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HORDES - Exigence
HORDES - Exigence
HORDES - Exigence
™
fury. The leaders of the United Kriels fight to ensure their
survival by calling on both old and new allies, including the
recently awakened mountain kings. Aloof from the struggles
of the other factions, Xerxis leads an army in a risky gambit
amid the larger plans of Supreme Archdomina Makeda,
positioning the skorne to subjugate Ios. Meanwhile, events
already set in motion by Krueger the Stormlord threaten to
scar the face of Caen itself as he works toward his ultimate
goal: the destruction of the dragon Everblight. Ancient beings
advance toward an apocalyptic end game with no regard to
the innocents caught in their path, and only time will tell if
great heroes will find a way to forestall this doom.
HORDES: Exigence brings you the next thrilling chapter
of the HORDES saga. Hold nothing back in your fight for
survival with:
• New warcasters, including new epic versions.
• Three new character lesser warlocks who bring
even more furious support to your army.
• New units and solos to expand HORDES armies with
new strategic possibilities.
• New narrative fiction picking up directly after the
harrowing events of HORDES: Gargantuans.
• A painting and modeling guide to help you prepare
your forces for battle.
• Theme Force lists for each new warcaster, which
allow you to create armies based on specialized
forces found in the HORDES world.
SPINE
Now the skies darken,
and we can only
attempt to navigate
the storm.
— Omnipotent Lortus
™
Credits
WARMACHINE Michael Jenkins Writing & Continuity John Roth
Ben Misenar Rob Seamount
created and designed by Manager
Jesse Sterland
Matthew D. Wilson Additional Sculpting Douglas Seacat
Carlos Castaño Tu Thanh
Lead Designer, Russ Charles
Video Producer Chris Tiemeyer
WARMACHINE Benoit Cosse
Tony Konichek Ben Tracy
Jason Soles Jonathan Flanders Publications Manager Dara Vann
Designer, Exigence Todd Harris Aeryn Rudel Matt Warren
David Carl Olivier Nkweti Michele Wheeler
Steve Saunders No Quarter EIC
Project Director Michael G. Ryan Development Manager
Bryan Cutler
Studio Modelers David Carl
Nate Scott No Quarter Assistant
Creative Director James A. Thomas Michael Sanbeg Roleplaying Game
Ed Bourelle
Director of Operations Producer
Miniature Painters Matt Goetz
Lead Writer Matt DiPietro Jason Martin
Douglas Seacat Geordie Hicks
Production Director Game Developer
William Schoonover
Writing Additional Painting Mark Christensen
Matt DiPietro Meg Maples
Mold Manager Playtest Coordinator
Jordan Ellinger Jack Coleman
Matt Goetz
Studio Administration Kelly Yeager
Orrin Grey Assistant Packing/Shipping Infernals
Aeryn Rudel Charles Foster III Peter Gaublomme
Manager John Morin
William Shick
Hobby Manager & Terrain Joe Lee Gilles Reynaud
Additional Writing Stuart Spengler
Vendor Coordinator D. Anthony Robinson
David Carl Donald Sullivan
Lyle Lowery Hobby & Terrain Geoffrey Konkel
Jason Soles Specialist Metal Casting Supervisor Internal Playtesters
Michael Archer Ed Bourelle
Continuity Marcus Rodriguez
David Carl
Douglas Seacat Photography Lead Quality Control Johan Cea
Jason Soles Matt Ferbrache Jack Coleman
Cody Ellis
Editorial Manager Project Manager Cody Ellis
Darla Kennerud Shona Fahland
Production Charles Foster III
Jon Adams Bill French
Editing Licensing & Contract Mark Arreola William Hungerford
Dan Henderson Manager Oren Ashkenazi Bryan Maclaflin
Brent Waldher Ryan Baldonado Chris McLeroy
Graphic Design Director Michael Plummer
Josh Manderville President Nelson Baltzo
Erik Reierson
Sherry Yeary Thomas Cawby William Schoonover
Graphic Design & Layout Johan Cea William Shick
Richard Anderson Chief Creative Officer Henry Chac Jason Soles
Bryan Cutler Matthew D. Wilson Chris Crespo Gabriel Waluconis
Shona Fahland
Matt Ferbrache Director of Business & Bryan Dasalla
External Playtesters
Laine Garrett Branding Development Alfonso Falco
Alice Bettoli
Josh Manderville William Shick Joel Falkenhagen Cody Brown
Juanita Garcia-Lovato Corey Brown
Art Director Executive Assistant Maddie Gill Andrew Hartland
Mike Vaillancourt Michelle Horton
Young Han Kristin Hartland
Cover Illustration Marketing Manager Trevor Hancock Federico Ingrosso
Andrea Uderzo Lyle Lowery Mike Harshbarger Stu Liming
Armond Haydel James Moreland
Illustrations Web/IT Professional Bryan Klemm Andrew Ready
Néstor Ossandón Micah Scott Ralston Owen Rehrauer
Mark Lawson
Mateusz Ozminski Josh Saulter
Andrea Uderzo Convention Coordinator Chris Lester Tim Simpson
Justice Wong Michael Plummer David Lima
Clayton Links Proofreading
Lead Concept Artist Marketing Coordinator David Carl
Simon Berman Keith Loree
Nick Kay Christopher Matthews Dan Henderson
Concept Illustrations Organized Play & Bryan McClaflin
Geoffrey Konkel
William Shick
Kory Lynn Hubbell Volunteer Coordinator Mike McIntosh
RJ Palmer William Hungerford Chris McLeroy
Andrea Uderzo Antonio Mora
Quartermaster Assistant
Reece Nash
Studio Director Dianne Ferrer
Ron Kruzie Phuong Nguyen
Customer Service Scott Paschall
Staff Sculptors Adam Johnson Aaron Paul
Brian Dugas
Doug Hamilton
Customer Support Antwan Porter
Justin Cottom Sam Rattanavong
Gabriel Waluconis Erik Reiersen
2
NEW BLOOD RISES
Constant war has taken its toll on the savage nations of the leadership of Gunnbjorn’s personal dire troll Dozer and
Immoren. The unrelenting conflict has brought each of his pyg rider Smigg to the berserker fury of the fellblade-
them to the brink of costly victory—or utter annihilation. wielding farrow Maximus, these new characters open
With the stakes so high, desperate actions have been taken up a wealth of opportunities for players as they struggle
in the name of survival. Determined to destroy Everblight, toward victory.
Krueger the Stormlord is embroiled in the matters of ancient
Even as these new heroes step forward to bear the terrible
forces far beyond his control. The trollkin leader Madrak
burdens of war, new weapons roll out from the most
Ironhide must return to his kriels with the newly awakened
unlikely of places. New gatorman and farrow battle
mountain kings, while Borka the Kegslayer undertakes a
engines reinforce the Thornfall and Blindwater pacts with
perilous journey to the north. And Archdomina Makeda
their first huge-based models and bring new options for
pursues her invasion of the inhospitable nation of Ios,
other HORDES factions. Both the soul-fueled terrors of the
whose land itself pushes against her. The unforeseeable
gatorman’s Sacral Vault and the sheer carnage wrought
consequences of these and other world-changing choices
by the maniacal rolling death machine that is the farrow’s
threaten to shake Caen to its core.
Meat Thresher are destined to make their mark on the ever-
At the heart of these momentous events are individuals escalating wars in the wilds of Immoren.
whose deeds are certain to become legend. Indeed, the
A new style of warbeast also arrives on the battlefield.
crucible of war continually forges new heroes, and this
Warbeast packs are an exciting opportunity for players to
volume introduces many whose exploits will one day
meld the raw power and fury-generating capabilities of
shape the fates of their factions. While Minion lesser
classic warbeasts with the organization of a trooper unit.
warlocks have been available to players since Mk I,
Trained to utilize the weight of numbers to compensate for
HORDES: Exigence marks the arrival of lesser warlocks in
their smaller size, these beasts coordinate attacks to bring
the factions themselves. With these new lesser warlocks,
down the largest of foes in a flurry of tooth and claw.
players can field and capably control a greater number of
fearsome creatures than ever before. Prepare yourself. This is warfare with the gloves off, bare-
knuckled and brutal. There is no time for hesitation or
Exigence sees several powerful new character solos and
restraint. Exigence is now!
warbeasts rush to join the fight for survival as well. From
Table of Contents
Blood Debt, part one. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Legion of Everblight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Rules and Theme Forces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Minions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Trollbloods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Model Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Circle Orboros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Paint Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Skorne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Blood Debt, part two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
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3
Blood Debt
Part One
Northern Wyrmwall Mountains, Late 608 AR Doomshaper had sighed, feeling the age in his bones. “I
Hoarluk Doomshaper had done all he could to ensure the would like nothing more than to teach that city the folly
powerful and voracious mountain kings would remain of disrespecting the kin of the Gnarls. Dhunia requires
responsive to Madrak Ironhide. He had no doubt Madrak something else of me. These five”—he waved his staff to
had the force of will to control them, but restraining so signify the gargantuan trolls—“are not all the mountain kings.
many at once for an extended period of time would have There are others, still chained beneath distant peaks. They
been a trial for anyone. After their battle with the forces of were roused by my rite and are ready to answer, but I must
the Circle Orboros high in the mountains, there had been collect them and guide them, lest they be discovered by our
the question of what would come next. Doomshaper had enemies. The Tree of Fate cannot corrupt them now that they
witnessed Madrak’s despondency when Rathrok returned are shaken from their slumber, but they do not understand
to him. Ironhide had for a moment thought himself free of today’s world. Should their hunger lead them into the lands
that yoke. of man, they will be surrounded and eventually destroyed.
It is vital we preserve them and join their strength to ours. I
Yet the first thing Madrak had done, as they had begun
shall start in the frozen northern mountains.”
to contemplate their route down from the mountain, was
come to Doomshaper. He had promised to finish what he Madrak had tried to hide it, but Doomshaper had been
had started, to be a kin of his word. He clearly did not look able to tell he was relieved to be free of his obligation, glad
forward to what lay ahead, yet he was willing to fulfill his the attack on a major human city was delayed. It was to be
obligations. expected, but Doomshaper had still felt disappointed in this
persistent weakness. Ironhide was who he was, and it was
The Shaman of the Gnarls had to admit he had misjudged
unlikely he would ever change.
Ironhide. In the recent conflicts his respect for the
Thornwood leader had grown, a fact he admitted to himself As the day arrived for them to say their farewells, Madrak
with something akin to irritation. He had long prided came to him with Borka limping at his side. Doomshaper
himself on the sharpness of his mind, on how little he scowled at them, having no interest in extended goodbyes.
allowed himself any sentimentality. A long life of making Borka had been relatively quiet in the days since the battle,
tough decisions and committing to necessary sacrifices had and though he already looked better, the evidence of his
shaped a certain dour outlook. He did not like the notion of brush with death was plain. His leg would require time to
growing soft in his declining years. Nonetheless, he could properly heal, having been nearly severed, and his missing
not deny a certain fondness for Ironhide, despite the kin’s arm would not grow back for months. The northern warlock
distastefully humanish ideals. had taken to eating and drinking a prodigious amount even
by his standards.
