BIOGRAPHY Baerdal Dragonsbane, born as Baerdal Grunnson and known by his followers as The True King of Dungannon, is the current leader of the Grunnson clan and the direct descendant of King Thorgrim, the first Dwarf to rule Dragon Keep. Baerdal inherited the throne in 688 and fortified his position, encamping his forces between the passes of the Arth Mountains. In 722 he remained, defiant and in a constant state of readiness should the civil war of man reach his domain. From out of this small foothold, the Dwarves quelled bandit activities and established robust trade routes in order to expand Dragon Keep, carving out lower halls whilst shoring up defenses against any would be aggressors. During 782, several emissaries were dispatched to Dungannon in request for skilled stone masons, and builders to hasten the construction of the north-western gatehouse at what was later known as, Fork Pass.
In 816, several forays were launched across the mountain range, bloody offensives with intent on breaking The Second Orcish Uprising. Baerdal continued to support King Azar's campaign against the greenskin menace until the rebel leader was crushed. However, relations between the Dwarves and the Empire was short-lived. The Ritland Massacre and the heavy taxation's that followed put a lasting strain on both peoples. Baerdal Dragonsbane quickly learned that other races were not to be trusted. 820, Baerdal traveled to the Dwarf capital to declare his royal lineage and put forward his candidacy for the throne of Dungannon. Of all the noble clans, Kromrum Bronzebrow was declared leader by majority and the Dragon King returned to Dramongarde disgraced.
The Third Orcish Uprising occurred in 830, and Dragon Keep was in a constant state of siege. Baerdal contended with Zandar Blackwolf without the aid of his one time ally, King Azar. However, after months of fierce combat a decisive victory was finally won at the 'Battle of Fork Pass.' The Orcish advance was halted and their passage through the mountains to the north was denied. 832 dawned a new conflict for the Empire in the form of Kyrok's Rebellion. Baerdal vowed never to intervene in the affairs of other realms again and, as such, the Dwarves of Dragon Keep maintained their neutrality. During this time, forged weaponry, armour, and even raw materials - sulphur, iron, gold, and gemstones were traded across the Arth Mountains and wealth filled the coffers of the hold. The Dwarven clans of Dragon Keep prospered from the war and bloodshed that engulfed Baden.
After several years of work to rearm entire battalions of Dragon Keeps army, Baerdal currently stands ready. Indeed it is the Dragon King that calls the far-spread clans, the Thanes of every stronghold to muster their armies for the coming Age of War:
A sound, faint, like a tiny bell in a vast, silent hall. Like an anvil struck in a cold forge left to ring alone, fading, before being struck again. I hear it, stalwart brothers and sisters. It is the heartbeat of our proud kin. Once we delved and wrought with purpose and vigour, great works to last through the ages. Our skill became legend, unrivaled by all but few. But we have been sundered, my kin. Be it by our greed, our ambition, or merely by misadventure, we have been hurled far to all corners of this land. We have grown too many, and yet too few. We are stretched, as gold wire twists too tightly about the haft of an axe. Where once the symphony of the forge rang melodious through our ancestral halls, there is but an occasional ringing hammer fall. We may have lost an ear for the anvils song, and yet here we stand returned from the deepest slumber. Let us see that the flames will not fade from our smithies. Let this glorious place be as of old, while we reforge the blade of our culture and heritage. Let us not stand bashfully by, come forth! Bring the songs of your travels and the works of distant lands. Fill this, our great fortress, with the stuff of legends, as our hammers learn to fall in harmony once more.
- King Baerdal of Dragon Keep [Translated]
Headwear: Dragon Crown Worn by the rulers of Dragon Keep since the fortress was founded, the crown instills the undying will of the wearer to all those nearby.
Armour: Drakescale Armour Resembling a glistening coat of dragon scales, this burnished armour blazes gold fury as hot as the grudges of the Dwarf who forged it so many ages ago.
Weapon: Great Warhammer of Grunnson The bright flash of silver is easily seen as this great weapon rises and falls in deadly arcs. Baerdal had this warhammer made especially for his campaigns during the Second and Third Orcish Uprisings.
Book: Tome of Grievances An ancient book passed down through one elder to the next. The pages therein records every terrible wrong or treacherous deed perpetuated against the clan.
INFERNAL GUARD
Unit Type: Heavy Infantry | Crafting Points: 216 | Gold: 050
Forms Baerdal's personal bodyguard, chosen by the Dragon King himself. They are individuals from different clans, who have proven themselves in uncountable battles, showing not just great strength and deadly martial prowess, but also steadfast loyalty and a bold and courageous nature. Endowed in the wealth of plate and chainmail, these warriors wade into combat wielding their great hammers. With swinging and whirling they send up gory debris, as splintered shields, cracked bits of armour and even heads or limbs are thrown into the air by the sheer force of the impact.
