Dwarf Military Maxims, Expressions, and Exclamations

[mmadsen]

I thought it would add flavor to the game -- and give my dwarf siege engineer a distinctive personality -- if I could come up with some dwarf military maxims, expressions, and exclamations.

Some of my first few thoughts were very forge-centric:

Trapped! Between the hammer and the anvil!
-- Caught between one force and another, flanking force.

Hammering the anvil!
-- Fruitlessly attacking a hard target.

Hammer not until the iron is hot, then shape it to your will.
-- "Shape the battlefield" before attacking. Then bring overwhelming force to bear.

I plan on dwarf-ifying as much Sun-Tzu as possible.

Any suggestions?

 

[Caliban]

"By Moradin's rancid beard butter!"
--exclamation of shock or surprise.

 

[mmadsen]

I'm sure we can all post silly oaths a dwarf might swear by. My goal is to generate military maxims, expressions, and exclamations a trained dwarf siege engineer might use -- to convey that he's a trained specialist who has read the dwarf equivalents of Vegetius, Sun-Tzu, etc.

For instance, what would be the dwarf equivalents of these:

All warfare is based on deception.

Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Not a military maxim (go read Clausewitz, he's about as dwarvish as they come), but it has to be added:

"Barak Khazad! Khazad ai menu!"

 

[alsih2o]

most every military man knows " (poopie) rolls down hill"

 

[DM with a vengence]

Superior numbers are no match for superior training.

Hold the *Expletive* *Expletive* *Expletive* line!

One dwarf underneath a wall is worth ten humans above.

When the enemy won't break, add more coal to the forge.

Elves pursue their enemies, we kill them where they stand.

The only good goblin/orc/giant is a dead one.

Only a fool seeks battle with an enemy on the open field.

The fastest way to lose is to fall into a trap.

 

[mmadsen]

I plan on dwarf-ifying as much Sun-Tzu as possible.

This bit of Sun-Tzu may need no extra translating at all: Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

 

[Polydamas]

You have five fingers....I have a fist.
-Dwarvish saying on discipline and unity

Moradin, continue to send us such stupid enemies.
-Classic prayer of Dwarvish war councils

 

[mmadsen]

most every military man knows "________ rolls down hill"

That got me thinking on a tangent.

An army crashes down with the force of an avalanche. It climbs with the strength of a weary traveler.

 

[Caliban]

I'm sure we can all post silly oaths a dwarf might swear by. My goal is to generate military maxims, expressions, and exclamations a trained dwarf siege engineer might use -- to convey that he's a trained specialist who has read the dwarf equivalents of Vegetius, Sun-Tzu, etc.

*shrug* Hey, the title of your thread is "Dwarf Military Maxims, Expressions, and Exclamations"

If you don't want exclamations, don't ask for them.