Ghlafferge Sootbeard

"Ye'll take me blunderbuss when ye' pry it frum me cold dead 'ands!" -A saying that easily defines Ghlafferge

"Ye'  put yer' gold in a goblin bank if ye' wont more. Ye' put yer' gold  in a dwarven bank if ye' want yer' gold safe. -Ghlafferge's speech to Zundrbar (8/21/13)

Overview
Ghlafferge Sootbeard is a 190 year old Hill dwarf male, and current Thane of Zundrbar. Ghlafferge Sootbeard was born in Kharanos to his father- Sven Sootbeard and his mother- Dunhilda Sootbeard. Ghlafferge currently resides in Zundrbar, although he often visits Stormwind on business.

Ghlafferge is 4'10" and weighs 350 lbs. He holds many grudges towards the Orcs, specifically those of the Angerfang denomination (a subgroup of the Dragonmaw).

Ghlafferge has two siblings- Dorholm (believed deceased), and Brahdic "Baird" (missing).

Childhood
Ghlafferge was born in Kharanos in -190 (Zundrbarian Calendar) to the engineer, Sven Sootbeard, and geologist, Dunhilda Sootbeard. Sven Sootbeard and Dunhilda had both recently fled the mountain village of Zundrbar- holding the line of Sootbeards had held for one thousand eight hundred years, after a massive earthquake collapsed many of the mines and poisoned the main water supply.

Ghlafferge had one older brother- Brahdic, who was also interested in engineering, although the two did not talk very much as children. Dorholm, his younger brother, was more interested in blacksmithing than he was in engineering, and spent large amounts of time outside of the house teaching himself or learning from others about blacksmithing.

Ghlafferge as a child was fascinated by engineering. His father, Sven Sootbeard, was one of the leading engineers on the design and construction of the Thunderbrew Distillery. His father often taught him engineering after he came home from work, although ocassionally he would take him to work and show him how certain tools were used in certain scenarios. Ghlafferge received his first Toolkit when he was ten, and began working on building constructs with his Gnomish friend, Elagus Mechafuse. Elagus's father, Lokargo Mechafuse, worked together with Sven, which was how the two were able to meet. As a child, Ghlafferge was very adept at using tools such as screwdrivers and spanners, which he preferred to use rather than the Gnomish power tools of the time.

Ghlafferge at the age of 12 built his first companion, a steam tonk by the name of Snowplow, a parody of the steam engine, Trollplow, which was stationed at Kharanos. The steam tonk's frame was forged out of iron primarily, which Dunhilda (Ghlafferge's mother) was able to collect during her working time as a geologist. Elagus had helped to design the inner electronics, while Ghlafferge focused on building the shell. The two finished the craft and together agreed on the name Snowplow.

Ghlafferge continued studying engineering with his friend Elagus, and the two grew to be good friends as they progressed through childhood. They would create all sorts of devices to annoy Ghlafferge's mother, who frowned upon technology, believing the true traditional way that Dwarves had been doing normal activites was best.

When Ghlafferge was 20, Elagus moved back to Gnomeregan with his father Lokargo and mother, Lysslebick after Sven had a large argument with Lokargo about the inn's construction. After they left, Ghlafferge became largely antisocial, as Elagus had been one of his few companions he shared a similar interest with. Most of the other dwarven children were more interested in blacksmithing or mining, although Ghlafferge found mechanics and engineering to be most interesting. He was jeered by other dwarven children in Kharanos for this throughout his childhood.

Early Adulthood
After completing the Thunderbrew Distillery, Sven Sootbeard received a new project on the creation of a mine in Kharanos to provide the town with some more gold, as the creation of the Distillery had been largely paid for by the town itself. Sven was working with demolitionists on the creation of this mine, alongside Dunhilda Sootbeard, who was studying the rock formations themselves and judging which areas would be best to detonate. During one of these demolition operations, there was an error in the dynamite explosive being used, and it killed Sven immediately, and caused a rockfall which wounded three other geologists and killed Dunhilda Sootbeard. This happened when Ghlafferge was forty three, just out of childhood (roughly nineteen in human years).

Dorholm and Brahdic both agreed to give the gold to Ghlafferge, for they wanted to stay inside Kharanos and knew that Ghlafferge had the most "potential" of them all.

Ghlafferge scraped together what gold he had in savings from his parents, and he headed off to Ironforge in search of work. He took everything that he owned, and sold the house his clan had in Kharanos for extra gold so that he could buy food. Ghlafferge at first was committed to finding Elagus again, although he soon gave up.

