Hold of Orlazam-az-dihr

**Orlazam-az-dihr** was a dwarf hold in the West Dwarovar known as the G*ate of the Ram lords*, the home of ram cavalry, loyalty and ramsteel. During the days of Aul-Dwarov the Ramsteel Dwarves were tasked with protecting the terraced farms of the Serpent's Vale against any would-be intruder. The Ramsteel Dwarves were renowned for their rangers that skulked the Serpent's Vale and the mountains of the Serpentspine atop powerful Vale Rams, an Ramsteel Dwarves breed of ram who were also used to help forge their namesake ramsteel.

## Culture and Customs

The Ramsteel Dwarves of Orlazam-az-dihr were famous for their rams and their Ramsteel, the latter of which was made using the rams. They would use the rams' impressive horns to help hammer the metal while it cooled, hardening it rapidly to create the final product. The iron ore that was used for steel production was mined from the Ramvault, which housed a massive mining complex, several ramsteel forges, ram stables as well as a research library.

The first ram riders, and the usage of dwarven ram cavalry, originated with Ramsteel Dwarven frontier woodsmen and farmers who later formed a close bond with their native rams. It is said that a bond between an Ramsteel Dwarves and their mount was stronger than that of their spouse. An infamous form of capital punishment of the Ramlords was the Hornwall Punishment, which involved lining up the offending dwarves against the wall and having rams smash into them.

The Ramsteel Dwarves were known to be very loyal to the High King of Amldihr as the two holds cooperated much with each other. They always stood by each other in Amlharaz debates and other disputes as well as granting land in the Serpent's Vale for ram herding and offering privileges to the Ramsteel Dwarf nobility.

The Orlazam Lamb was a staple in the halls of dwarven kings and nobles, known for its juicy meat and flavor from the surface. By the time Aul-Dwarov fell, the Orlazam lamb-roasting techniques were lost to but a few masters.

## History

### War for the King's Rock

In 5914 BA the Ram Riders, the Ramsteel Dwarf cavalry force, were sent by King Hurnik XIV, to defend the King's Rock as well as the Serpent's Vale from orcish forces. After a long series of battles, the Ram Riders lost a significant portion of their forces and were forced to retreat.

The final battle of Amldihr took place in 5895 BA and Orlazam-az-dihr sent what remained of their armies to reinforce the last defenders of Amldihr, while a small contingent of Ram Riders were sent to Krakdhûmvror to request additional forces. Having secured Krakdhûmvror's army, and with the remaining Ram Riders arriving, the battle was in their favor. But after the arrival of fresh orcish reinforcements, they faced a decisive defeat.

### The Fall of Orlazam-az-dihr

By 5850 BA the orcs had reached the outskirts of Orlazam-az-dihr, the hold had lost all of their armies at the battle of Amldihr and had only guards and reserve forces left. Faced with a prolonged siege and the slow starvation of his hold, King Hurnik XIV ordered a last charge by all able forces. This last charge was a devastating blow against the orc forces and incurred heavy losses, but in the end all Ramsteel forces would be killed in the charge.