Dark Iron clan

Dark Iron
Main leader	Moira Thaurissan Dagran Thaurissan †
Capital	Shadowforge City Ironforge
Main language	Dwarven, Common
Secondary languages	Kalimag, Low Common
Affiliation	Independent, Twilight's Hammer Kingdom of Ironforge (Alliance)

The Dark Iron clan is a clan of Dark Iron dwarves. These dark skinned dwarves were formerly ruled by the Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan and vied for control of Ironforge with the Bronzebeard clan and the Wildhammer clan during the War of the Three Hammers. Now ruled by Moira Thaurissan, daughter of Magni Bronzebeard and widow of the late Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, the Dark Iron clan seek to forge a new future for themselves independent of the tyranny of Ragnaros and his minions, which has long been imposed upon them in their home of Blackrock Mountain. Under Moira's guidance, some of the Dark Iron clan have even moved into Ironforge to train the local dwarves in the ways of warlocks and mages.

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

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 split

This section concerns content exclusive to Cataclysm.

In the power vacuum that followed the Cataclysm, the petrified King Magni Bronzebeard's estranged daughter, Moira, who had married into the much despised Dark Iron clan, briefly claimed Ironforge’s throne and effectively locked down the city. If not for the intervention of King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind and his son, Prince Anduin, her brash actions might have sparked another civil war. With Varian’s guidance, control of Ironforge has since been divided equally among the Bronzebeard, Wildhammer, and Dark Iron clans through the Council of Three Hammers. Yet as bitterness and prejudice fester among the clans, the council’s ability to govern as one remains uncertain.

In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm the Dark Iron Clan is no longer united. One group of Dark Irons has joined the Alliance with their leader Moira Thaurissan, while the other group has followed Ragnaros into alliance with Deathwing and joined the Twilight Hammer. Moira's hold over the Dark Iron clan is tenuous at best and there are in fact Twilight's Hammer agents within the faction that proclaim loyalty to Moira. In secret these traitors gather information on not only the other Dark Irons but also the Alliance as a whole for their Twilight Hammer masters.

It appears that Shadowforge City remains the capital of the faction that has proclaimed loyalty to Moira, however due to development decisions, the Blackrock Depths and Shadowforge have not been updated to reflect the lore changes since Vanilla. As such, visiting the city in game would show old or inaccurate lore such as Dagran still being alive, and Moira as a princess, resulting in any actions within the instance as non-cannon.

Landfall

This section concerns content exclusive to Mists of Pandaria.

Numbers of Dark Irons followed the Alliance and took the part on their campaign against the Horde attacking them in Domination Point.

Dark Irons within Queen-Regent Moira's Forgeguard will aid in the defense of Ironforge in the scenario Blood in the Snow.

Physical appearance

A dark iron dwarf on the right

In World of Warcraft, Dark Iron dwarves have darkish gray or black skin, with red glowing eyes.

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

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 pale white to sickly gray, 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.

Culture

Dark Iron dwarves are known for being manipulative, underhanded, greedy, cruel, and despotic but Franclorn Forgewright states that they were not always that way and that these evil traits may have been caused by the influence of Ragnaros. This may be true as certain individuals such as General Angerforge, Franclorn Forgewright, and the Thorium Brotherhood have shown themselves to be stalwart, valorous, and even honorable. Even so, Dark Iron politics is both treacherous and brutal. There is only one punishment for crimes committed against the Dark Iron dwarves: death. Ancient tradition calls for the guilty to pay the blood price in the Ring of the Law by battling savage creatures gathered from across Azeroth. To date, it is unknown if anyone has ever survived this brutal crucible. Dark Iron dwarves are also known for their craftsmanship, their sorcery, and their sturdy architecture.

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

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.

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.

Military

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

In the Monster Guide.

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.

Technology

A golem

Dark Iron technology is about military and manufacture.

Examples of known technology developed by the Dark Iron:

• Golem
  • Dark Iron golem
    • Omnotron Defense System
  • War golem
• Ammo
  • Acid bullet
  • Drill Crawler

Notable leaders

• High King Modimus Anvilmar
• Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan
• Emperor Dagran Thaurissan
• Queen Moira Thaurissan
• Prince Dagran Thaurissan II

History	High Kingdom	War of the Three Hammers	Empire		Three Hammers re-unification
Ruler	Modimus Anvilmar	Thaurissan		Dagran Thaurissan	Moira Thaurissan Dagran Thaurissan II

Other Dark Iron clans

Hunrik Blackiron, a dwarf warlock

• Dark Iron clan; A faction split between the Alliance and Twilight Hammer.
  • Doomforge clan; A subclan of the Dark Iron clan who inhabit the Blackrock Depths.
  • Angerforge clan;
  • Anvilrage clan;
  • Burningeye clan;
  • Corehammer clan;
  • Moltenfist clan;
  • Shadowforge clan;

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.

Notable Dark Irons

The banner

Name	Role	Condition	Location	Allegiance
Drukan	Chief aid of Moira Thaurissan, and sometimes the representative of the Dark Iron Clan in Alliance summits.	Alive	Unknown	Dark Iron dwarves
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
Modgud	The sorceress wife of Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan	Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron dwarves
Emperor Dagran Thaurissan	Dagran Thaurissan is the current ruler of the Dark Iron clan, a descendant of Emperor Thaurissan and Modgud	Deceased	The Imperial Seat, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron dwarves, Ragnaros the Firelord
Empress Zoe	A little-known Dark Iron ruler. Two powerful magic rings, the Word and  [Oath of Empress Zoe], were named for her.	Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron dwarves
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
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
General Angerforge	General Angerforge is the venerable general of the Dark Iron armies	Alive	West Garrison, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron dwarves
Fineous Darkvire	The legendary hammer Ironfel, of the great architect Franclorn Forgewright, has fallen into Darkvire's grasp	Deceased	Hall of Crafting, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron dwarves
Golem Lord Argelmach		Deceased	The Manufactory, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
Galgann Firehammer	A Shadowforge Senator, who guards the  [Tablet of Will] sought by Advisor Belgrum	Deceased	Dig Three, Uldaman	Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
Kaltor Ironfoe	The legendary dwarven smith Kaltor Ironfoe, known for having crafting "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)
Molus Blackburn		Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
Gunnar Flyntrock	Gunnar Flyntrock is the leader of a group of dark iron dwarves	Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron dwarves
Coren Direbrew		Deceased	The Grim Guzzler, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron dwarves (presumed)
Onin MacHammar		Alive	Dun Morogh	Alliance
Taskmaster Fizzule	Former spy sent by the Shattered Hand to send information about the Venture Trading Company.	Deceased	The Barrens	Formerly Shattered Hand portion of the Horde

See also

• War of the Three Hammers
• Rumholt Thunderaxe
• Dark Iron NPCs