He was able to contact a gnomish engineer in Ironforge by the name of Ozark Mechaspark, an entrepreneurial Gnome who had recently started up an engineering shop known as Mechaspark's Clockwork Shop. Ghlafferge applied for a job, and served around doing menial tasks, such as taking inventories on the supplies and making sure profits were in the green. Soon however, Ozark realized Ghlafferge's potential after Ghlafferge started repairing a faulty shelf in the store. Ozark began teaching Ghlafferge Gnomish engineering on the side, and Ghlafferge was able to repay his master (as he was apprenticed to Ozark) through doing these tasks. Ghlafferge at this time was at the age of forty five (twenty one human years).

Mechaspark Engineering Works
After Ghlafferge's skill became high enough, Ozark sold the store and made a hefty profit of fifteen thousand gold off of it. With this money, he opened up an engineering firm by the name of Mechaspark Engineering Works. Mechaspark Engineering Works was focused around heavier engineering, primarily the production of gyrocopters for civilian use, and was more of an experimental firm. Among their engineering experiments were multi-passenger gyrocopters, a steam powered railway system, and a more mobile Steam Tank for use in combat against the Frostmane Trolls and Troggs.

These experiments were primarily done for gold. Ghlafferge Sootbeard had much enjoyment coming from experimenting with engineering materials, as well as inventing and innovating devices. The multi-passenger gyrocopter failed on its first flight because the gyrocopter had too much weight, the steam powered railway system did work, although the patent was sold for a hefty sum of fifty thousand gold to the Ironforge and Gnomeregan Tinker's Union. The more mobile steam tank was ended due to financial costs. There were many other experiments the two did together although.

Sootbeard Brothers Clockwork Stop and the Siege of Ironforge
Ozark was beginning to grow old, and it could not be denied by anyone. He decided to retire at the age of three hundred and headed back to Gnomeregan to spend the rest of his life with his family. Ghlafferge was given the rights to the business and renamed it, "Sootbeard Brothers Clockwork Shop, " after his brother Brahdic came to Ironforge to speak with him. The two ran a successful business together and sold items such as wind up toys, blunderbusses, mechanical companions, and the sort. Ghlafferge and Brahdic ran the business well together, though they did not do very much experimentation, though they did do large amounts of crafting. Dorholm joined the business around ten years after Brahdic joined, and the Sootbeard Brothers Clockwork Shop began selling Mail and Plate Armor as well, in addition to what they were already selling.

One day however, when Ozark was returning to Ironforge to have dinner with Ghlafferge, he was murdered by a band of Orcs. Ghlafferge was in his one hundred and sixties by this time. Around this time, Ghlafferge met a dwarf warrior by the name of Folgrin Ironbeard, who was supposedly from Zundrbar as well, however Sven had not spoken very much about Zundrbar.

When the Siege of Ironforge happened, Ghlafferge and his brothers agreed to sell the business and took up arms. The joined the 227th Ironforge Guard, Ghlafferge and Brahdic joining together as engineers, while Dorholm signed up as a warrior. Folgrin and his cousin Serthor Ironbeard both signed up for the army as well. Ghlafferge had some training already in the usage of firearms and explosives, and therefore was rushed out onto the front lines alongside the others. Ghlafferge will always remember the horrors that he saw during the Siege of Ironforge, children and families altogether starving, no ale or tobacco in weeks, the city essentially at a standstill.

Ghlafferge and Brahdic developed a strong connection fighting in the Siege of Ironforge. After a few prolonged months of fighting, Ironforge was liberated by the forces of Anduin Lothar. During the siege, Dorholm had died, killed by an Orc Berserker. This is a loss that has not been forgotten by Ghlafferge, and is one of the reasons for his strong grudge against Orcs and other goblinoid creatures who participated in the siege.

Second War
Ghlafferge immediately signed up for the Alliance army, and was placed into the Ironforge 227th Rifles as a Rifleman. His brother, Brahdic, and Folgrin Ironbeard were all enlisted as riflemen during this time. Ghlafferge was deployed into clearing Dun Morogh of the remaining Orcs, and showed no mercy, in vengeance for the loss of Dorholm. Ghlafferge, Brahdic, and Folgrin earned the nickname "The Three Riflemen," during this time because of how they stayed together in a "fireteam" type group through nearly all of the hours, whether it was in combat, or sitting back drinking ale and smoking tobacco. After around one month of heavy fighting, which included many Orcish ambushes and Dwarven ambushes as well. He remained a riflemen for two months.

