Grandaxe

The Grandaxes are fire-haired Mountain Dwarves who value their honor above all else, founded by Bogrin Grandaxe the clan holds a reputation for their skill with an axe. Early during the days of Aegis, a disagreement split the clan in two for many years, before taking up the name of Grandaxe once again. During this split, and continued after the Grandaxes gained high positions in power, and many were crowned the King of the dwarven kingdom. During their time spent in Anthos, many of the clan had died out, however since the move to the Fringe and Athera many lost members have been found. Currently, the Grandaxes reside on the dwarven claimed island in Vailor, ruling over the island for the Grand Kingdom of Urguan.

History

Aegis

The Grandaxe Clan, a clan of noble mountain dwarves, hold true to an ancient tradition, steeped in honor and glory. Beginning their life as exiles from the Kingdom of Urguan, before the reign of King Simmpa, preferring the fresh air of a mountain to the perilous depths of a cavern, they have had a long and bloody history, but one that has shaped them into what they are today. Before the 'Great Collapse,' a group of dwarves ventured into the northern mountains above Oren, each in search of a brighter future for their descendents. Many however, unprepared for the difficulties they would face, soon died of starvation within the first few weeks, or from the freezing cold weather of the north. Despite all odds, there was one group of dwarves, more hardy and audacious than the rest that through years of intense labor and building, were able to survive and live a life, far different to that of the cave dwarves. This was the beginning of the mighty Grandaxe Clan.

The renowned leader of the clan at the time was Bogrin Grandaxe, a grim but fierce dwarf of the mountains. Fabled to have never once backed down from a fight, his honor meant all to him. Even as he drank, it was was said his axe was no more then an arm's length away. He was not so heedless, so as to endanger his brothers however, and was always prepared for the worst. He had lived his whole life on the battlefield and he was known for acts which many thought of as stupidity, others as bravery. While serving under the dwarven Kings, when there was something which no other dwarf dared to do, it was Bogrin who would take upon the responsibility. There were many tales of Bogrin's deeds, including the time he fought a gigantic scaddernack bare handed or the time he rushed straight into a horde of orcs, with nothing but his battle axe to defend himself with.

As years passed by, Bogrin returned his clan to the grand city of Kal'Urguan, with the goal of dwarven reunification under King Simmpa. Many years were spent in Kal'Urguan and with Bogrin's eventual passing, Thrain Grandaxe became the new leader of the clan. However, divisions soon emerged between Thrain and another of Bogrin's sons, a dwarf by the name of Decks. Unhappy with King Charles Grimlie's war upon the humans, Decks spoke many ill words against the King, until one night, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Decks led many of his kin from the city and back into the northern mountains, spending a number of years constructing the dwarven hold of Kal'Domhain. Thrain, furious at the actions of his brother, outcasted Decks and those who had followed him from the clan, giving them the new name of Blackaxes, exiled mountain dwarves. Ashamed with the actions of his clan members, he gave the clan a new name, one that would show the infallible loyalty of his kin to the Kingdom of Urguan. These were the Braveaxes. Later however, as Decks grew older, he passed leadership on to his eldest son, Bazian, and so under his leadership, the Blackaxes departed from Kal'Domhain once again and united back with their Braveaxe kin in the grand halls of Kal'Urguan.

After many gruelling years, the Braveaxes had ascended to nobility, with times growing harder in the dwarven capital. By this time, past rivalries had diminished and the Braveaxes and Blackaxes held much control over Kal'Urguan's military, with Thorik Braveaxe, appointed to the position of Lord Marshall of the dwarven Legion. Under the reign of King Algrim Irongut, both clans partook in the final downfall of the undead keep, Wrath's Clutch. After King Gotrek Firemane took the throne, Thorik and his Longbeards, decided to create a War Council in order to have more control over their own affairs. More months passed, and with the sudden and mysterious disappearance of the King, the situation was looking bleak. After the failures of the High Council under two Irongut Kings, the Braveaxes and Blackaxes worked together in a military coup to take power from their former rulers, for the betterment of the Dwarven Kingdom. This proved a success and the clans were able to forge the first Grand Council of the dwarves, initially consisting entirely of Braveaxe and Blackaxe clansmen. Leading it was the new King and former Lord Marshall, Grand King Thorik Braveaxe.

Asulon

With a hold of their own in Kjell Ireheart's Empire of Urguan, the clan, now reunited under the Grandaxe name, sought to restore the old sense of honor and glory that once existed in their ancestors. Acting as the guardians of the northern borders of the empire, within their mountain hold of Kal'Anart, Bazian led the clan into a new age, restoring the old customs of the mountain dwarves and setting them apart from both other noble clans. Upon gaining independence from the Paragon and serving as a part of the Dwarven Coalition of Holds, the Grandaxes remained loyal and true to their old ways, serving the coalition faithfully in the third and longest Dwarf - Orc war. The war lasted half a century and only ended when the Grandaxes agreed to a peace treaty, after the land they had lost in the earlier stages of the war was bravely reclaimed through battle.