When Madrak came to him, Doomshaper realized how
much things had changed. He still desired to see the humans Madrak said to Doomshaper, “It’s vital you not travel north
of northwestern Cygnar pay for their many injustices. alone.”
A reckoning was due them, and he hoped to deliver it
The shaman pursed his lips. “I will not be alone. Mulg will
eventually. Now that the trollkin had the mountain kings,
be with me.”
they were more ready than ever for such a fight. But during
the ceremony of awakening his awareness had broadened. “Not enough. I promised to see you returned safely, and
He had sensed the scope and depth of Dhunia, and he now I do not consider that obligation fulfilled. Anything could
knew his path lay elsewhere. In truth, things had changed happen to you in the north. Borka will go with you, together
the moment Grim had brought evidence of the resting place with some of his champions.”
of those first long-buried kings, the primal hunger that had
Borka’s eyes looked unfocused; clearly he had already been
been chained but not entirely forgotten.
drinking heavily. Doomshaper snorted and said, “He looks
“Our paths will diverge,” Doomshaper had told Madrak. to be more in need of protection than I. What use is he in
“I release you of your obligations to me, at least for now. this state? He would only slow me down.”
Go with Grim and the rest of this army, and return with the
The younger shaman made an indignant noise and lifted his
mountain kings to Grissel and your people. I suspect they
mace. “I can still fight, old stonebeard! No one knows the
have need of you more than I do.”
northern lands like I do.”
Madrak had blinked and looked at the elder trollkin with
Madrak added, “Rök has been pulling him on a wagon
evident surprise. He said, “Where are you going, if not
while his leg mends.”
with us? What of Ceryl?”
4
“Two drunkards for the price of one,” Doomshaper said Combining forces with so many was unusual for them;
sourly. “I will make better time without them. It will be hard the Death Wolves preferred to fight apart, even when they
enough evading Khadoran patrols with just Mulg. Adding answered the blackclads’ call to battle. None of the masters
these two will invite disaster.” of the hunt dared command them, for Sköll was a king in
his own right. Although he respected Wolf Lord Morraig,
“I’ll feel better knowing they are with you,” Madrak
he recognized no man as his master, not even the druids
insisted. “And while he is in the north, Borka can gather
who were blessed to be conduits for the Wurm. Still, they
more of his kinfolk and additional winter trolls to join us.”
acknowledged there was a special place among them for the
Doomshaper could see his mind had been made up, and Stormlord, he who had been marked by the Tree of Fate and
though he expected Borka’s demeanor would grate on who had feasted on hearts alongside the Tharn, so Sköll had
his nerves, he decided there would be no lasting harm in answered Krueger’s call, all the more eagerly because he
allowing the pair to join him. “Very well.” He glared at knew it would be a battle of few against many. It was in just
Borka. “But I will not slow down for you. We have many such fights that the trio could revel in death and carnage.
miles to cross.”
Through the trees now came fleet, shadowy forms. Sköll
Borka laughed. “The day a kin your age outpaces me is the stepped forward, his axe at the ready, knowing Tala
day I let Rök bite off my head!” and Caleb were with him. They did not need to speak to
coordinate their actions in battle.
Doomshaper looked to Madrak and said, “Do not blame me
if, when I return, Borka is shorter.” Even this rare attempt at
humor elicited only a small, distracted smile from Ironhide,
who was looking to the horizon, his fingers tracing along She held the dying Nyss up,
Rathrok’s haft. Doomshaper sighed and turned north, suspended upon the tines
leaving the chieftain to his inner turmoil. of her divided blade, and
watched as he died.
Northern Thornwood, Early 609 AR
Sköll gave an almost joyful wild cry as he leapt forward
from between twisted, dark trees. He brought his weighty These oncoming Nyss had been twisted even more by
axe crashing down through the skull of a blighted Nyss the blight. Their legs were transformed, giving them
swordsman, who dropped at once, his single-edged blade tremendous alacrity, and they came with blighted blades in
tumbling from his fingers. Sköll yanked the axe loose and hand. Those weapons shimmered darkly, as though an oily
stepped swiftly to the side as another swordsman lunged for film was upon them. He could smell their wrongness. His
him, narrowly missing the blood-drenched Wurm cultist. His lip curled as he snarled, and then he was closing to meet
eyes upon another foe, Sköll did not even look back. He swung them. He would deliver their feeble souls to the Wurm, and
his axe into the ribs of the next enemy, whose leather armor their power would become his. He shared a brief look with
posed no hindrance. The swordsman Sköll had first evaded Tala, and then the fight was joined again.
turned to strike at his open side but was thwarted by a shadow
that emerged from the darkness with a cleft sword in hand.
5
Blood Debt, Part One
For the moment he had no desire to join battle personally, a splinter of his scattered forces led by one of his braver
and it seemed his enemies were focused on their immediate chieftains probe inward as ordered, seeking to provoke the
environs. The distance was such he was sure he could enemy. One of the archangels gave a shriek and took to
withdraw if the enormous archangels or the swifter angelii wing to confront them. It soared past and breathed searing
took wing toward him. Several watchful Scarsfell griffons fire across the onrushing Wolves, setting them ablaze.
circled at an even greater height, linked to Krueger’s mind. They tumbled screaming to the earth, their bodies quickly
He was prepared to sacrifice them to protect himself, but transformed to ash. The spawn gained some altitude and
that necessity had not yet come to pass. Wolds bonded to then plunged to rend apart a woldwatcher, its claws and
Krueger fought alongside the Wolves of Orboros below, but fangs shattering granite as easily as hardened clay. Several
he was too far away to direct them. Everything about this war wolves leapt up to tear at the archangel’s limbs and
encounter suggested needless waste. It left a bitter taste in his were lit afire by the shroud of flickering flame surrounding
mouth. His priority at the moment, however, was to gather the massive creature, which clawed them to bloody, burning
information, to test the capabilities and limits of the newer pieces before flying back closer to the others.
spawn, particularly those that had so alarmed the dragons.
The shifting ranks of Nyss archers and swordsmen filled
This had been what he had told the rotting and robed the gap. They were being cautious, uncertain how sizable
emissary of Blighterghast, who Krueger knew was nearby, the Circle forces ambushing them truly were. Krueger
watching. The Stormlord’s arrangement with the most knew this would not last long. The hills, trees, and fog
powerful dragon of Toruk’s brood had become strained. helped to some degree, hindering the Nyss soldiers if not
Speaking through his emissary, Blighterghast had ordered the spawn. All battles between the Circle and the Legion
him here to eliminate the archangels, great and fearsome had been similar—elusive fencing with skirmish forces.
dragonspawn whose form too closely emulated the dragons Neither army was comfortable engaging massed troops
themselves in miniature. in the open.
As yet, the archer warlock had kept these largest spawn He had been startled to realize the scope of Everblight’s
in reserve. As Krueger watched from on high, he saw forces advancing south, far more numerous than what he or
6
Morvahna had anticipated. They were not a single cohesive
army but instead comprised many scattered bands of
soldiers and dragonspawn. Though these secondary groups
were slightly dispersed, each represented substantial As Krueger had anticipated, the Legion did not pursue his
reinforcements. Furthermore, each individual group moved withdrawing forces. They were focused on other goals. His
as though it were part of a single organism, which in a sense strike had delayed this force of Everblight’s army, but only
it was. Everblight’s attention appeared to be fixated with slightly. Also as he expected, he did not retreat far before he
the same unwavering intensity as when he had advanced was intercepted by the white-robed form of the once-human
on the Castle of the Keys. creature now serving as the conduit for Blighterghast’s voice
to lesser mortals like himself. The rotted man stood on a
Krueger had quickly assessed there was no way at present
thick lower branch of a decaying tree in their path. Krueger
for the Circle Orboros to thwart these enemies by force of
directed his subordinates to keep moving and then took
arms. Though substantial, his army was still only partially
to the air, drifting serenely up to meet with the emissary,
mustered, while Morvahna’s allies had been depleted at
ignoring the smell of the rotten flesh.
Hawksmire River. Nor did he have any simple or expedient
way to obliterate these archangels without embroiling more “You have not completed the task,” the emissary said in a
of his forces in this clash than he was willing to spare. Such disapproving tone.
an effort would do little to diminish Everblight. If the Circle
“I have seen enough to tell you they are simply dragonspawn,
had learned one thing in the last several years, it was how
nothing more. Greater and more powerful than others, but
easily and quickly the dragon could replace his spawn.
still only spawn. Killing them would gain you little.”
The futility of this battle kindled Krueger’s rage, and the
“It is not your place to decide that. If you lack the power to
storm around him answered in bolts of lightning and
destroy them, you are worthless to me.” The robed form,
rumbling thunder. He had already delivered to the dragon
whose disfigured face was lost in the shadows of his hood,
alliance the means through which their ultimate victory
gave these words no emotional weight, but Krueger felt
could be assured. This entire conflict was a distraction—one
the threat behind them. He was not speaking simply to this
that could undermine everything. He had seen enough.
proxy. He knew these were the words of Blighterghast.
The difficulty rested in explaining that fact to an immortal
“I could destroy them,” Krueger said, “but not with what
dragon who cared not for any of his concerns. To
I have gathered here. Everblight’s forces are too strong,
Blighterghast, Krueger and every druid and warrior serving
and his minions will not risk their spawn unnecessarily.
him were as insignificant as insects. Their deaths, whether
Committing to their destruction here and now will require
singly or by the thousands, meant nothing. Nonetheless,
greater effort than it is worth.”
Krueger would not allow himself or his forces to be simply
thrown away. It was his agenda they followed, his insight “Feeble excuses. You are breaking our bargain?” The
that had created an opportunity to rid themselves of their question carried ominous finality.
greatest foe. He would simply have to force the issue.
“Not at all. You have listened to my words before; I ask only
He dropped lower and sent lightning from his fingertips that you do so again. Why is it so important to you that
to plunge with rending power into the enemy, leaping the archangels be destroyed at this moment? I understand
from one form to the next. He summoned his griffons and their form offends you. We can tear them down in time. But
descended low enough to fill the woldwardens below him focusing on them now is taking us from our true task, the
with strength and his will. A tremendous wailing wall of solution I set before you that will bring about the destruction
sundering air was unleashed as he invoked his power, and of Everblight. A few spawn more or less—even great ones
even as lightning cleaved through some warriors, other like these—will be of no consequence. Allow me to bring
Nyss were hurtled backward by a blast of wind. Flying our true task to completion. It cannot be done without the
spawn and archers’ arrows tumbled and scattered midflight. cooperation of your alliance.”
