"It is a serious land. You can carve a living here, if you work at it, but it will never repay sloth. I’ve seen the way your people look at the grime under the leaves and I know what you think of it, but we cherish every shadow, every pit. It is our place. You should not have come here."
Morgrim Bargrum, later known as Elgidum ("Elfdoom"), of Clan Ironbeard,[1e] and also called Morgrim Blackbeard,[1t] was a Dwarf hero of the Karaz Ankor during the War of Vengeance (War of the Beard) and nephew of High King Gotrek Starbreaker. Morgrim would succeed him eventually as High King of the Dwarfs,[1s][3b] only to be faced with the catastrophic events of the Time of Woes.
History[]
" Prophecy is the worst riddle of them all."
- —Morgrim Ironbeard[3f]
Morgrim was born as the son of Bardum, Thane of Karaz-a-Karak, and was named after the Ancestor God Morgrim, the son of Grimnir.[1d] Originally, he was born a miner, with no aspirations to become a general or king.[1f] Morgrim was close to his cousin, Snorri Lunngrin, and would accompany him in his journeys into the Ungdrin Ankor to discover the lost relics of the old dwarf realm. During a trip to the lost city of Karak Krum, Snorris hand was mangled by Giant Rats.[1a] In an ancient shrine to Grungni, the pair found Ranuld Silverthumb, who prophesied that he was in the presence of a slayer of dragons and future king. When Silverthumb left them, Snorri proudfully exclaimed that the Runelord must surely have meant him, Morgrim pondered the word “elgidum” – “Elf doom” – the old dwarf had mentioned and what it meant.[1b] The pair emerged from the Rorganzar, the northern gate of the Ungdrin Ankor, near the lands of the Skarrenawi, having to make the journey back to Karaz-a-Karak on foot.[1c] An offer from Imladrik, lord of Oeragor and ambassador to the High King, to ride on the back of his dragon, was turned down after Imladrik’s dragon, Draukhain, had been startled when Prince Snorri was to mount him after effortlessly accepting Morgrim.[1d]
Back in Karaz-a-Karak, Morgrim met Drogor Zharrdum, a dwarf whose Clan had made the journey to Karak Zorn. Drogor told him that he never reached the fabled hold and that his Clan had been attacked, allegedly by elves. While Morgrim was sceptical, Prince Snorri quickly came to believe Drogors’ claims.[1g] During his stay, Morgrim and Imladrik developed great respect and a burgeoning friendship for each other, with both competing in the brodunk, the annual festival honouring Grimnir, against each other, yet with their skills being evenly matched, Imladrik winning by a margin.[1h]
When tensions arose between the dwarfs and the elves, Morgrim cautioned for peace, seeing that war would only bring devastation to the Karaz Ankor, unlike his cousin, who was eager for glory to prove himself in front of the other kings and his father.[1i] Yet despite his personal misgivings, he joined Snorris’ muster of warriors at Black Fire Pass, where the dwarf prince prepared for the conflict he saw as inevitable.[1j] When Snorri decided to march to war against the Elven Empire after receiving news that a convoy of priestesses of Valaya had been attacked, Morgrim demanded to see the document himself, only to have it crumble when it left Snorris’ hand.[1k]Nevertheless, against his better judgement, he followed his cousin loyally during the first assault against Kor Vanaeth, with his urgings for clemency falling on deaf ears.[1l]
After Phoenix King Caledor II had committed the crime of shaving the High Kings ambassadors in 2526 KA (-1997 IC), Morgrim joined the dwarf armies during the First Siege of Tor Alessi. His advice to bring the elves down by attrition was ignored by Snorri, who wished to win a great battle before the armies of his father would arrive. The army was defeated and the prince and his fellow dwarfs were forced to retreat.[1m] Afterwards, the dwarfs prepared to lay siege. Morgrim fought, winning great renown, yet his main motivation was to protect his cousin, from himself as well as the elves.[1n]
Following the failed first siege of Tor Alessi, Morgrim returned to his Clan, later leading an army that broke the Asur siege of Karak Azul. He then rejoined his cousin at Kazad Kolzhan.[1o] At the fields of Angaz Baragdum in 2549 KA (-1974 IC), Morgrim was to lead the reserve, but due to bad weather conditions couldn’t join the main army to prevent the fateful duel between Caledor II and Snorri Halfhand. Vowing vengeance after the Phoenix King cut off his cousins’ mangled hand, Morgrim carried Snorris’ body to Karaz-a-Karak.[1q] With his cousins’ death, Morgrim became Gotrek’s heir.[3b]
Morgrim was then installed as general, with High Runesmith Morek Furrowbrow at his side. Despite not wishing for war, Morgrim was determined to get vengeance for his cousin by driving the elves from the shores of the Old World.[2a] When Imladrik sent an emissary, Caradryel of Yvresse, to the dwarf host to parley and explain certain political developments in Ulthuan that had seen the rise of a group called the Druchii, Morgrim continued his march to Tor Alessi, but was willing to hear his former friend out.[2b] When the two met, Imladrik returned Snorri’s mangled hand that his brother had taken from his corpse to Morgrim, which convinced the dwarf to allow a parley.[2c]
