"I swear I never saw a beard so white or gold as on the features of Grombrindal!"
- —Veteran Quarreller[4a]
Grombrindal, called the "White Dwarf," is a legendary Dwarf whose name in Khazalid roughly translates as "The White-Bearded Ancestor." He has been given many names over the centuries, but this is the one by which he is most widely known.[2c]
Every Dwarf, from the youngest beardling to the most wizened Longbeard, can recite the Saga of Grombrindal from memory. An epic tale that runs into many hundreds of verses, the Saga of Grombrindal tells how this Dwarf of legend strides the mountainous paths known only to the Dwarfs, appearing unannounced at times when his help is needed most.[3a]
No one knows where the White Dwarf will appear. He turns up wherever and whenever his folk are hard pressed. When the odds are against the Dwarfs, he comes. He has been seen many times throughout the long history of the Dwarfs, his strange and unexpected appearance in the darkest hours of battle recorded in many sagas. Each time he appears, the tide has turned back in the Dwarfs' favour.[1a][2c]
There was the time when Umthi the Doomed and his folk were surrounded by Goblins. When all seemed lost, the Goblin horde shrank back in dismay. Umthi's clan warriors were heard to whisper in awe "The White Dwarf!" Deep in the midst of the foe the white-bearded one could be seen swinging his mighty axe, cutting a swathe through the ranks of the enemy.[1a][2c]
Inspired by the sight, Umthi's folk, though bleeding and exhausted, took heart and surged forward one last time in a desperate effort to reach the White Dwarf, who stood alone amid the Goblins. When the victory was won, and Umthi gazed across the stricken field, the White Dwarf was gone and no trace of him was found, except for the heaps of slain enemies. A shrine to Grombrindal now stands in this place, one of many throughout the Karaz Ankor.[1a][2c]
So it was at the battle of Whale Bridge, when Grombrindal held the causeway against the horde of An-Cas the Boastful, and the arrogant Goblin Warboss was decapitated with a single blow. So it was at Bitter Peak, when the numberless Skaven were put to flight by the woefully outnumbered Dwarf Miners from Barak Varr, a white-bearded ancient holding their tattered ranks together with shouts of encouragement. So, too, it was at Cragmere, when the mightiest Dwarf heroes of the age crushed the advance of an army of Beastmen and Greenskins, and stood atop a mound of fallen fully ten corpses deep.[3a]
These tales and a thousand more besides all bear testament to Grombrindal's heroism and the miraculous nature of his arrival -- always appearing when the flame of hope is guttering and the spirits of the Dwarfs are at their lowest ebb.[3a]
History[]
"The last rays of crimson sunlight bled across the battlefield as the sun set over the day's carnage. The last handful of Dwarf warriors had held off the Goblin attack, but with the coming of the night the Goblins' confidence would be bolstered. They would attack again, and this time they would leave no survivors. One by one, the battle-weary Dwarfs began to chant their deathsongs. One by one, until only a single cloaked figure remained in resolute, defiant silence."
