Karaz-Kafrin is a Rof-Dwarf Kingdom located in The Empire province ofAustria. While it maintains relations with the Sof-Dwarf council, it has become more of a Rof-Dwarf Hold as time has gone on.Also its main Hold of Karak Hirn is located on the tallest mountain in The Empire, and this hold is of vital importance to Karak-adr-Kafrin as it constitutes well over 50% of the total population of the realm.
It has very close relations withThe Empire, and is the main commicater between the realm of Karak Ankor and the Empire, and this is also the main role it still maintains in the Empire of Karak Ankor. Other then this it shares no real relations with their cousins in the World Edge Mountains. So close is their relationship with The Empire that their port city of Erekblund is used as one of the main ports of The Empire, and the entire region of Denmark welcomes these Dwarves openly along with the Dwarves in the mountains of Denmark.
The Hold of Karak Hirn was originally founded by Dwarves from the larger Dun Garak . The Dwarves became lost in the mountains following a large battle with Trollocs , and eventually they found a cave that would eventually become the center of Karak Hirn. As they came to become numerous they were safely hidden away in the mountains as the Empire of Numeron expanded massively in the region, and they benifited heavily from the trade with the Numenorians.
Geography[]
The main section of the Kingdom of is located in the central European mountain range of the Black Mountains. In these mountains the vast majority of the population live alongside the capital hold of Karak Hirn.
The second section is in Denmark where there is a series of mines, and a large Dwarven port located in Denmark that are ruled by the High KIng from Karak Hirn.
History[]
Early History[]
The Hold of Karak Hirn was originally founded by Dwarves from the larger Dun Garak . The Dwarves became lost in the mountains following a large battle with Trollocs , and eventually they found a cave that would eventually become the center of Karak Hirn. As they came to become numerous they were safely hidden away in the mountains as the Empire of Numeron expanded massively in the region, and they benifited heavily from the trade with the Numenorians.
Fall of Numeron[]
Main Article : Downfall of Numenor
When the Empire of Numeron collapsed they sided heavily with the forces of the Teutons, and silently they are perhaps the main reason the Teutons were able to sucede in their rebellion as they provided a nearly endless supply of weapons, and supplies to the rebels in Germany in the hopes that following the war the Teutons would be better traders then the Numenorians had become.
Splitting from Karak Ankor[]
In response to the independance of Karak Izor, and Karak Mulgar, High King Morgrim Blackbeard of Karaz Ankor angrily declared that the Dwarf clans preferring to establish new holds in the western mountains instead of returning to defend the Dwarf Empire were traitors to the race. He entered all clan names in his personal Book of Grudges. In return, the leaders of the clans in the Black and Grey Mountains, as well as the Vaults, returned the contemptuous gesture. It was their collective belief that the Dwarfs as a race would remain vulnerable if they did not establish new strongholds outside the Worlds Edge Mountains.
With communications rent asunder for 1,000 years, Karak Hirn and the other Black Mountain Dwarfholds carved out relationships with one another as well as the Dwarf settlements in the nearby mountain ranges. Populations expanded and the settlements thrived far from the war in the east. Occasionally, small armies of greenskins made their way from the Badlands northward through the land that would later be called the Border Princes. The armies of Karak Hirn defeated a number of these rampaging forces to retain control of the mountain passes.
One consequence of the Dwarf effort against the greenskins was to keep the land north of the Black Mountains relatively clear of their foe, thereby allowing Humanity time to firmly establish itself in this wild land.
