Grimbolt Cripplers

The Grimbolt Cripplers are a company of dwarves numbering roughly 1,600 members. They were founded by Duffrein Grimbolt, and their fort and headquarters, the Drake’s End, stands in the city of Westreach.¹

Origins

The company began as a small dwarven army that was cast out of the Dwarven Gates 150 years ago after losing a battle under the mountain. Its only chance of redemption was to find the Lost Axe of Glodein, a mythical weapon that had fallen into the hands of dark elves. These exiled soldiers founded the Grimbolt Cripplers in Westreach and built their fort there, and within a few years they had more contracts than they had warriors to take them.¹

The death of Duffrein Grimbolt

About sixty years ago Duffrein Grimbolt led a perilous expedition into the depths of the Underdark in search of the axe, and the ancient red dragon Coralax stood in the company’s path. Duffrein faced the dragon head-on so that his comrades could escape, and he died in the battle. The company’s account holds that Grimbolt slew the beast before his own death; the story told of Hemlock Twinhammers, his most trusted friend and second in command, is that Hemlock rallied the dwarves with a battle cry and led the counterattack that brought the dragon down.²

Hemlock took up the mantle of leadership there on the battlefield. Under him the company’s numbers grew, as more dwarves came to seek redemption beside their kin. His leadership stresses discipline, resilience and unity: every member undergoes rigorous training, and the Cripplers have earned a reputation as formidable, if costly, mercenaries.²

Ways of the company

The Cripplers prefer to draw fights out and wear their enemies down with their physical advantages. They have tactics that let wounded and exhausted warriors fall back while fresh ones take their places. Following dwarven tradition, the use of poison is strictly forbidden in the company.¹

All members follow dwarven customs and traditions, all are warriors forged in battle with previous combat experience, and each is honourable, a team player or a technical fighter.¹

Aims

The company’s first goal is still to find the Lost Axe of Glodein, and with it to return to their kingdoms as redeemed and honourable warriors. To search for the axe or learn where it lies, they tend to take contracts that lead them into the Underdark.²

Hemlock wants to expand the company across the Western Provinces and give a home and a purpose to all the dwarves who live under the sun. He does not mean to disband it once the axe is found: he believes the guild should go on serving as protectors and warriors of the lands its members have come to call their own.²

It is whispered in Vansreik that a mythical dwarven artifact has been seen within the crater, and the Grimbolt Cripplers are looking for a way to enter the crater and establish an official footing there.¹

Members

The company’s roster includes Hemlock Twinhammers, Prince Kardakar “Thunderfist”, Arti Boulderhead, Ember Hillbelly, Moss Hillbelly and Gunter Bronzesaddle.³

• Prince Kardakar went into exile sixty years after the Cripplers were first banished. Learning of the guild’s quest to redeem its honour, he joined it, and he now stands as Hemlock’s right hand.⁴
• The twins Moss and Ember Hillbelly were born into the company, children of respected members, and were raised on its tales of valour, honour and redemption. Now in their sixth decade, they have devoted their lives to the search for the axe.⁵
• Gunter Bronzesaddle was born into a family that had left the halls of their ancestors to join the Cripplers. He serves as the company’s infiltrator, and his jokes have made him its comic relief.⁶
• Arti Boulderhead heard the stories of the mighty Grimbolt Cripplers echo through the tunnels and set out to join them. Still an amateur beside the veterans, he makes up for his inexperience with iron determination.⁷