Karak Azgal

Attention, Empire Citizens! This article lacks proper Citation of its content. Please provide the book or source material used within this page. Articles that don't have proper citation may be listed for deletion

Karak Azgal
Sigil of Karak Azgal
Inhabitants	Dwarfs, Humans, Halflings (Greenskins, Skaven, Undead below)
Type	Fortress
Location	Southern Worlds Edge Mountains
Population	Skalf's Hold: 5000-6000 (80% Dwarfs, 15% Humans, 5% Halflings) and at Deathgate: 7000 (70% Humans, 20% Halfling, 9% Elves, 1% Dwarfs)
Allegiance	Lord of the Hold Thorgin Dragonslayer, Commander of the Lawbringers; Thane Furagrum Kazorson; High Priestess Balikina Furlisdotr of Valaya
Industry	Gems, Jewelry, Gromril

Karak Azgal, which means "Hoard Peak" in Reikspiel and Khazalid, formerly called Karak Izril, the "City of Jewels," was once an extremely wealthy Dwarf Hold that has since fallen under the control of the Greenskins and the Skaven.

Karak Azgal is now a major destination for adventuring and mercenary bands of the Old World who seek to brave its dangers in the hopes of plundering its still vast riches.

The Dwarfs are happy to allow this activity -- so long as they can heavily tax any who return to the surface after plundering their former home.

History

Karak Azgal was originally known as Karak Izril, the "City of Jewels" in Khazalid. So great were the veins of gems found in the mines that the riches were said to rival the great Dwarf city of Karaz-a-Karak itself. Those were the days of Dwarf pride, but they would soon come to an end.

The fall of Karak Eight Peaks (- 513 IC) in the north at the hands of Orcs and Goblins was only the beginning. Using the Dwarf roads and trade routes, the green horde descended upon the southern holds with great ferocity. Tales of the riches of Karak Izril had been heard throughout the Old World, and even the Greenskins knew great treasure was there for the taking. In their arrogance, the Dwarf had only lightly defended the passes to the north, thinking Karak Eight Peaks would never fall. The Orcs took advantage of this and stormed into the hold.

At the same time, the cunning Skaven decided this would be the opportune moment to strike. They had been burrowing under the Dwarf mines for years, biding their time and lusting after the Dwarf riches. When they learned of the Orcs and Goblins assault, they launched an attack of their own. Faced with a battle on two fronts, the Dwarfs realized they were doomed.

Retreating into the depths, the Dwarfs made a valiant last stand to defend their hold. The carcasses of Orcs, Goblins and Skaven were piled high at the feet of the doomed Dwarfs as they fought to the bitter end. As the last Dwarf was killed, the invaders searched for the Dwarf treasure but found none.

The warriors had given their lives to protect their treasure. Whilst their were fighting and dying, the Runelord Stormbeard and his Dwarf Engineer took the treasures and hid them in a secret vault deep within the mountain.

Using Runes of Hiding, he concealed the door to the vault so only a Dwarf would be able to find it. Vowing to return, the Runelord led away what remained of the Dwarf of Karak Izril. Preparing his entry in the Book of Grudges, he renamed the hold Karak Azgal or "Hoard Peak."

A map of the tunnels of Karak Azgal.

War with the Orcs and Goblins had depleted their resources and the Dwarfs weren't able to return quickly enough to preserve the Hold and recover the treasures buried by the clever Runlord. In -469 IC, a Greenskin army lead by the great Warboss Dork, destroyed and abandoned Karak Azgal in frustration after failing to find Stunty treasure.

The glory of the Dwarf kingdoms was well and truly at its end. The Dragon Graug the Terrible soon claimed the hold. Using his race's ability to sniff out precious stones and gold, Graug quickly found the hidden vault and made his nest there to attract a mate. It was then that Karak Azgal came to be known as "the Dragon Crag."

For many years, treasure seekers and adventurers came to the crag to challenge the Dragon and loot the ruins. The Dwarfs sent countless expeditions sponsored by the Jewelsmiths' Guild to regain the gems hoarded by Graug. All of them failed until in 1032 IC, the Dwarf warrior Skalf Dragonslayer entered the ruins.

He discovered the hidden vault and confronted Graug. After an epic battle, Skalf slew the Dragon by chopping off his head, claimed the treasures and the kingship of Karak Azgal for himself.

The Dwarfs made no attempt to recapture the hold, which is still infested with Goblins, Skaven, and other foul creatures. Instead, Skalf and his descendants established a town, Deadgate, in the valley below the old entrance.

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Fantasy RPG 2nd Ed.: Karak Azgal
  •  1a: pg. 3