The Norse Dwarfs never truly were called such a name when they first setup their holds within the Norscan mountains. Indeed, for during this time before the Coming of Chaos, these Dwarfs still considered themselves of the same kin to their brothers from the south.
Yet as the storm broke, Grungni's messengers reached their northern brethren just about as the warp gates began collapsing. When the northern
Dwarfs had emerged from their sealed mines, they found themselves surrounded by the beasts of
Chaos and cut off from their southern kin. A few expeditions tried to find a route to the southern strongholds, but they were forced back each time. For now, the Chaos forces seem to be concentrating on spreading southward, and paid little attention the Dwarfs in their midst. Knowing that this situation could not last, the Dwarfs bolstered their fortifications, and waited.
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The attack, when it came, was fierce. The outlying forts were overrun, but each did their part slowing the Chaos juggernaut. The retreating
Dwarf warriors swelled the ranks of the defenders in the main forts further north. Hold by hold, battle by battle, the forces of Chaos were weakened and slowed. The war dragged on for years, with neither side gaining the upper hand.
Then, one night, an unusually powerful storm unleashed its fury on the combatants, driving all into shelter. The next morning, under clearing skies, the Dwarfs had found that the foul creatures of Chaos had retreated from their gates. Scouting parties found little trace of their enemy except a handful of isolated warbands, which were quickly eliminated. Farther south, however, the Dwarfs found mighty warbands and many twisted creatures of Chaos standing between them and the
Old World; they were safe for now, but still isolated.