Dark Iron clan

This article is about the lore of the clan. For the lore of the race, see Dark Iron dwarf. For the playable race, see Dark Iron dwarf (playable).

Dark Iron clan
Main leader	Queen Moira Thaurissan (regent)  Prince Dagran Thaurissan II (heir)
Formerly	Emperor Dagran Thaurissan †  Empress Zoe †  Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan †
Secondary leaders	Shadowforge Senate  Chief aid Drukan
Race(s)	Dark Iron dwarf
Capital	Shadowforge City Ironforge
Formerly	City of Thaurissan †
Language(s)	Dwarven, Common, Kalimag
Sub-group(s)	Dark Iron's military Dark Iron's organizations
Affiliation	Kingdom of Ironforge, Alliance
Formerly	Twilight's Hammer, Ragnaros
Status	Active

The Dark Iron clan or Dark Iron Nation (also capitalized Dark Iron nation), also known as the kingdom of Thaurissan or simply as the Dark Iron kingdom, is the primary faction of the Dark Iron dwarves. These dark-skinned dwarves were formerly ruled by Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan and vied for control of Ironforge with the Bronzebeard clan and the Wildhammer clan during the War of the Three Hammers. The accidental summoning of Ragnaros eventually ended the dwarven civil war, with the Dark Iron dwarves finding themselves enslaved under the Firelord's command.

Now ruled by Queen-Regent Moira Thaurissan, widow of the late Emperor Dagran Thaurissan and daughter of King Magni Bronzebeard, the Dark Iron clan seek to forge a new future for themselves independent of the tyranny of Ragnaros and his minions, which has long been imposed upon them in their home of Blackrock Mountain. Under Moira's guidance as a member of the Council of Three Hammers, the Dark Iron clan reintegrated Ironforge alongside the Bronzebeard and Wildhammer clans, and by the time of the Fourth War, they officially joined the ranks of the Alliance.

History

Early history

Majordomo Executus lording over the Dark Irons.

Like all dwarves, the Dark Iron dwarves of the Dark Iron clan are descendants of the earthen.

Just prior to the War of the Three Hammers the Dark Iron clan, ruled by the Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan, inhabited the darkest, deepest crevices of Ironforge. Following the death of Modimus Anvilmar, the Dark Iron attempted a failed coup, that saw the city fall into a state of open warfare, with the Dark Iron being unsuccessful in wresting control of Ironforge from the Bronzebeard clan and Wildhammer clan during the War of the Three Hammers. They, alongside the Wildhammer, were eventually driven from the city by the Bronzebeard.

Thaurissan and his Dark Irons vowed revenge against Ironforge. He took his followers south and founded a city (which he named after himself) within the beautiful Redridge Mountains. Despite years of prosperity, Thaurissan and his sorceress wife, Modgud did not soften in their desire to defeat the Bronzebeards and Wildhammers; they launched a two-pronged assault against both Ironforge and Grim Batol. Thaurissan was routed by Madoran Bronzebeard at Ironforge, and retreated back to the Redridge Mountains. Modgud's assault on Grim Batol was marginally more effective, though she herself fell in battle to Khardros Wildhammer. Some say Modgud was manipulated to ruin by Xal'atath — a dark magical artifact she had acquired. As for the Dark Iron dwarves that fought for Modgud at Grim Batol, they were consequently cursed at the end of the conflict and became skardyn.

As the combined forces of Ironforge and Grim Batol marched on Thaurissan, he attempted to summon an ancient power sleeping beneath the Redridge Mountains. Ragnaros the Firelord, immortal lord of all fire elementals, had been banished by the Titans when the world was young. Now, freed by Thaurissan's call, Ragnaros erupted into being once again. Ragnaros' apocalyptic rebirth into Azeroth shattered the Redridge Mountains and created a raging volcano at the center of the devastation. The volcano, known as Blackrock Mountain, became bordered by the Searing Gorge to the north and the Burning Steppes to the south. Though Thaurissan was killed by the forces he had unleashed, his surviving brethren were ultimately enslaved by Ragnaros and his elementals.

