As Torvin rose from his bed that morning, he could not help but look at the red stain on the floor across from him. The now dry blood of his first High King, Verthaik II Frostbeard, and one of his closest friends. He sighed as he got up and shambled over to the balcony, gazing out at Kal’Tarak.
It was a foggy morning, as the cool sea air blew in from the cavern below. The occasional light flickered on in the distance as the workers of Kal’Tarak awoke and headed to the mines, to mine for the glory of their nation. To continue the dream that had been put into action nearly half a century ago, a dream that saw the end of the oppressive Urguan and the rise of his kingdom; Kaz’Ulrah. The unwavering stalwart of progressive thought amongst Dwarves, Torvin was proud of the path Kaz’Ulrah had paved, even if not all Dwarves resided in the Kingdom.
He retired back to his chamber where he made his decision. Walking over to the nearby table he began to write.
“My dear, dear dwedmar, the day has come for me to resign from my position as High King. I am not on the verge of death, or besieged by some vile disease, but I feel as though my tenure has run its course. In the true Kaz’Ulrah fashion, I shall resign now, when I no longer have drive, rather than rot away on my throne and watch as the greatest Kingdom falls into decay.
Such were the ways of monarchs past, the lethargic Grand Kings of Urguan, who would quicker see an empty capital than someone else's arse on their throne. They were vile creatures, the majority of them, some were good no doubt, but most were corrupt, incompetent and lazy. But that tradition ended when we toppled that Kingdom and brought emancipation to all dwedmar.
I will never forget the morale and honorable war we led back then. We brought down centuries of dwarven oppression down within only five years. Such a feat only belongs to us, the Dwarves of Kaz’Ulrah, for no other nation ever took the old Kingdom. It was clear to us all that the Brathmordakin were on our side from the very start. Our raids were seldom beat back, and in battle when we charged, we could feel the weight of Dungrimm, being thrown behind us. We won because we were better, we won because we were smarter.
Many years have passed since then, but I often recall those days. Things were very good back then, cheery new faces were often seen in the streets, in the taverns and in the Clan Halls. We were a force to be reckoned with, and non could challenge us. We were a rock, a boulder, a mountain.
Today, we are still a mountain, but our peak has long melted. We have fallen into a decay that must be reversed before it turns us into the very beast we defeated. Progression is an ongoing thing, one who’s waters must be broken up by the arrival of new blood, fresh with ambition and vigor. My ambitions have come to a close. In this position there is little left that I can offer the most beautiful Kingdom in the world, besides my axe. And so with a tinge of sadness, but with much pride I leave my post as High King of Kaz’Ulrah. Let the next High King rise, and with him, Kaz’Ulrah.
My last action action as High King, I hereby name Garrond 'Orcsbane' Frostbeard as my heir, he is to take on all my titles that were passed down on me on my coronation. He is the one who shall lead us now.”
Signed, Torvin Blackaxe, First of His Name, High King of the Kingdom of Kaz’Ulrah, Grand King of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, Sovereign of the Dwedmar and Vicar of The Brathmordakin, Hero of the Brathmordakin and Protector of the Dwarves.