Karak Azgaraz

There are many dwarf strongholds scattered throughout the Grey Mountains, though none are as wealthy or as magnifi cent as the surviving karaks of the World's Edge Mountains far to the east. The dwarfs of this region are called Grey Dwarfs by their eastern kin, which is a reference not only to their location, but also to their dour outlook and the relative austerity of their holds.

Karak Azgaraz is one such Grey Dwarf stronghold, nestled among the flinty peaks southwest of Ubersreik. It has stood here since long before the Empire was founded. Until a few centuries ago, it enjoyed rich resources of gold and silver, but now these veins are largely mined out, forcing the hold to rely on trade with the Empire to make ends meet. Its treasure stores are modest in the eyes of dwarfs, but to men the wealth of Karak Azgaraz is legendary, and attracts human merchants willing to brave the highlands.

Karak Azgaraz’s new king, Thuringar Orc-hewer, realises that fresh seams of gold and silver must be found if the hold is to survive economically. However, the lands around the karak have long been at the mercy of hostile greenskin tribes, who quickly burn down any settlements and mining works constructed beyond the hold’s walls. Meanwhile, ratmen and night goblins scurry in the labyrinths beneath Karak Azgaraz, threatening destruction from below. Thuringar has taken the battle to these foes, both to avenge past grudges and to pacify the region.

The king’s daring counter-attacks against his enemies have given Karak Azgaraz a reputation for boldness, much to the chagrin of many longbeards who dislike ‘rashness’ of deed and thought. However, despite the muttered disapproval of the elders, the new king is keen for the karak to live up to its name as the “Hold of the Fearless Axes.”

The Annals of Azgaraz
All dates translated into the Imperial Calendar.
 * -2000 to -1560 : Three kings of Azgaraz are slain during the War of Vengeance. The faithless elves shall settle their debt only when they restore the three lost crowns.


 * -1500 : The Time of Woes. Karak Azgaraz welcomes survivors from the ruined holds of the Worlds Edge Mountains.
 * -1499 : to present The greenskin tribes encroach on our karak. Their atrocities fi ll a thousand pages in our Book of Grudges.
 * -1 : King Gullin Flamemane and his throng fi ght at the Battle of Black Fire Pass. Gullin’s rune-axe settles six score grudges against the greenskins.


 * 1111 : Karak Azgaraz endures the Black Plague. Our warriors scour the skaven from the Underdeep. Ten thousand grudges upon their kind!


 * 1522 : The last of our wutroth groves succumb to rootrot. Axe-parties seek timber in the wilds south of the mountains, but none return. Our fi rst grudge against the woodfolk of Athel Loren is recorded.
 * 1707 : Our throng musters to help defend Ubersreik against the Ironclaw tribe. Alas, superior numbers force our throng to retreat and the orcs raze the city.
 * 2302-2304 : King Zaladrin Strife-axe marches to Kislev to fi ght Chaos alongside Magnus the Pious. In his absence, Ubersreik is ravaged by orcs. Our karak can spare no warriors for the city’s defence. In recompense, Zaladrin sends our finest craftsmen to rebuild its walls.
 * 2318 : The dead perturb the dwarfs of Azgaraz. King Zaladrin lays siege to the ruinous Blood Keep and slays there a Blood Knight to lay rest his unliving horde.


 * 2452 : King Zaladrin routs the greenskins at the Battle of High Mere. The ravens feast well on grobi fl esh. Alas, Zaladrin and Gunrig, his heir, are murdered by a goblin assassin. A heinous grudge indeed! Thuringar Orc-hewer succeeds to the throne of Karak Azgaraz.

Source

 * Warhammer Fantasy RPG 3rd ED -- Book of Grudges (pg. 16-17).