When the flamewaker Flamelash ascended to the rank of ambassador to the Dark Iron clan, he initially despised his dwarven allies, but later came to respect their penchant for destruction. As a show of solidarity, Flamelash guarded the Chamber of Enchantment within Blackrock Depths, a sacred location used by the dwarves to empower their weaponry.

First and Second Wars

When the Shadow Council moved into Blackrock Mountain during the First War, they were confronted by the fire elemental and Dark Iron dwarf minions of Ragnaros. Cho'gall used his fledgling connection to the Old Gods to convince the dwarves and Ragnaros's lieutenants, who also served the Old Gods, to let the Shadow Council stay in the upper reaches of Blackrock Mountain, Blackrock Spire. If the warlocks remained there, they would not be disturbed by Ragnaros or his followers.

When Orgrim Doomhammer and the Old Horde marched to Blackrock Spire to destroy the Shadow Council shortly before the start of the Second War, Orgrim was introduced by Cho'gall to the Dark Iron dwarves. The dwarves, at Ragnaros' secret behest, allowed the Horde to use Blackrock Spire as its headquarters.

After the Second War, the Blackrock clan led by Dal'rend Blackhand and Maim Blackhand snuck back into the Spire once the Alliance left the area, and the Blackrocks struck a deal with the Dark Irons, with the dwarves descending even deeper into the mountain, while the orcs occupied the higher levels. The bargain was never intended to be kept, and they eventually went on to fight each other.

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

Emperor Dagran Thaurissan.

In the years following the Third War, the Dark Iron clan was centered in the depths of Blackrock Mountain, in their dark capital of Shadowforge City. A great deal of Dark Iron activity could be seen in the Searing Gorge and in the Badlands. There had also been incursions into the Wetlands, Loch Modan, the Burning Steppes, and Dun Morogh. By the time of year 25 ADP, they were enemies of both the Alliance and the Horde. They also seemed to have helped Sicco Thermaplugg in the invasion of the troggs in Gnomeregan, as some Dark Iron dwarves and even the Dark Iron Ambassador could be found in the poisoned gnome capital. It's unclear what exactly they did, though.

While Emperor Dagran Thaurissan delighted in the power that Ragnaros had bestowed upon him, he also bristled at his servitude. When the Firelord ordered Thaurissan to prepare the Dark Irons for a new war, the emperor was overjoyed. He had long dreamed of conquering the other dwarf clans, not only to rule over them but also to wield their combined power to break free of the Firelord's control.

In time, some Dark Irons broke ties with the clan in order to seek out business relations with the Alliance and Horde, founding the Thorium Brotherhood. The Dark Irons proclaimed the Brotherhood an enemy of the clan for their relations, and the two groups were sent into conflict.

At some point, King Magni Bronzebeard sent a team to kill Emperor Thaurissan, and retrieve his abductee — the previously thought to be ensorcelled Moira Bronzebeard — back to Ironforge. Yet Moira refused to come home and announced that she was pregnant, and that the death of her husband had left a terrible, fiery rage within her heart. Once Emperor Dagran Thaurissan died in his throne room at Blackrock Depths, the Dark Iron clan's leadership was transferred over to his wife Moira Thaurissan. She would rule as the Queen-Regent until her son came of age to be crowned emperor.

Cataclysm era

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

Moira, Muradin, and Falstad forming the Council of Three Hammers.

After King Magni Bronzebeard underwent a mystic ritual to glean answers as to the troubling state of the world, he was transformed into a diamond and became fused to the depths of Old Ironforge itself. In the power vacuum that followed, his estranged daughter, Moira Thaurissan claimed the kingdom of Ironforge's throne and effectively locked down the city. If not for the intervention of King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind and his son, Prince Anduin, her brash actions might have sparked another civil war. With Varian's guidance, control of Ironforge has since been divided equally among the Bronzebeard, Wildhammer, and Dark Iron clans through the Council of Three Hammers.