The Rise of Sigmar[]
Main Article : Sigmar
See Also : Man Gods
The Rise of Sigmar You must save our people Sigmar. You are the only one who can. |
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Sigmar was born in the region of Bavaria in the northern part of Germania, to the Unberogen tribe, generally considered to have been one of the most powerful pre-Empire tribes. The night of his birth was marked with the appearance of a twin-tailed comet, which the human tribes took as a sign of great portent from the gods. This twin-tailed comet was in fact the arrival of the Titans Woglinde, and Zesperia of whom were coming to the village of Sigmar in order to assist in the plans of Ares to rise Sigmar to become a Man God. Ares had come to believe following the death of Jesus that the main reason for Jesus dying and ultimately failing was that from the moment that Jesus had come to be he had believed himself a god, and that this belief had led Jesus to walk into the trap laid for him by Nagash. Thus not wanting to make the same mistake twice Ares would decide to instead mold Sigmar into a compassionate, and strong human being before finally turning him into the God that he would become. Unlike Jesus Ares would not directly intervene instead leaving this intervention to Woglinde, and Zesperia of whom would conseal who they really were and silently turn him into the Man God they needed him to be. Attack on Breeboze[]Only two days after his "father" Ares would leave the region he set at the Trollocs of the forest and killed them in such number that they rampaged south to escape his wrath and directly into the path of Sigmar's village. Sigmar was fifteen at that moment and was working at his families blacksmith shop when the massive horde of Trolloc would rampage into the village. Legends say the small village of just 200 was attacked by over 800 Trolloc, and the chances of survival were beyond grim. What men could fight grabbed their weapons and the women and children hid in their houses with the faint hope that they would survive but basically knowing that it was over. Sigmar watched as his tribe was cut down and something snapped in him, so he picked up his father's plain blacksmith's hammer and charged out and into the Horde of Trolloc. Sigmar is said to have singlehandled held the center of the village, and in the morning when the villagers returned to the village they found the young boy laying down surrounded by hundreds of Trolloc. After resting for only a few hours Sigmar led the men of the village in a punitive raid against the nearbye Trolloc nest. While travelling on the road to the Trolloc nest Sigmar's group came upon a Dwarf convoy headed by the High King of Karak Ankor, of whome at that moment was being attacked by a horde of Trolloc rampaging due to the massacres of Ares. The two groups fought off the terrifying number of Trolloc and gathered together after the battle. In gratitude, Kurgan presented the young warrior with a magical rune-enchanted warhammer called Ghal Maraz ('Skull-splitter,' in the Dwarf Khazalid tongue). The Crusade Begins[]Conquering the Blacktusk[]Following his beggining of his crusade Sigmar went to the home of King Bjorn the most powerful cheiftan in the region, and once there he along with his friends made every effort to gain their support. King Bjorn was a wise man and Sigmar often sat at his feet and listened to his stories. He at first did this because he wanted the control that King Bjorn could provide for him and his growing powerbase. One of them was about Blacktusk :
As Bjorn finished the story, Sigmar was already asleep. But he still heard the admonitions of his father, the river Blacktusk Skien were alive and we must always honor the gods or he would come and take revenge. Gaining a King[]The next morning, Sigmar gathered his closest friends, including Wolfgart in order to go fishing. Sigmar told them he wants to go fishing on the River Skien and all were pale with fear. Wolfgart told the Warrior of the river area and no one fishes there is Blacktusk. But Sigmar replied only that it therefore there would be a lot of good fish. After the friends had forgotten their initial fear they followed Sigmar. The prey was abundant, and soon no one really thought of Blacktusk. Everyone laughed and rejoiced as Wolfgart screamed, dropped his spear and ran to the middle of the river. On the shore stood a huge boar, drool dripping from his mouth and with his huge blood-red eyes, he watched the young men. She immediately tried as far as possible from the shore to get away. Sigmar just stopped. The boar jumped into the river and rushed towards Sigmar. Sigmar stood still. He had thrown his spear and stretched a hand toward the boar. Just before him was the boar and Sigmar are touched him on the snout. He spoke softly to the animal and scratched it behind the ear while he was with his other hand clutching something in his coat. With a jerk pulled Sigmar herraus the subject, it was a spearhead. The boar grunted shrill, shook his head and trot away. Sigmar went to his friends, the spearhead is still in his hand and said: ". Has You see, there was a man of the boar driven to madness, not the gods" Disappeared with a last look at the forest in the Blacktusk, the men returned to the village. Uniting the Tribes[]With the power of King Bjorn behind him he would then go on a campaign to unite the disparate tribes of the future Empire, and one by one they submitted, either by conquest or diplomacy. He first had to deal with the forces of the Orcs that surrounded his tribes, and were causing great hardship in the region. During the Battle of the Asthofenbrücke Sigmar put the corrupt Wildork Warboss Grimgut Bonecrusher to an end. A day after his 15th Birthday Sigmar was called to his father, where he was shown his shield, as it was now up for a fifteen-year tradition adults. The land of unanswered roe was of Greenskins , Beastmen infested, cut-throats and bandits and worse. He received a sign with the