Dark Iron clan The Dark Iron clan ( a . k . a . Clan Dark Iron , Dark Iron dwarf ) was ruled by the Sorcerer - thane Thaurissan and was unsuccessful in seizing control of Ironforge from the Bronzebeard clan and the Wildhammer clan . Now ruled by Artemis Sorras and Emperor Dagran II under regency of Moira Thaurissan , daughter of Magni Bronzebeard , after the death of Emperor Dagran Thaurissan at the hands of Adventurers , the Dark Irons live in Blackrock Mountain as the slaves of Ragnaros . Dark Iron dwarves are neither mountain dwarves nor hill dwarves but rather considered just shadowy , wandering sorcerer s . . Under Moira ' s guidance it seems some will move into Ironforge and train dwarves as warlocks . History . Like all dwarves , the 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 . The Dark Iron clan was unsuccessful in wresting control of Ironforge from the Bronzebeard clan and Wildhammer clan during the War of the Three Hammers . 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 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 . 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 , was 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 . They remain within the Spire to this day . Modern Dark Irons . The modern Dark Iron clan serves Ragnaros . They are centered in the depths of Blackrock Mountain , in their dark capital of Shadowforge City . A great deal of Dark Iron activity can be seen in the Searing Gorge and in the Badlands . There have also been sightings in the Wetlands , Loch Modan , the Burning Steppes , and Dun Morogh . Dark Irons are enemies of both the Alliance and the Horde . They seem to have helped Sicco Thermaplugg in the invasion of the Troggs in Gnomeregan , as some Dark Iron dwarves and even an Dark Iron Ambassador can be found in the poisoned gnome capital . It ' s unclear what exactly they did , though . Some Dark Irons have broken ties with the clan in order to seek out business relations with the Alliance and Horde . This group is known as the Thorium Brotherhood . The Dark Irons have proclaimed the Brotherhood an enemy of the clan for their relations , and the two groups are now at war . The Dark Irons have recently heard of the Forest Troll Serpent Goddess Ula - tek being reborn in Zul ' Aman , and reckoned that this ( deemed ) Old God might get along well with their Elemental Lord Ragnaros . They have since sent emissaries to Ghostlands in order to get to know each other and become allies . The Split . In the Dark Iron Clan was no longer united . One group of Dark Irons joined the Alliance with their leader Moira Thaurissan , while the other group , considerably smaller , threw in their lot with the Twilight Hammer . Moira , the widow of the former Dark Iron Emperor and mother to his child now holds the right to claim the throne of the dwarven union , being leader of one of the three clans and the heir to a second one , which makes her the most powerful voice in the council . Although , she is determined not only to do this , but also to make sure that her son will be ready to rule all of the clans once the time is ready and he can be considered adult . Even though weaker in numbers than their cousins , the Dark Iron Clan holds the power of magic in their hands . Powerful elementalists , warlocks , mages , wizards and even necromancers roam in their lines . This is a powerful advantage for them since the others clans know only of regular holy magic , and they always make sure to point that out . Physical appearance . Dark Iron dwarves easily stand out from the other two clans . They physically resemble Bronzebeard dwarves , but they are less stocky and more dexterous . Their skin is dark grey , and their hair and beards are white , black , or orange . Their eyes glow with orange flame - one of many gifts from their fiery master , Ragnaros . In WoW they have darkish gray or black skin , with red glowing eyes . Culture . Dark Iron dwarves avoid straight combat , preferring ambushes and ranged assaults . Dark Irons are self - serving , with little of the clan loyalty so dominant in the other two dwarven clans . A Dark Iron willingly flees or betrays his allies in order to save his own life . Dark Iron dwarves speak Common and Dwarven . Dark Iron dwarves sometimes learn Goblin and Low Common to speak with the creatures around their territory , and their elemental masters teach some of them their ancient language , Kalimag . Military . Like most dwarves Dark Iron dwarves follow a rigid and militarized organization . Every Dark Iron dwarf soldier is well trained and well armed , often with the finest equipment he can afford . However , the years under the dirt , as well as a diabolical outlook on life , change the Dark Irons ’ tactics . Skullduggery and backstabbing are just as potent as a good line formation . Even better , in some cases . Dark Iron dwarves are cunning , and quicker than other dwarves . Whereas a unit of Bronzebeard dwarves would march straight into enemy lines , Dark Iron dwarves prefer setting up ambushes , or sending lightningfast strikes . Dark Iron dwarves grew comfortable in the shadows over the many years of their exile and enslavement , and are not above petty tricks such as traps and assassination . Most Dark Iron dwarves form smaller units than their Bronzebeard cousins , to spread their numbers and allow for flanking and pincer maneuvers . Rogues and assassins mix evenly with warriors and marksmen . Dark Iron dwarves are also well versed in arcane magic , more so than any other dwarven race . Due to untold years of living next to molten lava and fire , the Dark Iron clan developed a strong link to flames and fire magic . Fire - aligned elementalists battle alongside elite marksmen and stealthy skulkers , raining death on Blackrock Depths ’ enemies . Battles against Dark Iron dwarves are often hellish , taxing both sides as the Dark Iron elementalists grow overzealous . Dark Iron dwarves are still dwarves , and bring heavy firepower to the field . However , as in all elements of Dark Iron warfare , the dwarves prize subterfuge and sneak attacks over direct confrontation . Dark Iron snipers lie in wait for incoming enemies , while dwarven bombardiers place bombs in strategic places . Great siege engines rumble softly , set to ambush tight passes or simply mow over enemies with great disregard . Occasionally Dark Iron tinkers unleash entire payloads of flame and brimstone on opposing forces . Dark Iron dwarves have unconventional backup as well . Fire elementals , servants of Ragnaros , appear intermittently with dwarven forces . Unlike the dwarves , fire elementals have no care for the art of subtlety . Lava elementals and flamewakers roar through battle , burning anything that gets in their way . Other Dark Iron clans . With the presence of two other clans of dwarves with Dark Iron appearance , it is possible that the term Dark Iron refers to both an ethnic group of dwarves ( such as hill or mountain dwarf ) and the Dark Iron clan itself ( which apparently lords over the other two lesser clans ) . Another possibility is that there is not a single Dark Iron clan , and instead several smaller clans are ruled over by a single Dark Iron Emperor who as such is lord over a confederacy of clans . Inspiration . The Dark Iron dwarves bear much in common with the from " Dungeons & Dragons " , including appearance , habits , and origins . They are also reminiscent of the Chaos Dwarfs from Warhammer Fantasy .