Got the impression that Fredrick made an impact on the High King, but I didn't think it was to that extent.
Well, let's review.
The first time Thorgrim heard of Frederick von Hohenzollern, it was part of a general intelligence report on the Empire by way of ambassadors/diplomats/etc., saying that there was some major incursion by the Ruinous Powers in the manling province of Nordland, to which Frederick von Hohenzollern, a beardling even for humans, had gone charging in. Apparently he slew a powerful Daemon Prince, the former Elector Count of the province (umgi's sure are prone to corruption, ugh). He fought alongside another umgi noble, Ortrud Hertwig, who was better known to the dwarfs for having fought at the Gates of Kislev and made friends and acquaintances with a good number of dwarfs, including some of the hammerers who were High King Alriksson's royal bodyguard. Ortrud Hertwig, after all, is a known Dwarf Friend. He also fought with elves, and as such, was immediately discarded in thought and recognition for his foolishness.
The second time Thorgrim heard of Frederick von Hohenzollern, it was because he was involved in killing a Bloodthirster outside of Nuln at the Battle of Three Armies. The throng of Karaz-a-Karak was preparing itself, for the greenskins were a considerable threat, as was Thorgar the Blooded One, only for the Empire to triumph over both. Magnus the Pious, a good friend of the Karaz Ankor and respectable Emperor had faced the Daemon Prince Thorgar had become, but the umgi Fredrick von Hohenzollern was credited with killing a Bloodthirster, unfortunately once more with the aid of the perfidious elves. Once again, discarded in thought, for while the elves are despicable, they are powerful with their magics enough to garner a healthy grudging acknowledgement by the dwarfs, one branded into their souls by the War of Vengeance. And honestly, the umgi has made common cause with the elves twice now, so...eugh.
The third time Thorgrim heard of Frederick von Hohenzollern, it was of news of the Vampire War. The undead are a more recent foe than the elves and the Ruinous Powers, but in that short time they have accrued many a Grudge, ambitious unliving abominations that they are. This time, however, the news was brought through by Garagrim Ironfist, now known as Baragor, who had plunged himself into the Vampire War at high speed hoping to fulfill the Slayer Oath of his family line. News of a brutal but effective fighter, who drank almost as much and as hard as a dwarf, fueled by vengeance by the near-fatal felling of his wife, tearing up and down the province. Who drew forces of the Empire to him as allies, as well as elves (ugh). But who performed quite a few remarkable deeds, by word of Baragor, as well as others of the Empire such as other Elector Count's influence and so on. Ortrud shows up here as does Stephan, too, in the ears of the High King. Zacharias the Everliving was around for a long time, long enough to accrue some Grudges in the Dammaz Kron. The theft of much shaped gromril, for instance, was extremely grudge-worthy, and some of those thousand year old grudges, of course, could finally be etched out. It was just unfortunate that the dwarf friend Johanna Fuerbach, who had helped expeditions to the eastern mountains, had fallen in the course of the fighting, but such was war.
The fourth time Thorgrim heard of Frederick von Hohenzollern, it was only a few short years later. The news spread throughout the Karaz Ankor like wildfire. That some insane human had somehow beaten Josef Bugman in a drinking contest, the result of which was Bugman settling down again and reopening his brewery and resuming production of Bugman's Best. The same alcohol that is treasured by dwarfs the world over as one of the highest quality brews in, well, existence. The loss of the Brewery was worth a major grudge written into the Great Book of Grudges itself, not just Clan Bugman's book or those of those of the nearby holds. This was, of course, impossible. And yet it was true. More than that, it was that Frederick von Hohenzollern had done it, because Thorgrim had roped Bugman into being the one doing the discussion. Possibly because Ostland was known as the heaviest drinking province, and it might provide an advantage in negotiations. Only, after the price was figured out for the return of the gromril, Frederick von Hohenzollern had gone further, and somehow managed to win. An almost unthinkable boon to the spirits (heh) of the entire Karaz Ankor.
The fifth time Thorgrim heard of Frederick von Hohenzollern, it was because he was a an ally to Ortrud Hertwig that Ortrud was suggesting come aid in the reclamation of Karak Ungor. Ortrud had spent a good number of years and human lives to help the dwarfs of the northern WEM reclaim lost holds/mines/etc. and cull greenskins/beastmen/beasts in general up there. She was a known dwarf friend, and she did not merely praise but plainly boast of the martial prowess of Ostland and its leader. Garagrim Ironfist supported her, convincing his father King Ungrim to allow the human to bring his armies east if the High King assented to his presence. While Frederick von Hohenzollern had fought alongside elves, he was also a well known Dwarf Friend, and even if he didn't know it, a major contributor to a good healthy portion of Grudges getting struck out. Had delivered a massive bounty of shaped gromril back into dwarf hands. Had somehow convinced Josef Bugman to brew again.
So...he said okay, Ortrud. You can bring your weird umgi friend Frederick with us to Karak Ungor. Roland of Bretonnia, a good friend of Karak Azul is coming. Why the heck not, at least as dwarf friends we can hopefully trust them more than most umgi.