His commanders recognized his signal to retreat, and horns The emissary was silent for what seemed too long.
sounded the call for withdrawal. Krueger had bought the Krueger looked down and past the figure, to where the
nearest forces some time. He directed his beasts and wolds withdrawing Circle forces were marching. He saw several
to cover those who remained, knowing even as he did so subordinate blackclads looking up to where he spoke with
that many would die here, their broken bodies adding to the the dragon’s emissary, but on seeing his attention they
detritus of the forest floor. The Thornwood had always been quickly looked away. None of them were comfortable with
a place where the soil was hungry for blood. The gallows or understood the arrangement, nor did they comprehend
groves would drink well tonight. why he had entered into an arrangement with Morvahna
7
Blood Debt, Part One
only to abandon it. The fear and awe he had created in his of egos, and they were mortal and far more limited. He
subordinates sustained them despite these questions, but he had also learned that the dragons—though mighty enough
knew that would not always be the case. individually to destroy vast armies—were in some respects
craven. Their very immortality would not allow them to
Linking his fate to the dragons had left him uniquely
confront potential peril.
vulnerable in more ways than one. Krueger feared some
of his efforts might be unraveling before his eyes, but he At last he said, “Allow me to speak with Charsaug directly.”
refused to allow that. He had gone too far to turn back The emissary’s lips compressed into a grimace. Krueger
now. What they hoped to undertake required coordination continued, “I can persuade him. I am certain of it.”
between the dragons. The moment they began, it was
“If you were to go to him, it is likely he would destroy you.”
highly likely that the entire hierarchy of the Circle would
be alerted and work to reverse what he had done as swiftly “I will take the risk,” Krueger insisted. In his present mood
as possible. he felt more inclined to risk the ire of a dragon than to allow
himself or his army to be slaughtered in some meaningless
gesture. “Forewarn him I am coming and explain I have
Linking his fate to the been a guest of yours. I will see to it Charsaug does what
dragons had left him we require.”
uniquely vulnerable in more
“Very well,” the emissary said.
ways than one.
“Just one thing,” Krueger said. When dealing with
immortals he had discovered they had an annoying habit
At last the emissary spoke. “It is to ensure our plan proceeds
of forgetting the limitations of other beings. “Where might
that the archangels must be destroyed.”
Charsaug be found?”
Krueger’s eyes narrowed and he said, “Why? Explain.
Allow me to perceive the problem, and perhaps I can arrive Southern Iosan Mountains
at a different solution.” This was a dangerous statement, “They are holed up inside the tunnels, Lord Assassin. They
given the nature of a dragon’s ego. Krueger was counting are well barricaded and well armed. They can fire down the
on the fact that Blighterghast might recognize the potential main tunnel with impunity on any who approach.” Though
usefulness of a mortal’s perspective. the Venator dakar maintained his discipline, Morghoul
could easily read his apprehension. The officer clearly knew
Another long silence passed, and then the emissary spoke he had failed to accomplish what he had been ordered to do.
slowly, as if translating the words into a human language They stood outside the entrance to an Iosan mining complex
was an unpleasant chore. “Charsaug did battle with the that had until recently been protected by the Twilight Gate.
archangels to the north and took injury. He withdrew. He
is newly arrived in the west, long remote from our alliance, Morghoul asked, “Did you have a plan of action?”
and his confidence in the necessity of unity is fragile. I had Dakar Kelartex inclined his head slightly. “We are prepared
set him to the first task in the sequence you described. We to advance to force engagement. However, before taking
are forestalled unless I replace him, which would provoke that step I wanted to seek to neutralize them from afar if
questions. His reluctance would spread. I can neither force possible. Paingiver Nikexis thought there might be a way
obedience nor allow disobedience. It is only on one matter to create a soporific smoke by making use of chymicals
that our alliance shares absolute agreement.” ordinarily utilized to pacify enraged beasts. I sent him to
“Toruk—and the need to stand against him,” Krueger said. recover as much of the substance as he could, but it may
take several days to make arrangements. I thought it best to
The emissary nodded. “The resumption of Charsaug’s part send word in case a delay would be unacceptable.”
in this is conditional on the destruction of the archangels.”
“It is unacceptable,” Morghoul affirmed, and he saw the
Krueger considered this seemingly petty request in light officer’s lips compress. “There are other mines to secure,
of the pride and arrogance of the dragons. He mulled over each defended. It is vital we begin to reap their benefits for
the many layers of meaning between the emissary’s spoken the empire.”
words. Those few simple sentences revealed a great deal about
the nature of the dragons and their reluctant cooperation. He “My soldiers are fully ready and willing to attack, but I was
had always thought Blighterghast ruled the dragons of his concerned regarding the needless casualties we might incur.”
alliance more absolutely, but there was a certain logic in the Morghoul tilted his head and examined the dakar with
idea that every such creature would view itself as sovereign. an appraising eye. “An unusual sentiment for a follower
The Circle’s own hierarchy was contingent on a similar clash
8
of hoksune.” The officer looked down, clearly anticipating crescents set at regular intervals. Iosan mines were more
some sort of disciplinary measure. “Fortunately for you, ordered and cleaner than seemed natural to Morghoul’s
I am no tyrant. Your caution is well considered, given the eyes. He had been in skorne mines before, and his memory
losses we sustained in breaching the fortress.” Morghoul of them was of noisy, smelly, and perilous places filled
knew reinforcements would take time, and he could expect with the groans of slaves, the cracking of whips, and the
an Iosan counterattack at any moment. His garrison could constant din of tools striking rock. This place was as quiet
not afford to waste soldiers needlessly. Makeda had taken as a tomb, and the perfectly level and clean floor was
the bulk of their army north, marching into the forest maze, finished as though it were an underground hall rather than
leaving him with a much smaller force. “The notion of a place of hard labor.
employing sleeping smoke to disable the enemy was a good
Morghoul strode swiftly between the pools of light created
one, but we do not have the time.”
by the sconces on either side of the tunnel, so as to remain
The dakar stood straighter, relief evident in his posture if as much in shadow as possible. His warbeasts followed,
not in his stony expression. “What are your orders, Lord the clawed feet of the basilisks at the fore scrabbling upon
Assassin?” the stone. Ahead he saw an obstruction in the tunnel where
thick crates had been piled. He saw the gleam of eyes or
“Hold position and await my orders to advance. I will clear
lenses peering over the top and what might have been the
the Iosan barricade.”
ends of rifle barrels. Even as he came to this conclusion he
Morghoul brought a pair of basilisks with him as he moved reached with his mind to connect with the female krea,
swiftly but quietly into the mine entrance. Although he had summoning his will to manifest an aura of mystical power
been ordered by Makeda to ensure their hold on the Twilight around himself and urging the krea to project a similar
Gate specifically, he did not consider it beneath him to take protective bubble around both basilisks.
a personal role in securing these nearby facilities. While he
Almost immediately the still air erupted with the reports
had left the majority of his small army back at the fortress,
of rifle fire. Morghoul broke into a run, then tumbled and
he had sent a few hand-picked datha to seize as many of the
stayed low while bullets whizzed by him. As each one
nearest Iosan mines and quarries as they could. To avoid the
neared and entered the aura he had created from the krea’s
Iosans adapting to their presence, they needed to proceed
essence, it slowed visibly, just enough to allow him to
from one to the next as swiftly as possible.
evade. The defenders were firing blind, barely able to see
Relying on the extended supply chain across the Bloodstone the approaching assassin, but some of these bullets found
Desert to skorne territory left them in an extremely the toughened hide of his warbeasts, which hissed in anger
vulnerable position, so Makeda had made it a priority for even though the slowed projectiles did little more than
their western holdings to become more self-sufficient. The draw blood. Had it not been for the krea’s aura, his beasts
conquest into southern Ios was an opportunity to see that would certainly have fared worse. Those enemies who fired
come to pass, so long as they could secure immediately first ducked out of sight, presumably to reload, while others
useful resources. They had already seized several iron took their places to launch another volley. Morghoul could
mines and had allocated slaves to work day and night hear an Iosan officer yelling orders.
in order to maximize production. The mine he entered
A pair of louder blasts announced the firing of two long and
now was another matter. The extollers had suggested the
heavy rifles fixed on bipods atop the improvised barricade.
exalted ancestors had a special interest in it, though they
Morghoul stepped to the side, but he was not their target.
had been unclear why.
Both bullets found their mark in the hide of the krea.
Morghoul did not care for questioning extollers, as he Connected to the beast’s mind, Morghoul felt its pain as
was suspicious of everything they said. He knew the the heavy projectiles plowed through its body, rupturing
ancestors preserved in sacral stones were cryptic, as their several internal organs, and exploded out its back. The
minds occupied a state very different from those of the warbeast shrieked and shook its head, but Morghoul urged
living, but he felt the extollers used this as a convenient it on. The male basilisk rushed forward at even greater
excuse to withhold information, leveraging their value as speed, eager to kill whatever threatened its mate.
translators and intermediaries. It was unfortunate he had
Morghoul invoked his mortitheurgy to transform his
rarely been allowed to apply the paingiver arts to them;
body into shadow even as the next volley fired. He passed
he was certain he could encourage clearer answers with a
through the barricade blocking the tunnel as if it were
bit of care and attention.
nothing more than smoke. In one hand he carried his sword;
The large entrance shaft bored into the mountain was lit by in the other, his bladed fan. He emerged in the midst of the
a cold, bluish-green radiance provided by gleaming glass Iosan riflemen as an incarnation of death, leveraging all his
9
Blood Debt, Part One
strength in a series of graceful sweeps of both blade and Marketh nodded to himself and said, more to himself
fan that left eight of the nearest soldiers dead or mortally than Morghoul, “I am pleased I interpreted their words
injured, their blood spreading across the stones of the correctly.” He then looked up to the lord assassin and said,
tunnel floor in a widening pool. Several survivors yelled in “This area is particularly rich in the stones and crystals
anger as they drew swords, while other soldiers armed with receptive to mortitheurgy. In particular, this mine will allow
halberds who had been standing ready farther back from us to craft sacral stones and to fabricate especially resilient
the barricade rushed toward him. vessels for immortals and ancestral guardians.”
An angry sizzling and popping noise filled the mine as The lord assassin felt satisfied to have at last received an
the enraged basilisk released the unearthly energies of answer, although he suspected the aptimus could have told
its gaze upon the barricade, burning through the left him this earlier. Still, he could see the value in such a find.
side. The reptilian creature opened a hole large enough Until now most such vital materials had to be shaped and
to squeeze through and came for the nearest surviving carved in the east, sent at considerable expense across the
riflemen. Morghoul neatly evaded the awkward lunges of sands. The ability to fabricate superior stone warriors was
the halberdiers and then vanished in shadow to reappear of obvious military application. But it was difficult to feel
directly behind them. He cut through the back of the neck of too triumphant over such an accomplishment while the
the nearest, neatly severing the Iosan’s spine, then twisted supreme archdomina risked her life marching north across
to the side to plunge his blade’s point up and into the armpit uncertain terrain and facing an utterly unpredictable and
of another. inadequately scouted foe. Furthermore, his instincts told
him his own position would likely be challenged soon.
Seeing Morghoul inside his halberd’s reach, a third clumsily
moved to tackle the assassin but received the bladed edge Morghoul said, “I’ll leave this facility to your discretion,
of his Fan of Shadows across the throat. Wet noises and Aptimus.” He turned to the senior Venator. “Dakar Keltartek,
screams issued from those who fought the basilisk, which see to the protection of this facility and the integration of
had bit off the face of the nearest. Soon Morghoul was joined these slaves. We will ensure more are sent to join them.”
by the wounded but angry krea, which made short work of After hearing their affirmation, he climbed up through the
another Iosan. The lord assassin finished the last enemy but tunnels toward the exit of the mine, anxious to return to the
did not spare any time to savor his victory, knowing more Twilight Gate and hoping the garrison there was ready for
defenders might be waiting farther within. Compelling his the counterattack the Iosans would inevitably muster.
basilisks after him, he descended deeper.
