Ironbreaker
The Ironbreaker is the quintessential dwarf – gruff, quarrelsome and taciturn. He is also your best friend on the field of battle, as any blow struck against his allies is a Grudge that is guaranteed to be repaid in kind. Equipped with his famed gromril armor, and practicing his elite weapon craft, he is a steadfast defender. This dwarf is proof against even the most powerful attacks, standing by his allies and ensuring their safety amidst the swirling chaos of battle. It is said that there are few warriors in the world who can boast they are as tough as an Ironbreaker, and none that can prove it.
Ironbreaker Specialty
Nobody holds a grudge like a Dwarf, and no dwarf is dwarfier than the Ironbreaker. Every blow struck against him or his allies serves to fuel his ardor. This in turn influences his every action – the greater the grudge born against a particular foe, the greater the effect of the Ironbreakers attacks. The means by which the Ironbreaker exacts justice vary according to his choice of attacks, but one thing is constant: The only escape from his vengeance is death!
Playing as an Ironbreaker
As an Ironbreaker, your goal is to get between your friends and your foes and use your defensive abilities to absorb and deflect attacks. If you cant immediately claim a foes attention, your grudge bonuses begin to make you a problem foes cant ignore as you grow more and more potent in your defense of your allies. Obviously, Ironbreakers truly shine in groups but even solo they are quite capable as long as they can get close enough to wear down foes with their axe or hammer.
Fighting against an Ironbreaker
Fighting an Ironbreaker calls for some tough choices: do you try to wear away the anvil or do you attack his friends and hope that the anvil doesnt fall on your head? The best approach is probably to remove the Ironbreaker through magic and ranged attacks, aiming to eliminate him before he can bring his power to bear. Barring that, a concentrated melee attack on the Ironbreaker may be your only hope to avoid creating an indestructible melee monster that knows your name and holds a grudge for a very long time.
Career Masteries
When most people describe someone as "stubborn", theyre probably talking about a Dwarf - but when a Dwarf describes someone as "stubborn as a bloody mountain", theyre probably talking about an Ironbreaker. Clad in their legendary gromril armor, they are the vanguard of any Dwarf army, leading and protecting their kin and allies on the field of battle.
No one can hold a grudge like a Dwarf, and the Ironbreakers are considered to be especially persistant even among the Dwarfs. Any time someone dares to attack the Ironbreaker, he makes a note of the insult and adds another Grudge to his list - and if an enemy should be so foolish as to attack an Ironbreakers sworn and bonded Oath Friend, the Grudge earned will be paid back with fury several times over.
Path of Stone
As stubborn and unyielding as the mountains themselves, Ironbreakers who master this path are specialists in defense and will expend every last ounce of energy protecting their sworn oath friends. Since an Ironbreaker builds up Grudges quickly when under direct attack, this mastery takes advantage of that by consuming his Grudges to fuel potent defensive abilities.
Path of Vengeance
Some Ironbreakers hold their grudges close to their heart, slowly nurturing them until they are filled with the fury of Grimnir himself. With a single-minded focus, a specialist in this path becomes more and more dangerous with every Grudge he holds, pushing himself to fight more brutally as he strives to avenge the insults that have been dealt.
Path of Brotherhood
A specialist in this path understands the balance between camaraderie and retribution, and is a natural leader on the battleground. Alternately holding and discharging his Grudges, the master of Brotherhood serves as a shining example of the greatest of Dwarf traits, inspiring his allies to push onwards to greater heights. Equally adept at breaking the enemy line or standing his ground and holding back waves of foes, the master of this path has the ability to bolster his Oath Friend as well as himself.