Then, finally, High King Thorgrim Grudgebearer met Frederick von Hohenzollern for the very first time in person.
"And you…Count Hohenzollern. I have never met you before, but young Garagrim here has sung your praises since he returned from your battle against the beast known as Zacharias the Everliving. Where you fought alongside elves…"
A sudden low growl fills the room from most dwarven throats though you notice that Garagrim and the High King are not included in that. Grudebearer raises a single armored hand and silence returns as he begins to speak once more.
"Yet, you fought to avenge the death of your son," he says while a different tone of muttering fills the air. "You delivered whole suits of ancient gromril armors with only a pittance in exchange for their worth, you were vouched for by the Dwarf Friends Johanna Fuerbach and Ortrud Hertwig – before the lamented former's death – and have accomplished many a deed worthy of story and song," he leans forward and places both hands on the stone table and looks deep into your soul from beneath his beetle brow.
There is sheer power in that gaze was only ever matched by less than a handful of beings you've ever met in your life.
"The Daemon Prince Gruber and the Bray Shaman known as Slugtongue. A Bloodthirster on the fields outside Nuln. The necrarch Zacharias the Everliving who had committed crimes against us without our knowledge before you brought him low. Plenty more besides. A dwarf Prince has sworn off on you, as has Gurni Grimmsson, a merchant whose fortunes have grown high indeed since his association with you and the Lady Ortrud."
He leans forward just a slight bit more.
"The man who outdrank Josef Bugman, convinced him to start brewing again, and to take on an apprentice," he finishes with an utterly inhuman amount of pure judgement in his voice, at which everyone in the room ceases to talk and perhaps even to breathe. "Some believe it a lie, that it is a foolish tale brought up by a manling fop. Yet, my cousin Ralnaff who even now guards the Brewery swears on its truth, as does," he reaches below the desk and withdraws a well-worn letter obviously read numerous times, "Josef himself."
The rest of the dwarves are staring at you now, with what you hope is wary respect. The High King remains in his position, almost statuesque in how still he is before to the astonishment of everyone he moves, leaving the table behind and walks directly up to you. Though he is shorter than you in physical height it feels like he towers above you on sheer presence alone. You very, very carefully do not keep your eyes from exploding out of their sockets as the overall leader of the entire dwarf race slowly raises up his hand, and grabs your own in a shake.
"And for the last one, more than anything else, thank you Frederick von Hohenzollern. For bringing Bugman back to brewing as well as granting the dawi the chance to drink his latest creation."
"Ah…my pleasure, High King. I simply did what I thought would help best."
Thorgrim doesn't quite laugh, but the grunt is a humoring one as he turns away slightly and looks up and up at Urgdug while everyone else just sort of looks at you. In return, you cough and take a somewhat discrete swig of your ostka flask. Isn't that what you talked about with Bugman all those years ago? Returning a small spark of hope and joy to his people through his brews which admittedly help fortify and strengthen its drinkers far beyond anything human ever managed? It was worth the immense amount of damage done to your body at the time. Besides, Bugman's New is a fantastic drink and is despite its comparative youth in brewing time somehow tastes more aged than Bugman's Best.
"And you are Urgdug Greatbellow. Garagrim called you one of the most magnificent creatures he'd ever been blessed to see in his life," Thorgrim squints, "I suppose I can see it."
Afterwards, Frederick immediately and without hesitation swore an oath of continued military support no matter how long the fighting was expected to take. Many years, by dwarf reckoning.
And then we can move on to Karak Ungor itself.
Plunging
into the mouth of the same colossal squig that had eaten Thorgrim. The High King, in that moment, was fully expecting to die, his legs and body terribly shattered, still clutching axe and book to keep them safe as long as possible. Then in comes Frederick, bleeding grievously, literally dissolving from the stomach acids and having been chewed on by sword length teeth. Desperation move, seeing as the Runefang doesn't have enough reach, and hands Frederick the legendary Axe of Grimnir Himself, and with that Frederick gets them free. Personally saving Thorgrim's life, and the Dammaz Kron, at the fully acknowledged potential cost of his own. This part cannot be understated in its sheer importance, even with everything else.
The grieving yet continued fighting of his children. Doomroar. Battling skaven. More and more humans thrown into the fighting. The sheer momentum of Ostland and Ostermark and the stubborn doughty dwarfs shredding the previously assuming timescale given by the military planners of the Everpeak.
Then, of course, Frederick got back up, and continued fighting. He and his family made friends, or at least acquaintances with people like Kragg the Grim, Fenna Warren-Burner, Sven Hasselfriesian, and many more. They kept fighting, accomplishing pretty remarkable deeds. The killing of powerful skaven abominations and the like as well.