sign of a black boar, which he had defeated a year earlier. With half of the warrior Reikdorfs he moved south after they had enjoyed the night before a feast. Wolfgart was part of the squad as a Warrior Prince left the village. Sigmar was Bracers of the moon, sun, and the two comets were drifted, and a wolf skin over his shoulder, and a Two-Handed Sword and a helmet, both of which were decorated with a few jewels. Part of the squad was also Pendrag , the red-headed standard-bearer, who also bore the sign of the black boar, and three hundred more warriors on horseback, partly as Sigmar on horseback . After a journey through several villages whose inhabitants they beobachtetn misträuisch as was customary, they reached the southwest located in the Grey Mountains. There, the water of a river, they held a meeting. During the meeting we saw smoke coming from the gray mountains, as the burning of huts Asthofen was determined. The horsemen of the army stormed to the horses, Sigmar and the command squad with them and as fast as they could jagdten after Asthofen. After a hard day of ride they arrived. Since orcs are not only bigger and stronger than humans, but also smell better, look and listen, they postponed the attack for the morning. In the morning you watched the Savage Orcs and Goblins, which set the city ablaze with flaming arrows and undisciplined in large numbers on the doors smashing. Directly to the gate Grimgut, who struck with his ax on the city was revealed on their banners the symbol of a flying hawk. Sigmar gained fifty volunteers who störmten in two waves with slings and bows before the orcs of a hill, and back again before the thousand eyes of the Greenskins . The goblins rushed forward at first, but pulled back in panic as the warriors of Sigmar were located on flat level. Were soon to Sigmar and his followers in battle with the Orcs, defeated many, but their attack was slowed down massively due to the sheer mass of the Orcs. This forced Sigmar on his gray horse and the remaining riders to retreat towards the river. On the run pursued by orcs, another died before Sigmar's troops reached the bridge. The last of the return was abolished, Wolfgart. Right after the riders crossed the bridge, fifty spearmen came under command of Trinovantes from the bushes and schnürrten the orcs from the road. They sold their lives dearly, but all this was part of the plan Sigmar. Ultimately, they too had to retire again, and fled toward the rider. The Orcs followed them, and entered so the wide plain, where Sigmar's horsemen were superior to them completely. The bronzegeharnischten riders had an easy game, so the orcs were then quickly defeated. Those who fled were stopped by the warriors Asthofens so could not escape the orc. After the battle there was a big celebration in Asthofen. Then returned home and received Sigmar be so coveted shield, which distinguished him as a warrior and leader. The most famous incident was his subjugation of the belligerent Teutogens, the largest and most powerful tribe, who lived near the Middle Mountains in the north central Empire, near the current location of Middenheim. Their chieftain, Artur, was defeated by Sigmar in single combat. Clearing the Forests[]From that point onward, Sigmar embarked upon a campaign of purgation and liberation throughout all of the tribal lands, primarily against the Trolloc that infested the forests of Germany. Among the other enemies that Sigmar was forced to contend with were the human followers of Chaos such as the Norse (as evidenced by his defeat of Morkar's invasion) who had come to infest the Denmark region along with present day Kizlev. The Orcs Come[]After the fall of the southern Karaz Ankor Dwarfholds, High King Kazgar Eniksson of Karaz-a-Karak and the Dwarfholds of the western mountains – including Karak Hirn – reconciled their differences and established an alliance against the seemingly countless numbers of greenskins. Karaz Ankor has been hard pressed in the fighting and needed help in stabilising the situation in the Worlds Edge Mountains. Many warriors joined Sigmar’s banner and King Dorant “Orcbane” Kraegsson gathered an expeditionary force of Dwarfs and Humans from the Black Mountain Dwarf kingdoms. In the Battle of Dracherückgrat Kamm, King Dorant’s forces cleared Sigmar’s right flank of Orcs, allowing the main allied Dwarf and Human armies led by Sigmar to smash the main greenskin in the Battle of Black Fire Pass. The crushing of the greenskins ushered a millennium of peace and prosperity for Karak Hirn and the Empire founded by Sigmar. Battle of Blackfire[]Battle of Prussia[]Rising as Emperor[]With his victory complete following the Battle of Fire Pass, Sigmar is said to have been carried back to Nuln by his army. When he arrived the nobles amongst his rallied tribes crowned him Emperor of theThe Empire , and gave him a crown fashioned by the Dwarves . Elector Counts Sigmar set up the leaders of the twelve main tribes that followed him as the Elector Counts of the Empire, a position that remains to this day. Although no longer led by the leaders of each of the important tribes, and instead led by the Leaders of the provinces. During these early years he would attempt to deal with the one delaying factor to the control of all of Germany in the form of the Kingdom of Bavaria which was led by the powerful House Franz. |
Third Dark Crusade[]
Main Article : Third Dark Crusade
Fourth Dark Crusade[]
Main Article : Fourth Dark Crusade
Goverment[]
High King[]
See Also :Donubi Copperhunter IV.
Donubi Copperhunter is the son of Jaerig Copperhunter III. the High King of Karaz-Kafrin preceding him becoming the High King. Donumbi has thee children with his wife in the form of Marza, Headrig, and Lolin Copperhunter of whome Lolin Copperhunter is the heir to the throne of Karaz-Kafrin, while his daughter Marza is the wife of the clan leader of Clan Heartbreather, and his other son Headrig leads the campaign attempting to regain the hold of Hurn Garak.
