Thorgrim Grudgebearer
Thorgrim Grudgebearer, originally Thorgrim Ulleksson, Lord of Karaz-a-Karak is the current High King of the Dwarfs. [1a][5a]
Thorgrim is the descendant of the most ancient and noble of all Dwarf lords. The very blood of Grungni flows in his veins and the wisdom of Valaya sits upon his beetling brow. [6a]
Contents
Great Book of Grudges
The High Kings have kept the Great Book of Grudges, the oldest and most important of the many Books of Grudges that exist throughout the Dwarf realms. This book, known as Dammaz Kron, recounts all the ancient wrongs and deeds of treachery perpetrated against the Dwarf race. [5a] its pages are written in the blood of High Kings, and its tattered parchment is much thumbed and studied. [3b]
The Book is Thorgrim's constant companion. He keeps the book by his side night and day, sleeping with its gnarled old pages beneath his pillow, and carrying it about with him in his waking hours. He has managed to strike our several long-held grudges, including winning recompense of 1,000 gold pieces from the Burgomeister of Altdorf for damage done to the reputation of Borin Bullroarer during the Great Altdorf Stampede.
Occasionally, the Dwarfs have the opportunity to set right some ancient wrong, in which case the high King has the satisfaction of striking out the record in the book. This hardly ever happens as, when it comes down to it, Dwarfs much prefer to hold a grudge rather than let bygones be bygones. Even grudges which have been crossed our can still be read and are never forgotten, but fondly recalled together with the story of how vengeance was finally exacted. Dwarfs are very good at bearing grudges, and Dammaz Kron recounts many episodes of the infamy of other races and of the gods themselves. The Dwarf language has no word for forgiveness, but many subtle variations on revenge, recompense and retribution.
When Thorgrirn goes to war (which is often, for there are many dark deeds of infamy to avenge!) he carries the Great Book of Grudges with him. [5b] He is borne aloft on the Throne of Power by his four sturdy Thronebearers, and brandishes aloft the Axe of Grimnir. Atop his brow he wears the Crown of Karaz-a-Karak. [3b][5b]
History
Thorgrim is the son of Ulli Grimbolg, Thane of Clan Ullek, and Kemma Alriksdottir, the sister of High King Balun Alriksson. Alriksson highly regarded his nephew: Thorgrim was raised and mentored along Alriksson's own sons. After serving as a Thronebearer Alriksson even appointed his nephew into the prestigious position of Kharl of the Dammaz Kron, to study the Dammaz Kron on his behalf. [1a] [6a]
Since an early age, Thorgrim has dreamed of avenging his people and perhaps, one day, to put aside the Great Book of Grudges by striking out every single grudge it contains. Such a thing would be impossible even in a thousand lifetimes, but Dwarfs are a determined folk and once their mind is made up they are obstinate. [3b]
He campaigned in Norsca with the Norse Dwarfs, re-establishing ties with them and even entering several of the Lost Holds to gather and return lost artifacts including the Golden Sceptre of Norgrim.[1a]
In 2303 IC High King Alriksson returned from the Great War against Chaos he had suffered various wounds that would not fully heal and called a Council of Kings to decide the succession. Although many present were impressed by Buregar of the Clan Angrund and Ungrim Ironfist, it was Thorgrim whose Norse adventures, deeds and words led to him being acclaimed as the next High King. His final task achieved, Alriksson passed away. [1a]
Reign
Together with King Alrik Ranulfsson of Karak Hirn he slaughtered the greenskins plaguing Black Fire Pass, the two kings meeting at the heart of the battle, surrounded by dead orcs and goblins. [1a]
He rallied the clans to aid Belegar Ironhammer in his latest attempt to retake Karak Eight Peaks, having new Rune weapons forged for him by Thorek Ironbrow of Karak Azul who also joined the throng assaulting the lost hold. [1a]
Thorgrim led the Throng with that of Ungrim Ironfist to the aid of Zhufbar when it was attacked by Goblins, quickly slaughtering the invaders. However the greenskins had been fleeing a bigger threat - an Ogre army commanded by the Tyrant Browl Lumphammer. Together with an army from Nuln with a huge artillery train, they destroyed the horde [1a] at the Battle of a Hundred Cannons.[4a]
