“The light of the shaft fell directly on a table in the middle of the room: a single oblong block, about two feet high, upon which was laid a great slab of white stone. … On the slab runes were deeply graven…. BALIN SON OF FUNDIN, LORD OF MORIA.’ The Company stood silent beside the tomb of Balin. Frodo thought of Bilbo and his long friendship with the dwarf, and of Balin’s visit to the Shire long ago. In that dusty chamber [of Mazarbul] in the mountains it seemed a thousand years ago and on the other side of the world. ‘I fear [the Book of Mazarbul] had ill tidings to record …’ said Gandalf. ‘The first clear word is sorrow, but the rest of the line is lost, unless it ends in estre. Yes, it must be yestre followed by day being the tenth of November Balin lord of Moria fell in Dimrill Dale. He went alone to look in Mirror mere. an orc shot him from behind a stone. we slew the orc, but many more … up from east up the Silverlode. … Poor Balin! He seems to have kept the title that he took for less than five years.’” - True history of Balin’s expedition
Campaign Features
Khazad-Dum Reclamation
Lead Balin’s famous expedition to reclaim the ancient Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-Dum from the Goblins of Moria and their allies. Reclaim Khazad-Dum, defeat the Balrog and crown Balin as the new king!
Rebuild the Mithril Mines
Tap into the ancient Mithril mines of moria, which previously caused the downfall of the old kingdom and find bountiful riches to restore your fledgling kingdom
Vault of Uruktharbūn (V3)
Buried deep within the mountain kingdom, the vault was a wonder of the ancient Dwarven world. Unearth it’s secrets and explore it’s halls with randomly generated events.
The Imperishable Hall (V3)
Develop an alliance with High Elves and gain access to mithril to rebuild the Imperishable Hall in Khazad-Dum West to it’s former glory
Spreading Word (V3)
Send diplomats to the Blue Mountains, the Lonely Mountain, the Iron Hills and even to the distant East to gain custom generals from each Dwarven clan. recruit some of their units from the Hall of the Seven and the chance to slowly increase your population and culture in Khazad-Dum every year from new settlers
Dwarven Grudges
Avenge your Dwarven ancestors and reclaim their ancient halls for a variety of rewards
Now that Balin and his expedition have claimed the Three Peaks, the Dwarves now focus more heavily on the ways of war The Legion is born. Forming Khazad-dûm's backbone, the Legion is used primarily as the frontline of defence above ground and the spearhead of the 'deep reclamation' beneath it. These dwarves allow the Volunteers and Engineers to continue building up Moria behind the protection of the army. As with all armed battalions, there is a structure of command and at the height of that structure lies 'The Zenith'; a formidable force hand chosen to lead the Legion. The Zenith accounts for only a few dwarves and it acts as the supreme war council of Khazad-dûm but it also has a dedicated supply of warriors to march to the field as the personal bodyguard of the new Lords of Khazad-dûm. They are almost unmatched on the battlefield and will defend their charges to the hilt before then laying down their own lives in service to the Halls of Durin.
The bodyguard of Balin are veterans of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. They have chosen to accompany Balin to find that peace even if that means going to war. They know their way with a warhammer and shield and will not yield no matter how bad they are outnumbered. They accompany Balin to Khazad-dûm not for the riches, wealth or glory, but because Khazad-dûm is rightfully theirs and no evil creature may call it their home! What they lack in speed they compensate in brute strength, pushing back the enemy till there is no turning back for them! In battle they are fearless and show no mercy to anyone who defiled their halls. They usually show up in the frontline of battle cleaving a way through anything in their path.
Although all Dwarves favour the mountains and their deep delved mansions, there are a few who set out into the world to send messages, barter with merchants, hunt for new sources of food and to travel the world to visit their distant families. On these large treks, the Dwarves prefer a lighter form of mail over their more traditional heavy armour and this lighter gear allows them to travel better. With this lighter armour comes a greater need to engage enemies before they get to close and so, the Travellers took to wielding powerful shortbows rather than large axes or halberds. Roaming the world at will, they have become rather formidable warriors and can bring down any Orc foolish enough to get too close.
Now that Balin and his expedition have claimed the Three Peaks, the Dwarves now focus more heavily on the ways of war The Legion is born. Forming Khazad-dûm's backbone, the Legion is used primarily as the frontline of defence above ground and the spearhead of the 'deep reclamation' beneath it. These dwarves allow the Volunteers and Engineers to continue building up Moria behind the protection of the army. Heading up the Legion are the renowned 'First Legion'. These were the first amongst the Dwarves to don the heavy armour of Khazad-dûm and they were selected for their skill, pride, loyalty, wisdom and knowledge of Khazad-dûm from scrolls in Erebor. Standing almost as the perfect warriors, they will kill without mercy when their survival is threatened but they will not slay the innocent. Aulë himself would be proud of these Dwarves and they set the example for the rest of the Legion to follow. On the battlefield they wield the heavy pikes that are so favoured in the narrow but long passages of Khazad-dûm.