Between Blindwater Lake and
Bloodsmeath Marsh
Jaga-Jaga strode the stagnant waters connecting the lesser
lakes and streams northeast of Blindwater Lake. A pair of
Morghoul was wiping the blood of the last of the Iosans boneswarms accompanied her, their massed skeletal forms
from his sword when his Venators and Aptimus Marketh moving with sinuous grace through the shallow water.
arrived. The lord assassin had sent the wounded krea back Not far behind her was a tentacled swamp horror, mostly
to the surface to indicate it was safe for the others to venture submerged, with its upper eyes and domed, armored head
into the tunnels and awaited them in what looked to be an breaking the water’s surface. Jaga-Jaga’s senses were open
ore processing room. It wasn’t far from the chamber where to the rich diversity of death around her. Each swamp and
he had imprisoned those miners who had surrendered and river had its own community of the lingering dead, and
would soon become slaves, destined to labor in these same Jaga-Jaga had become a connoisseur of their distinctions.
mines for the skorne.
She sometimes still felt an instinctive longing for the
Morghoul addressed Marketh. “Now will you reveal why muddy banks of the Marchfells, where she had clawed her
this particular mine was of interest?” way from hatchling to adulthood. Despite this, she had to
The senior extoller did not answer at first but scanned the admire the richness and power surrounding Blindwater
chamber. His eyes traced along a variety of machinery whose and the Bloodsmeath Marsh to its north, here on the eastern
function and power source were entirely unfamiliar to him. fringes of the Thornwood Forest. She had yet to find any
He walked forward and looked at chunks of shattered and other place where there persisted so many layers of detritus,
ground earth, including multiple metal-reinforced wooden both physical and spiritual. Every beast and animal that
bins where various grades of stone had been sorted. He had died here had contributed spiritual essence to the soil,
reached down and drew one forth. It looked relatively layered along with their rotting flesh but lingering long after
unremarkable to Morghoul, although he could see one side only bones remained. Intelligent beings with more cohesive
was glasslike and shiny, perhaps a piece of obsidian. souls more often passed to Urcaen, but sometimes they,
10
too, were trapped, caught by ropy tendrils of spirit-vines. of falling toward that mouth, where she knew she would
Added to this were the long-swallowed ruins of ancient be devoured. Though every fiber of her being insisted she
civilizations, where thousands of years ago sacrificial rites should run, or at least step away, she held her ground.
had been performed to appease a greater darkness. The
This was Kossk, the greatest of spirits, the progenitor god
gatormen, Tharn, and trollkin who had inherited the region
of the gatormen. Into Kossk’s maw all things eventually
had continued to soak it in blood.
fall. One could not entreat Kossk. It did not think or plan
The recent wars of humanity were the latest to add to this as mortals did. It merely was, an embodiment of hunger
spiritual sediment. The recent dead could be set upon by and the need to gnash flesh with rending teeth. Jaga-Jaga
older haunts, being pulled down and bound to the swamp opened her arms, and the living snake she held writhed
itself even as they thrashed in impotent rage, ultimately on her right arm while the dead tatzylwurm slid along the
transforming into something else. Malevolent spirits rose left. She let waves of hunger and thirst for blood fill her. In
from these tormented dead. Mystics like Jaga-Jaga knew that this ravenous state she felt her mind crack open. Even as
predation did not end with death and that a separate contest she staggered from an onslaught of visions, Kossk loomed
of wills persisted among the howling wisps and spirits above, snout opened wide. She was grasped by powerful
lingering on Caen, each seeking to consume the others. jaws and felt the fetid heat of the spirit’s breath. Knowing
this was her ultimate fate, she savored the ecstasy even amid
Her keen eyes looked past the struggle of these invisible
the pain as the great god’s teeth bit through her scales and
beings, seeking something larger. Other eyes also watched
tasted her flesh.
the movements around her—eyes belonging to the small
undead tatzylwurm curled around her shoulders. The
tatzylworm’s myriad eyes pierced the fog and darkness,
and it was ready to lend her its power should any threat The lesser spirits around
emerge to challenge her. It hissed and clicked its jaws, her scattered and fled,
affirming her course. each with a silent psychic
For weeks spirits had been whispering to her that some
shriek of terror.
greater entity stood in her path. They had guided her here, to
this place. Now Jaga-Jaga sensed a weight, something from
With a rush the vision was gone. She stood once more in
the spirit world seeking ingress. She felt a pressure bearing
the swamp, intact, though she could still feel the pressure
down on her skull and pressing at the back of her eyes as
of those teeth. Familiar sounds resumed around her as the
the fog around her thickened. She drew on her own power,
animals and insects returned to their struggle for survival.
wrapping herself in it and letting it suffuse her scales. She
Jaga-Jaga’s mind reeled with what she had seen in those
felt no fear, as she was one with the spirit world and her
moments before the spirit had seemed to consume her.
guardians were close. Even with decades of familiarity in
Never before had she received such a direct vision from
manipulating and speaking to such beings, however, she
Kossk. It left her shaken. She knew she must go to Barnabas
sensed something different this time, something far greater.
and tell him what she had seen.
It was both familiar and utterly alien to her.
The lesser spirits around her scattered and fled, each with
a silent psychic shriek of terror. The void they left was
pregnant with rising dread. The swamp around her grew
absolutely silent as every creature down to the smallest Barnabas listened in silence, his hooded and masked visage
mosquito fled or was frozen in terror. inscrutable. He stood atop a low stepped pyramid erected of old
unearthed stones that overlooked the shore of Blindwater Lake.
The shallow waters immediately before her became utterly Great stacks of skulls set with flickering candles surrounded
still. The cattails at the water’s edge blackened and wilted, him. This was where he preferred to receive his supplicants, in
then fell over one by one. The surface of the water ahead full view of the huts stretching out in all directions. the homes
dipped as though a great stone had been dropped, sending of those tribes he had assembled and which served him. A
large ripples spreading outward. The entire area was dozen of the strongest gatorman warriors stood nearby with
swallowed in dense fog, and she could barely see. A void weapons in hand to ensure no one approached that Barnabas
came into being in the air before her, drawing in the nearest did not wish to see. The only other figure close enough to hear
wisps of vapor to swallow them into its blackness. She was Jaga-Jaga was Calaban the Grave Walker.
transfixed by the sight, one she remembered from dreams.
The void became the gullet of a massive hinged and scaled Though he was masked, Jaga-Jaga could sense the scorn
maw bristling with hooked teeth. She had the sensation radiating from Calaban. She paid it little attention. Ever
11
Blood Debt, Part One
since she had arrived, Calaban had resented the fact that to his power. To him, Kossk was a rival, a potential enemy.
Barnabas listened to her. She had no interest in usurping Jaga-Jaga had her own beliefs on this, but they were matters
his position, but he could not be convinced of that. Jaga- she spoke of only after careful consideration.
Jaga did not care. Let him worry and fret, obsessed with
“You have not sought Kossk, but I have,” she said. “This
temporal authority and power. Though he was a powerful
vision is not a warning, not a command, only a glimpse
bokor, his worldly ambitions limited his insight into the
of a possible future. Kossk does not stand in the way of
spirit world.
your goals.” She did not tell him his success would be an
“Calaban, your thoughts?” Barnabas asked in his deep affirmation of Kossk, not a denial. “In this, Kossk may serve
voice after an extended silence. She had described the as a guide.”
vision Kossk had given her—first, a great site of carnage
Barnabas stared at her warily, clearly skeptical of her
with gatormen, farrow, and trollkin slaughtering each other
words, yet she also sensed eagerness. He wished to believe
upon blood-red sands as the sun burned in the sky above.
the vision. It was impossible to ascertain the depths of his
Next, Barnabas flanked by sacral vaults and standing upon
ancient and labyrinthine mind, but she knew he had long
a mountain of corpses, his chest split open but his heart still
sought confirmation that his goal of achieving divinity was
beating, his posture one of triumph.
achievable.
“It seems a warning, though I cannot fathom a reason to Barnabas opened his mouth and made a hissing sound, a
go so far into the Bloodstone Marches in the first place.” rare sign of pleasure. “He does not know. But he answers.
Calaban’s voice conveyed derision, and his masked face Yes, I see. A stupid and blind god, yet his hunger serves
turned toward Jaga-Jaga accusingly. He attempted to convey me.” He turned to Calaban and said, “Gather all our forces.
dominance, though it was difficult for him to hold the stance We will follow the rivers as far as we can, and then we
near Barnabas. The compulsion to abase oneself before the march into the burning sands.”
ancient warlock was strong. Even in silent contemplation,
Jaga-Jaga felt both excitement and trepidation at this
Barnabas was an avatar of latent killing force. “It is a fate
proclamation, knowing she had set in motion something that
easily avoided.”
could not be undone. She wondered if she had interpreted
“A warning?” Barnabas repeated slowly, turning to face the visions correctly. In the end, all she could do was offer
the bokor and stepping closer, his fangs bared. Calaban’s what wisdom she had received from the spirits. She glanced
attempt to be regal crumbled, and he backed away, lowering briefly at Calaban, who shot her a brief spiteful look, his
his head submissively. Barnabas said, “The moment you malice quite evident, before he inclined his head very low
become an obstacle to my ascension, you cease to exist.” to Barnabas and backed away.
Calaban clearly realized his mistake. “Forgive me, “It shall be as you command, hok-shisan,” he said.
hok-shisan! Kossk is an entity to be appeased, not one
petitioned for guidance.” He was insightful enough to say Scarsfell Forest, Northern Khador
less rather than more. It had been almost two years since Borka had felt the cold
bite of his homeland upon his flesh and had tasted its sharp,
Barnabas tilted his head slightly and turned back to Jaga- pine-laced morning air upon his tongue. He remembered the
Jaga. “It is clear to me this vision speaks to my destiny. Still, day Madrak came, foolishly seeking the aid of the Scarsfell
I have never once made offerings to that god. What am I to elders. First the Thornwood chieftain asked for sanctuary.
Kossk? More importantly, what is Kossk to me?” When that was denied him, he asked for warriors. Those
These were dangerous questions, and Jaga-Jaga knew she were refused him as well.
must proceed with caution. She had spoken of her beliefs to Borka saw the darkness surrounding Madrak, but where
Barnabas before, but it was a treacherous topic. The active the feeble elders found reason to fear, Borka perceived a
worship of Kossk among his followers sometimes provoked fire burning within his belly. He pledged himself and those
rage in Barnabas, who was prone to seeing this as a threat of his kith who had joined him to follow Madrak so they
12
might enjoy the glory and honor that were sure to find the now urged the warbeast to stop. He was tired of being
chieftain, cursed as he was to a life of never-ending battle. carted about like a feeble old human. He needed a walk.
More importantly, he needed a drink.
