"Yes they are stubborn and prideful.
But when speaking of Dwarfs, there is
really only one thing to remember...
Dwarfs, quite simply,
are born for battle."
The Dwarfs are an ancient and industrious race that is long past its prime. Their once-great empire of
Karak Ankor now lies in ruins and many of the Dwarfs' mighty mountain holds have been abandoned or conquered by
Orcs and Goblins, with whom the Dwarfs have warred for centuries. It is not uncommon to hear a Dwarf wistfully
recall the great glories of the past, observing bitterly that nothing the Dwarfs do in this day and age can
compare to the majesty of what once was.
An enormously proud people, the Dwarfs are quick to react to any slight, real or imagined, and remember
any such infraction for years, even passing on the responsibility of vengeance to their heirs through their
Books of Grudges. It is perhaps because of their obstinate pride that the Dwarfs refuse to openly admit that
their culture is slowly creeping towards its nadir. Inwardly, however, they know that they are a doomed race.
This gives them a uniquely dour outlook upon the world and perhaps explains their great fondness for drowning
their sorrows in tankard after tankard of ale.
In fact, the only thing that the Dwarfs love more than a good mug of ale is gold. A Dwarf in the throes of
goldlust is a thing to behold. The race's legendary drive and stamina is brought into sharp relief when
they are presented with the opportunity to acquire gold. As miners and experts on ore and metals, the Dwarfs
are without peer. Items of Dwarf craftsmanship and engineering are the most valuable in all the world, revered
even by the Elves.
The fates of the Dwarfs and men of the Empire are inextricably intertwined.
Ever since the day Sigmar united the tribes of men in the defense of the
Dwarfs at the Battle of Black Fire Pass, the stout warrior-folk have
honored their oath to come to the aid of men in times of need.
With the fate of the Empire now hanging in the balance,
it seems that this old debt may soon come to call.
[Thorgrim Grudgebearer, High King of the Dwarfs]
Dwarf Oathbearers
News of the fall of Karak Eight Peaks dealt a grievous blow to the pride of the Dwarfs.
Thorgrim Grudgebearer, High King of the Dwarfs, faced not only a large enemy army preparing
to march on his capital, but also a crisis of morale. Being a wise Dwarf, he knew that in order
to withstand the coming attack, his subjects would need the proper motivation.
The High King went before all the gathered Dwarfs of Karaz-a-Karak and made a grand proclamation.
The finest Runesmiths and Forgemasters in all the Worlds Edge Mountains would be gathered together
to craft weapons of power rivaling those made by the ancestor smiths of old. The High King named
these weapons Doomstrikers, for they would be the doom of the greenskins.
To ensure the quality of these mighty weapons, only the finest ores, gold and gems would be used
in their making. To gather these precious resources, the Dwarfs would have to travel to some of
the most dangerous places in the Old World. Only Dwarfs of exceptional skill and courage were fit for such a task, and so the High King decreed the founding of a new regiment, which he called the Oathbearers.
Such was the importance of their task, any Dwarf wishing to join the Oathbearers would be required to swear an oath
to the High King himself. When the ranks of the new regiment were filled, the High King ordered his Oathbearers
to venture out into the Old World and gather whatever materials the Forgemasters required.
As a reward for their bravery and dedication, the High King promised that when the Doomstrikers were
finished, it would be the Oathbearers who carried them into battle at the head of the Dwarf army.
GrenAcid