As the Lords of the Empire converged, it was decided that the coalition would be dissolved and a new Kingdom would begin in Kal'Karik, with Hiebe Irongut, Father of the Irongut clan, as its King. The Grandaxes, while saddened at the prospect of leaving their mountainous home, were willing to unite with the rest of the dwarven race once again. However, Bazian had grown old and weary, his days of leading the clan bearing down a great burden upon him. He soon decided it best to appoint his brother, Valen Grandaxe, second son of Decks, to lead the clan. Here, under new leadership and within a united Kingdom of Urguan, the Grandaxes would stand, alongside their dwarven kin. Here, a new age of Kings would begin.

As the dwarves fled to the Isle of Elysium, rebellion seemed imminent. While questions to Hiebe's leadership had already been posed by the dwarves of the Goldhand Clan and so too, the Grand Marshal Kjell Ireheart, the Grandaxe Clan had not yet acted. As the opportunity to avenge the death of their former King, Thorik Braveaxe arose, his cousin Valen was the first to act. Marching the Grandaxe Clan in full force into the hold of his killers, they found something they did not expect. Under the possession of an ancient evil, Thorik still lived and with the Hammer of Urguan, was freed from the prison of his own mind. Ondnarch, the bringer of the silent cold was temporarily defeated and banished to wander the world as a mortal. The return of the old Grand King had dwarves of all clans and creed rally beneath him as he claimed his right to the throne. With the backing of the Grandaxe Clan, Thorik Grandaxe was once again crowned Grand King of the newly formed Grand Kingdom of Urguan. Though his skin was now wrinkled and his hair greyed, he would do all in his power to restore the lost legacy of his clan and issue in a new era or prosperity for his descendants Beginning with the Treaty of Aturial, forging an alliance with Emperor Godfrey and the Holy Oren Empire, it was his hope that peace would soon ensue.

Years passed and the dwarves prospered under the newly written 'Articles of Urguan', as were envisioned by Thorik, Valen and Bazian. Satisfied that his work was done, Thorik stepped down from the throne and called for an election. As Lords, Valen and Bazian continued to serve under the newly crowned Grand King, Omithiel Strongbrow. This time saw the emergence of a new bloodline of the Grandaxes, known as the Grimaxes. These were of the line of Herot, who were distinct among the Grandaxes for their darker complexions. The peace did not last long as the new Orcish Rex waged war upon the Grand Kingdom of Urguan and its allies. The Grandaxes played their part in the war, until the races set sail for the newly discovered lands of Anthos. Here, the dwarves won a major victory at the crossroads, taking it under their control and forcing the war to a closure. With the Grandaxe Clan now living within the grand city of Kal'Azgoth, Bazian resigned as a Lord, in order to pursue his duties as a Remembrancer. In his place, his younger cousin, Arcane Grandaxe was selected to follow on in his footsteps. Anthos As Grand King Omithiel's reign led to a closure, sad news dawned upon the clan as Lord Valen Grandaxe passed away peacefully at the summit of the mountain, where stood the great shrine of Yemekar. After much consultation with the Brathmordakin, Archbishop Aengoth Starbreaker declared Valen a Paragon to be known thereafter as 'The Wordsmith.' Valen was the second Grandaxe to become a Paragon, after his grandfather, Bogrin. Arcane Grandaxe was subsequently named the clan father of the Grandaxe Clan. As Omithiel stepped down from the throne, an election was called and with it, a new Grandaxe King was crowned. Thorin Grandaxe, of the Grimaxe bloodline took the throne and under him, the Kingdom's economy prospered. He took a tough stance towards his enemies and was renowned for his skills in diplomacy. During this time, Thorik Grandaxe, the former Grand King took Arcane's place as Clan Father after his disappearance.

After a Lord was killed on his way into Kingston by a crossbowman of the White Rose, an ultimatum was delivered to Oren and the blood pact left in tatters. In a bold move, Emperor Horen V declared war upon the Grand Kingdom of Urguan and battled them back from the crossroads as the dwarves begun their advance. However, to the surprise of many, Emperor Horen V and the White Rose marched their armies into the north, allowing Thorin to push forward with an invasion. The Hightowers, long time friends of the dwarves, agreed to Thorin's terms and joined the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, while Oren was left to give up many of its lands to end the war. Grand King Thorin was immediately looked upon as a liberator in the eyes of many, making a pledge that dwarves would never allow an Empire to form again. Morgrim Grandaxe was made a Lord for his efforts in assisting Thorin during his rule. Furthermore, it was during this time that the first Grand King, Thorik Grandaxe, passed away. He was the third member of the Grandaxe Clan to be declared Paragon, known as 'The King of Kings' for his work in restoring the Grand Kingdom to its glory. His successor as clan father was Wulfric Grandaxe.