Against the counsel of his thanes, Morgrim allowed a meeting to take place between the elf lords of Tor Alessi and his own warriors. There, Imladrik revealed the long hidden shame of his race, of the Sundering and the deeds of Malekith, who had once been their greatest of heroes. Morgrim listened as Imladrik pleaded that other forces were trying to stoke war between elf and dwarf and that, for the good of both, at least an armistice should be held. While not willing to end the conflict over unproven statements that outsiders were responsible for the crimes that lead to the conflict, Morgrim was willing to learn more about the Druchii.[2d] Yet both elves and dwarfs were determined to get vengeance for their dead, with Morgrim unwilling to face the High King for allowing the enemy to regain their strength. [2e] When notice came that a dwarf host of Karak Varn at the ruins of Kor Vanaeth had been attacked by a dragon rider, Morgrim ended the negotiations, seeing it as proof that accords were not possible with elves and seeking Imladriks death for deceiving him, beginning the Fourth Siege of Tor Alessi.[2f]
The siege ended with the entire annihilation of the dwarf army after Imladrik brought the might of six Star Dragons against them, throwing all reservation into the wind upon realizing that his own son was among the defenders. With the destruction of the army, Morgrim vowed vengeance against all dragons and their riders, promising that he would be the one that ended Imladriks life.[2g] Under Morgrims leadership, the dwarfs retreated from Tor Alessi to ravage what remained of elven settlements in the Old World, preventing the Asur from uniting their dragons again. Morgrim himself would lead the assault against Oeragor.[2h]
Joining his throng with the army of Barak Varr under King Brynnoth, he lead the first charge through Oeragors walls in 2555 KA (-1968 IC).[2j] When Imladrik arrived to evacuate his city, Morgrim challenged him for a duel, seeking to absolve himself of the shame of having trusted an elf. During their duel, they were again evenly matched, with Imladrik managing to slash Morgrims’ body with his blade Ifulvin, a weapon forged by Caledor Dragontamer himself. This awakened the runes engraved in Morgrims weapon. Ifulvin and Azdrakghar clashed and the elf blade shattered upon the impact, with the dwarf delivering the killing strike short after. Afterwards, Morgrim allowed the dragonmage Liandra Athinol to take Imladriks body to Ulthuan, while the remaining elves were taken captive.[2k] For his victory over the brother of the Phoenix King, Morgrim was hailed as Elgidum, the Doom of Elves.[2l] Dwarf chronicles claim that Morgrim Elgidum paid back the mutilation of Snorri by removing the elf princes’ nose,[5a] although he did no such thing.[2k]
Doom of the Elves[]
" Tomorrow, the field of battle will be awash with Elf blood. We will take a heavy toll to make them pay for their treacheries."
- —Morgrim Ironbeard.[6a]
The wound from Ifulvin would not heal, so Morgrim was forced to retreat to Karaz-a-Karak for years to receive treatment from the priesthood of Valaya. Even their help could not prevent the wound from burning again when wind came from the north, even when Morgrim was in the depths of a mountain hold. In his heart, he felt shame for having killed the only elf that had shown remorse and offered contrition for the crimes of their Phoenix King. For this, he ordered Ifulvin reforged.[3a] After blade was finished, he rejoined the dwarf armies at Athel Maraya, joining Brok Stonefist of Karak Azul. When Brok lead his forces to his doom, unwilling to flee the burning city as long as there were still elves to kill, Morgrim saved part of the army by taking command and leading them out of the collapsing city.[3b]
When the Asur laid siege to Barak Varr, Morgrim joined the united army of all holds under Gotrek Starbreaker, acting as his uncle’s commander to relief the hold. When entering the hold after freeing the tunnels of the Ungdrin Ankor, he found Drogor, who warned him that the elves were poisoning the water supply of the hold. There, Morgrim slew Lord Caerwal, former master of Athel Numiel which had been razed to the ground in the early days of the war, the entire population massacred by angry dwarfs. [3c] Afterward, Drogor joined Morgrims retinue, urging the dwarf to abandon the last restraint he had put on himself, yet Elgidum resisted, offering clemency to prisoners of war when possible. During the siege of Athel Toralien in 2770 KA (-1753 IC), he allowed the elves to disarm and flee into the forests under the leadership of Liandra Athinol.[3e]
