Council of Three Hammers
 Council of Three Hammers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main leader |
 Muradin Bronzebeard Moira Thaurissan Falstad Wildhammer |
| Formerly |
 Kurdran Wildhammer |
| Race(s) |
  Ironforge dwarf  Wildhammer dwarf |
| Capital | High Seat |
| Base of operations | Ironforge |
| Language(s) | Dwarven, Common |
| Affiliation | Senate of Ironforge, Kingdom of Ironforge, Dark Iron clan, Wildhammer clan, Bronzebeard clan, Alliance |
| Status | Active |
The Council of Three Hammers is a council of the dwarven people, established to ensure fair and even representation in the City of Ironforge. Formed in the wake of Moira Thaurissan's ill-fated coup of the city following her father, King Magni Bronzebeard, being crystalized in Old Ironforge, the council represents all three types of dwarf from Khaz Modan. A seat is reserved for a representative of the Bronzebeard clan, Dark Iron clan, and Wildhammer clan. As the name suggests, its members are referred to as the Three Hammers.[1]
The council also provincially rules over Ironforge until its heir presumptive, Dagran Thaurissan II, son of Moira, reaches the age of majority. When that day comes, this arrangement will come to an end.[2] The council itself does not seem to be set to be dismissed upon this occasion, as pointed out by both Moira and Falstad following Magni's re-awakening.[3]
Members
The Council of Three Hammers is so named because it is composed of a representative from each of the three major dwarven clans:
- Muradin Bronzebeard, Representative of the Bronzebeard clan
- Moira Thaurissan, Queen-Regent of the Dark Iron clan
- Falstad Wildhammer, High Thane of the Wildhammer clan
- Kurdran Wildhammer, former High Thane of the Wildhammer clan (temporarily)
History
Creation
In the wake of King Magni's petrification, Queen-Regent of the Dark Iron Moira Thaurissan returned to Ironforge with her infant son Dagran Thaurissan II to claim the throne.[4] Backed by the Dark Iron clan, she ruled the city arrogantly and with an iron fist. She held all the people of Ironforge hostage, leading to the Alliance's intervention.[5] Despite Moira being a tyrant, she was nonetheless the legitimate heir to the Ironforge throne, and her death would put into question the succession of the throne. This led to more chaos and conflict. If she lived, through her and her son the three dwarven clans could unite. King Varian Wrynn agreed to spare Moira's life on the grounds that she'd have to earn her people's respect if she was to be a leader and unite the dwarves. To take into account the opinions of all dwarves, Varian called for the formation of the Council of Three Hammers: Queen-Regent Moira of the Dark Iron, High Thane Falstad of the Wildhammer, and Muradin of the Bronzebeard. Despite their varying backgrounds and ideological differences, the three representatives pledged to rule jointly for the good of Ironforge.[6] They are now most likely the heads of the Senate of Ironforge.
Fire and Iron
Upon returning from Outland, former Thane Kurdran Wildhammer took High Thane Falstad's position on the Council. The other two clans decreed that the Hammer of the High King be reforged; however, it was discovered by Advisor Belgrum that the parchment was faked and that the three so-called pieces of the hammer could have come after the civil war. Worse yet, the head and crystal fragments were also fakes. In spite of this, the majority of the Council agreed to continue, keeping the hammer pieces' validity from the public.
Kurdran disagreed with that action, and he quietly removed the Wildhammer scepter that was to be used as the hammer's handle. He confronted Moira, who implied that she planned the Wildhammer dwarves alienating the other two clans, so she could strengthen relations between the Dark Iron and the Bronzebeards. On the day of the reforging, the scepter was discovered missing, and Kurdran admitted to stealing it. Instead of letting the lie continue, he shattered the scepter into pieces with his Stormhammer. Kurdran declared that the union of the dwarven clans shouldn't start with reforging a hammer that could be fractured again. He proposed that the dwarven clans move forward from the past and unite with a fresh start. Muradin gladly joined him, and Moira resented that she had no choice but to publicly help in fracturing their fragments.
