, weary but filled with anger, was later able to drive the Tetragore from his hold. [6a]
Following the tradition of his ancestors, Ungrim Ironfist, the king of Karak Kadrin, has taken the Slayer oath himself. However, bound by his duties as a monarch, he cannot leave and seek an honourable death in combat. Therefore he fulfills his Slayer oath by providing for other Slayers as they seek to fulfill their vows.
Storm of Chaos
As the hordes of Chaos invaded the Empire, thousands of Slayers had gathered and now marched behind Garagrim Ironfist, the War-mourner towards Praag. They marched through the foothills of the World's Edge Mountains , crossed the Urskoy and began to slaughter the beasts and monsters they encountered. [8a]
Meanwhile, his father Ungrim dispatched rangers and gyrocopters in search of the army of Vardek Crom whilst his forges rang day and night. Finally the enemy was spotted, the fury of the Slayer King growing when it was discovered it included six Hellcannons and their Chaos Dwarf crews. [8b]
The first battle took place between the Dwarfs and the warband of Tarkas Heng who fell prey to the prepared defences and traps, everyone of them being killed. [8c]
End Times
In 2524 IC, Ungrim received a message from Karl Franz asking for him to aid a Elf rescue mission into Sylvania to rescue the Everchild. Although no friend to the Elgi, he deterimined to to set an example and give the world a reminder that the Dwarfs were still a force to be reckoned with. [9a]
He led an army into Sylvania but found his progress very slow, hindered by the spirit-haunted and oppressed woodlands. Finally they were confronted by a great horde of Beastmen leading to the Battle of Red Cairn in which although the Beastmen were defeated, the Dwarfs suffered huge losses. Eight of ten of the mustered Dwarfs had been killed and so with a heavy heart, Ungrim ordered the retreat. [9b]
The Skaven besieged the hold for a year in 2524/5 although Ungrim often sortied out to destroy their forces before retreating back to the seemingly impregnable defenses of his home. When Ikit Claw arrived and began setting up huge catapults at Peak Pass, three miles away from the hold - Ungrim marched out once more to destroy them. [13b] The Slayer king and his throng shattered the various waves of the ratmen, slew their beasts and destroyed their war machines. [13c]
However even as the last Skaven were chased towards their tunnels, Ungrim realised that he had been led far from his hold sounded the withdrawal, heading back at pace towards Karak Kadrin. Three Hell Pit Abominations had attacked the massive gates with wrecking ball fists and warpfire burning braziers, smashing their way inside when the runes of Valaya failed, one by one. Once inside they met with a new hail of fire which killed the first but as it died, green gas began filling the entrance hall. Far away, Ikit activated the bomb within, the battered gates were blown off their hinges as a green toxic cloud began to push inside and rise above the hold. [13c]
Notable
- Dwarf
- Baldi Bluebeard: He slew a mighty carrion bird with a single crossbow bolt, but the great beast fell upon him, his descendants were named Griefwing. [1a]
- Gomrund Forkbeard: Dwarf Lord and Ambassador to Karak Ungor, he joined King Ulfar Stonehammer's in his hunt for Chaos Dwarfs in his lands. [5a]
- Bowli Griefwing: Dwarf adventurer and Longbeard, highly skilled with a crossbow. [1a]
- King Grundin: Ruler of the hold during the War of Vengeance. [4a]
- Ori Ironbeater: One of the oldest and most respected metal smiths in the hold. [1b]
- Ungrim Ironfist: King of Karak Kadrin.[13b]
- Ethgrim Paingrinder: A Dwarf adventurer, wielder of the Rune Axe Paingrinder. [1a]
- Rordak: Chief Ranger of the hold. [13b]
- Olif Thumpcrush: A Dwarf adventurer and second son of one of the most respected metalsmiths in the hold, Ori Ironbeater. [1b]
Throng of Karak Kadrin
The hold fields an unusual army, the majority of which are Slayers.[3a]
- Lord: Slayer King with same options as a Dwarf Lord. [3a]
- All other characters must be Slayer characters. [3a]
- Core: Slayers. [3a]
- Special: Dwarf warriors, one unit of Hammerers if the Slayer king is leading the army.[3a]
- Rare: Crossbows and Thunderers. [3a]
Gallery
Banner of Karak Kadrin
Rordak's Rangers
| 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
- 1: Warhammer Monthly
- 1a: Warhammer Monthly Issue 9: Dwarf Lords
- 1b: Warhammer Monthly Issue 11: Dwarf Lords
- 2: Storm of Magic
- 2a: Dragon, pg. 120
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (6th Edition)
- 3a: Armies of the Dwarfs, pg. 78
- 4: The Great Betrayal (Novel)
- 4a: Chapter Nine: Rinkkaz, pg. 153
- 5: White Dwarf 80
- 5a: Imperial Dwarfs, pg. 7
- 6: White Dwarf 368 (UK)
- 6a: Daemons Design Notes, pg. 22-23
- 7: Legend of Sigmar (anthology): Heldenhammer (novel)
- 7a: Eighteen: Skaranorak, pg. 268
- 8: White Dwarf 296 (UK)
- 9: Warhammer Nagash, Book I
- 9: White Dwarf 152, Book I
- 9a: The Dwarf Realms, pg. 55
- 10: The Sundering (anthology) (Time of Legends edition): Malekith (Novel) by Gav Thorpe,
- 11: Dwarf Players Guide:
- 11a: The Dwarf Kingdoms, pg. 23
- 12: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (8th Edition)
- 12a: Legendary Clans, pg. 29
- 13: Warhammer: Thanquol
The Dwarf Kingdoms, pg. 23