In some respects his expectations had been fulfilled. There
had been plenty of battles—some simple, others glorious. Bracing himself against the protestations of his still-tender
He had reveled in the challenge of what the next day leg, Borka swung down from the wagon, being sure to place
might bring, each one a test of combat more dangerous the bulk of his weight on his good leg as he hit the ground.
than the last. By day he enjoyed the feel of his enemies’ The other leg he had retained after the fight, though it had
bodies crushed beneath his blows, the sight of their blood been connected only by the smallest strip of flesh. It would
spilled across the hungry earth. By night he celebrated be back to normal well before his arm, but for the moment
with drinking, carousing, and exchanging brags about past it still troubled him. He let out a long breath as he steadied
exploits before accepting the oblivion of sleep. himself before making his way toward one of the supply
wagons. He was pleased to find that the pain, which had
But he had learned none could walk beside Madrak Ironhide
plagued him since he had parted ways with Madrak, had
and hope to entirely escape the touch of death.
begun to abate.
As if bidden by the thought, there was a sudden jolt as
He raised his hand in greeting to one of his sons, who was
his wagon struck a rough patch of ground. Borka felt his
driving a supply wagon laden with ale kegs. The kegs
leg knot and an uncomfortable stiffness radiate through
bore markings in several different languages, having been
the limb, causing him to grimace. He moved to rub the
appropriated by the United Kriels from a number of unwary
leg, but only one hand fell upon the sore muscle. He
merchant caravans.
growled in frustration as he was reminded once more
that although he felt his other arm, it was whole only in “It is good to see you up, sire,” the young trollkin said.
his mind. Where it should be he had only the constant Borka sought to remember his name. He was fond of his
itch of its slow regeneration. He had wrapped the end of offspring, but there were so many it was sometimes hard to
the limb in cloth so he did not have to witness its partially distinguish them. Drogal, he thought.
re-formed state.
“It is good to be up.” Borka motioned his chin toward the
He had sought battle and had found glory in Madrak’s barrels stacked in the back of the wagon. “What vintage
wake, and with it he had nearly found death. Borka cast would you recommend to a shaman with a powerful
the grim thought from his mind as quickly as it surfaced. thirst?”
Death was always a possibility in battle, a fact he hadn’t
Drogal smiled. “There’s a powerful brew from Ord in the
ever let needle him before. He focused on his impatience
black walnut barrel that the boys have found worthy of a
to regain his former strength. He’d never had to wait so
warrior’s thirst.”
long to recover from injuries—although, admittedly, he’d
never lost an arm and come close to losing a leg before. Borka nodded in approval and tossed a large stein from
The Tharn chieftain’s axes had inflicted a heavy toll on his waist at him. “Waste no more of my time and fetch a
his body. draught.” As his kith scrambled down from the wagon and
hurried to do as bid Borka felt the hunger gnaw painfully
Borka’s empty belly growled loudly, and he clenched his
at his belly. “And find me some food. I’ve the hunger of a
jaw. This increased need to feast was a normal part of the
dire troll!”
healing process, but that made it no less distracting. The
gnawing hunger that was his constant companion did Drogal came back quickly with a hunk of cold, greasy
nothing to improve his sour mood. mutton and the stein filled to the brim with frothy ale.
The sight of the food only increased Borka’s hunger. He
“Wurm’s bowels! You incompetent troll, are you trying to
snatched the offerings greedily from his son and wolfed
strike every hole and rock on this trail?!” Borka bellowed at
down the cold meat, following it with the entire stein of ale
the hulking back of his dire troll Rök, who pulled the wagon
in one swig. Borka thrust the stein hard into Drogal’s hands,
that carried him. If his harsh words affected the dire troll,
knocking the trollkin back slightly.
Rök made no outward acknowledgement. Indeed, Borka
sensed the creature took some amusement from having him “More. And this time don’t be stingy with the meat,” he
at his mercy. said. His son blinked before nodding and rushing to do as
bid. Borka knew the chunk of mutton had been a reasonable
Borka had insisted on using the lumbering dire troll to pull
portion, but the hunger that gnawed at him did not agree.
the wagon rather than a pair of bison, which would have
been more suited to the task. But at least with Rök he could “Good,” a gruff voice said behind him. “The more you eat,
maintain some modicum of direct mental control. Borka the faster you will heal.”
13
Blood Debt, Part One
Borka turned. Standing closer than he would have expected “The hunger you feel will worsen before it gets better.”
was Doomshaper. Borka grunted. “For a trollkin so old, you Doomshaper paused for a moment and then said, “As will
move quietly.” your temper. But you will be whole soon, and perhaps you
will have a greater understanding of our troll brothers.
“And it seems you possess the manners of a dire troll in
Open yourself to the experience.”
addition to the appetite.”
Borka eyed Doomshaper suspiciously as he gulped down
Borka grimaced but bit his tongue. In past months he and
meat and ale as quickly as possible. The warlock was in an
the elder had seen eye-to-eye, pushing for attacks on human
uncharacteristically good mood. “How long will it take?”
settlements. Without that shared goal they had begun to
he asked between bites.
clash. Borka had begun to learn how to deal with Hoarluk—
primarily by letting him grouse without interruption. Doomshaper scoffed. “As long as it requires. You are hearty
and virile. Another month or two for your arm. Had we
Doomshaper fixed him with a measuring stare. The
been able to find it following the battle, the healing would
elder asked, “Have you lost a limb before?” Borka shook
be easier.” Doomshaper cast a glance toward Rök, who
his head. He’d suffered his share of wounds, but they’d
had plopped down on his hindquarters like a monstrous
been superficial things, easily healed over a few nights
bearded toddler as he waited for Borka to return. The dire
of feasting and drinking. He had lost a finger once, but
troll seemed unwilling to meet Doomshaper’s eye.
even that hadn’t been so bad. It was back before he’d even
missed it. Borka said nothing. He remembered little following his
defeat at the hands of the Tharn leader. Only darkness and
Drogal returned with two hunks of the cold mutton, each
pain and cold. He had heard the story several times from
larger than the last. Borka nodded in approval. He forced
his kin who had been there—how Rök had brought him to
himself to take the food more politely. He was not about
Madrak and the others following the battle, and how most
to give Doomshaper the satisfaction of proving his last
had thought him dead. He had his own suspicions about
accusation.
14
what had happened to his arm. Borka smiled with dark “The messenger did not want to say more than he was told,
humor, feeling no resentment. Dire trolls were what Dhunia but I gathered your matriarch is not long for this world.
and the Wurm had made them. The passing of the eldest of a great kriel is no small matter.
It is your duty to return to her and pay her the respect
Borka finished the second hunk of mutton and finished the
she is due. Dhunia would expect it of you.” There was the
ale in his stein. “How much farther until we reach these
hint of pain in Doomshaper’s eyes. Perhaps he doubted
other mountain kings?”
whether anyone would attend him when he lay dying,
“This is your homeland more than mine, Kegslayer. How Borka mused. Hoarluk was more feared than beloved by
long until we reach the lake the Khadorans call Beladal the his kith. Of course, in that regard, one could say the same
Crone? It is in the mountains east of there that our search of Jennan.
will begin.”
Borka felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. Could
“Begin?” Borka asked, startled. Jennan truly be dying? She was such a pillar of his kriel that
the very idea of her absence seemed fundamentally wrong.
“Yes. Our ancestors did not chain the mountain kings
He knew she was said to be almost two hundred years old,
so any fool might find them. They preferred no one find
though no one knew for sure. Old though Doomshaper was,
them at all.”
Jennan had already been ruling her kriel in the north for a
Borka felt a niggling regret. He knew Madrak Ironhide century when Hoarluk was born. Somehow he could just
had sent him with Doomshaper to protect the elder, as he not accept her as mortal, nor imagine a life free from her
claimed, but also perhaps to give him time to heal. Though looming shadow.
it seemed a weakness to admit it, Borka had felt some
“I will mourn her,” Borka said, not insincerely; despite their
relief to distance himself from Madrak for a time. During
past disagreements, the thought of her death did cause him
his long recovery he’d had time to think on a great many
grief. “But I cannot leave you. I told Madrak I would see to
things. He did not relish the idea of roaming the mountains,
your safety.”
however, while Doomshaper searched out clues scratched
on boulders. Doomshaper huffed. “Don’t pretend to play the honor-
bound servant. You do as you please.” He pressed the end
“We’ve already gone the longest distance. A week, perhaps
of his staff against Borka’s chest in emphasis. “You must
less,” Borka said. “It depends on how the passes have
respect your elders, both me and her. Besides, I do not
fared this winter. The wagons may slow us if the snows
need a bodyguard. I am not the helpless cripple here.” He
have been heavy.”
rapped the staff against Borka’s injured leg. “You’d just
“Less, then. Good,” Doomshaper said to himself, nodding. slow me down.”
“How do you figure that?” Borka asked. Borka opened his mouth to argue, but the look in
Doomshaper’s eyes stopped him. He suddenly remembered
“I will not be taking the wagons. You and your kith will not
Jennan’s face the last time they had shouted at one another.
accompany me.”
Jennan was hard and cold. She had disapproved of Borka’s
Borka blinked in surprise. “I thought—” choices at every turn. As much as he disliked her, he could
not deny he would regret not seeing her one last time. The
Doomshaper cut him off with a wave of his staff. “A
thought of his own brush with death came to his mind.
messenger came searching for you. I saw no need to wake
you, so I promised to relay the message. It would seem He refocused on Doomshaper, who stared up at him with
you are called to your home kriel. Your matriarch has stony eyes, and he realized it did not matter what he
need of you.” wanted. Even Madrak could not sway Doomshaper once
he had made a decision. “Very well. I will go to honor my
The words hit Borka like a hammer, and he felt a mixture
matriarch in her final hours. I’m sure there will be many
of emotions, the primary one being unease. It had been
stories to share when you and I meet again.” He turned and,
years since he had thought of his great-great-great-great-
putting on a confident face, shouted loudly enough that
grandmother Jennan. They had not parted on good terms.
everyone near would hear, “I know it has been quite some
“I have no interest in returning. And Jennan has no need
time for some of you, but we are going home!”
of anyone.”
A great cheer erupted from his kith, who were filled with
The elder shaman fixed him with a stony stare. “What if this
excitement at this idea. Seeing Jennan’s stony face in his
is your last chance?”
mind’s eye, Borka felt only a grim apprehension at what
Borka’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” lay ahead.
15
New Rules & Theme Forces
If a warbeast in the pack is destroyed while the pack’s
Warbeast Packs unit commander is in its controller’s control area and its
Warbeast packs are units of small-based warbeasts that
destruction would result in the removal of a fury point
fight together and support each other on the battlefield.
from the pack’s unit commander, the pack’s controller
Models in a pack do not activate individually; instead, all
can reave the fury point that would be removed. When a
members of the pack activate at the same time and progress
warbeast in a pack is destroyed by damage transferred from
through the steps of an activation together. The warbeasts
its battlegroup controller, however, fury cannot be reaved
in a pack have the same battlegroup controller and are part
from the pack.
of the same battlegroup.
If a new unit commander is selected due to Field Promotion,
Unit place the fury points from the old unit commander on the
A warbeast pack is a unit, but each model in the unit is a new commander before reducing the FURY stat.
warbeast (not a warrior). As models in a unit, these warbeasts
are all troopers, the unit commander is the Leader, and the Power Attacks
other models in the unit are Grunts. While it is part of a Warbeast pack models cannot make power attacks.
warbeast pack, a warbeast is not an independent model.