Kurdran chose to leave the council, recognizing Falstad as the better dwarf to represent the Wildhammer clan.[7]
Cataclysm era
After Dark Iron dwarves' attack on the Ironforge Airfield, relations tensed among the Council members, with Falstad and Muradin calling out Moira for being unable to control her own people. Moira revealed that some of her people were still firmly in the grips of the Twilight's Hammer, and she quickly recognized that the only person who could coordinate such an attack was Ambassador Slaghammer. The latter was promptly arrested for treason.[8]
During this time the council met Li Li Stormstout, who was visiting the city to speak to King Magni. Li Li demonstrated sarcastically incredible respect for the Council, saying "You have proven to be no less than the proverbial hard place to King Magni's literal rock, and I do feel so honored to find myself in between the two." Moira's response was drowned out by Kurdran's laughter, and Li Li left before Muradin called his fellow council members to order.[9]
Tides of War
When Theramore Isle was in danger of being invaded by the Horde, Jaina Proudmoore asked the Council for warriors and perhaps gryphons to help defend the city.[10] The Council sent General Stoutblow and General Redmane (from the Wildhammer and Bronzebeard clans respectively) in command of their dwarven warriors to help in the defense effort.[11]
Blood in the Snow
- Main article: Blood in the Snow
During the Alliance-Horde war, King Varian Wrynn's scouts discovered that Zandalari trolls threatened the dwarven capital by rallying the Frostmane trolls against them. The king of Stormwind believed that if he aided the dwarves against the trolls, they would allow him more troops for his campaign against the Horde in Pandaria. However, he did not realize yet how little the dwarven clans trusted each other. As he beseeched the Council of Three Hammers to proactively take the fight to the Frostmane, both Muradin and Falstad declined for fear of Moira taking advantage of their warriors' absence from the city. Varian argued that Ironforge would fall under siege if no one helped, until Moira Thaurissan offered aid to prove her clan's loyalty to Ironforge and to the Alliance. Both of them thus set out in the snow to save the city, leaving the other leaders to think about their actions.
Along with Queen Moira and her Dark Iron dwarves, King Varian attacked the Frostmane on Shimmer Ridge with his party of Alliance champions. Upon their return, the other dwarven leaders were ashamed of their behavior and vowed never again to allow such fear and distrust to cloud their judgment. With newfound trust for each other, the Council pledged the full strength of Ironforge to the Alliance cause.[12][13]
War Crimes
The Council of Three Hammers was among the audience during the trial of Garrosh Hellscream in Pandaria.[14] The council's creation was shown during one of the visions of the trial.[15]
The Council of Three Hammers later tasked Fenella Darkvire, Carrick Irongrin, and Fendrig Redbeard to aid in the reconstruction of the Jade Serpent Statue. The operation itself was left in Moira's hand, signaling the greater deal of trust her fellow council members receive her with.[16]
Magni: Fault Lines
When Magni Bronzebeard awakened prior to the third invasion of the Burning Legion, dwarves of all clans in Ironforge were in uproar as they were unsure what would happen with the new government. Moira was adamant in ensuring every clan would remain in the city. Magni thankfully had no intention to rule, as he had to prepare the world for the approaching invasion of the Burning Legion.[3]
Exploring Azeroth
The Council of Three Hammer sent a letter to Mathias Shaw and Flynn Fairwind to welcome them in Ironforge, inviting them to take advantage of their hospitality to drink and relax, while ensuring that they want to strengthen the links between Stormwind and their kingdom by letting the Spymaster access the vaults containing the collections of artifacts, weapons and secret documents to show that everything is protected and in order.[17]
Heartlands
Ten days after the destruction of Dalaran, Kurdran Wildhammer, representing the Council of Three Hammers, was amongst the Alliance leaders who answered Jaina and Thrall's joint meeting in Boralus, where they helped organize the strike force that they could take to fight Xal'atath and her forces in Khaz Algar.[18]
The War Within
After the earthen of Khaz Algar established diplomatic relations with the Alliance, Stormguard Vokmar came to Ironforge as a representative of the earthen and met with the Council. Falstad discussed the stormrooks with him, while Muradin personally gave him a tour of the city.[19]
Notes
- The actual end goal of the council seems to have been inconsistent through the years. Though it was initially founded as a method for Moira to prove herself in the face of all dwarves, as well as give all dwarves representation in Ironforge, this notion seems to have been quickly abandoned. As stated in The Lilac and the Stone, Dagran II is the next in line for both the Bronzebeards and Dark Irons, meaning Moira has been disinherited from such a position.
- The World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, seems to infer that the council will disband after Dagran is of age, but this is contested by Magni: Fault Lines, where both Moira and Falstad establish that the council cannot be dismissed if dwarven unity is to be preserved.
- World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 also establishes that the point of the council was to allow for even representation of the dwarves within Ironforge.
