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The Dark Iron clan (a.k.a. Clan Dark Iron, Dark Iron dwarf)[2] was ruled by the Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan and was unsuccessful in seizing control of Ironforge from the Bronzebeard clan and the Wildhammer clan. Now ruled by Emperor Dagran II under regency of Moira Thaurissan, daughter of Magni Bronzebeard, after the death of Emperor Dagran Thaurissan at the hands of Adventurers, the Dark Irons live in Blackrock Mountain as the slaves of Ragnaros. Dark Iron dwarves are neither mountain dwarves nor hill dwarves but rather considered just shadowy, wandering sorcerers.[3] (LoC 19). Under Moira's guidance it seems some will move into Ironforge and train dwarves as warlocks.

History[]

Like all dwarves, the dwarves of the Dark Iron clan are descendants of the earthen.

Just prior to the War of the Three Hammers the Dark Iron clan, ruled by the Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan, inhabited the darkest, deepest crevices of Ironforge. The Dark Iron clan was unsuccessful in wresting control of Ironforge from the Bronzebeard clan and Wildhammer clan during the War of the Three Hammers.

Thaurissan and his Dark Irons vowed revenge against Ironforge. He took his followers south and founded a city (which he named after himself) within the beautiful Redridge Mountains. Despite years of prosperity, Thaurissan and his sorceress wife, Modgud did not soften in their desire to defeat the Bronzebeards and Wildhammers; they launched a two-pronged assault against both Ironforge and Grim Batol. Thaurissan was routed by Bronzebeard at Ironforge, and retreated back to the Redridge Mountains. Modgud's assault on Grim Batol was marginally more effective, though she herself fell in battle.

As the combined forces of Ironforge and Grim Batol marched on Thaurissan, he attempted to summon an ancient power sleeping beneath the Redridge Mountains. Ragnaros the Firelord, immortal lord of all fire elementals, had been banished by the Titans when the world was young. Now, freed by Thaurissan's call, Ragnaros erupted into being once again. Ragnaros' apocalyptic rebirth into Azeroth shattered the Redridge Mountains and created a raging volcano at the center of the devastation. The volcano, known as Blackrock Mountain, was bordered by the Searing Gorge to the north and the Burning Steppes to the south. Though Thaurissan was killed by the forces he had unleashed, his surviving brethren were ultimately enslaved by Ragnaros and his elementals. They remain within the Spire to this day.

(above paraphrased, ©2005 Blizzard Entertainment)

Modern Dark Irons[]

Dark Iron dwarf

The modern Dark Iron clan serves Ragnaros. They are centered in the depths of Blackrock Mountain, in their dark capital of Shadowforge City. A great deal of Dark Iron activity can be seen in the Searing Gorge and in the Badlands. There have also been sightings in the Wetlands, Loch Modan, the Burning Steppes, and Dun Morogh.

Dark Irons are enemies of both the Alliance and the Horde. They seem to have helped Sicco Thermaplugg in the invasion of the Troggs in Gnomeregan, as some Dark Iron dwarves and even an Dark Iron Ambassador can be found in the poisoned gnome capital. It's unclear what exactly they did, though.

Some Dark Irons have broken ties with the clan in order to seek out business relations with the Alliance and Horde. This group is known as the Thorium Brotherhood. The Dark Irons have proclaimed the Brotherhood an enemy of the clan for their relations, and the two groups are now at war.

The Dark Irons have recently heard of the Forest Troll Serpent Goddess Ula-tek being reborn in Zul'Aman, and reckoned that this (deemed) Old God might get along well with their Elemental Lord Ragnaros. They have since sent emissaries to Ghostlands in order to get to know each other and become allies.

The Split[]

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In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm the Dark Iron Clan was no longer united. One group of Dark Irons joined the Alliance with their leader Moira Thaurissan, while the other group, considerably smaller, threw in their lot with the Twilight Hammer.

Moira, the widow of the former Dark Iron Emperor and mother to his child now holds the right to claim the throne of the dwarven union, being leader of one of the three clans and the heir to a second one, which makes her the most powerful voice in the council. Although, she is determined not only to do this, but also to make sure that her son will be ready to rule all of the clans once the time is ready and he can be considered adult.

Even though weaker in numbers than their cousins, the Dark Iron Clan holds the power of magic in their hands. Powerful elementalists, warlocks, mages, wizards and even necromancers roam in their lines. This is a powerful advantage for them since the others clans know only of regular holy magic, and they always make sure to point that out.

Physical appearance[]

Dark Iron dwarves easily stand out from the other two clans. They physically resemble Bronzebeard dwarves, but they are less stocky and more dexterous. Their skin is dark grey, and their hair and beards are white, black, or orange. Their eyes glow with orange flame - one of many gifts from their fiery master, Ragnaros.[1] (MG 52) In WoW they have darkish gray or black skin, with red glowing eyes.

Culture[]

Dark Iron dwarves avoid straight combat, preferring ambushes and ranged assaults. Dark Irons are self-serving, with little of the clan loyalty so dominant in the other two dwarven clans. A Dark Iron willingly flees or betrays his allies in order to save his own life.[1] (MG 52)

Dark Iron dwarves speak Common and Dwarven. Dark Iron dwarves sometimes learn Goblin and Low Common to speak with the creatures around their territory, and their elemental masters teach some of them their ancient language, Kalimag.[1] (MG 53)

Military[]

War Golem

Dark Irons at war.

Like most dwarves Dark Iron dwarves follow a rigid and militarized organization. Every Dark Iron dwarf soldier is well trained and well armed, often with the finest equipment he can afford. However, the years under the dirt, as well as a diabolical outlook on life, change the Dark Irons’ tactics. Skullduggery and backstabbing are just as potent as a good line formation. Even better, in some cases.

