Runefang (ROON-fang)

'No Runefang. No vote.'

– Proverb meaning: if you bring no power to the table, you'll be ignored

A Runefang (Classical: Runadentum; Old Unberogen: Rhunafangen; Khazalid: Rhuntukkaz) was one of the twelve magical swords that were gifted to the Empire by Karaz Ankor almost 2,500 years ago.

Description

History

A century in the making by Master Runesmith Alaric of Karaz-a-Karak, the twelve Runefangs were gifted to the Empire's twelve Elector Counts by High King Kurgan in return for the Empire’s aid in ending the Goblin Wars. Whilst some say the century Alaric spent toiling at his forge drove the Runesmith into deep bouts of obsession and paranoia, others claimed the Runesmith was already disturbed, and that forging the Runefangs did nothing to make him worse. Because of their consistent quality of craftsmanship and the superiority of the runes involved, most Dwarfs nevertheless considered the Runefangs to be Alaric's greatest single achievement as a Runesmith.

Each Runefang was inscribed with a Master Rune of Alaric and empowered by a Sun-Fang (Zon-Binzahn) to also have a Master Rune of Skalf Blackhammer. Further, each Runefang was fashioned differently and inscribed with a unique combination of other runes to best reflect the nature of the Grand Province for which each was created.

Due to their association with the Elector Counts, the Runefangs became a symbol of authority in the Empire. Their ownership became the source of significant civil issues down through the centuries. Because they were frequently stolen, lost, looted, and hidden, especially during the Time of Three Emperors through to the Dark Ages, it is believed by some scholars that the Runefangs have been repeatedly mixed up.

Runefang Distribution in 100IC

The Runefangs went under many different titles down through the centuries, and their true names were perhaps lost to time. Even the oldest, most reliable records were unsure, with the three primary sources from the Time of Sigmar contradicting each other. Nuln's The Alrickin Codex recorded Classical names for the Runefangs, and claimed these were the titles given to Emperor Heydrich I when he received the weapons in Nuln in 100 IC. The Smedniri Kronaz of Karaz-a-Karak instead listed Khazalid names that were reportedly whispered by Alaric during one of his more sober moments, but the ancient tome is clear that these names may not actually be for the Runefangs. Lastly, the Buohvo Swerten held in the High Cathedral of Sigmar in Altdorf lists Reikspiel names for the Runefangs, but there were so many different versions included, with several associated with multiple blades, that it was impossible to be certain if any were accurate.

The following list provides the most commonly listed names for the Runefangs and their distribution when they were first given to the Empire in 100IC.

Khazalid	Reikspiel	Classical	Grand Province	Tribe
Rinnti Kolak	Mother's Ruin	Matris Ruinam	Averland	Brigundians
Drakk Tuki	Dragon's Tooth	Dente Draconis	Drakwald	Thuringians
Grobi Uzkulak	Goblin Bane	Interfectorem Cobolorum	Hochland	Cherusens
Karaz Zornaz	Peak Leveller	Mons Eversorem	Middenland	Teutognens
Troll Maraz	Troll Cleaver	Divisor Troglodytarum	Ostermark	Ostragoths
Dron Mhornar	Thunder Shadow	Tonitruum Umbra	Ostland	Udoses
Gori Drengaz	Beast Slayer	Interfectorem Bestia	Reikland	Unberogens
Grim Zon	Unyielding Sun	Solis Inexorabiles	Solland	Menogoths
Urki Skundaz	Orc Hewer	Caedentis Orcus	Stirland	Asoborns
Duraz Baraki	Stone Breaker	Lapis Ruptor	Talabecland	Taleutens
Krali Gulgaz	Crow Feeder	Corvus Fautor	Westerland	Jutones
Dammaz Vengryn	Grudge Ender	Invidere Finem	Wissenland	Merogens

Lost Blade Controversy

A Dwarf Hall of Remembrance was discovered beneath an abbey in the Barony of Wittgenstein in 2512IC. Inscriptions on its walls claimed that 15 Runefangs were created by Alaric the Mad, not twelve. All 15 Runefangs were claimed to have been created for the 'Tribes of Sigmar' that 'aided the first Reik Emperor end the Goblin Wars'. This account contradicted the accepted myth that there were twelve tribes of Sigmar, not 15.

A tomb to Saint Siegfried von Kesselring of Sigmar that was attached to the Hall of Remembrance contained Barrakul, one of the three supposedly missing Runefangs.

St Siegfried's Tomb and the Hall of Remembrance were sealed by Saint Helga of Sigmar in 1119IC. An order of Sigmarites was founded 15 years later to protect the site and the heretical knowledge it contained. St Helga believed the sword Barrakul was cursed and was responsible for St Siegried's death in the Troll Country.

The following lists the three additional Runefangs and the tribes associated with them according to the hall. The Khazalid names are sourced from the Wittgenstein Hall of Remembrance, with Reikspiel names translated by Father Luitpold of Sigmar. The Classical name for Barrakul is sourced from the outside of the stone sarcophagus found in St Siegfried's Tomb.

Khazalid	Reikspiel	Classical	Tribe
Garak Tuki	Fear Fang	Unknown	Frikings
Barrakul	Unyielding Wall	Dominator Murorum	Ungols
Unnamed	Unnamed	Unnamed	Norse

Item type

Weapon, Melee

Creation Date

100 IC