Pack Frenzy
Models in a warbeast pack cannot run or charge during the
If the unit commander frenzies, all models in the pack also
pack’s activation unless they receive the run or charge order
frenzy. A model in a pack cannot choose another model
or are compelled to run or charge as part of a game effect. A
in the pack as a frenzy target and will not attack another
pack’s unit leader can issue a run or charge order only while
model in the pack as part of a frenzy.
in the control area of its battlegroup controller.
16
Borka, Vengeance of the Rimeshaws
Avalanche
Warbeasts: Trollblood non- Solos: Fell Caller Hero, Trollkin Sorcerer, Troll Whelps,
character warbeasts, Rök Trollblood cavalry solos, Trollblood solos with Advance
Deployment .
Units: Kriel Warriors, Krielstone Bearer &
Stone Scribes, Trollblood cavalry units, Trollblood Battle Engine: Trollkin War Wagon
units with Advance Deployment .
Tier 1 Tier 3
Requirements: The army can include only the models Requirements: Borka’s battlegroup includes Rök and one
listed above. or more Winter Trolls.
Benefit: Reduce the point cost of Trollblood cavalry models/ Benefit: For each warbeast in Borka’s battlegroup, place
units by 1. one 4˝ AOE template anywhere within 20˝ of the back edge
Tier 2 of Borka’s deployment zone after terrain has been placed
but before either player deploys his army. These templates
Requirements: The army includes two or more models/
cannot be placed within 3˝ of a terrain feature. The templates
units with Advance Deployment .
are snowdrifts. Models in a snowdrift gain concealment and
Benefit: Friendly models/units can begin the game models without Immunity: Cold treat them as rough terrain.
affected by Borka’s upkeep spells. These spells and their
targets must be declared before either player sets up
Tier 4
models. Borka does not pay fury to upkeep these spells Requirements: The army includes one or more Trollkin
during your first turn. War Wagons.
Benefit: Models in Borka’s battlegroup gain +2 SPD during
your first turn of the game.
Tier 1 Tier 3
Requirements: The army can include only the models Requirements: The army includes one or more Sentry Stone
listed above. & Mannikins units.
Benefit: Increase the FA of Shifting Stone units and Sentry Benefit: Sentry Stones begin the game with 3 fury points.
Stone & Mannikins units by 1.
Tier 4
Tier 2 Requirements: The only living model in the army is
Requirements: The army includes one or more Shifting Bradigus Thorle the Runecarver.
Stone units.
Benefit: Add a Woldwatcher to Thorle’s battlegroup free
Benefit: You can redeploy one model/unit after both players of cost.
have deployed but before the first player’s first turn. The
redeployed models must be placed on the table in a location
they could have been deployed initially.
Permission is hereby granted to create reproductions of this page for personal, non-commercial use only.
17
Theme Forces
Tier 1 Tier 3
Requirements: The army can include only the models Requirements: The army includes Tiberion.
listed above.
Benefit: You gain +1 on your starting roll for the game.
Benefit: Reduce the cost of huge-based models in this
army by 1. Tier 4
Requirements: The army includes one or more Siege
Tier 2 Animantarax battle engines.
Requirements: The army includes two or more Tyrant
models/units. Benefit: Siege Animantarax battle engines begin the game
with three rage tokens.
Benefit: For each Tyrant model/unit, you can redeploy one
model/unit after both players have deployed but before
the first player’s first turn. The redeployed models must
be placed on the table in a location they could have been
deployed initially.
Benefit: Flying models gain +2 SPD during your first turn Benefit: Warbeasts in Absylonia’s battlegroup can use their
of the game. animi during your first turn of the game without being
forced. Warbeasts cannot also be forced to use their animi
Tier 2 that turn.
Requirements: The army includes one or more units with
Advance Deployment . Tier 4
Requirements: The army includes one or more Archangel
Benefit: Units in the army gain Advance Deployment .
gargantuans.
Permission is hereby granted to create reproductions of this page for personal, non-commercial use only.
18
Jaga-Jaga, the Death Charmer
Voodoo Dolls
Warbeasts: Minion Gatorman Solos: Feralgeists, Thrullgs, Bog Trog solos, Croak
non-character warbeasts solos, Gatorman solos, Wrong Eye & Snapjaw
Units: Bog Trog units, Gatorman units Battle Engine: Sacral Vault
Tier 1 Tier 3
Requirements: The army can include only the models Requirements: The army includes two or more models/
listed above. units with Magic Ability.
Benefit: Reduce the point cost of Sacral Vaults by 1. Benefit: Friendly models/units can begin the game affected
by Jaga-Jaga’s upkeep spells. These spells and their targets
Tier 2 must be declared before either player sets up models. Jaga-
Requirements: The army includes three or more Undead
Jaga does not pay fury to upkeep these spells during your
models/units.
first turn.
Benefit: Undead models gain Advance Move. (Before the
start of the game but after both players have deployed, a
Tier 4
Requirements: The army includes one or more Sacral
model with Advance Move can make a full advance.)
Vaults.
Benefit: Reduce the point cost of Meat Threshers by 1. Benefit: Your deployment zone is extended 2˝ forward.
Tier 2 Tier 4
Requirements: The army includes Maximus. Requirements: The army includes one or more Meat
Threshers.
Benefit: Maximus and Farrow Slaughterhouser units gain
Advance Deployment . Benefit: You gain +1 on your starting roll for the game.
Permission is hereby granted to create reproductions of this page for personal, non-commercial use only.
19
Trollbloods
Called Home
The Scarsfell, West of the Rimeshaws, 609 AR She huffed peevishly at the interruption and held up her
As he made his way through his home village toward free hand, motioning for him to wait. Her eyes never left the
Jennan’s lodging, Borka felt a mix of conflicting emotions. stones in the bowl.
Though the expanse of stone huts and paved pathways
Borka felt a familiar irritation. “It is I, Borka,” he said. “I
looked just as he remembered and even the blanket of
have come many miles to answer your call. I thought you
winter snow seemed unchanged, the place did not feel like
might actually have words for me, unless whatever you see
home. He had felt like a stranger since he and his band
in that bowl is more important.”
had entered the thick outer walls surrounding the large
northern village held by his kriel. It wasn’t until he smelled “Your lack of manners leaves no mystery as to who you
the hoppy aroma of the kriel’s brewery on the crisp air that are.” Jennan’s voice was like a krielstone being dragged
a sense of home stirred within him. His mouth watered over gravel. “Welcome. Your return is overdue. I am afraid
slightly at the memory of the thick, frothy northern ale. you will find no feasts or other celebrations in your honor,
if that is what you hoped.” She looked up at last and
He ignored the sudden twinge in his lame leg as he stepped
squinted at him, her tight frown suggesting she did not
into Jennan’s stone keep at the center of the village. Her
like what she saw.
home had once been a small hut but had been enlarged over
the decades. A great fire roared in the central hearth, and Despite himself Borka felt uncomfortable under that stare,
the dozens of animal pelts hanging on the walls blunted any calling back memories of being summoned before her as a
drafts passing through chinks in the stone. youth when his parents had had enough of him. He forced
a chuckle and said, “A feast would be timely, as my hunger
He had expected the interior to be dim despite the pale
knows no bounds. But I did not expect a warm welcome. I
afternoon sun. Instead it was well lit by the fire and the
was told you were not long for this world. My affection for
many torch sconces, and the air was fresh and clean. The
you persuaded me to put aside old grudges. I see you have
place did not feel like death crept within it; instead, it
not changed.”
brought back memories of his earlier life.
She laughed, a rasping sound. Borka saw little difference
Borka circled the fire to see who waited in the great seat
between this Jennan and the one he had left so many years
of the hall, expecting one of his uncles, aunts, or siblings.
ago. The warlock still sensed great power and undiminished
To his surprise it was Jennan herself, her hunched form the
vitality within her. “Changing is for the young, not the old.
same as ever as she peered into the soothsaying bowl set
Still, I appreciate your willingness to pay me last respects. I
on a small table before her. Her weathered skin resembled
hope to disappoint you.”
the rough surface of granite. Her face was lined with deep
wrinkles carved by age and, Borka thought, a lifetime of He scowled with sudden suspicion. “You’re not dying at all,
incessant scowling. She ran one bony hand across the rune- are you? This was all just a trick.”
marked stones in the bowl while the other rested atop her
She looked up, amusement clear in her eyes. “I do not know
hooked cane, working the jade handle like a worry stone.
what my messenger told you, but I did not lie. I’m so old
“Ketmoder,” Borka said hesitantly. The honorific was I’ve lost count of my years upon this earth. Every day could
reserved for the eldest mother of a kriel, used only if she be my last.”
also served as its matriarch. Jennan had been called nothing
“So you have said for decades,” Borka said. “You could
else as long as Borka could remember.
have simply asked me to return.”
20
“And you would have come? You are too pig-headed, “You speak of responsibility to the kin, but you look only
too proud. Always have been. Asking you would only to our own kith,” Borka replied sharply. “I may have left
have guaranteed that you stayed away.” Jennan grunted in search of battle and glory, but I’ve learned a few things
harshly. “You ran off years ago to follow your own foolish along the way. We are all kin. Northerners, southerners. It
glory. If you cared more for your kith and kriel it would is only by realizing we are all bound by the same blood that
not take rumors of my death for you to visit. I thought that we find our true strength.” He was almost surprised at the
your time away would mature you, that fighting among words as they came from him. His time with Madrak had
the southern kin would get it through your thick skull that led him to view things differently. He paused, staring at her
your duty is to your kriel.” with a blazing expression. “Because I am here and since I do
care for my kith, I will fight your monster. I will hunt it to
She gestured with her cane at his still-regenerating arm.
its lair and I will kill it, with my bare hand if necessary.” He
“Was it worth it, Borka? Was it worth the kith you lost, the
punctuated this by pounding his breast with a fist.
blood you spilled? Did you spare a moment to think about
the graves required, not just for those who followed you but Borka looked directly into Jennan’s eyes and held her gaze,
for those who remained behind?” not flinching from her powerful stare.
The accusation burned in Borka’s ears. “Was this the only The matriarch’s expression softened slightly. “Good. I have
reason for summoning me?” he asked. “Because you missed something that will help make up for your current state.”
berating me?”
She led Borka out of the hall and through the kriel to a large
“No,” she answered. “It was to give you the only thing you’ve pen. An immense white shape was curled up in one corner.
ever seemed to care about: a chance to be a hero. But for your Borka smiled as he realized where Jennan had brought him.
own kriel this time.” The ancient matriarch gazed at him in
silence for a moment. “Your kith and kriel need you, Borka.”