Dark Iron dwarves are cunning, and quicker than other dwarves. Whereas a unit of Bronzebeard dwarves would march straight into enemy lines, Dark Iron dwarves prefer setting up ambushes, or sending lightningfast strikes. Dark Iron dwarves grew comfortable in the shadows over the many years of their exile and enslavement, and are not above petty tricks such as traps and assassination.

Most Dark Iron dwarves form smaller units than their Bronzebeard cousins, to spread their numbers and allow for flanking and pincer maneuvers. Rogues and assassins mix evenly with warriors and marksmen.

Dark Iron dwarves are also well versed in arcane magic, more so than any other dwarven race. Due to untold years of living next to molten lava and fire, the Dark Iron clan developed a strong link to flames and fire magic. Fire-aligned elementalists battle alongside elite marksmen and stealthy skulkers, raining death on Blackrock Depths’ enemies. Battles against Dark Iron dwarves are often hellish, taxing both sides as the Dark Iron elementalists grow overzealous.

Dark Iron dwarves are still dwarves, and bring heavy firepower to the field. However, as in all elements of Dark Iron warfare, the dwarves prize subterfuge and sneak attacks over direct confrontation. Dark Iron snipers lie in wait for incoming enemies, while dwarven bombardiers place bombs in strategic places. Great siege engines rumble softly, set to ambush tight passes or simply mow over enemies with great disregard. Occasionally Dark Iron tinkers unleash entire payloads of flame and brimstone on opposing forces.

Dark Iron dwarves have unconventional backup as well. Fire elementals, servants of Ragnaros, appear intermittently with dwarven forces. Unlike the dwarves, fire elementals have no care for the art of subtlety. Lava elementals and flamewakers roar through battle, burning anything that gets in their way.[4] (DF 173)

Other Dark Iron clans[]

Questionmark-medium
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

With the presence of two other clans of dwarves with Dark Iron appearance, it is possible that the term Dark Iron refers to both an ethnic group of dwarves (such as hill or mountain dwarf) and the Dark Iron clan itself (which apparently lords over the other two lesser clans). Another possibility is that there is not a single Dark Iron clan, and instead several smaller clans are ruled over by a single Dark Iron Emperor who as such is lord over a confederacy of clans.

Inspiration[]

The Dark Iron dwarves bear much in common with the duergar from Dungeons & Dragons, including appearance, habits, and origins. They are also reminiscent of the Chaos Dwarfs from Warhammer Fantasy.

Notable Dark Irons[]

Name Role Condition Location Allegiance
IconSmall DarkIron Male Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan was the leader of the shadowy sorcerers of the Dark Iron clan during the dwarven civil war Deceased Unknown Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Female Modgud The sorceress wife of Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan Deceased Unknown Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Male Emperor Dagran Thaurissan Dagran Thaurissan is the current ruler of the Dark Iron clan, a descendant of Emperor Thaurissan and Modgud Killable The Imperial Seat, Blackrock Depths Dark Iron dwarves, Ragnaros the Firelord
File:IconSmall Dwarf Baby.gif Fenran Thaurissan Fenran Thaurissan is half Bronzebeard and half Thaurissan and the heir to both the Kingdom of Ironforge and Dark Iron Clan. Alive The High Seat, Ironforge Alliance, Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Male Franclorn Forgewright Franclorn Forgewright was the chief architect and designer for the Dark Iron Dwarves and inventor of the "Stonewrought" method. Ghost Forgewright's Tomb, Molten Span, Blackrock Mountain None, formerly Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Male Lokhtos Darkbargainer Lokhtos was the overseer of the Thorium Brotherhood during the War of the Three Hammers and the Dark Irons' enslavement in Blackrock Depths Alive Grim Guzzler, Blackrock Depths Thorium Brotherhood
IconSmall DarkIron Male General Angerforge General Angerforge is the venerable general of the Dark Iron armies Killable West Garrison, Blackrock Depths Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Male Fineous Darkvire The legendary hammer Ironfel, of the great architect Franclorn Forgewright, has fallen into Darkvire's grasp Killable Hall of Crafting, Blackrock Depths Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Male Golem Lord Argelmach Deceased (Lore), Killable (WoW The Manufactory, Blackrock Depths Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
IconSmall DarkIron Male Galgann Firehammer Galgann guards the Tablet of Will sought by Advisor Belgrum Killable Dig Three, Uldaman Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
IconSmall DarkIron Male Kaltor Ironfoe The legendary dwarven smith Kaltor Ironfoe, known for crafted Ironfoe battleaxes which bear his name. Franclorn Forgewright forged a hammer which he named after the legendary weapon smith Deceased Unknown Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
IconSmall DarkIron Male Molus Blackborn Deceased Unknown Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
IconSmall DarkIron Male Gunnar Flyntrock Gunnar Flyntrock is the leader of a group of dark iron dwarves Deceased Unknown Dark Iron dwarves
IconSmall DarkIron Male Coren Direbrew Killable The Grim Guzzler, Blackrock Depths Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
IconSmall DarkIron Male Onin MacHammar Alive Dun Morogh Alliance
IconSmall DarkIron Male Taskmaster Fizzule Spy sent by the Shattered Hand to send information about the Venture Trading Company. Alive The Barrens Shattered Hand portion of the Horde

Media[]

Video[]

War_of_the_Tree_Hammers

War of the Tree Hammers

The Dark Iron's fight the Bronzebeards and Wildhammers

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d MG, 51
  2. ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 191.
  3. ^ LoC, 19
  4. ^ DF, 173


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