Lothrim the Foulspawner and the Carnage and Fall of Kiraz
Few claim that the Khuzdul are reluctant to hold grudges, or that the enmity of dwarves is a light matter. There are many words and names that inflame the Khuzdul, but none brings forth more hatred than that of Lothrim the Foulspawner, the evil warlord who tore the heart of Kiraz.
LOothrim was a renegade mage of uncertain origin who, during the first two decades of the second century TR, carved out a great empire along the southern and eastern shores of Lake Benath. The tyrant's principal seat was at Elkall-Anuz, and he ruled his domain with brutal terror, aided by the gargun, a race he is said to have created or imported from another world. Hence his appellation "Foulspawner".
By 120 TR, Lothrim had a firm grasp on most of central Harn, but Kiraz was a major obstacle to his dream of Harnic Empire. Lothrim was also mad with desire for the "Penultimate Tome," an Earthmaster book he believed to be secreted in the Khuzan city. In the early summer of 120 TR, he marched his foulspawn army around the southern shores of Lake Benath to destroy Kiraz.
Lothrim drove his army hard and his wear troops were ill-suited for the task ahead, but the fates were kind. Several bad harvests in the Thard Valley had made it difficult for the dwarves to buy their normal food supplies. As Lothrim approached Kiraz, he learned that at this critical moment most of the Khuzan menfolk, including King Bazanthar, were hunting and foraging downriver in the Uthel valley. Even so, the few hundred boys and elders within the city might have defeated the Foulspawner were it not for another stroke of luck.
Lothrim's scouts captured a Khuzan family in the woods and, by torturing the wife and child, forced the father into betrayal. No record exists of the traitor's name, but his family's fate is easily guessed.
Now Lothrim knew he was destiny's favorite and ordered 2,000 gargun to the attack. Aided by the traitor's intelligence, the main gate was seized before it could be closed. After an hour of vicious fighting, Kiraz had fallen. No quarter was given, every man, woman, and child was brutally slain, although most female defenders were raped first. Numerous corpses were feasted on. When Lothrim entered the city, he was ecstatic to receive from one of his lieutenants, a book he believed to be the "Penultimate Tome".
Deciding not to winter in Kiraz, and leaving a small garrison, Lothrim marched south to Sirion, where he sent for boats to take him home. Returning from their hunt, the Khuzdul had no difficulty entering the city by secret passages, destroying Lothrim's garrison. They began pursuit immediately. At Sirion, between the Deret River and Lake Benath the Khuzan army found Lothrim.
Although the Khuzdul were outnumbered four to one, their skill was augmented by a burning passion for revenge. The outcome was never in doubt. As the battle neared its end, a dozen members of Lothrim's personal guard seized him and surrendered in a bid for clemency, buth there was to be no mercy that day. Lothrim and his "honor guard" were sealed alive within a deep mountain cave, along with his precious tome.
When the weary Khuzdul returned to their city, they found they could no longer bear to live there. Virtually every woman and child were dead, including the queen and her children, and more than half of the menfolk had also perished at the Battle of Sirion. King Bazanthar and his council made a fateful decision. Tombs could not be made for all the dead, but the Golden City itself would serve. A plaque was inlaid where each defender fell and their bodies were laid to rest throughout the spacious catacombs. The queen was buried with her three children near the Godstone.
Each window, each shaft and chimney, was sealed with enchantment and good stone. Then Hrazadar, last in a long line of royal masons, closed and sealed the gates of Kiraz forever. Grieving survivors began a long trek to Azadmere seeking refuge, but only about half of them completed the arduous march. The rest, including King Bazanthar and Hrazadar, were never seen again.
So ended the seven thousand year history of Kiraz. For many years afterwards, adventurous descendants of former Kiraz clans made pilgrimage to the site, but none entered or disturbed the city tomb. This custom is no longer practiced, but the Khuzdul of Azadmere have not forgotten Kiraz, and would take action against any who disturb her peace.
Exactly six centuries have passed since Kiraz was abandoned. Gloom hangs like a shroud about here haunted ruins. But when a dwarf thinks of Kiraz, he thinks of bright halls where Khuzan kings lived amid fine gems and precious metals, resplendent tapestries and sculpture, wealth beyond even the ambition of any human king. Many adventurers have sought what remains of this great treasure, but none have claimed success, and many have never been seen again.