Yet as bitterness and prejudice fester among the clans, the council's ability to govern as one remained uncertain. In time, tensions were running high between the Wildhammer clan and the other two clans in Ironforge as they were resentful of the Wildhammer's nonconformist tendencies as well as fearful of the false rumors circulating that said the Wildhammers were using barbaric brutal tactics on their enemies as well as their allies who didn't comply with their demands. Eventually, the tensions led to a fight between a Wildhammer and a Bronzebeard that ended in somebody's death. Consequently, the Bronzebeard and Dark Iron clans proposed to reforge the Hammer of the High King, as an act of unity between the three clans and to ease the rising tensions in Ironforge. Though reluctant for personal reasons, Kurdran Wildhammer, who forcibly replaced Falstad Wildhammer in the council, gave it so that the Wildhammer would be better received in Ironforge. Nonetheless, tensions once again rose as a fight broke out between the Wildhammer and Dark Iron dwarves, which consequently led to a fire that killed Kurdran's gryphon, Sky'ree.

When the Council discovered that the pieces of the hammer might've been fakes, the majority still agreed to continue, however, Kurdran disagreed and stole the Wildhammer scepter. During a conversation with Moira Thaurissan, it was implied that she planned on the Wildhammers alienating the other two clans so that tensions between the Dark Irons and the Bronzebeards would lessen. The night before the reforging, Muradin Bronzebeard came across him outside the gates and advised Kurdran to compromise his principles a little as his beliefs were not only holding himself back, but his clan and the entire city as well. On the day of the reforging, Kurdran admitted he had stolen the scepter, but instead of letting it be reforged, he smashed the handle with his stormhammer and declared that the union of the dwarven clans shouldn't start with reforging a hammer that could be fractured again. Instead, Kurdran proposed that the dwarven clans move forward from the past and unite with a fresh start. Gladly, Muradin joined him in fracturing the other fragments while Moira did so reluctantly, her plan quietly foiled at such a public event. In the aftermath, realizing that Falstad was the better dwarf to represent the Wildhammer clan, Kurdran decided to step down from his position in the council and made peace with his old friend.

Along with other representatives of the Council from Ironforge, Drukan later attended the summit in Darnassus to vote Gilneas into the Alliance, representing the Dark Iron clan.

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Following the Cataclysm, the Dark Iron clan was no longer united. One group of Dark Irons had joined the Alliance under the leadership of Queen-Regent Moira, while the other group followed Ragnaros into an alliance with Deathwing and joined the Twilight's Hammer. Moira's hold over the Dark Iron clan was tenuous at best and there were in fact Twilight's Hammer agents within the faction that proclaimed loyalty to her. In secret, these traitors gathered information on not only the other Dark Irons but also the Alliance as a whole for their Twilight Hammer masters. Non-Alliance Dark Irons had a presence primarily in Searing Gorge, with other camps at the Ruins of Thaurissan in Burning Steppes, at Angor Fortress in the Badlands, throughout the Wetlands and Dun Morogh, and small numbers were scattered across Loch Modan.

Shadowforge City was in flux during the era due to Moira's duties in Ironforge, and she hasn't had the chance to ensure the security of her son's future kingdom; however, should she have spare time, Shadowforge City would likely rise. Nevertheless, Shadowforge City remained the capital of the faction that has proclaimed loyalty to Moira.

With Ragnaros' permanent death in the Firelands, the clan was finally freed from his enslavement, although there were those that still worshipped him regardless.

Mists of Pandaria

This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

The Forgeguard at Shimmer Ridge.

During the Alliance-Horde war on Pandaria, many Dark Irons followed the Alliance and took part in their campaign against the Horde attacking them in Domination Point.

At some point, 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 Bronzebeard and Falstad Wildhammer 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 Varian's forces, Moira and the Forgeguard 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.

