The Grudgestone Clan

5524, 292nd Day

Six days ago we broke out from our position in Ekrund. The move was made under cover of darkness while Hammerers sent by King Kazador himself relieved us by making inroads against the southeastern flanks of the greenskin forces. Messengers report strong feelings of animosity between our King's dwarfs and the Oathbearer encampments. I am not surprised, considering the temperment of many of the nobles of Karak Azul. I've heard rumors to the effect that Lord Halgrund Ironband is leading the Iron Throng through the Ungdrin to surprise the invaders by emerging behind their lines and launching an assault on the very gates of Karak Eight Peaks. What I would give to record that saga! Alas, the tale is better left told by those who will be present.

Arnfinn Thorinsson joined our expedition shortly before we began the march. He will not say why he came, though I believe his father sent him to watch after his younger brother Krudd. I do not know Arnfinn well, but Krudd's dissapearence has shaken us all. What's more, Arnfinn has told me that his father, Thorin Asgarsson Runefounder, has joined Halgrund Shattershield in the Ungdrin. If that is true, the grobi of the tunnels must be quailing in fear. Never have I seen a more fearsome opponent on the battlefield than that fell great-beard; many grudges have been paid in blood at the end of his staff.

For ourselves, we've agreed that the strength of the Dammazkolr should remain in the Badlands; the terrain there is too rough to risk transporting our gold and cannon across it, and there are undoubtedly islands of safety that need bolstering. Asabelle told me this morning that the situation has turned grim in the southern mountains and her thunderer-trained cousins will be heading back to make certain the passes remain clear throughout Karaz Ankor. Without clear lines of communication, this war will be lost. What's more, there are some returning home to Karak Azul. King Kazador must believe that our hold is in danger if he is recalling brewers. Else, there would be no beer to sustain his defenders in case of a siege.

There is blood on the trail ahead: umgal were ambushed here, by the word of our scouts. Whatever did them in is still in the hills. More to come later when...

...Caravan attacked. Seeing to wounded. Lost one, maybe two in raid. Greenskins. The list of grievances grows long.

5524, 23rd Kulkelzet

I updated our logs today with the use of a calendar. We've finally arrived in the south of Black Fire Pass. None of us have ever been here before. It is a historic place, fraught with memory. The closest I ever came was when I went as a caravan guard into the Grey Mountains in my youth. We can all feel the ancient wrongs committed here, as though they radiate from the stones themselves. Asabelle has been worked into a frenzy all week to the point of sleeping in a seperate tent. She says that we may be married, but marriage must always take a distant second place to vengeance. She makes me smile, despite myself.

The roads here are worn, but still serviceable for travel. They have yet to fade wholly into the earth even after so many centuries of ill-use and no tending. The dwarfs of mount Gunbad knew their business. The stone is of a quality wholly unlike that we have near Karak Azul. It has a certain graininess, common to volcanic rock. It falls apart easily under stress, and I have spent several days testing it while we march. It leaves a greasy feeling on the fingers. If I am understanding correctly the pass itself has a good coating of loam, which is fine for farming and helps to deal with the poor bedrock beneath. I would be interested in seeing the halls in Gunbad given the chance; I am no architect or miner but I am eager to learn how the poor quality of the stone was dealt with in the support structure.

Ketil has pointed out to me and the others on several occasions that we are likely to find gems in this kind of rock. Something to do with titanic pressures exerted. However, I don't feel as though the time for carving jewels has come yet; we can return to our work, our comfortable homes, and our treasuries once the war is over. This is time for battle, not for business. We must remain focused.

Further news about Halgrund Ironband is in short supply. The Iron Throng lost contact with the world above several days after entering the ungdrin. My hope is that they surface safely, but the ungdrin has been overrun for so many centuries, it seems to me more likely that they'll run into ratlings and the endless hordes of grobi that dwell in the sunless reaches. I hope they have at least read my work on the folly of Svenglum Whiteaxe; it would do them well to study the Karak Azul histories before they make these kinds of decisions.

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I've just heard that Bugman's Brewery is under assault. No time to write. Marauders from the north have come down to deprive us of a place straight out of legend. No rest until we arrive ready for the defense.