End Times
In 2525 IC, he dispatched a message to Belegar Ironhammer telling him that all of the great holds were under siege, each was hard pressed to hold out and they could send no aid to Karak Eight Peaks and Karak Azul had fallen. He asked that refugees were traveling towards the beleaguered hold and asked that he send ranger to aid them. [7a]
The Skaven continued to attack Karaz-a-Karak and although vast numbers were killed, there were always more, slowly , fighitng all the way, the Dawi were pushed deeper and deeper into the hold. At the Battle of Granite Gates he led his warriors to retake the Gates, but suffered a wound from the Doom Glaive of a Verminlord which penetrated the Armour of Skaldour. He cut down the Greater Daemon, an act which somehow empowered his armour, repairing it and also bringing the Rune of Eternity to life. After the battle, the wound would not heal, although he concealed this and his pain from his subjects. [7b]
Finally a massive new army of Skaven threatened his hold in late 2527 IC, pouring down the Silver Road Pass and he decided enough was enough - he would not sit and wait for his doom, he would march out to face it.[7b] In the subsequent battle, with the aid of Bugman's Rangers and Ungrim Ironfist, he shattered the Skaven army and killed Queek Headtaker in single combat. [7c]
Following his victory, he was assassinated at the King's View, at the top of the Stairs of Remembrance by Deathmaster Snikch.[7d]
Weapons and Equipment
- 4th Edition: Armour of the Dwarf Kings, Axe of Grimnir, Book of Grudges, Dragon Crown of Karaz, Throne of Power. [5c]
- 8th Edition: Armour of Skaldour, Axe of Grimnir, Dragon Crown of Karaz, Great Book of Grudges, Throne of Power. [3b]
- TOW: Kharl of the Dammaz Kron: (representing his younger self) Hand Weapon, Grudge-settler, the Grudgestone, the Armour of Skaldour and shield. [6a]
- Armour of Skaldour: Ancient Rune bedecked armour. [3b]
- Axe of Grimnir: Given to the gods son Morgrim when he went north and passed down by the High Kings. [3b]
- Dragon Crown: Worn by the High Kings since the founding of Karaz-a-Karak. [3b]
- Throne of Power: For over four thousand years, the Dwarf High Kings have been carried into battle on the Throne of Power. The throne is an ancient wonder and an astounding piece of craftsmanship, a marvel amongst the Dwarfs. The throne normally resides in the cavernous throne room of Karaz-a-Karak, raised upon a massive pedestal of polished stone. Those who would seek an audience with the High King must climb a night of steep steps as the Dwarf Lord stares down at them imperiously from the massive throne. [5b] It is said that whilst the Throne of Power endures the Dwarf race will also endure, but should it ever be destroyed then the Dwarf race will be doomed. [5c]
Gallery
Banner of Thorgrim
Banner of Kingship
Thorgrim
Thorgrim in Total War Warhammer [1]
Miniatures
Thorgrim
Thorgrim (older miniature)
Thorgrim's older Thronebearers
Quotes
| That which is wrong with the world, that we cannot fix with the blades of our axes, we shall surely avenge.
~ Thorgrim Ulleksson, Kharl of the Dammaz Kron.[6a] |
Fellow Dawi, I see Orc scum! They foul our mountains with their vile taint. The Dammaz Kron, our Great Book of Grudges, is filled with such greenskin atrocities! Bring hammer and axe - show these urks and grobi no mercy!.
~ High King Thorgrim Grudgebearer.[1] |
Notes
- Thorgrim is voiced by Richard Ridings in Total War Warhammer II [2]
Sources
- 1: Total War Warhammer
- 2: Behind the Voices – Total War Warhammer [2a]
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (8th Edition)
- 4: White Dwarf 340 (UK)
- 4a: Famous Battles, pg. 16
- 5: White Dwarf 160 (UK)
- 6: Arcane Journal: Dwarfen Mountain Holds
- 6a: Thorgrim Ullekson, Kharl of the Dammaz Kron, pg. 34-35
- 7: Warhammer: Thanquol
- Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (4th Edition), Needs Citation
- Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (6th Edition) (no rules), pg. 58
- Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (Revised 6th Edition), Needs Citation
