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Byrngandaz is a rune-inscribed pick, whose name translates as "Goldfinder". This weapon – and mining tool – was crafted by an unknown runesmith for the wealthy Miner Kings of Ekrund during the Golden Age of Karaz Ankor. When Ekrund joined Karak Azgal and Barak Varr to launch the southern offensive against the Elf colonies of Tilea, the Miner King Ekkel Olivsson was at the forefront of the battle with Goldfinder in hand.[1a]

During the Orc invasion of –1500 IC, the riches of Ekrund lured the greenskins to the Dragonback Mountains. Miner King Murkan Ekkelsson led the Dwarfs in a valiant defence, wielding Byrngandaz with deadly effect. Soon, the Dwarfs found themselves surrounded in their mines, annihilation their only fate. King Murkan led his elite troops in a desperate counterattack that breached the Orc line along its northwestern front and allowed their clans to flee to to the shores of the Black Gulf where ships from Barak Varr waited to evacuate them.[1a]

Once their brethren escaped, it is believed that King Murkan and the remnants of his army made a fighting retreat into the mines where they planned to make their last stand. The Miner King knew that his doom was fast approaching, so he carefully sealed Byrngandaz in a hidden chamber, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the greenskins. Taking up the runesword of a fallen comrade, King Murkan led a final, hopeless charge against the greenskins.[1a]

Many believe that Byrngandaz remains hidden in the ruins of Ekrund, waiting to be found. The surrounding lands still swarm with Orc and Goblin tribes, and the fallen Dwarf mine is almost certainly strewn with various traps set by its defenders. On the other hand, there are a few who suspect that the Orcs did recover the rune-pick, in which case it could be somewhere in the Badlands, in the Orc-held ports of the nearby Worlds Edge Mountains, or in the wilder portions of the Border Princes.[1a]

According to rumour, Byrngandaz is inscribed with a forgotten Master Rune, which gives it the ability to find gold and gems, as well as the capacity to split rock as if it were soil. It is also widely believed to have lesser (Thungni's) runes which give its wielder greater strength and quicker attacks.[1a]

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Karak Azgal - Adventures of the Dragon Crag (RPG)
    • 1a: pg. 61
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