Fyrequeen Valaka

## Valaka-Grimnir

The hot-tempered Valaka, warrior-queen of the fyreslayers of Kurz Valka

> What are you afraid of? Are we not the Blades of Khorne? She's only a female duardin, barely even a Fyreslayer! What threat does she pose the chosen of the Blood God?
>
> The last words of Khalash Blackreaper, follower of Khorne

## Overview

**Fyrequeen Valaka-Grimnir**, also known as **Valaka the Bloodborn**, **Valaka the Burning Ax,** and **"Volcano Valaka"** (to humans) is the current ruler of the Fyreslayer lodge of Kurzvulk, and ruler of the volcanically active region of Kurz Valka. The youngest daughter of the previous ruler, she was initially trained to honor the duardin goddess Valaya and care for the magmic defenses and hearths of the lodge, but following the death of her entire family she was given control over the entire Kurzvulk lodge. Valaka has sworn a blood-oath of loyalty to the forces of Order and eternal vengeance against the forces of Khorne, specifically against those who reside in the Bloodlands to the east. Under her rule, the Fyreslayers have established even greater ties with the other forces on the continent, committing to oaths of loyalty and friendship. She leads her people boldly into the Age of Sigmar, ready to protect their allies and bring the wrath of Grimnir and the duardin upon their foes.

## Early Life

### Family and Clan

Valaka was born to Grumvir-Grimnir, the Auric Runefather of the Kurzvulk lodge of fyreslayers, as the youngest of her siblings. She had three older brothers, Durek, Fjul, and Durnir. In addition, she shared a close relationship with the rest of the fyreslayers of her lodge.

### Childhood

Born as both the youngest child and a female, Valaka was given a place near the home and hearth, and while enjoying a relatively happy childhood her father and older brothers were often away fighting in battles and other conflicts. She grew up with a taste for combat, and undertook whatever training she could, believing that it was Grimnir's will that she be battle-ready and hardened to fight alongside her kinsfolk.

Despite several marriage proposals, Valaka turned every one down. Instead, she offered up a competition, that anyone who could best her in a duel could marry her. Although many of the younger duardin of the Kurzvulk lodge tried, Valaka defeated them all in single combat, becoming well-known for both her hot-temper and warrior-spirit.

## Rise to Greatness

Valaka first displayed her true warrior and leadership abilities in the late Realmgate Wars, where she lead several small forces in various skirmishes with the Bloodlords of Khorne or the local orruk warclans. However, her true acension to noteriety began with the Urzekell Krungon, or the Necroquake, of Nagash. Because of this event, a surge of death magic swept across the Realms, and the long-dead legions slain before the Fyreslayer's gates rose as numberless hordes of wailing Nighthaunt, and wherein life these armies had broken and foundered on stone gates and walls of axes, in death their ethereal forms ignored the gates and mountain walls recent times.

These vast hordes of ghostly the Nighthaunt were able to conquer and slaughter several magmaholds, before eventually being defeated with great effort by the warriors of Kurz Valka. However, due to the assault by the undead the duardin defenses were weakened. Seeing an opening, a massive invasion by the Herald of Khorne and Lord of the Bloodlands, Vyrkhe the Sanguine, marched towards Kurz Valka with an army of Khornite bersearkers and warriors.

Assaulting the eastern portions of Kurz Valka, he was able to break through the poorly defended eastern magmaholds, marching through the broke through many of the defenses of the Kurzvulk. Bypassing many of the more fortified locations of the duardin, Vyrkhe charged towards the capital of Valkendreng, constantly attacking its gates. Summong a large host of daemons, he was able to eventually breach the outer defenses and charge into the capital with his vast army. Grumvir-Grimnir lead his battle-crazed warriors into the fray, with Valaka fighting alongside him and her brothers. Despite their best attempts, however, the duardin were outnumbered and outmatched, and were forced to fall back. In the chaos, Vyrkhe fought against the Auric Runefather, and killed him. Seeking vengeance, Grumvir's sons attacked, but Vyrkhe and his honor guard were able to slaughter them all, right in front of Valaka.

Covered in the blood of her kin, she was driven in a battle-frenzy like never before, and rallied the rest of the duardin. At the same time, a loose accord of Stormcast Eternals, Kharardon Overlords, knights from Lilea, and assassins of the Daughters of Khaine arrived, and alongside Valaka overturned the Battle of Vulkendreng. Valaka herself managed to wound Vyrkhe, and he was forced to retreat although he managed to get away with his life.

With all the male heirs dead, Valaka proclaimed herself Fyrequeen and assumed control over the entirely of the land of Kurz Valka and the Kurzvulk lodge. She swore an oath to kill Vyrkhe and to stand alongside the forces of Sigmar and the Grand Alliance of Order. Although some duardin were unsure of the new hot-headed female ruler, Valaka quickly earned the respect of her fellows, fighting in the frontlines to reclaim the lost holds of her land. Despite initial protests, Valaka has proven to be a hot-tempered by capable leader, equally skilled in both warfare and leading her people. Since then she has continued to lead them to this day, facing against all the great threats the Mortal Realms have to offer.

## Notable Achievements

Valaka has personally lead the campaigns to retake the magmaholds of Vakdarune and Kraykun, and has fought against numerous other threats and invasions by other factions. She lead a large contingent against the Bloody Fists clan of orruks, killing their leader herself. She has also launched numerous counter-incursions into the Bloodlands, notably assaulting and laying waste to the gates of the Bloodreever Tower.

Although frequently dealing with local assaults upon her homeland, Valaka has close ties with many other factions and nations across Panghura, many of whom call upon the Kurzvulk in time of need and/or pay with gold for their services. She led her Fyreslayer forces south at the Third Battle of Vanderhal to stop an orruk WAAAGH! and helped defend the city of Deperon from a violent assault by Living Spells and disciples of Tzeetch.

## Personality

### Likes and Dislikes

Valaka is quick to anger and quicker to action, and so favors rapid movement and course of actions taken in any situation. She does not prefer to wait and waddle around like some spoiled monarch, but instead instantly takes to the field to choose the best course for her people, preferably bringing the hammer of wrath towards her foes. She generally favors the forces of Sigmar, especially the Stormcast Eternals and the bold and valiant defenders of the cities of Sigmar, who have proven to be good allies. She does not generally trust the Daughters of Khaine, but is willing to work with them.

She bears an extreme grudge against the forces of Chaos, especially those who follow Khorne. The warrior-tribes of the Bloodlands are particularly hated by Valaka, for they were the ones who invaded her own home. No one, however, is more despised and loathed by the Fyrequeen than Vyrkhe the Bloodlord. Valaka has vowed to kill him for the murder of her father and brothers, and will go to any lengths to ensure this promise is fulfilled.

### Skills

Valaka is a proficient warrior, although she has never had ur-gold runes hammered into her body, and thus relies largely on her own anger, endurance, and skill in combat to win her battles. She is legendary for her sheer rage and fury she can deliver upon her foes, taking any beating and wound with great stride. Although preferring more simple and head-on approaches, she is wise enough to listen to council and employ different strategies, which has proven very effective throughout her reign.

Valaka had the traditional Latchkey Grandaxe of her father reforged and prominently wields it into battle. She also possesses a smaller great ax made of ur-gold, which is thus extremely magically potent and powerful. She is slightly more heavily armored than typical Fyreslayers, but still fights largely with only her wrath and axes as defense, relying upon raw strength and sheer anger to pull through.