As he moved his army to destroy Sith Rionnasc'namishathir in 2861 KA (-1662 IC), Morek Furrowbrow revealed the true nature of Drogor to him. The creature was a Daemon Prince of Tzeentch, masquerading as a dwarf and having fanned the flames of violence since the beginning. Shocked, Morgrim accused the daemon to be responsible or the war, only for the daemon to point out that it had done nothing but watching pride and stubbornness take its natural course. The daemon attempted to kill Morgrim and frame the elves to escalate the violence, but was slain by the combined might of Morek Furrowbrow, as well as the reforged Ifulvin and Morgrims runeaxe wielded by the Slayer Rundin Torbanson. Despite this revelation, Morgrim realized that the war was too far gone and the Asur wouldn’t accept claims of daemonic involvement just as the dwarfs had refused to believe the involvement of Druchii.[3f]
During the fourteenth and final siege of Tor Alessi in 3003 KA (-1600 IC), Morgrim served High King Gotrek Starbreaker as commander. During the battle, Morgrim came face to face with Thoriol, son of Imladrik. The elf sought vengeance for his fallen father, as did Draukhain, his dragon mount. Morgrim managed to slay the dragon, yet spared Thoriol and returned Ifulvin to him, in remembrance of his father. Thoriols injury was enough to draw Caledor II to the Old World, enraged that the dwarfs would threaten another member of his house.[3g] Upon the Phoenix Kings’ arrival, Morgrim Elgidum was driven from Tor Alessi, his host beaten, but the dwarf army not defeated. The next attack was lead by the High King, with the intention of ending the war by taking the life of the Phoenix King. Morgrim instead lead the sappers that destroyed the walls of Tor Alessi and later lead the throng of Hammerers that faced Caledor.[4b] The Phoenix King effortlessly slaughtered his warriors and would have ended Morgrim himself had not the High King arrived and issued a challenge. The duel ended in Caledors’ death and the formal proclamation of victory from the dwarfs, the grudge avenged and the elves driven from the Old World.[3h]
High King[]
Morgrim apparently inherited the crown from High King Nurn Shieldbreaker, who ruled in 3031 KA ( -1492 IC).[10a] During his reign, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions shook the World’s Edge Mountains. The Ungrdin Ankor collapsed over large parts and many holds that had withstood the war with the elves found their walls shattered by earthquakes and their mines flooded with lava. The natural disasters were used by the Greenskins, Skaven and followers of Chaos, who assaulted many dwarf holds. [7a]During the Time of Woes, High King Morgrim Ironbeard was forced to close the main gates of Karaz-a-Karak, which have been opened only rarely ever since.[4a]
In 3273 KA (-1250 IC), the eruption of Karag Dron drove hordes of Trolls and Greenskins north, laying waste to numerous mines and minor settlements, starting the Troll Wars.[8b] After five years, King Morgrim Blackbeard lead his forces southwards. After several pitched battles, he drove away the Orcs and other evil creatures from the mountains north of Mad Dog Pass. Another Dwarf army led by Logazor Brightaxe headed east and succeeds in recapturing Mount Gunbad, but was forced to abandon the mines when Orc reinforcements arrived. Mount Silverspear was attacked by Dwarfs, but the army was compelled to return westward when a horde of Trolls and Ogres moved towards Karaz-a-Karak. The horde was succesfully repulsed from the Dwarf capital and the bodies of many Trolls piled into a huge mound and burned.[8b] Afterwards, Morgrim lead his forces to retake minor settlements and refurbish and re-seal ancestor tombs damaged during the beginning of the Time of Woes.[9a]
In 3361 KA (-1162 IC), High King Morgrim received Lord Rahotep of Khemri as an emissary of King Alcadizaar. Gifts were exchanged and King Morgrim extended an invitation for the Priest King to visit his mountain hold to discuss the idea of future cooperation.[11a] Due to plague unleashed by Nagash against Nehekhara, no contact was established.
Wargear[]
- Azdrakghar: A runeaxe forged by Morek Furrowbrow and engraved with Runes of Power by the assembled mastery of the Burudin with some of the last of the old magic remaining. [1s] Its runes are designed to be the bane of dragonkind.[3g]
Canon Conflict[]
In Citadel Journal 40, Morgrim Elgidum is described as a King of Karak Izor, who lead the sack of Athel Maraya.
Sources[]
- 1: The War of Vengeance: The Great Betrayal (Novel) by Nick Kyme
- 2: The War of Vengeance: Master of Dragons (Novel) by Chris Wraight
- 3: The War of Vengeance: The Curse of the Phoenix Crown by C.L Werner
- 4: Warhammer Armies: Dwarf (6th Edition)
- 5: Grudgelore (Background Book)
- 5a: pg. 47
- 6: White Dwarf #266 (UK Edition)
- 6a: pg. 57
- 7: Warhammer Armies: Dwarf (7th Edition)
- 7a: pg. 16
- 8: Warhammer Armies: Dwarf (4th Edition)
- 9: Warhammer Armies: Dwarf (8th Edition)
- 9a: pg. 20
- 10 Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 10a: pg. 7
- 11: Nagash Immortal (Novel) by Mike Lee
- 11a: Ch. 24