To help promote the union of their clans the Council of Three Hammers combined Fenella Darkvire, Carrick Irongrin and Fendrig Redbeard as a team to help rebuild the Jade Serpent statue.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

As of the war in Draenor, the Thorium Brotherhood appears to have united with the majority of the Dark Iron clan once again, with Hansel Heavyhands and Burrian Coalpart assisting the invasion of Draenor on the Alliance side. Thaelin Darkanvil was also an important part of the invasion. A Dark Iron expedition was sent into Gorgrond to spy on the Blackrock clan, as they knew the Blackrock orcs better than anyone else in the Alliance expedition. They established Bastion Rise in the savage jungle. The Dark Irons continued participating in the war effort for the remaining duration.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Several units of the clan led by Moira participated in the defense of Dun Morogh alongside other defenders against the Burning Legion during their invasions.

Several members, including Moira, joined the Conclave. Alonsus Faol was helping them find and gather other priests for the Netherlight Temple.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

Dark Iron dwarf vs a Mag'har orc.

At the beginning of the Fourth War, after the Dark Iron dwarves were experimenting with Azerite on the Black Anvil, Shadowforge City was attacked by the Venture Company. After fending off the goblin incursion, they returned to discover the Black Anvil was destroyed and the Venture Company stole Ironfoe. Alliance adventurers recovered Ironfoe after killing Mogul Razdunk. To repair the Anvil, a Fragment of the Molten Core was taken to the Firelands to re-energize, during which the Cult of Ragnaros was discovered to exist who aimed to bring back Ragnaros. The Fragment of the Molten Core was then used together with some Azerite to remake and upgrade the Black Anvil.

Afterward, Moira and Anduin officially declared the Dark Irons members of the Alliance, as it had not been official before due to an oversight, what Moira only described as a formality.

During the conflict, Dark Irons worked alongside the Explorer's League in a dig at Xibala on Zandalar. A force of the Dark Irons fought in the Battle of Dazar'alor, while Muradin Bronzebeard led a united dwarven coalition of the Three Hammers to aid the kingdom of Stromgarde against the Horde in the Battle for Stromgarde.

Shadowlands

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

Under the Lich King Bolvar Fordragon's command, the Four Horsemen acquired fallen champions of both the Horde and Alliance through the battlefields and graveyards of Azeroth, including the Dark Iron dwarves. Thus the Knights of the Ebon Blade welcomed a new generation of death knights in preparation for times ahead. They were later sent by Highlord Darion Mograine to Stormwind, in order to join the Alliance once more and help protect the world.

The War Within

This section concerns content related to The War Within.

Following the destruction of Dalaran by Xal'atath, Dark Iron's reinforcements were part of the Alliance forces that traveled to Khaz Algar under the command of Lord Commander Turalyon. Dark Iron Flameguards were later stationed within the Alliance Embassy in Dornogal.

Military

A Dark Iron stone golem.

• Anvilrage
• Dark Iron Army
• Dark Iron Demolishers
• Forgeguard

Technology

Dark Iron technology is about military and manufacture.

Examples of known technology developed by the Dark Iron:

• Stone golem
  • Dark Iron golem
    • Omnotron Defense System
• Dark Iron Mole Machine