However, further tragedy befell the dwarves upon the news of Thorin's death at the hands of the fallen Aengul, Ondnarch. In his final act, he declared that the Kingdoms of Oren were granted independence. However, in the subsequent election Dizzy Irongrinder was elected to power and with the deaths of so many, the Grandaxes played a diminished roll within the Grand Kingdom. Wulfric Grandaxe eventually stood down as Clan Father and the position went to Ognar Grandaxe. However, this was short lived and the position soon went back to the former clan father Bazian Grandaxe. Upon Dizzy's removal as Grand King, Farren Starbreaker allowed Morgrim Grandaxe to make a nomination for Grand King, to which he chose the reigning High Prophet, Indago Stormhammer. Grand King Indago won the election and in a renewed attempt to increase the clan's influence, much of the clan took upon positions on the King's Council. During this time, Bazian went missing and so Fili Grandaxe decided to step up in succeeding him as Clan Father.

During Indago's reign, the Grand and his Lord's Council chose to assist in a rebellion against the Carrion rulers of Oren, a decision that was opposed by the majority of Clan Grandaxe. The rebellion failed however and the war soon made its way to the dwarves. The clan then went on to assist in the holding back an invasion force from Oren and Krugmar in the north, while battling Ondnarch in the south. They refused to surrender to either threat and remained steadfast in their loyalty to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. However, many in the Grand Kingdom at this time had begun to doubt the integrity of the Articles of Urguan and their functionality. Many, whom the Grandaxes deemed traitorous, had even begun to sympathise with King Heinrik's invasion. Despite this, the dwarves were ultimately successful in holding back Oren's army and were able to push forth a treaty of peace.

Shortly after the end of the war, Grand King Indago passed away and ascended to the halls of Khaz'A'Dentrumm. Therefore an election was held to determine his successor. To the surprise of many, Lord Hogarth Irongut nominated Wulfgar Grandaxe, the son of Morgrim Grandaxe, a young Legionnaire who had witnessed the full horrors of Heinrik's invasion. However, he won the election on the promise that he would restore a sense of respect to the dwarven nation and lead them into an era of enlightenment. Upon his coronation, Wulfgar quickly set about improving the state of dwarven society, creating a Clan Council and ensuring that guilds were working to the best of their abilities. Furthermore, he agreed upon a defensive alliance with the Rexdom of Krugmar, the first alliance of orcs and dwarves since the reign of Thorin Grandaxe. He firmly upheld the treaty with Oren and fought by their side in battling the Black Scourge back into the north.

It was during Wulfgar's reign that the fallen Aengul, Ondnarch, was defeated and restored as the uncorrupted Wyrvun. The Grand King had thus avenged the death of his father by Ondnarch's hand. Additionally, Fimlin Grandaxe arose as a Lord, following after his grandfather and uncle. However, Wulfgar's first true challenge came during the supposed attack upon the Conclave of Malin by King Heinrik's men. Though he ultimately chose to remain neutral in the war, he grew suspicious of Oren's motives. These suspicions were intensified as the nations traveled into the Fringe. There, Wulfgar established the city of Kal'Arkon, but came into many borders disputes with the Holy Kingdom of Oren. Knowing that threats were still being made against the Conclave, Wulfgar chose to sign the Treaty of Zion, creating a defensive alliance between the nations of Urguan, Krugmar, Malin and Alras. He hoped that this would deter Oren from taking any offensive act. However, his plan backfired and as dwarven Lords travelled to negotiate with Oren, they were attacked by men who were angered by the Treaty.

As outrage flooded the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, Wulfgar issued an ultimatum to King Heinrik. That he was to stand down from the throne for the actions he had set into motion by marching upon the Conclave or face invasion. Heinrik refused, mobilizing his army as the forces of the Alliance and Oren clashed on the battlefield. Ultimately, the Alliance was victorious and King Heinrik slain by a volley of arrow fire. Thus chaos erupted within Oren. Though House Carrion attempted to name Heinrik's successor as Franz-Joseph, he was assassinated by his own guards, as the Church claimed his rule as heresy. With Heinrik dead and a truce declared between Oren and Urguan, Wulfgar chose to relinquish the Throne of Urguan, to take upon an advisory role in the Clergy of the Brathmordakin. An election was subsequently called to determine his successor.