Down and down into the depths, until Grishgak sprung his trap. Alone, in the tunnels, with only each other to rely on, no armies or anything else. Being captured and somewhat tortured by the Chaos Dwarfs, those horrible despicable monsters and traitors to the Ancestor Gods. A false Throne of Power, one ingredient away from being complete with all its infernal intent (his own life force), a creation worthy of grudge simply by concept and sight alone. Destroyed, by Frederick. The White Dwarf himself! Who found Roland of Bretonnia and Frederick and Urgdug all worthy fighting allies. Urgdug saving the proper Throne of Power, and the Dammaz Kron chained to it. Fighting their way free, alone, Frederick uncaring of his absolute nakedness and slick with the blood and offal of those he fought and killed.
Finally, the last moments of Karak Ungor. One of the Council of Thirteen. This part is...extremely serious. Doomclaw was one of the greatest enemies the dwarfs have ever had. Treacherous, cunning, but powerful, with his clan and all that. The Council of Thirteen haven't lost a member since the Horned Rat installed them in and sat them down and told them to shut up and get to it. Ancient, for a skaven, but with skalm and magic and stuff healthy and hale. Rictus used to be just east of the Silver Road, east of the Everpeak itself. A lot of dead Everpeak dwarfs died because of Doomclaw's clan. Rictus and Mors were the two greatest of the Warlord Clans, the most direct military powers of all skavendom. Doomclaw did quite a bit to the Karaz Ankor before he was put down along with Rictus. Plus, the hammer of Grungni himself had been found, and required reclamation! Frederick greatly aided in that fight, and in doing so helped Thorgrim personally kill Doomclaw, letting him latter scratch out entire multiple pages out of the Dammaz Kron in terms of grudges. Helping Ungrim fulfill the dynastic Slayer Oath of the Ironfists, killing off Skulltaker for even a little while (daemons can come back and create new grudges with their deeds, but defeating one is still worth scratching out a good number of the ones they've already done) and then throwing some thumbs up and leaving afterwards, keeping pleasant relations afterwards, even with Stonehammer being a jerk to him and all of that business. He weathered the disdain of too many dwarfs - in Thorgrim's opinion - for quite some time. Then, it was confirmed that he was even blessed by one of the Ancestor Gods! Gazul, sure, but still! Had drunk of Gazul's own brew!
Yes, he later met with the Everqueen, and did other elf stuff, but Frederick von Hohenzollern also either was the direct cause of or personally aided in the scratching out of more Grudges in the Dammaz Kron over the course of a few decades than have been done in centuries with previous High Kings not being so dedicated and actually successful at it as Thorgrim. Big ones too, not just over the death of a single dwarf here or there, but whole throngs thanks to people like Doomclaw. Things like wiping out the Red Eye, who got the first big grudges from the Goblin Wars at all due to taking Karak Ungor first and foremost. Ancient, powerful grudges. He is a direct Dwarf Friend of the entire Karaz Ankor now, a True Dawongr (see title page). Literally he is considered such in every single hold, New and Old, top to bottom. With his aid, the reclamation of Karak Ungor took a little over a year, rather than 10-15. The return of the lost hammer Drongrundum, Grugni's own runic warhammer, an equal weapon of potency to the Axes of Grimnir. The personal deaths of Doomclaw, and then later of Grishgak! The destruction of the false Throne of Power, which could have brought ruin to all if the machinations of the Chaos Dwarfs had succeeded. Though not directly, it was in Karak Ungor that some of the gronti were found again, a tome of incredible rune knowledge, helped and preserved by the dwarfs and Imperials who had gotten that far so quickly and so thoroughly. Frederick, by sheer alcohol-fueled angry grit, accomplished a freaking insane amount of things in an extremely short amount of time, beating dwarf standards of umgi capabilities, honor, and worth to death a dozen times over. Urgdug's singularly most incredible act was his preservation of the Throne of Power, and considering its the goddamn Throne of Power, made a tremendous impression on Thorgrim as well. Frederick has fought/been tortured by/nearly killed by the Chaos Dwarfs, and yet does not begrudge the dawi for their acts, and barely seemed to even care.
As a result, Thorgrim simply cannot return to the same mentalities of the past. He is much like the High Kings of old in his passion and energy to reclaim old places, old knowledge, to build up the strength of the dawi anew. But Thorgrim Grudgebearer is also much unlike the High Kings of old, because he has seen what humanity can do and their magic, he has learned of the ogres and their recent cultural split, of the halflings, seen the effectiveness of the Empire's war machines and knights and courage. His biases and bedrock-deep-stubborn-as-a-dwarf-can-be thoughts on the world, on the future, on many things, are different than they used to be. And he's not the only one. None of the dwarfs who fought in Karak Ungor were unchanged by what they saw the forces of the Empire do, by how they delved so deep, so quickly, that it nearly made them spin. So many damn grudges wiped out, the Dammaz Kron lighter than it has been in generations, while the cribs and beds of the dwarfs are more full of newborns than in generations. Then Frederick stomped on the few who discounted him at Zhufbar, so thoroughly and completely that those who were upset that an umgi was of such prominence in the regard of the Karaz Ankor took the Slayer Oath out of shame for their foolishness. So yes, he talks and meets with elves. And? He's still Frederick von Hohenzollern, so move on, says many a dwarf. What does it take to do all of that, when dwarfs in Warhammer are, well dwarfs?
...see above, I suppose.