After Dun Morogh was cleared, Ghlafferge was moved with Brahdic as a mortarer in Loch Modan. As a mortarer, the two would often have to move within friendly lines, although calibrating the aim was always a challenge, due to faulty gyrocopter reports that would come in. Ghlafferge was a mortarer for two months, one of the shortest roles he played in the Second War. However, during this time, he killed around ten friendlies through splash damage because of Orcish charges and such, which pushed allies into new areas. It is often regarded as Ghlafferge's least favorite time, although Brahdic's favorite.

After the two months, Ghlafferge was transferred northwards to start fighting in the Hinterlands campaign, as a siege enigne pilot. This was arguably Ghlafferge's favorite role, because Ghlafferge made a great friendship with the siege engine they operated, known as, "Khaz'Goroth's fury." Ghlafferge served in a siege engine with five others: Folgrin Ironbeard, Brahdic Sootbeard, Hengrid Flintlocke, Throndin Alemusket, and Hrogar Steelchain. He spent four months as a Siege Engine pilot.

After serving as a siege engine pilot, he volunteered to help clear the coast in submarine operations, although Ghlafferge did enjoy them, despite how unenjoyable they might've sounded. Ghlafferge felt a special connection to submarines he had not felt to other boats. Since he was a young child he had often mistrusted water, but when it came down to being in a submarine, it was strangely bearable. Ghlafferge spent the remainder of the Khaz Modan campaign in the submarine corps.

After the conflict had mainly ended, Ghlafferge returned to Ironforge with Folgrin and Brahdic, and the three joined the Explorer's Guild, as they had all been wanting to know about their roots.

Third War and Northrend
Ghlafferge did not serve in the military during the Third War, however he did travel with Muradin Bronzebeard's expedition to Northrend. Ghlafferge helped out as an engineer, clearing out debris and also testing rock strength using geology. Ghlafferge was around one hundred eighty five years of age during this time.

When Arthas came, Ghlafferge Sootbeard, Folgrin Ironbeard, and Brahdic Sootbeard all abandoned the camp, believing Arthas was going to go insane by the way he spoke about Frostmourne, an artifact he had travelled so far up north to find. Their abandoning of the camp meant that they had to wander amongst the frozen wasteland, rather than be killed by Arthas. At first, they headed eastwards into Dragonblight, and stayed around four months with the Tuskarr there, before continuing.

After leaving the Tuskarr encampement, they realized that they could not pass fowards to the other coast of Northrend, due to Zul'Drak, which possessed quite a threat to a group of three adventurers. They headed backwards to the Storm Peaks, although their journey from Dragonblight to the Storm Peaks lasted around one year, due to the fact their progress was hindered by snowstorms and attacks of wild animals and Vrykuls.

After around one year of trekking, they reached Frosthold, where they spent several years at, recognizing the creatures there as being somewhat related to Dwarves, if not in appearance in culture. Eventually however, Ghlafferge and the others decided that they wanted to return home to Khaz Modan. They had spent around ten or so years in Northrend, and Alliance settlers were established in Northrend. Soon, the three decided they wanted to return to Khaz Modan.

The Long Hike
The ship they had decided to take, was attacked by Forsaken at around the same time as the Attack on Gilneas. The ship was severely damaged and those that had survived the attack were forced to swim to safety, which was around a half a mile to the Hillsbrad southern coast. Hoping to find shelter at Southshore, only to find it decimated and destroyed by Forsaken plague bombs.

The team of around twenty survivors had to hike through the forested region of Hillsbrad, sticking away from the roads to avoid Horde patrols. Around five or so individuals died from the natural wildlife as a result of not staying on the road, although none died in Hillsbrad from Horde agents.

As they neared the Thoradin Wall, the wall that divides Hillsbrad and Stromgarde, the group was surprised to find a Forsaken encampment just on the other side. In order to avoid being caught, they began hiking up the wall during the cover of night, which ended up killing one person who fell due to the darkness. At this point, only fourteen individuals were left. It took around five hours for them all to climb up the wall, as the wall was not only tall, but it was not in good shape.

The group finally had to avoid Forsaken patrols and moved along the highland area in an attempt to head to Refuge Pointe in Arathor. It took them nearly three months to cross through Hillsbrad, and another month to get through Arathi. Finally, they ended up at the Thandol Span, and headed into the Wetlands- safe and sound in Alliance territory once more.

Return to Khaz Modan
Ghlafferge returned to Ironforge, although Brahdic had decided to stay in Thelsamar, and Folgrin headed up to the highlands. Ghlafferge heard about what had happened since the Third War from the others, and dedicated himself to traveling around the world and finding out what had changed. He had large amounts of gold saved in the Sootbeard coffers, as they were able to have around fifty thousand gold in savings.

