Mountain king The mountain kings , or thanes as they are known in Khaz Modan , are the mightiest dwarven warriors under the mountain . Wielding both enchanted warhammers and hand axes , these fierce fighters live to test themselves against worthy opponents . Unconcerned with their race ' s preoccupation with mechanical devices and mining precious minerals , Mountain Kings live only for battle . Dedicated to safeguarding the Alliance which saved their kingdom during the Second War , the mountain Kings can be counted upon to rally behind any banner that stands between freedom and the ever looming shadow of evil . Description . The most respected and revered of the Ironforge dwarves ' warriors , mountain kings represent mighty champions of their race . While some Ironforge dwarves are enamored of the new firearms , and others unlock the secrets of their titan heritage , mountain kings continue a legacy that has existed for millennia . This is a legacy of beer , blood , booze , and thunder , of red - glinting axes and crushing hammers . It is a legacy continued by some of Ironforge ' s renowned heroes , including Muradin Bronzebeard , presumed deceased brother of King Magni Bronzebeard of Ironforge . Mountain kings boast prodigious combat abilities . They are ferocious in melee combat , wielding the traditional weapons of their race to decimate their foes . Their attacks leave opponents stunned and reeling . While they do not focus their efforts on discovering the secrets of the titans , they have long known of a powerful spark within every Ironforge dwarf - and mountain kings draw upon this spark and fan it into a raging flame . They conjure magic hammers and axes to hurl at their targets , stunning and slowing them so they can get close enough to use their real weapons . They transform themselves into silver - sheened creatures of living stone , shrugging off all attacks and hacking through flesh and bone with frightening ease . Mountain kings are champions of Ironforge , and as such they protect Ironforge ' s interests . Some remain in Khaz Modan , protecting their homelands from the depredations of trolls , troggs , and worse creatures . Others travel the world searching for the foes of Ironforge and , by extension , the Alliance — demons , undead , Dark Iron dwarves , troggs , and ice trolls . They are crusaders for their race , stamping out their enemies before they have a chance to strike at Ironforge or Stormwind . Other mountain kings travel the world on missions provided by their king , the Explorers ' Guild , other patrons , or perhaps themselves . Mountain kings have a tradition of proving themselves against mighty foes . Some Mountain kings fall to dragons , demons , or other ferocious creatures , but mountain kings are famous for overcoming these challenges and then seeking out another , even mightier beast . Mountain kings live only for battle ; they are unconcerned with their race ' s preoccupation with technological gadgets , with mining precious materials , or with crafting great weapons . They feel a debt to the Alliance , which saved their kingdom during the Second War . Wherever the banner is raised against the forces of evil , there stand mountain kings , gripping their axes , slugging back ale , and loudly asking why the battle has yet to begin . Ironforge dwarves also call mountain kings " thanes , " an honorary title that respects the mighty warriors ' prowess and strength . This moniker also recalls the day when most , if not all , mountain kings truly were kings of the mountains , leading the dwarf clans in the deep caves . In modern times , Ironforge has a single king - but many mountain kings are nobles or other honorary personages , the scions of families whose names and deeds echo through the generations . Other mountain kings are the first of their kith to attain such greatness , and look to carve their names into Ironforge ' s history . Though they willingly battle under any circumstances , mountain kings spent much time in their people ’ s tunnels and are adept at fighting in the dark places below the earth . Mountain kings are more than proficient with their ancestral weapons — axes and hammers . They draw upon their traditions and ancient techniques to enhance the deadly powers of these weapons , finding vulnerable areas and swinging with extreme force and from the appropriate angle to add extra oomph to their blows . A mountain king can strike so hard he sends his opponents reeling with the power of his blows . The mountain king can use storm hammers as a spell - like ability . The mountain king can use thunderclap . Mountain kings have learned tricks with their axes and hammers to enable them to strike past their opponents ’ defenses . The mountain king ’ s blows are so strong that he leaves his opponents dazed and unable to act . Through his internal drive and the titan forces that reside in all Ironforge dwarves , the mountain king is able to turn his flesh to stone . Mountain kings are able to become Avatars . During the Third War they served the Alliance in various battles . For more information see : Random mountain king . Race . Mountain kings are Ironforge dwarves only . Some speculate that Dark Iron dwarves may have their own , perverted version of this heritage . This impression is confirmed by the fact the Dark Iron Emperor Thaurissan uses an Avatar of Fire . Avatar was a mountain king spell in Warcraft III that transformed the mountain king into a giant , increasing health , armor , damage , and granting spell immunity . However , it did not have a Fire element . Affiliation . Any mountain kings who leave the Alliance are branded as traitors and outcasts . Speculation . Mountain Kings are most likely warriors , since they have access to similar major abilities ( such as Thunder Clap and Storm Bolt , and Avatar ) , but it could be they have been trained in the ways of shamanism . With the Cataclysm expansion , dwarves now have the ability to become shamans , which lends credence to this speculation . Given that dwarves are naturally proficient runesmiths , it is also quite possible that they use a type of rune to cast thunderclap . It could also be that dwarves simply utilize Titanic magic to do so , as many Titans and their constructs have Lightning - derived abilities . Famous / Named Mountain Kings . Others . Bor Stonebreaker , Munin Ironcliff , Thorgas Broadaxe , Kelv Sternhammer , Buri Frostbeard , Huginn Ironcliff , Thordin Rockbeard , Bandis Forgefire , Gar Doomforge , Beazel Bludstone , Modi Stonesmith , Aggronor the Mighty .