The Misty Mountains split Eriador and Rhovanion from north to south, running from the northern branch at Angmar to the southern at Isengard. The Dwarves, proud dwellers of the mountains, have known about the dangers of these great peaks since the days of the First. Trolls, wargs, goblins and even Mountain Giants are among the most common sights in the Misty Mountains. To combat these threats above ground the Dwarves came prepared and trained some of their finest archers with the men of Dale, accustomed them to the harsh conditions in the Withered Heath and outfitted them with the finest light armour Erebor could forge. The result are the strong and dependable Beast Hunters. Specialized in short range archery, using their bows with accuracy, at the cost of limited range these dwarves protect the gates of the Mountains from the strong, yet stupid, creatures of the mountains.
While Khazad-dûm is full of wonders, there were many orcs in the deep crevices before the Longbeards took it back. Around their dwellings, and in the Misty Mountains, Goblins and Wargs are always a threat to be reckoned with. As such, the Dwarves decided to hold back the enemy with a quick defensive response force equipped with large wooden shields and spears bought from neighbouring wildmen peoples, simple weapons but very efficient to hold the small gaps within the mountains' tight corridors. The Dwarven sentries are dedicated to this duty: their role might sound simple, but in the mountains or in the foothills, they can be trusted to repel even a well organized cavalry charge or keep an enemy pinned back.
As Balin sets out to reclaim the long lost Mansions of Khazad-dûm, a large contingent of Dwarves from Erebor and the Iron Hills goes with him. These Dwarves form the most basic backbone of the Khazad army but being volunteers they are not heavily armoured and instead hope to gain fame and fortune at journey's end. They opt for a simple travel cloak and light gear to help with the long and arduous march. With swords, axes, hammers and round wooden shields they are a very versatile unit capable of resisting arrow fire and small arms. Their courage is strong though, and they will rarely flee the battleground.
Dwarven banners hang proud and high in Khazad-dûm once more! These banners do not belong to the Longbeards alone, however. Instead, it was through the coordinated efforts and sacrifice of the Broad-Beam and Fire Beard clans of the Blue Mountains that victory was made possible. Though the city is now ruled remotely from the Blue Mountains, it holds a prominent place in the hearts of all dwarves. In recognition of this new Dwarven occupation, the Lord of the Blue Mountains has formed the strongest remnants of that victorious army into a new unit. Named the Khazad-dûm reclaimers, it is they who are tasked with guarding the great treasuries, storehouses, and gates of Khazad-dûm. Though their official position is one of ceremony, even just a handful of these warriors are worth many men. As such, they are often called out to accompany their Dwarven lords on critical assaults against the enemy. Acting as a magnificent spectacle on the battlefield, these dwarves fight with not only the fiery bloodlust of their people, but are also armed with great mauls and encased in heavy armour crafted from the ancient forges they are sworn to protect. Most opponents cannot long endure their wrath, and indeed, all are filled with fear and awe at the mere mention of their approach. For it will not be soon forgotten that among their ranks live those responsible for clearing the infestation of Moria and for driving the Balrogs to their ruin.
Now that Balin and his expedition have claimed the Three Peaks, the Dwarves now focus more heavily on the ways of war The Legion is born. Forming Khazad-dûm's backbone, the Legion is used primarily as the frontline of defence above ground and the spearhead of the 'deep reclamation' beneath it. These dwarves allow the Volunteers and Engineers to continue building up Moria behind the protection of the army. The Legion is split into various battalions and the most balanced and calm, yet ruthless, are the Deeping Guard. These Dwarves are primarily used as the guardians of the lower tunnels and the the mines, they have been instructed to guard them with their lives and so they will! They are more than capable of holding their ground in battle against most evil creatures but against the foes above ground they have not been tested. Nevertheless, rumour grows among Khazad-dûm's enemies of a new power in the deep...
Now that Balin and his expedition have claimed the Three Peaks, the Dwarves now focus more heavily on the ways of war The Legion is born. Forming Khazad-dûm's backbone, the Legion is used primarily as the frontline of defence above ground and the spearhead of the 'deep reclamation' beneath it. These dwarves allow the Volunteers and Engineers to continue building up Moria behind the protection of the army. The Legion is split into various battalions and the most aggressive and merciless are the Hammerguard. Their massive mauls are deadly weapons in their expert hands as they methodically and brutally bludgeon their way through the ranks of their foes whom will find their armour to be of no defence against their crushing blows. More than one orc or even a Troll has met their end when facing the Hammerguards. When charging upon the ranks of their foes, these warriors sing war songs and swing their large weapons above their heads as though they were made of light beech wood: few stand against a charge form these formidable warriors and live to tell the tale.
Now that Balin and his expedition have claimed the Three Peaks, the Dwarves now focus more heavily on the ways of war The Legion is born. Forming Khazad-dûm's backbone, the Legion is used primarily as the frontline of defence above ground and the spearhead of the 'deep reclamation' beneath it. These dwarves allow the Volunteers and Engineers to continue building up Moria behind the protection of the army. The Legion is split into various battalions and the most hardiest and stout of these are the Shieldguard. Taking their name from the colossal Tower Shields they use to bash, butt and smash the Goblins down with. They will not yield easily and have trained to work perfectly in tight Shield Wall formations. Their is little threat to the domestic ventures of Khazad-dûm with the Shieldguard barring the corridors and gates. As expected, they are heavily armoured and bear the uniform military plate that all the Legion wear.
