"Now there was a king..."
- —Thorgrim Grudgebearer, on the King of Barak Varr.[2]
King Byrrnoth Grundadrakk
Byrrnoth Grundadrakk is the King of the Dwarfen stronghold of Barak Varr.[3]
History[]
Byrrnoth was born into the ruling clan some three centuries ago, the younger of two brothers. The Dwarfs of Barak Varr were less dour, more outgoing and friendlier to other races than Dawi from most other holds and Byrrnoth was no exception. He spent time with the Sea Engineers, learning the art of building iron ships, and had many friends amongst the merchants and navigators. He might have spent his whole life there, had it not been for the Elves.[1a]
Tragedy struck Byrrnoth's father and brother whilst they were at sea. They were hunting a fleet of Naggaroth Corsairs when their vessel was attacked, sunk and eaten by an ancient sea dragon and ally of the Elves named Mauldekorr. There were no survivors.[1a]
When Byrrnoth heard the grim news he abandoned his old life, swearing an oath at the shrine of Grimnir to avenge his kin. He claimed his birthright, the axe Rhymakangaz and took to the sea to hunt down the wyrm.[1a]
The quest of Byrrnoth occupies one hundred and seventeen stanzas of the Barak Varr Book of Deeds. The noble King did not step foot on land for over 20 years. He almost passed into myth - with seafarers talking of the doom-laden Dwarf and his ship of iron, ever-prepared to follow the slightest clue to Mauldekorr's whereabouts. He searched along the Vampire Coast, past the Citadel of Dusk to the Boiling Sea. He dared the Churning Gulf and the Bitter Sea, finally finding the drake in a bay off the Dragon Isles.[1a][1b]
As the dragon wrapped itself around the ship and started to crush it in its coils, Byrrnoth leapt upon the beast. Mauldekorr picked the dwarf up by his leg and hurled him into the air, opening up his fanged mouth to swallow him whole. The King's rage engulfed him and he willingly plunged into the gaping maw and started to cut the beast apart from the inside out. The dragon thrashed in pain, diving below the surface, writhing and twisting, but nothing could dislodge the vengeful Dwarf. Blow by blow, Byrrnoth hacked his way out, severing thigh-thick arteries and hewing thick, scaly skin. The crew of the Dwarf vessel watched the sea froth crimson and boil with the death throes of the dragon, fearful for their liege. Their despair turned to joy as Byrrnoth broke the surface, gasping for breath, his axe held high in triumph.[1b]
His clan name "Grundadrakk" means "Hammer of the Dragons" a name Byrrnoth earned the right to that day in the success of his legendary quest for revenge.[1b]
Upon his return to Barak Varr, Byrrnoth was acclaimed by the populace. Few had believed that he would be able to fulfil his oath and it was with great pride that they hailed him as King.[1b]
But his quest had changed him, not least because his leg wound never truly heal, forcing him to hobble for the rest of his days. Byrrnoth felt closer to his ancestors than ever before and for the first time truly mourned his lost kin. He also realised that Barak Varr was allowing traditions to be diluted by contact with outsiders. He renewed the practice of sending Beardlings to complete their schooling at Karak Kadrin and elevated many of his Hammerers and Longbeards into positions of great authority. Visitors wonder if Barak Varr will continue to be open for business under the rule of their new king, but such is the respect he has earned amongst his people that their support for his rule is absolute and without question.[1b]
In a now famous example of Dwarf stubbornness, King Byrrnoth and High King Thorgrim sat upon their respective thrones and stared at one another for nearly two full days, until the sea king finally broke and asked what had brought Thorgrim to Barak Varr.[2]
Miniature[]
Sources[]
- 1: White Dwarf 307
- 2: Thorgrim (Novel) by David Guymer
- 3: Gotrek and Felix: The Reckoning (Novel) by Jordan Ellinger
Gallery[]