Organizations

• Doomforge
• Shadowforge Senate
• Sons of Thaurissan

Minor clans and families

• Shadowforge clan
• Angerforge

People and culture

Notable

Name	Role	Condition	Location	Allegiance
Drukan	Chief aid of Moira Thaurissan	Alive	Shadowforge City	Dark Iron
Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan	Emperor of the Dark Iron during the War of the Three Hammers; summoned Ragnaros to Azeroth	Ghost	Athenaeum, Blackwing Descent	Dark Iron
Modgud	Sorceress wife of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan	Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron
Emperor Dagran Thaurissan	Former emperor of the Dark Iron, killed in Blackrock Depths	Deceased	The Imperial Seat, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron, Ragnaros' forces
Empress Zoe	Little-known Dark Iron ruler	Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron
Franclorn Forgewright	Former chief architect of the Dark Iron; oversaw construction of Shadowforge City and the Stonewrought Dam	Ghost	Forgewright's Tomb, Molten Span, Blackrock Mountain	None, formerly Dark Iron
General Angerforge	Leader of the Dark Iron armies	Alive	West Garrison, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron
Fineous Darkvire	Chief architect	Deceased	Hall of Crafting, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron
Golem Lord Argelmach		Deceased	The Manufactory, Blackrock Depths	Dark Iron
Galgann Firehammer	Shadowforge senator, guards the  [Tablet of Will] sought by Advisor Belgrum	Killable	Dig Three, Uldaman	Dark Iron
Gunnar Flyntrock		Deceased	Unknown	Dark Iron
Onin MacHammar		Alive	Shadowforge City	Alliance
Fenella Darkvire	Grand Dark Iron architect, daughter of Fineous Darkvire	Alive	Shadowforge City	Dark Iron, Alliance
Thaelin Darkanvil	Dwarf accompanying the Alliance throughout the war in Draenor	Alive	Draenor	Dark Iron, Alliance
Frida Ironbellows	Part of the Alliance's assault on Dazar'alor	Killable	Battle of Dazar'alor	Dark Iron, Silver Hand, Alliance
Nella Slagheart	Paladin who fought against the Horde during the Brawl: Comp Stomp	Killable	Arathi Basin	Dark Iron, Silver Hand, Alliance

Notable leaders

• High King Modimus Anvilmar ^†
• Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan ^†
• Emperor Dagran Thaurissan ^†
• Queen Moira Thaurissan
• Prince Dagran Thaurissan II

History	High Kingdom	War of the Three Hammers	Empire		Three Hammers re-unification
Ruler	Modimus Anvilmar	Thaurissan		Dagran Thaurissan	Moira Thaurissan Dagran Thaurissan II

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

In Lands of Conflict the Dark Irons are part of the "Dark Iron nation", also called the "kingdom of Thaurisan".

Notes and trivia

• After the Fourth War, Mathias Shaw in his report mentioned that contentions and disagreements between the Dark Iron clan and the Alliance are subsiding, although he considers that the Alliance could find in them new loyal allies.
• Prior to World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, Tides of Darkness described the Old Horde fighting against a handful of dwarves dwelling in Blackrock Spire before taking it. Chronicle changed it to not fighting the dwarves at all, instead coming up with an agreement.
• Due to development decisions, the Blackrock Depths and Shadowforge have not been updated to reflect the lore changes since vanilla. As such, visiting the city in game would show old or inaccurate lore such as Dagran still being alive, and Moira as a princess, resulting in any actions within the instance as non-canon.
• Several Dark Iron units used the spell called Gift of Ragnaros.
• The Dark Iron drew from more specific details of the same body of myth and fiction as dwarves generally. For dwarf cultural inspirations generally, see Dwarf#Notes and trivia.
  • The themes of Dark Iron dwarves as black-skinned and in a mountain that engage with the Firelands may be based on how Norse dwarves are Svartálfar ("Black Elves"), where Svartalfheim is often synonymous with Nidavellir, and also the realm of Muspelheim, home of the fire giants.
  • The use of the title "Thane" for Sorceror-Thane Thaussarian refers to the Scottish title.
  • The Seven are a parody of the Seven Dwarfs.
  • The Dark Iron dwarves bear much resemblance to the duergar from Dungeons & Dragons, including appearance, habits, and origins.

Gallery

• 

  The Anvilrage banner, used to symbolize the Dark Iron in many areas.
• 

  A Dark Iron dwarf portrait in Blackrock Depths.
• 

  Dark Iron dwarf banner.
• 

  Summoning of Ragnaros by Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan.

See also

• War of the Three Hammers