Azram the Mighty, Lord of Stone and Heart of the Mountain
The name Azram the Mighty is unfamiliar to all but the oldest Lorekeepers amongst the Karaz-Ankor. There is only one known script that makes mention of Azram, and it has not been seen since the Time of Woes. Whether it was destroyed, hidden or stolen in the upheaval is not known. Any Dwarf that has read the script has long since joined the Ancestors.
A few, scant rumours remain. Legend has it that Azram was an Ancestor God, mightier than Grungni, perhaps even the first to emerge from the mountain that birthed the Dwarf Ancestors. Other wild myths go so far as to suggest he released the Ancestors from their stone womb, perhaps even created them! Such myths are considered blasphemous amongst both the Clergy and the Lore Keepers, who quickly and vehemently berate such nonsense as nothing more than
ale-fuelled stories from the drinking halls, or twisted Manling legends from the days when they were little more than stone wielding savages.
More worrying rumours suggest that certain Stoneshaper Clans worship Azram in secret guild meetings, placing him in greater esteem than all other Ancestors. Such gossip is rarely greeted with anything other than a stern stare and a quick “Humph!”from any Stoneshaper, who insist Grungni, is and always has been their patron.
All Dwarfs know of ‘Azram’s Colossi’, the gargantuan, paired Dwarf statues ‘guarding’ the entrances to Karaz-a-Karak, the last true bastion of Dawi greatness. The majority of Dwarfs assume they were named after the Stoneshaper that sculpted them and are simply decorative, if impressive. Those who search into archives can reveal a little more. Over the centuries, these
statues have developed their own legends. These stories state that in times of dire need and great threat to the Dawi nation, the statues will awaken, living stone giants that will smite the foes of the Dwarfs. This is, of course, preposterous, but such legends are hard to crush.
Whatever the original source of the various legends, something or someone believed them important enough to commit to runes. ‘What came before the Ancestors?’ is a question that patient Rinn often have to answer from their more inquisitive offspring. Perhaps there is some truth to Azram, at least loosely…a long since forgotten power and father to the Ancestors?
Note: The above was inspired by the only source I could find on Azram, an old Citadel Journal (#85, p44). It's not 100% legit, but will work for quest hooks as well and allow GMs to create 'the truth'. In reality, Azram has long since been forgotten to GW.
A few, scant rumours remain. Legend has it that Azram was an Ancestor God, mightier than Grungni, perhaps even the first to emerge from the mountain that birthed the Dwarf Ancestors. Other wild myths go so far as to suggest he released the Ancestors from their stone womb, perhaps even created them! Such myths are considered blasphemous amongst both the Clergy and the Lore Keepers, who quickly and vehemently berate such nonsense as nothing more than
ale-fuelled stories from the drinking halls, or twisted Manling legends from the days when they were little more than stone wielding savages.
More worrying rumours suggest that certain Stoneshaper Clans worship Azram in secret guild meetings, placing him in greater esteem than all other Ancestors. Such gossip is rarely greeted with anything other than a stern stare and a quick “Humph!”from any Stoneshaper, who insist Grungni, is and always has been their patron.
All Dwarfs know of ‘Azram’s Colossi’, the gargantuan, paired Dwarf statues ‘guarding’ the entrances to Karaz-a-Karak, the last true bastion of Dawi greatness. The majority of Dwarfs assume they were named after the Stoneshaper that sculpted them and are simply decorative, if impressive. Those who search into archives can reveal a little more. Over the centuries, these
statues have developed their own legends. These stories state that in times of dire need and great threat to the Dawi nation, the statues will awaken, living stone giants that will smite the foes of the Dwarfs. This is, of course, preposterous, but such legends are hard to crush.
Whatever the original source of the various legends, something or someone believed them important enough to commit to runes. ‘What came before the Ancestors?’ is a question that patient Rinn often have to answer from their more inquisitive offspring. Perhaps there is some truth to Azram, at least loosely…a long since forgotten power and father to the Ancestors?
Note: The above was inspired by the only source I could find on Azram, an old Citadel Journal (#85, p44). It's not 100% legit, but will work for quest hooks as well and allow GMs to create 'the truth'. In reality, Azram has long since been forgotten to GW.