“any who dare go beyond our
He did his best to mask his surprise. He could think of only walls know the chance of
one thing that might cause Jennan to admit she needed
help. “Have the Ruscar returned?” He had earned much of
returning is slim.”
his early fame beating back those human tribes and driving
them from the lands claimed by his kriel. “Arktos!” he bellowed. Borka wondered if the bear would
remember him. It had been five years since they had last seen
“They have, but that is not all,” said Jennan. “There is
each other, when Arktos was barely more than a cub. Now
something else that has beset us . . . a creature, a formless,
the great beast raised his head and bounded over, letting
nightmarish monster.”
out an excited bellow of his own. Momentarily forgetting
“A monster?” the stiffness in his leg, Borka vaulted over the gate using his
good arm. Arktos reared up on his hind legs before crashing
“I know not what else to call it. Three months ago the
down on Borka, knocking the large trollkin to the ground.
disappearances began. At first it was only a few hunters. But
Borka laughed, his joy easily overwhelming the protests of
then it became more frequent. Our people began to venture
his injuries as he half-embraced, half-wrestled with his old
out only in groups, and that worked for a short time.”
pet. After several moments Arktos relented and let Borka
Jennan took a deep breath. “Now any who dare go beyond
rise. As Borka stood, Arktos nuzzled his bandaged arm and
our walls know the chance of returning is slim. We’ve even
chuffed inquisitively.
lost kin standing watch upon the walls at night. Sometimes
we hear them scream, and other times we simply wake to “Don’t worry, my friend,” Borka said, tussling the thick
find them gone. The danger has made reprisal against the white fur of Arktos’ head. “It’s only temporary.” Arktos
Ruscar impossible, which has made them bolder.” looked at him for a moment with a keen intelligence behind
his black eyes, as if considering the truth of Borka’s words.
Borka knew the strength of his family, the pride of Jennan.
“I promise,” Borka insisted. “It’s growing back. And then
She would not speak in such terms if matters were not grave.
we’ll see who’s truly the stronger.”
“We cannot stand against this new terror and the Ruscar
Arktos bounded up off his front legs and came back down
both,” she continued. She motioned to the silver bowl and
with a satisfied grunt before racing off around the pen like
the cluster of stone runes within it. “I have read the runes
an over-excited puppy. Borka watched the bear circle and
over and over. They tell me you must face this monster. I had
then return to him, lying down to let Borka rest his good
hoped your travels would have forged you into the trollkin
hand on his head.
I could not. But looking at you now, I see the same Borka.
Self-centered, prideful.”
21
Borka turned to Jennan and said, “He looks good. I can’t was, he was confident his company could overcome
believe how much he’s grown. He’s as big as a dire troll!” anything short of a dragon.
“He’s lucky to still be here. That bear is as pig-headed as “What news?” Borka called as Turan approached.
you are. Took to his training easy enough after you left, but
“We seem to be close to its lair. But I do not think this
Dhunia forbid any trollkin be foolish enough to try riding
creature is alone.”
him.” Jennan spat. “Togar sought to put him to use as a
mount a year or so back. Lost an eye to the beast for his “There is more than one?” Borka asked.
troubles, and it only recently grew back.”
Turan shook her head. “The tracks are mixed with others. I
Borka smirked. He had never liked his brother Togar. “Arktos think they may be human.”
just isn’t interested in letting a whelp like that ride him. Do
Borka’s countenance darkened. “So the Ruscar may be
you still have the tack?” Jennan nodded. “Good,” Borka said.
controlling this creature?”
He cupped his hand under Arktos’ muzzle and brought his
face close to the bear’s. “What do you say? Are you ready to Turan shrugged. “Or they hunt it as we do. The tracks are
rip the throats out of some big, horrible monsters?” old. It is hard to tell when they were made.”
22
around, great fires were started, and meat was roasted upon Borka spurred Arktos on. Despite the thunder of the bear’s
spits so the band of heroes could heartily drink, feast, and charge, most of the Nyss swordsmen were too focused on
sing. As the moons rose, the warriors fell one by one into their battle with the enraged dire troll to notice. Before
drunken slumber. Borka was the last to lie down, resting his Borka and Arktos could crash into the exposed Nyss’ backs,
head upon Arktos’ furry side. however, there was a great rush of wind as an enormous
shape crashed heavily to the ground in front of him.
In the quiet that followed, the shadows within the forest
coalesced into black-clothed forms, and the unmistakable Time seemed to stand still as Borka took in the sight of
glint of drawn steel reflected the moonlight. The creatures this new arrival. With sickly wet skin stretched over thick
moved like ghosts, their feet making not a sound as they pulsating cords of muscle, the horror resembled no living
stalked closer and moved amid the sleeping trollkin. creature Borka had ever seen. In fact, the twisted, pulsating
Together they raised their weapons to strike. hulk of meat and malice seemed to have been specifically
designed to defy all natural understanding. The huge
“Now!”
dragon-spawned creature towered over the great conifers
There was a sudden blur of motion and the dull sound at the edge of the Scarsfell.
of heavy steel hitting flesh and bone. One of the shadows
But it was not the thing’s size, nor its half-formed, protean
flew through the air, crashing into another, and both hit the
aspect, that made it impossible for Borka to look away
ground with a thump.
despite his revulsion. It was the sight of the twin mouths
With a roar Borka was up, swinging himself into Arktos’ distending from its base, surrounded by a mass of tentacles.
saddle. As one, the sleep-feigning trollkin rose and struck Rows of yellow fangs protruded from its gums, each the
at their would-be assassins with axe and hammer. Several size of Borka’s good arm and dripping viscous saliva. A
of the shadowy forms were quickly cut down, caught off grotesquely huge tongue spilled from each wicked maw,
guard by the trollkin’s ruse. Many more leapt away, nimbly coiling and pulsing, writhing about as if in search of its
evading injury. next meal.
The cacophony of battle filled the night. Steel rang against “Dhunia wept,” Borka said in open-mouthed amazement.
steel, trollkin war cries mixed with hissing curses, and
Arktos barely had time to lurch to one side as a thick,
Arktos’ roar was echoed by the deep bellows of Rök and
ropey tentacle lashed forward. Borka winced as the snake-
Gorn. Amid the clamor, Borka heard a distinct twang from
like appendage whipped by mere inches from his face.
the woods. Pain flared in his shoulder as a black-fletched
Several other trollkin were not so lucky. Borka saw two
arrow struck deep into his flesh. Growling, he snapped its
of his nephews snatched by the creature and lifted like
shaft and impelled Gorn to charge the unseen threat. As
playthings into the air. They swung desperately at the
Arktos tore through several of the shadows with sweeps of
tentacles and their blades bit deep to draw forth black ichor,
his claws, Borka looked at the broken arrow in his hand. He
but it was not enough to break the monster’s grip. The two
recognized the markings instantly: Nyss.
trollkin were cast toward the creature’s fanged maws and
“Where is your monster, you dragon-suckling whelps?!” he its great wet tongues coiled about them, drawing each into
shouted as he crushed the skull of another blighted Nyss a distended mouth.
beneath Trauma. Through their bond, Borka felt Rök’s
As he heard their screams end with a wet crunching sound,
anger boil as several Nyss blades bit into the troll’s flesh. He
Borka roared and spurred Arktos toward the blighted
spurred Arktos on, and the bear charged in to aid the dire
horror. Several smaller tentacles shot forth from the fiendish
troll, knocking aside intervening Nyss without slowing.
beast’s writhing lower half and attacked the engaged
Rök’s massive axe crashed down, so heavy that it crushed trollkin nearby, knocking the kin off balance and leaving
more than cut any Nyss who failed to avoid it. With his them exposed to the Nyss.
free hand, Rök grabbed a flailing Nyss and crammed him
Borka knew he had only seconds to act before the momentum
into his mouth. The elf’s scream was cut short by a wet
of battle turned completely against his warriors. Harnessing
crunch as Rök sought sustenance to mend his own flesh.
his rage and drawing on the natural energies of the cold
Borka felt a twinge of worry at the thought of Rök eating
north, he focused all his will into the fury of a winter storm.
the blighted flesh, although he had seen trolls eat such
Runes blazed around him and his kin as he called upon
corrupted meat before without apparent effect. Rök sensed
Dhunia to shield them from the unnatural blizzard that
Borka’s misgivings, but he was in no mood to be dissuaded
arose suddenly about them. The wind howled and tore at
and simply grabbed another of the Nyss to cram into his
exposed flesh, and snow and ice flew in an impenetrable
bloody maw.
flurry of winter white. The Nyss were cast down by the
23
whirling tempest, their vision blinded by the ice crystals Borka felt Rök’s boiling rage at the fate of his troll cousin.
tearing at their unprotected faces. There the trollkin With considerable effort the dire troll managed to seize
champions closed to slaughter them with one brutal strike the half-severed tentacle with his free hand, and in an
after another, slicking their weapons with blighted blood. incredible display of raw strength Rök ripped the tentacle
free with a sound like a boot being pulled out of thick mud.
The gigantic creature seemed unmoved by the primal storm.
The dire troll dangled momentarily from the remaining
Arktos charged toward the unnatural horror, Borka upon
tentacle before it withdrew from his flesh and he dropped
his back. The warrior’s voice rose over the raging blizzard
to the ground.
as he boomed, “You have feasted your last! Now you shall
meet the Vengeance of the Rimeshaws!” Instead of backing away from the wicked mouths of the
monster, Rök charged in. With a horizontal swing his axe
Arktos dodged another tentacle, and then Borka and his
cleaved cleanly through the thick, pulsing muscle of one
mount reached the creature’s body. Borka brought Trauma
of the creature’s tongues. Ichor poured forth as if through
down with all his strength upon the monstrosity’s flesh, and
a burst dam. Seeing an opening, Borka spurred Arktos
the impact of the heavy mace caused the taut skin to burst
forward and with one mighty swing brought Trauma down
like an overripe fruit. Rök and Gorn joined him, hacking at
to pulp the other fleshy tongue.
the creature with their axes. Borka drew forth Rök’s primal
inner fury—a wellspring that harkened back to the time The creature finally began to waver, and Borka wondered
when the trolls were first sired by the Devourer. Rök let out if the loss of its tongues, which it seemed to rely on for
a thunderous roar and attacked with renewed vigor. Borka balance nearly as much as the larger tentacles, would cause
had little choice but to relinquish control and allow him to it to topple like a felled tree. Instead, the bleeding creature
do as he wished to his foe. coiled and tensed its massive muscles and leapt into the air,
fleeing just as suddenly as it had arrived, the rocks and trees
no hindrance to its passage.
With a horizontal swing his A silence fell over the battlefield. Borka looked around
axe cleaved cleanly through and saw the bodies of dozens of blighted Nyss mixed with
those of his kin, though thankfully those were far fewer.
the thick, pulsing muscle
Many of the trollkin who had fallen to injury would live to
of one of the creature’s fight another day.
tongues.
Rök was in rough shape, though Borka knew the ill-
tempered troll would live. He could feel Rök’s need to
feed press upon his mind, made worse by the hunger that
Borka continued to hammer blows into the blighted
raged in his own belly. It took all his concentration to hold
monster, each strike causing a new explosion of viscous
Rök back from feasting upon the abundance of blighted
black ichor. His arm burned from the exertion of swinging
flesh around them. Blighted Nyss was one thing, but he
Trauma, but he drew upon the rage of his trolls to drive out
didn’t trust the severed tongues and tentacles of a dragon-
any thought but his enemy’s destruction. Only a shock of
spawned monstrosity not to be harmful. He directed the
white-hot pain lancing through his mind from Rök halted
troll toward the remaining ale barrels on the supply wagon
the warrior’s assault. The dire troll had been impaled by
as a temporary solution, and Rök accepted the offer with
two of the monster’s larger tentacles and was being drawn
enthusiasm. Borka sighed as he realized the trip back to the
toward the creature’s slavering mouths.
kriel would be a dry one.