World Expedition
Ghlafferge travelled across the entire world of Azeroth, and entered Draenor for a few months as well. The trip cost him a total of around forty thousand gold, leaving him with ten thousand pieces afterwards.

He first travelled across Khaz Modan and saw what changes the "Cataclysm" had brought, including the destructionof the Stonewrought Dam in the Wetlands. He began heading southwards after touring through Khaz Modan and seeing how things had changed. He had never been to Stormwind before, and so he explored around for a long period of time before continuing onwards into the territories of Westfall, Duskwood, and Stranglethorn. After reaching Stranglethorn, he headed northwards again after hearing reports of the Plaguelands, as he was determined to hear about what Arthas, "The Lich King," had done. After heading northwards, he went to the land of Draenor which he had heard about during the latter part of the Second War.

Ghlafferge did not enjoy being in Draenor, due to the lack of Dwarves which made him feel "a far way from home," save for the small encampment of Wildhammers in Shadowmoon Valley. Ghlafferge has long been skeptical of magic, and therefore he did not enjoy seeing areas like Netherstorm or Shadowmoon Valley. Additionally, he found that the Blade's Edge Mountains did not have enough ore to his liking, as he had been hoping to do some prospecting for his own wealth.

Ghlafferge went back to Azeroth and travelled to Northrend. In Northrend, he enjoyed many things. Primarily, he enjoyed connecting with history through the Vrykul, the Giants, and the Earthen. He found everything to be so interested, save for the Nerubians in Azjol-Nerub. He was happy with the amount of ore found in the Storm Peaks, as there were large amounts of saronite, which he was able to sell off to others, and titanium, which he used for himself.

When Ghlafferge finally came back to Stormwind, he was expecting to be able to settle down and start a family. However, recent events in Pandaria influenced him to go and see for himself what was going on. He was enraged in Pandaria by the acts of the Horde, and knew that this was the result of Orcs. This is where Ghlafferge lost large amounts of faithfulness in the Alliance. He realized that the Alliance was not fully fighting the Horde, as it once had been doing during the Second War. These views remain with Ghlafferge, specifically the view of Varian being a "coward."

Zundrbar
One day, Ghlafferge was hunting Murlocs in the Wetlands after his trip around Azeroth finished. He was drinking in the Deepwater Tavern in Menethil Harbor when Folgrin Ironbeard showed up. Ghlafferge had not seen Folgrin Ironbeard in around a year, and so Ghlafferge was extremely happy to see him.

Folgrin told Ghlafferge about the history of the Sootbeard family. Historically, the Sootbeards were the rulers of a small highland area known as Zundrbar, which was geographically isolated from the rest of the surrounding territories, and only accesible via flight. Ghlafferge, being a Sootbeard, was the next in line.

Folgrin had accompanied Ghlafferge as his mentor, the same done for Brahdic, to determine which would lay claim to the throne of Zundrbar. Folgrin chose Ghlafferge, as Ghlafferge showed more leadership skills than Brahdic, although Brahdic did have the stronger claim to the throne. Ghlafferge, to repay his older brother, gave him the seat as one of his advisors in Zundrbar.

The small area of Zundrbar was prime for Ghlafferge. Ghlafferge's views were changing into a more libertarian standpoint on issues. These thoughts were coming from what was happening in Azeroth. He saw how Varian was focused on denying the Horde the continent of Pandaria, that he was unable to see the real Horde threat.

As Ghlafferge became the Prince of Zundrbar and Thane of the Hill Dwarves, he began implementing Laissez-Faire Capitalist measures, as well as the creation of a more modern style economy. This more modernized economy included no taxes, replaced instead by tariffs put on foreign goods, to encourage guilds to domestically produce, or trade with other local guilds. The Zundrbarian currency- the Hill Dollar, was backed by gold to ensure its valley to outsiders, and make it more than a printed piece of paper.

Financier on the Senate of Ironforge
Recently, Ghlafferge has been reforming the system of banks in Zundrbar, as he views Zundrbar becoming less isolated to be the best way of movement. He believes that a Zundrbar with good ties to Ironforge and Gnomeregan will be a stronger and more prosperous Zundrbar.

Ghlafferge has recently been approached by Thane Hrodin Secretflame, who has offered the Hill Dwarves representation in the Senate of Ironforge. Ghlafferge has graciously accepted the offer, and has also added that he could serve as one of the leading financiers of the Kingdom of Khaz Modan.