- With these in mind, it is unknown what will happen concerning the representatives on the council when Dagran Thaurissan II is of age. The Lilac and the Stone re-affirms he is the heir of both the Dark Iron clan and the Bronzebeard clan, meaning he will assume control of the kingdom of Thaurissan and the Kingdom of Khaz Modan. As the main representatives are the current leaders of their kingdoms, it is unknown if Dagran will assume his mother's position, his great-uncle's position, both, or neither, as the council was initially formed to advise the ruler of the dwarves.
- The Wildhammer clan in all instances is another point of concern, as in both The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm and Magni: Fault Lines, it is established they will not bow to a foreign king.
Tactics
Now the main ruling body of the dwarves, the Council of Three Hammers serve as the faction leaders for Ironforge. The battle with Muradin, Moira and Falstad is somewhat comparable to the battle with Lor'themar Theron, Grand Magister Rommath and Halduron Brightwing in Silvermoon City, in terms of the triple boss fight mechanics. Two tanks are recommended, one to hold Muradin and one to hold Moira and Falstad. All three should be tanked within their throne room.
The two major threats to the raid are Muradin, who boasts the highest amount of health of the three, and whether or not there is relatively high player traffic in Ironforge. Without player interference, the quickest strategy is to first focus on Moira. She will use priest abilities, though their potency can be easily ignored if she is given the raid's full attention. Once she is down, the raid should focus on Falstad. Falstad will make use of various Wildhammer shaman abilities and hits far harder than Moira. Without Moira's healing he should go down fairly quickly.
Finally, Muradin should be dealt with. Like Magni before him, Muradin has both the Avatar and AoE pushback abilities, in addition to a storm bolt. With the other two dead and with low enemy player input, Muradin will follow suit and the raid will have done its job.
Muradin
Avatar — Increases the Physical damage dealt by the caster by 50% and enhances its armor by 50% for 15 sec.
Knock Away — Inflicts normal damage plus 30 to nearby enemies and knocks them back. 10 yd range.
Storm Bolt — Throws a hammer at an enemy, inflicting 10925 to 12075 Physical damage and stunning the target for 8 sec. 40 yd range.
Falstad
Cleave — Inflicts 110% of normal melee damage to an enemy and its nearest allies, affecting up to 3 targets.
Shoot — Shoots at an enemy, inflicting Physical damage. 5 - 30 yd range.
Chain Lightning — Strikes an enemy with a lightning bolt that arcs to another nearby enemy. The spell affects up to 3 targets, inflicting greater Nature damage to each successive target. 9025 to 9975 base damage. 30 yd range.- Stormhammer — Inflicts 14700 to 15300 damage and interrupts spell casting.
Moira
Renew — Heals an ally every 3 sec. for 15 sec. 33250 to 36750 healed every 3 seconds. 40 yd range.
Heal — Calls upon Holy magic to heal an ally. Heals for 46250 to 53750. 3.5 sec cast. 40 yd range.
Mind Blast — Inflicts Shadow damage to an enemy. Deals 16650 to 19350 shadow damage. 1.5 sec cast. 45 yd range.
Gallery
Muradin Bronzebeard,
Bronzebeard clan representative.
Moira Thaurissan,
Dark Iron clan representative.
Falstad Wildhammer,
Wildhammer clan representative.
Beta images
Council of the Three Hammers as of build 12319.
In build 12539, Kurdran replaces Falstad.
Moira Thaurissan and her son Dagran II.
In build 12942, the table was replaced by three thrones for each councilman.
In build 13221, Muradin and Moira switched places.
- Fan art
Council of Three Hammers by Rui Zhang.
See also
References
- ^ Before the Storm, chapter 5
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 90
- ^ a b Magni: Fault Lines
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, chapter 18
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, chapter 30
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, chapter 31
- ^ Fire and Iron
- ^
[1-30] Seize the Ambassador
- ^ Quest for Pandaria Part 2
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 128 - 129 - Jaina nodded. "[...] I'll be contacting the other Alliance leaders as well. [...]; the dwarves, warriors and gryphons."
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 171 - Jaina took a moment to be grateful to the Light—and [...] the Council of Three Hammers—for the collective wisdom of these battle-hardened men and women."
- ^
[30-35] The King and the Council
- ^ [30-35] The Warchief and the Darkness
- ^ War Crimes, chapter 1
- ^ War Crimes, chapter 30
- ^ The Jade Hunters
- ^ World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 65
- ^ Heartlands, Chapter 1: Summit at Boralus
- ^ Vokmar#Quotes
| Preceded by: Moira Thaurissan |
Position: Lord of Ironforge (as Regent to Dagran Thaurissan II)
|
Succeeded by: Incumbent |