Alriksson was the High King of the Dwarfs during the Great War Against Chaos, son and heir of High King Alrik, and uncle to the current High King, Thorgrim Grudgebearer.[3a]
History[]
In 2302 IC, he fought in the Great War Against Chaos, leading a large force out of Karaz-a-Karak to aid Kislev. He distinguished himself in battle and was honoured by Emperor Magnus the Pious.[1a][2a][2b][3b] The high king did not escape the fray unscathed, for atop his Throne of Power, Alriksson had advanced deep into the thick of the battle, felling many foes. He now bore grievous wounds that showed no sign of healing, although the stoic high king remained unbowed, allowing no slowing of the vigour that had marked his long life. He had, however, lost his sons in the battle, and felt that the Karaz Ankor was growing separated by more than just distance and foes. Therefore, he called for a Council of Kings, something not done in over three centuries.[3a]
The Dwarf King of every stronghold, along with the most powerful Thanes and the royalty of every clan, made the dangerous trek to the halls of the high king. They gathered in the Great Hall, and many oaths of loyalty were repeated before Alriksson announced his plan for succession. There were a dozen suitable candidates — great Kings and Thanes of royal clans who could claim descent from the Ancestor Gods themselves (amongst them Ungrim Ironfist of Karak Kadrin, and Buregar of Clan Angrund, heir to Karak Eight Peaks and father of Belegar Ironhammer). Each of these noble warriors would be given a full year to accomplish heroic feats and attempt deeds worthy of a high king, after which they would present themselves to the full assembly and a decision would be made. After one year’s time, the Council of Kings convened once more. Two candidates had been slain, and a third was missing and presumed dead. Each claimant climbed the dais before the High King's Throne and turned to face the assembled throngs, regaling the audience with an account of his deeds. Even as High King Alriksson quieted the crowd to begin the pronouncement, a latecomer marched into the vast hall - Thorgrim, his sister's son, had come back with the Kings of the Norse Dwarfs and brought back several long lost relics from the Lost Holds, and he proclaimed his dream to avenge the wrongs done to his people by striking clean the entire ledger of the Great Book of Grudges. This made him be unanimously elected as successor to Alriksson.[3a]
In 2304 IC[3b], not long after being named successor, Thorgrim was crowned high king, for Alriksson's wounds from the Great War Against Chaos had never healed. The old Dwarf was so resilient and stubborn, however, that he had simply refused to die, holding on against the pain until the proper heir could be named and his designs of unifying his people kept alive. So passed a great king.[3a]