Bjorn Uzkulson, King of Barak Varr

Bjorn Uzkulson King of Barak Varr ... 543 points

Bjorn Uzkulson was born as the second son to Kurgan Uzkulson, then King of Barak Varr. His father was a hard Dwarf that believed that peace was maintained through military might, and that Dwarf supremacy would only be assured if the Dwarfs were harder and more durable than the stone they worked. To this end Kurgan drove his sons to do impossible deeds that even the greatest of Dwarf heroes would hesitate before attempting. Among these deeds was swimming the length of the Blood River in midwinter and returning with at least a dozen orc heads.

Of the two sons, only Bjorn managed to swim the entire distance; his brother falling by the wayside. In order to maintain his family honor, Bjorn swam back up the river carrying not 12, but two dozen orc heads. This and many other brave deeds performed by Bjorn earned him the Admiralship of the Dwarf Navy while his brother was trained to rule Barak Varr.

Bjorn spent many years at sea learning the strategies and tactics of naval warfare, and grew to love the salty air and stinging ocean winds. Over time his nature grew harder and coarser than the hardtack he and his men ate, and this made his father proud.

By his 90th year Bjorn had already led his fleets in victorious conflicts against every major naval power in the known world. Additionally, he had commisioned several new types of naval vessels the likes of which had never before been seen. Dwarf naval supremacy seemed assured.

It was then that his father decided to forge a trade treaty with the Elves of Ulthuan. Bjorn's father and brother both sailed on the great Dreadnaught, DSS Glory of Grimnir, while Bjorn himself sailed on the navy's flagship, DSS Victory. Together they sailed out to the middle of the ocean where they met an Elven fleet Admiraled by Kithre Seablaze. The delegations met on the decks of the DSS Glory of Grimnir.

Soon afterwards the several Black Arcs and a large Dark Elven navy attacked the assembled fleets. The Dwarfs and the High Elves fought bravely along side eachother against the Dark Elves. During the fight the DSS Glory of Grimnir was heavily damaged and attempted to retreat. A misfire (so they claim) aboard one of the High Elven ships sent a volley into the side of the DSS Glory of Grimnir, sinking it with all hands onboard.

In a fit of rage, Bjorn boarded the elven vessel, commanded by a High Elven mage, and struck down the mage; taking his scalp and magic items as a trophy. He lost a leg in the fighting, but still managed to drag himself back onto his ship. Then the Dwarf ships dissengaged and left the elves to fight among themselves.

Since that day Bjorn Uzkulson has held the dual position as both High Admiral of the Great Dwarf Navy, and the King of Barak Varr. He has done his best to fill his father's shoes, and has even allowed elves to trade with Barak Varr, though he will never forgive them for the death of his father and brother.

In recent history, Bjorn has worked hard to expand Dwarf power. His alliances with Hellborg, and Nordland secured both a very profitable naval trade with the Empire, but also a fortress overlooking the very mouth of the river Reik. He has also been relentless in his pursuit to construct a mighty navy, and has his shipwrights continually plying their trade in pursuit of Dwarf glory.

Additionally, he has begun to take a less active role in his navy, instead delegating most of their command and operation to his three admirals: Targonin One-eye, Narok Yellowbeard, and Krag Drakeslayer.

During this time, he has also lessened his tollerance for the hated elves, and forbade them direct trade in Barak Varr. Instead, he only trades indirectly with them from the harbors of Marienburg.

Bjorn Uzkulson is very heavily scarred and weather beaten from his days at sea. His long and glorious beard also contains large salt crystals that have been deposited there over the years, and he wears them as a sign of pride.

Additionally, Bjorn's right leg was replaced by a peg that he hobbles around on.

M WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv

Bjorn Uzkulson 3 7 6 4 5 3 5 4 10 1+

Equipment: Besides a backup axe, none.

Magic Items:
Grudgebringer, a Great Dwarf Axe with 3 runes (125 points)
Snorri Sapngelhelm's Master Rune, 2 Cursed Runes

Armor of the Sea Lords: A suit of Heavy Armor bearing 3 runes (158 points)
Master Rune of Adamant, 2 Runes of Iron, The armor also floats on water

Bag of Winds: taken from the High Elf Mage (75 points)

All enemy bowshots on battlefield are at -1
May adjust stone thrower shots by 1d6" (as Doom Diver)
Adds 1d6" to all friendly bow range
Casts Tempest with Total Power once per battle

Special:

Bjorn also has a pet Parrot, Polly, that can be used to attack. This parrot acts as a missle weapon using Bjorn's BS and inflicts a STR 3 hit. Armor saves are made as normal. After the attack is made, the parrot returns to Bjorn. It cannot be slain, but cannot attack if Bjorn is killed or incapacitated.

Bjorn Uzkulson also harbors a deep and unrelenting HATRED of ELVES as well as his racial HATRED of GREENSKINS. This aplies to all elves equally, whether they be High, Dark, Wood, Sea, etc.