Balrune Stonefist was born in Ironforge. He was raised and trained as a Paladin of the Silver Hand. He trained under some of the best, even a bit under Uther, though it was more of a meeting than a training session. His master was Harthal Truesight, another Paladin of the Silver Hand. He trained and fought along side his master in the days of the Third war. However, when Arthas turned and the Knights were disbanded, Balrune followed his master into a new group of paladins, The Scarlet Crusade. He served with zealousness and hatred for the undead, a hatred that derived from losing many friends to the undead.

On one of his patrols, Balrune and his allies were ambushed by the Scourge. Led by the Lich Amal'thazad, the paladins, including Balrune, fell before the scourge onslaught. As Balrune embraced his death, he had an epiphany, a realization of what he had done in joining the Scarlet Crusade. He had become corrupt in his ways as a paladin. He decided then and there, if he made it out of this alive, he would do all in his power to seek his redemption and lead others to the same redemption. However, as he died, he was raised a Death Knight, ripped painfully back into the world to kill those he once protected.

During his service to the Lich King, he was made to work with the Lich Kings armies of Nerubians. He formed many plans and worked with the Nerubians to bring the downfall of many cities as well as build new Scourge structures of the locations as new bases. From this work force, Balrune gained many allies that still assist him to this day, mainly his pet spider Mal'tik. He also met the Night Elf Death Knight named Zatro Swiftleaf, known at the time as Zatro Darkechos. He fought and killed many people, some old allies, some new enemies. His mind fought against the Lich King as much as he could but was just not strong enough to break free of the Lich King.

But, at Light's Hope Chapel, Balrune, just like every other Death Knight, was given the extra boost they needed to free themselves from the Lich King's grasp. When he regained his own will, Balrune decided to rename himself Darkbrew so to not bring shame to the Stonefist clan in Ironforge, as to never be remembered for the evils he had commited in the Scarlet Crusade. Now working with the Knights of the Ebon Blade, Balrune Darkbrew trained as a Disciple of Blood, to learn the was of killing your enemies while strengthening himself. However, when his old war partner (if you can call him that) Zatro was sent to Northrend, Balrune was recruit by the Highlord to serve as Zatro's replacement as Ambassador of the Knights of the Ebon Blade.

He traveled to Stormwind and began to try to do his duty, meeting resistances from many, including the Caelestis Templares, whom reminded him strongly of the Scarlet Crusade. Following a letter left to him by Zatro, Balrune sought out the group known as Novus Domus. He enlisted in their ranks, become friends with all the members he could, including the rather jumpy leader Elinarya ( I am only kidding, but that is how bal saw her at first). He did all he could to bring a good name to the Death Knights, though it is not going to well.

He was out of the city when news had reached him, Arya had been kidnapped by a Warlock. He ran to the city as fast as he could, cursing his short legs. He found Mordagen, Arya's husband, and found out all he needed to know to put his spider, Mal'tik, on the search for Arya. After a day of searching, Mordagen and Balrune found Arya hidden away in Pyrewood Village. After getting her back to Stormwind, Balrune joined the hunt for Keldran. He spent more of his time in the city, waiting to help where he could. He decided that during this time, that this would be best time to begin seeking the Lights redemption. It did not go so well, as he thought, with the interruptions caused by Theodel, Keldran's lackey, the Caelestis Templares, and other distractions.

Only recently did Balrune fight against the forces of Keldran, combating against Theodel. Balrune fought with all he had, but it was not enough. Nearly dying a second time, reinforcements arrived in time to save him from death a second time. Knocked out during most of the second half, he awoken to members of Novus Domus, Death Knights no less, and members of the Caelestis Templares cornering Theodel. As he stood up to lend his aid, Theodel escaped via a death gate. Thinking the Templares came to assist them in taking down the Dangerous Theodel, Balrune was shocked at the Templares then turning on the Novus Domus members. He just could no longer comprehend the pure hatred and zeal of the paladins, though all too like him in his days as a Scarlet Crusader. After using his dark abilities to pull Lahrien from the blade of the Lord Commander Amelas, Balrune took a hit to his arm from another dwarven paladin, Krommholtz. He told them they were making a huge mistake, but was forced to flee with Lahrien into a death gate.

Now, with the recent turn of events, Balrune has forsaken all thought of redemption. He now is driven by a single purpose: Retribution. He has taken up his lessons as a Disciple of Blood again, to insure that no Death Knight falls at the hands of anyone again. He even dons the traditional Disciple of Blood armor, forsaking any memory of the Light he had. But, only just recently, with the death of Silas Volinger, another Death Knight, Balrune has given up all hope for the living working with the Death Knights. Though he has accepted that some, like the members of Novus Domus, are willing to accept them as they are, he now has a stirring hatred for the living, a gift of the Lich King. Though he knows he will never return to the Lich King, the few that earn his respect, will have his blade as a tool of undying loyalty, and those who earn his hatred, will have his blade ran through them.