LOothrim was a renegade mage of uncertain origin who, during the first two decades of the second century TR, carved out a great empire along the southern and eastern shores of Lake Benath. The tyrant's principal seat was at Elkall-Anuz, and he ruled his domain with brutal terror, aided by the gargun, a race he is said to have created or imported from another world. Hence his appellation "Foulspawner".
By 120 TR, Lothrim had a firm grasp on most of central Harn, but Kiraz was a major obstacle to his dream of Harnic Empire. Lothrim was also mad with desire for the "Penultimate Tome," an Earthmaster book he believed to be secreted in the Khuzan city. In the early summer of 120 TR, he marched his foulspawn army around the southern shores of Lake Benath to destroy Kiraz.
Lothrim drove his army hard and his wear troops were ill-suited for the task ahead, but the fates were kind. Several bad harvests in the Thard Valley had made it difficult for the dwarves to buy their normal food supplies. As Lothrim approached Kiraz, he learned that at this critical moment most of the Khuzan menfolk, including King Bazanthar, were hunting and foraging downriver in the Uthel valley. Even so, the few hundred boys and elders within the city might have defeated the Foulspawner were it not for another stroke of luck.
Lothrim's scouts captured a Khuzan family in the woods and, by torturing the wife and child, forced the father into betrayal. No record exists of the traitor's name, but his family's fate is easily guessed.
Now Lothrim knew he was destiny's favorite and ordered 2,000 gargun to the attack. Aided by the traitor's intelligence, the main gate was seized before it could be closed. After an hour of vicious fighting, Kiraz had fallen. No quarter was given, every man, woman, and child was brutally slain, although most female defenders were raped first. Numerous corpses were feasted on. When Lothrim entered the city, he was ecstatic to receive from one of his lieutenants, a book he believed to be the "Penultimate Tome".
Deciding not to winter in Kiraz, and leaving a small garrison, Lothrim marched south to Sirion, where he sent for boats to take him home. Returning from their hunt, the Khuzdul had no difficulty entering the city by secret passages, destroying Lothrim's garrison. They began pursuit immediately. At Sirion, between the Deret River and Lake Benath the Khuzan army found Lothrim.
Although the Khuzdul were outnumbered four to one, their skill was augmented by a burning passion for revenge. The outcome was never in doubt. As the battle neared its end, a dozen members of Lothrim's personal guard seized him and surrendered in a bid for clemency, buth there was to be no mercy that day. Lothrim and his "honor guard" were sealed alive within a deep mountain cave, along with his precious tome.
When the weary Khuzdul returned to their city, they found they could no longer bear to live there. Virtually every woman and child were dead, including the queen and her children, and more than half of the menfolk had also perished at the Battle of Sirion. King Bazanthar and his council made a fateful decision. Tombs could not be made for all the dead, but the Golden City itself would serve. A plaque was inlaid where each defender fell and their bodies were laid to rest throughout the spacious catacombs. The queen was buried with her three children near the Godstone.
Each window, each shaft and chimney, was sealed with enchantment and good stone. Then Hrazadar, last in a long line of royal masons, closed and sealed the gates of Kiraz forever. Grieving survivors began a long trek to Azadmere seeking refuge, but only about half of them completed the arduous march. The rest, including King Bazanthar and Hrazadar, were never seen again.
So ended the seven thousand year history of Kiraz. For many years afterwards, adventurous descendants of former Kiraz clans made pilgrimage to the site, but none entered or disturbed the city tomb. This custom is no longer practiced, but the Khuzdul of Azadmere have not forgotten Kiraz, and would take action against any who disturb her peace.
Exactly six centuries have passed since Kiraz was abandoned. Gloom hangs like a shroud about here haunted ruins. But when a dwarf thinks of Kiraz, he thinks of bright halls where Khuzan kings lived amid fine gems and precious metals, resplendent tapestries and sculpture, wealth beyond even the ambition of any human king. Many adventurers have sought what remains of this great treasure, but none have claimed success, and many have never been seen again.
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