"I swear I never saw a beard so white or gold as on the features of Grombrindal"
Grombrindal the White Dwarf
—Veteran Quarreller.
The "White Dwarf" is the legendary Duardin known in Khazalid as Grombrindal, which roughly means "The White-bearded Ancestor."
Over the centuries he has received several names, but this is the one by which he is best known.
History []
"The last crimson rays of sunlight scattered on the battlefield at sunset after the carnage of that day. The last handful of duardin warriors had resisted against the attack of the Goblins, but the arrival of night The Goblins would be strengthened and attacked again.This time they would not leave any survivors. And one by one, the weary Duardin began to sing their funeral songs. And one by one they sang until a single figure wrapped in a cloak remained in silence, firm and challenging."
- —Anonymous Duardin from the time of the Old World.
No one knows where to find the White Dwarf. He appears when and where his people are in serious difficulties. When everything seems to go wrong for the Duardin, he arrives. He has been seen many times throughout the extensive history of the Duardin and there is evidence of his mysterious and unexpected appearance in the most awful moments of the battle in a multitude of sagas. Each time he has appeared, the tables have changed in favour of the Duardin. In the case of Umthi the Damned and his comrades they were surrounded by Goblins. When all seemed to be lost, the goblin horde retreated in panic and Umthi's warriors could be heard whispering "The White Dwarf" in full admiration.
Amongst the centre of the grobi hordes, his great, white beard and purple cloak could be seen swishing and his uncovered arm brandishing his mighty axe, cutting his way through the countless ranks of the enemy. Before that motivating vision; the people of Umthi, despite bleeding from multiple wounds and being fully exhausted, drew strength from the greenskins' weakness and lunged forward one last time in a desperate effort to reach the White Dwarf, standing alone among the Goblins. When they got the victory and Umthi glanced around the shattered field, the White Dwarf had disappeared and there was no trace of him except for the piles of dead Goblins. In the same place there is now an altar in honour of Grombrindal, although there are many more in the kingdoms of the Duardin.
Some say that the White Dwarf is none other than the ancient Duardin King of Karaz-a-Karak, who was the only High King of the Duardin to receive due and deserved respect from the Phoenix King of the High Elves of Ulthuan. But that was a long, long time ago, before the War of Vengeance; And, if it were true, the White Dwarf could be considered a true ancestor who undoubtedly managed somehow mysteriously to push the limits of mortality. These rumours are no doubt aided by the fact that the High King swore on his deathbed to return to his people when their need was greatest. It could be that he was torn from Vhulkhul when the War of the Vengeance began, infuriated at the Aelf's oathbreaking.
In the Saga of Grombrindal it is said that he roams the Worlds Edge Mountains following the old Duardin ways. He disguises as an old prospector covered with a large mantle. Always accepting a drink of good Duardin beer from any traveller who is on his way and, in turn, presents him with a prophecy.
Ever since he first took part in the Battle of Tor Alessi, he has been sighted on many occasions. Often he appears as a strange and solitary Duardin in a camp full of his kin on the eve of a great battle, alone with himself. Sometimes his silhouette has been seen walking on the battlefield of a besieged fortress, which is considered a good omen that bears victory and hope. The next day, the White Dwarf would make his appearance in the battle clad in all his royal panoply of war, like a legendary ancient king, like a true ancestor, like a figure who has come to life from the old Duardin engravings.
(From Gav Thorpe's 'Grudgebearer') The book begins with the story of Snorri White-Beard. He stands at the head of a Dwarf army, side by side with the Elves. Malekith lead the pointy-eared forces. They stood fast against the Chaos hordes, demons, human followers the North and other unholy beasts. This campaign had began with the raw fury of the Dwarfs but it was joined in great friendship by the Elves. Trade flourished, and the two races mustered to push Chaos itself to the northern wastes. They did so, their power in that time so awesome.
When old age caught up with venerable Snorri, he lay on his death bed. Before his death, he ordered Malekith to keep the peace and friendship between Elves and Dwarfs. But something terrible overcame Malekith and he attacked Dwarf caravans with his 'Dark Elves.' He framed the Phoenix King's followers, prompting messengers to go forth to Ulthuan, where the Elves home was. There, Dwarf questions went unanswered and the messengers attacked and shamed. Even with such wrongs done against them, the Dwarfs held back their axes, demanding reasons and peaceful end to the strife. But in his arrogance, the Phoenix King struck out, and war began to sweep these two powerful realms. The War of Vengeance lasted hundreds of years, before the Dwarf High King Gotrek Starbreaker took the head of Caledor the Elven king. The war was one in part by a cloaked figure, with white beard that flowed like a striking waterfall out from the dull cloak. In times of great need, this figure would appear, and cast away his disguise, revealing a battle hardened ancestor, Snorri White-beard, he was the White Dwarf, he was Grombrindal. He would turn up and lead entire armies, before vanishing when all was done.
In the End Times, he hunted Malekith, to kill him and let his soul rest in Vhulkhul, feasting with the gods. When they met, Malekith stood no chance, and the duel ended in Grombrindal's triumph. But at that moment, he saw into the eyes of his sworn enemy. And he saw his friend, from a time long past. He realised then that strife between all that opposed Chaos would make them stronger, an that this elf was still his companion after all that he had done. Malekith was forgiven, though the Dark Elf was not. And it was Malekith that fled from that encounter, not the evil that had taken him.
Wargear []
- Rune Helm of Zhufbar: Those Duardin who have managed to glimpse the stunning helmet that the White Dwarf bears in battle on his furrowed brow have described it as a dazzling vision. The Runesmiths have identified this magnificent helmet as the Lost Rune Helm of Zhufbar, which disappeared many years ago when that particular Hold was temporarily overrun by Greenskins.
- Glimril Scale Armour: After the Battle of Thraag, in which the White Dwarf slew ten thousand Warriors of Chaos to rescue the reckless Ungi No-chance and his folk, a single scale of armour was found clenched in the teeth of the Chaos Lord. It was forged from a metal totally unknown by the Duardin folk. The Runesmiths were completely mystified and called it Glimril, believing that is had been forged by the Ancestor Gods themselves.
- Rune Cloak of Vhulkhaya: The Runes embroidered on the great cloak worn by the White Dwarf display, without a doubt, that it was woven by Vhulkhaya herself. At least one saga relates that Vhulkhaya, the Duardin Goddess and protector of the Duardin people, gave him the cloak as a token of her esteem.
- Rune Axe of Grimnir: The mighty axe-wielding White Dwarf carries an axe that matches the description of Grimnir's Runic Axe that appears in several sagas and legends. Perhaps Grimnir gave his legendary weapon to the White Dwarf.
Sources[]
- White Dwarf 300, pp. 104, 105
- Warhammer Invasion (Card Game)