Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!

The tale of the Baruk Khazad-dum is a long and sorrowful one. It had its beginning in the great War of the Dwarves and the Orcs of olden times. As the story goes, following the murder of the dwarf lord Thror, the dwarves mustered the strength of all their peoples to avenge his death. The dwarven forces sacked every Goblin stronghold from Gundabad to the Gladden. The Children of Durin had victory through their matchless weapons and the fire of their hatred. At last all the Orcs that fled them were gathered in Moria, and the Dwarf-host in pursuit came to Azanulbizar.

That was the great vale that lay between the arms of the mountains about the lake of Kheled-zaram. When the Dwarves saw the gates of their ancient mansions upon the hillside they sent up a great shout like thunder in the valley. Thus began the Battle of Azanulbizar, a battle that was branded into the memory of all dwarves and is at the heart of the Baruk Khazad-dum. The battle was filled with deeds too great and numerous to be discussed here. It was a long and bloody battle, yet the dwarves had victory. Though their losses were too overwhelming to reoccupy Moria. The number of dwarves dead was so large that to build tombs for them, as was the dwarven way, would take years. But, they would not leave their kinsman out to be defiled by carrion birds or maggots. So they turned to fire. The fires were seen as far off as Lorien. But those who fell in Azanulbizar were honoured in memory, and to this day a Dwarf will say proudly of one of his sires he was a burned dwarf and that is enough.

Born from Inferno

Now their was a group of striplings from the Iron Hills who fought alongside Nain and Dain in the great battle. Yet they proved too weak and young to fight with great effect against the sturdy Mountain Orcs. They watched helplessly as their kinsmen were chopped down around them. As the young dwarves stared in shame at the dreadful fires of their kin their hearts were consumed by the inferno. They realized that moment the need of a homeland for their people. Dwarves were a scattered and wandering people, they had lost the glory of the old times when they lost Khazad-dum. And there the young friends swore an oath together, with their hands in the flames, to reclaim the halls of Khazad-dum and never forget what happened that day.

Thus began the Baruk Khazad-dum. The young companions returned to the Iron Hills with Dain and did mighty deeds destroying Goblin strongholds along the Grey Mountains. They fought mightily in the Battle of 5 armies, yet their hearts always turned to Moria and to the oath.It was years later that Balin led many dwarves to Moria to reclaim the ancient halls. The BkD yearned to travel with them, however Dain did not approve of Balin's endeavour, and the Baruk would not go against the wishes of their lord. So they remained. There has been no word from Balin and our hearts are heavy. We remain in Erebor fighting against the evil that plagues our land. We are gathering our strength in supplies and recruits. Soon we will return to Azanulbizar, fulfil Balin's dream, reconquer the Halls of our forefathers, and quiet our troubled hearts.