- —Description of an anonymous Dwarf[1a]
Origins[]
Some say that the White Dwarf is none other than Snorri Whitebeard, the Dwarf King of Karaz-a-Karak, who was the only Dwarf to receive due and proper respect of the High Elf Phoenix King of Ulthuan. That was a long, long time ago, though -- before the War of the Beard that shattered the amity between Elves and Dwarfs -- and if it is true, then the White Dwarf is truly an Ancestor, and in some uncanny way must surely have crossed the bounds of mortality.[1b][2c] These rumours are no doubt aided by the fact that the high king swore on his deathbed to return to his people when their need was greatest.[2a]
Others claim that he was once a paramour of the Ancestor Goddess Valaya and beloved of all the Dwarf gods. Whatever the truth, the Saga of Grombrindal contains these and no less than forty-three other suggestions. The White Dwarf is a hero from the time of legends and the knowledge that he walks the mortal world today fills every Dwarfen heart with hope and pride.[3a]
First mentions of the great Dwarf come from the the time of War of the Beard. Like an avenging spirit he had appeared at the first battle against the High Elves, when the ancient alliance had been shattered by discord. He is also known to have participated in the Battle of Tor Alessi. As tales of the fighter's prowess spread, he was given a simple name, but one that now conjured up images of bloodshed and vengeance -- the "White Dwarf."[2b]
Appearance[]
"An Elf? Are you really asking me which Elf is the fairest? Come now, remove those blinkers from your eyes for a moment, lad. Could either of those ladies wield a battle axe, milk a mountain goat or stand in a shieldwall? Of course not -- one, because they’re untrustworthy Elves, and, two, because they’re thinner than my patience. They have nowhere to hang a suit of armour and would blow over in a strong breeze. Furthermore, no beards. I think it's scandalous you've left Queen Helga from the list. Not only does she know which end of an axe gets the job done, but she's a fair and wise ruler to boot. Only Valaya herself could be finer. Surely Helga's an obvious pick for anyone exclaiming the virtues of a good lady. And, before you ask, Lucretia Belladonna is no good either. She'd poison the food."
In the Saga of Grombrindal it says that he wanders the Worlds Edge Mountains, following the old Dwarf ways disguised as an aged prospector, swathed in a great cloak. He accepts a swig of good Dwarf Ale from any traveller he meets and in return offers them a prophecy.[1b][2c]
Many are the times when a strange, lone Dwarf of this very description has been seen in a Dwarf camp on the eve of a great battle, keeping his own company. Sometimes such a figure has been seen walking the ramparts of a besieged stronghold and this is held as an omen of victory and hope. In the battle the following day the White Dwarf has appeared, bedecked in all his regal panoply of war, like some ancient king of legend, a true Ancestor, a figure come to life from old Dwarf carvings.[1b][2c][3a] With ancient fire blazing in his eyes, Grombrindal reaps a bloody tally upon the hated foe.[3a]
On the eve of a battle, when dread looms over the hearts of the Dwarf host like a dark shadow, beardlings and longbeards alike stoke the watchfires a little brighter and keep a tankard of ale aside in case a grey-cloaked stranger seeks to join the throng...[3a]
Wargear[]
- Rune Helm of Zhufbar - Those Dwarfs who have glimpsed the awesome helmet worn upon the White Dwarf's troubled brow have described the sight they beheld. Runesmiths have identified this magnificent helmet as the lost Rune Helm of Zhufbar, which vanished many years ago when that particular hold was overrun by Greenskins.[2d][3b]
- Glimril Scale Armor - After the Battle of Thraag, in which the White Dwarf slew 10,000 Warriors of Chaos to rescue the foolhardy Ungi No-chance and his folk, a single scale of armour was found clenched in the teeth of the slain Chaos Lord. It was a metal totally unknown by the Dwarf folk. The Runesmiths were completely mystified and called it glimril, believing that perhaps it had been forged by the Ancestor Gods themselves![2d][3b]
- Rune Cloak of Valaya - The runes embroidered on the great cloak worn by the White Dwarf display, without doubt, that it was woven by the Ancestor Goddess Valaya herself. At least one saga relates that Valaya, protector of the Dwarf folk, fell in love with the White Dwarf on account of his magnificent white beard and gave him the cloak as a token of her esteem.[2d][3b]
- Rune Axe of Grimnir - The mighty axe wielded by the White Dwarf answers the description of the Rune Axe of Grimnir, mentioned in several sagas and legends. Perhaps Grimnir himself gave the legendary weapon to the White Dwarf?[2d][3b]
Miniatures[]
Videos[]
Sources[]
- 1: White Dwarf 200
- 2: White Dwarf 300
- 3: White Dwarf 348
- 4: Warhammer Invasion (Card Game)
- 5: White Dwarf 330
- 5a: pp. 66-67
- 6: Weekly Magazine: White Dwarf 29
- 6a: pp. 70-71