Fimlin Grandaxe takes upon the title of Clan Father after his brother, Fili Grandaxe agrees to give it up. The son of Thorin Grandaxe, Ognar is named Grand Marshal after Fili resigns. Hogarth Irongut is crowned Grand King but resigns after the weight of the throne overcomes him. Fimlin, Vorstag and Jorik Grandaxe are nominated for Grand King, However the election is rigged by to favor Jorik, and so Vorstag is crowned. After rash and repeated outbursts of starkness Vorstag is removed, in his rage he hands out kingdom money, keys and secrets that still belonged to him. Midgor Ireheart is crowned and promises many changes, and makes a large push to change the articles greatly, though most Grandaxes were reluctant to change from the government they had sworn to protect, the clan reluctantly supported the change.

The Races of the Fringe flee to Thales and found Kal'Klad, but with freezing winters and little food construction of a mighty ship is started in order to flee to what is later known as Athera. Athera Soon after the move to Athera, Midgor Ireheart is removed from Grand King, to be replaced by Fimlin Grandaxe. The reign of Grand King Fimlin was a long, stable one; at first he set about fixing loopholes in the revised articles and laws, as well as trying to increase the Kingdom's pockets. Later he warred against the high elves, and settled the grudges that were made against them, subsequently being warred on by the Undead, who had by now returned. The remnant of Clan Ironborn had called upon its allies in the Undead to retake the Empire of Khorvad, and in response Grand King Fimlin unites Athera with a treaty to defend against the Undead-Ironborn attack. Unfortunately the Grand Kingdom was not prepared for the powerful undead magic, and the ironborn succeed in taking the Capital; Kal'Agnar. During this time much criticism was placed on Fimlin's reign for losing the Capital, however as soon as they were properly prepared Fimlin marched the Dwarves and successfully retakes the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. With Kal'Agnar destroyed, a new city named Kal'Karaad was built, though its progress was slow, as each proactive move Fimlin made to bring the project on was vetoed or disapproved by the Thanes Council. A stone month later, the city not fully built Fimlin is removed from kingship by the Thanes Council, claiming "He did nothing."

While elections continue on, Fili and Fimlin Grandaxe begin construction of a hold, naming it Ote'Kathaz. While the land of the hold was meant for farms and housing, but this hold was soon abandoned in favor of a plot of land in the North.

The undead-controlled castle of Hanseti is taken by the dwarves and cleansed for the move of the Grandaxe clan, naming the hold Kal’Bogrin. Zahrer Irongrinder is elected Grand King and tries to re-implement the Lords Council, the proposition is voted against by the Grandaxe and Frostbeard Clans, but the Thanes remove the Frostbeard clan on the spot replacing them with the Doomforged, who agreed with the implementation. When the new Lords are chosen, the Grandaxe Clan is left out as they had gone against it, re-creating the tyrannical Lords Council the clan had fought against many years past. Still angry at the Grandaxes, the Lords Council tries to banish the clan using the excuse that a member insulted the King’s elf wife, King Zahrer refused, but was removed from King so the edict would pass.

Anticipating the unjust banishment from the Kingdom, and in defiance against the corrupt council the entire clan packs up and calls The Great Exodus to Kal’Bogrin, where the clan stayed under its own rule. Over time more and more dwarves move to the Hold of Kal’Bogrin in support of the fall of the council, until only the Lords are left living in Kal’Karaad, when they give up the land to the leadership of the Grandaxes. On the way out a candidate abstains from the election and replaces himself with Hodir Doomforge, who besides being the only candidate, won by a landslide.

The Kingdom of Oren, seizing the opportunity declares war on the Grand Kingdom, claiming that they hold a “rightful claim” on all northern holdings being once owned by humans. By the time the Orenian army had marched to Hiebenhall, the dwarven clans were re-united and the Battle of Hiebenhall was won.

Soon after an attack on an Orenian castle known as ‘Drakenburgh’ is staged by the Grand Kingdom, but the battle is lost as the horde of humans charges from their gates. With little but a stone day after the Orenian navy showed up at the dwarven harbor, the dwarves prepared for an easy-win naval battle, boarded their boats. Before the boats were fueled the Orenians activated dark magic allowing them to swim in water with armor, and climbed up the boats, knocking the Grand King overboard and drowning him.

Unanimously Balek Irongut is elected the Grand King of Urguan, and immediately sets about improving Kal’Karaad, the Guilds System, and the Legion, attracting many dwarves and other races to live in the city. Fearing an attack on their hold, the Grandaxe Clan petitions for a plot of land south of the capital within the Kazradin Foothills, the land is granted and the hold is named Kal’Ekknar, meaning city-in-the-foothills.

Notable Figures

Bogrin Grandaxe - Founder