Donubi Copperhunter was raised with one goal in mind for his life, and that was the eventuality of being the new High King. He was the lone son of his father and thus if not him then another clan would take control. In an attempt to gain more knowledge he led a force of Dwarves that founded the Dwarven port of Erekblund in Denmark, and then sailed from here to Finland where they visited a number of the ancient Dwarven ruins in Finland. Following his return his father would fall in the Third Dark Crusade making him the new High King. As High King he has greatly expanded the holdings of Karaz-Kafrin, and has been the first High King to come close to regaining the ancient hold of Hurn Garak.
High Queen[]
See Also : Winnifer Flaxenhair
Like many Dwarfkings, Donubi utilises a council of his kin to assist him in ruling the Dwarfhold. Chief among his advisors is Queen Winnifer Flaxenhair who maintains a calming influence on his Council. It is through her efforts that the relationship with the demanding High King has remained as cordial as it has. Queen Winnifer actually receives the High King’s messages from his emissaries before her husband has a chance to take offence to any perceived slight by the ruler of Karaz Ankor. The Queen is well aware of the schism that has plagued relations with the old Dwarf Empire over the past three millennia.
Points of Interest[]
Holds
Karak Hirn[]
Main Article : Karak Hirn
Karak Hirn is the primary hold of the Dwarf realm of Karaz-Kafrin. Located on the top of the tallest mountain in the Black Mountains the Hold of Karak Hirn is a truly magnificant hold that rivals the holds of the World Edge Mountains.
Karak Hirn and its Kingdom of Karaz-Kafrin are a unique group of Holds in that they maintain their membership with the Sof-Dwarves but everything about them tells you that they are Rof-Dwarves. It has very close relations with The Empire, and is the main commicater between the realm of Karak Ankor and the Empire, and this is also the main role it still maintains in the Empire of Karak Ankor. Other then this it shares no real relations with their cousins in the World Edge Mountains.
Karak Hirn is the site of the Hirn Library which holds some of the most ancient and important artifacts in the Dwarven races history as the current HIgh King took them from the vast and hidden Dwarven ruins in Finland.
Villages and Mining Camps
A number of villages and mining camps dot the mountainous Kingdom of Karak Hirn. Many of these have mixed populations of Dwarfs and Humans.
Black Mountain Villages
Villages in the kingdom are few and typically consist of farmers and herders, mostly Human. Terrace farming is the favoured technique as it brings more land under the plough and is usually built on the southern faces of mountains within sight of the settlement. Highly developed irrigation methods are also used to channel water from run-off or mountain streams to these fields as well as to the villages. The farmers prefer to grow grain used in the production of ale and bread. Some fruit trees or vegetables are grown at the higher terraces.
The villages themselves are built on high ground so as to provide protection from any roadside attack. These communities are further protected by stone walls, usually 10-12 feet in height, with a single gate leading to the road below. A watchtower stands next to the gate with either a bell or horn to sound an alarm in case of danger. If the walls are not enough to protect the inhabitants, the villagers can access escape tunnels from inside the village hall. The escape tunnels lead higher up the mountains.
Like their Imperial counterpart, Black Mountain villages are led by a headman. This individual – Dwarf or Human – is generally elected by all adult members of the community. The election takes place every two years in an assembly where each candidate has a family member or friend speak on their behalf (candidates are not allowed to present their own case).
Mining Camps
Mining camps are the more common settlements outside the Dwarfhold. Most of those living near the mines are Dwarfs, many of whom are descended from those fleeing the 11th century persecution of Dwarfs in the Empire.
Unlike villages, mining camps are fairly open to the environment with low stone walls (about four feet in height, just enough to position crossbows and gunners) surrounding the camp. The walls are meant to slow down raiding parties of bandits and worse enabling the inhabitants to stand and fight if the number of foe is small or flee into the mines to escape a larger force. Similar to those in villages, the escape tunnels ascend the dark inside of the mountain so as to give the defenders higher ground.
Some food is grown at the mining settlements, but most comes from the villages or through trade with travelling merchants – both Dwarf and Imperial. Each mining camp has a quartermaster whose role it is to get the community the best deal possible by offering raw ore or partially smelted metals in trade.
Culture
Main Article : Dwarves
Slavery
See Also : Dwarven Slavery
As stated elsewhere, Dwarfs detest the idea of slavery and slavers, believing that there is no basis for treating any individual as if they were a mere commodity. Any slaver facing Dwarf justice is assured of execution.
On the other hand, Dwarfs have little problem with those who wind up as indentured servants as a result of defaulting on their debts. From a Dwarf point of view, meeting one’s obligations to others, in particular to one’s clan and craftguild is of utmost importance. Those who cannot repay incurred debt through coin or goods are expected to do so with service.