He tried to spur Arktos forward to aid the ensnared troll, but
As the awareness of their victory slowly dawned on them,
the path was blocked by a wall of the beast’s other tentacles.
Borka’s warriors lifted their weapons, banged their fists into
Gorn was able to hack his way through the deadly tangle with
their breasts, and let out a thunderous victory yell. Though
great sweeps of his axe to reach Rök. The axer brought his
his heart swelled with pride at their deeds, he did not share
weapon down hard on one of the thick tentacles that bound
their celebratory mood. Not yet.
the dire troll, half severing the appendage, and raised his
axe to finish the job. The monster’s grip loosened, but before He looked in the direction the monster had gone. “Turan!”
Gorn could strike again, a tentacle burst through his chest he called.
from behind in a spray of crimson. Borka watched helplessly
“Aye?”
as the axer was ripped in two and each half disappeared
into one of the creature’s maws. The sound of the creature “Our quarry has fled. Can you track it?”
feasting on Gorn twisted Borka’s guts.
24
“The blood will make that easy,” Turan replied, motioning and brought them up to defend themselves. Borka simply
toward the severed tongue and tentacles lying in huge lobbed the grenades and then laughed as the explosions
pools of black ichor. “Surely even a creature like that could tossed their broken bodies about like chaff.
not survive such injuries for long.”
He saw the Nyss leader step forward and raise a rune-inlaid
“Best to leave nothing to chance,” Borka said. “Besides, I staff. Aeric runes surrounded her with a threatening nimbus
want to know where it lairs so we can be sure there are no of blue power. Before she could complete her invocation,
more like it.” though, Borka had sent a howling torrent of winter fury
blasting from his hand. Though the sorceress was able to
“And if there are?” Turan asked, though it was clear she
redirect her energies to defend against Borka’s arcane attack,
already knew the answer.
her momentary distraction was her undoing as Arktos
“Then we kill them, too.” reared up and smashed her to the ground, pinning her there
with his front paws. Borka saw both anger and confusion
flash briefly through her eyes before Arktos’ powerful jaws
snapped down on her skull.
The monster’s trail was not difficult to follow, but where it Borka turned his attention back to the collapsed mass
led shocked them all. The blighted behemoth retreated to of the monster. Now that he was close, it was clear the
a sizable camp encompassing a number of elaborate rune- thing was dead, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.
carved steel cauldrons that Borka recognized as spawning He dismounted from Arktos and took more grenades
vessels. The few he had seen before had been relatively from his belt. Wary of last-second surprises, Borka made
small, but here he saw vessels of all sizes, including one his way toward the creature’s slackened jaws and tossed
large enough to hold even Rök with room to spare. The the grenades into one cavernous maw. He stepped back,
pieces fell into place in his mind—the trollkin missing uttering an old curse at the thing. The grenades detonated,
from his kriel, the presence of the blighted Nyss that had blowing what Borka could only assume passed for the
attacked them in the night, the unexpected appearance of creature’s head into great, wet chunks.
the towering, nightmarish monster. The missing kin had
Borka drew Trauma and placed a foot on one of the larger
been used as fuel for the vessels. The thought of what had
tentacles. He grunted with effort as he brought the massive
happened here was so disgusting he completely forgot the
mace down again and again, pulping the appendage until
hunger that still gnawed at him.
he was able to tear it free. He would lay it at Jennan’s feet,
Borka spied the hulking form of the injured monster moving and even she would not be able to question this monster’s
toward the largest spawning vessel. It seemed to pull itself destruction.
forward sluggishly as a host of robed Nyss attempted
“Father!” he heard Torgat call. “The battle is won. These
to drag it along with hooked gaffs under the direction of
Nyss were far weaker than the warriors we fought before.”
another Nyss attired in finer robes and silver adornments.
They intended to try to breathe life back into the unnatural Borka smiled at the disappointment in his son’s voice. He
horror. He was not about to let that happen. He spurred was worthy of his parentage. As Borka looked back across
Arktos into a charge and let out a resounding battle cry. the camp to see his kin setting to the work of smashing the
It was answered and redoubled by the other trollkin sinister spawning vessels, he thought, They all are.
champions as they followed his lead into the spawning site.
He smiled at Torgat. “Don’t worry—we’ve earned our glory
He swung his mace low at one of the smaller spawning pots already. But more importantly”—he hefted the severed
as he passed it. The blow crumpled the vessel’s side and tentacle over his shoulder—“we’ve earned the celebration
sent the receptacle flying, spilling its gory contents onto the that will greet us when we return home with our trophy.”
cold ground, and Borka saw a half-formed embryonic mass
As he walked back to rejoin his warriors, Borka thought of
flop into view among the spreading ooze. He spared only a
the Shaman of the Gnarls and his own quest. I hope you find
second to ensure this lesser dragonspawn was not moving
what you are looking for, Doomshaper, he thought. Together you
before turning his attention to several robed Nyss who had
and I will bring the fury of the North to Madrak’s side, for all
been attending the vessels. He crushed each with a blow
the kriels. Warmth spread within his breast at the thought of
from Trauma as Arktos rushed past them.
returning home.
Shouldering his weapon, Borka drew several grenades
Just not too soon. I have some catching up to do.
from his belt as Arktos raced toward the fallen monster
and its caretakers. The robed figures frantically unhooked
their wicked curved gaffs from the fallen creature’s flesh
25
Borka, Vengeance of the Rimeshaws
Trollblood Epic Trollkin Cavalry Warlock
He is like a legend passed down to us from the time of the Molgur, a force of nature as undeniable
as a winter storm.
—Tor of the Sons of Bragg
BORKA
Pathfinder Borka’s lust for combat into something greater. Where once
Tough Borka strode into battle seeking only personal glory and
Assault – As part of a charge, after moving but before making the thrill of crushing his enemies, he now sees the blows
its charge attack, this model can make one ranged attack he lands as a vital part of the fight his people are waging
targeting the model charged unless they were in melee with for their very survival. Affirmed by the leaders of the kin,
each other at the start of this model’s activation. When resolving Borka revels in combat more than ever, each blow fueled
an Assault ranged attack, the attacking model does not suffer
the target in melee penalty. If the target is not in melee range by the certainty that in following his own call to battle he
after moving, this model must still make the Assault ranged serves his people in their greatest time of need.
attack before its activation ends.
Following his near death in the Wyrmwall Mountains,
Combat Rider – During a combat action it did not make a charge
attack, this model can make one melee attack with its Mount.
Borka returned to his home kriel and was reunited with
the bear he had saved as a cub. Recognizing that his old
Field Marshal [Immunity: Cold] – Models in this model’s
battlegroup gain Immunity: Cold . friend still shared his enthusiasm for fighting, Borka took
the beast as his own battle mount. The two have become
Trauma inseparable, and the sight of the pair charging headlong into
Magical Weapon
the enemy in a roaring storm of teeth, claws, and mace chills
Reach the marrow of any who face them. Borka’s time among his
Critical Smite – On a critical hit, this model can slam the model kriel along with his recent brush with death has brought a
hit instead of rolling damage normally. The model hit is slammed certain clarity to the shaman regarding his love of fighting.
d6˝ directly away from this model and suffers a damage roll with
POW equal to this model’s STR plus the POW of this weapon. His connection to the powers over northern cold bestowed
The POW of collateral damage is equal to this model’s STR. on him by Dhunia has grown deeper, and in battle he can
summon and wield the inexorable power of winter itself.
Mount
Critical Brutal Damage – On a critical hit, gain an additional die Atop his bellowing mount, Borka has become as unstoppable
on this weapon’s damage roll against the model directly hit.
as a winter avalanche, and this newfound mobility has only
increased his audacity in battle. Borka is ever at the front of
As war continues to consume the lands of the trollkin, the charge, he and his battlegroup avatars of winter’s fury, but
Borka, Vengeance of the Rimeshaws rides atop his powerful he is not heedless of the cost. Champions of his kith and kriel
northern bear Arktos like a savage chieftain of old, bringing risk their lives alongside him. This knowledge leads Borka
hope to his beleaguered kin and swift death to his enemies. to be yet fiercer and more determined, as he understands the
The years of conflict beside Madrak Ironhide have forged toll in blood should he fail.
26
27
Dozer & Smigg
Trollblood Dire Troll Character Heavy Warbeast
Whatever Dozer doesn’t trample, Smigg blows up. Have you ever met a more perfect pair in all your life?
—Captain Gunnbjorn
SP
Special Issue [Gunnbjorn] –
6
pressing foe, eager to see them blasted apart. In the time it
This model can be included
5 in Gunnbjorn’s theme takes Smigg to ready the next shot, Dozer will sometimes
forces. It can also be take the opportunity to charge and tear apart the nearest
Fury 4 bonded to Gunnbjorn. enemy with his tremendously huge claws.
Threshold 10 Veteran Leader [Dire Troll
Field Allowance C Blitzer] – Friendly Dire The cannon he bears was salvaged in the aftermath of an
Point Cost 9 Troll Blitzer warbeasts gain assault on a Khadoran supply train. After seizing much-
Large Base +2 to attack rolls while this needed supplies, Gunnbjorn’s forces also carted off a
model is in their LOS.
massive bombard taken from a wrecked Destroyer warjack.
Virtuoso – This model can make melee and ranged attacks Having witnessed firsthand the power and utility of the
during the same combat action. When this model makes its initial
Khadoran bombard, the warlock took the opportunity
attacks, it can make both its initial ranged and melee attacks.
to refit the weapon for the largest dire troll in his retinue.
Bombard Dozer easily bore the crushing weight of the weapon, its
Arcing Fire – When attacking with this weapon, this model can mount, and its magazine, but adjusting to the noise and
ignore intervening models except those within 1˝ of the target.
concussive force of the bombard took some time.
Inaccurate – This model suffers –4 to attack rolls with this
weapon. Early attempts to operate the weapon in the field met with
Claw mixed results. At first, each thunderous blast sent Dozer
Open Fist into a dangerous frenzy, swatting at his own back as he
plowed headlong into the enemy. Over time he became
more accustomed to the gun’s earsplitting report, but not
Adapting quickly to the unconventional tactics of the before he had maimed and consumed half a dozen hapless
United Kriels, Captain Gunnbjorn has come to rely heavily pyg gunners. Only the enthusiastic Smigg managed to hold
on the antics of the duo of dire troll and pyg known on and keep from being devoured during Dozer’s tirades.
affectionately as Dozer and Smigg. Plowing across the Since that time, a friendship has grown between them and
battlefield, Dozer generates an avalanche of destruction Dozer is now quite protective of the pyg that joins him
while Smigg, precariously clinging to the dire troll’s in battle. In time the dire troll even learned to savor the
back, unleashes explosive salvos of bombard fire. Each weapon’s booming report and the acrid clouds of smoke it
resounding blast of the tremendous cannon elicits a chorus spewed forth. The two have been inseparable ever since.
of ecstatic roars from the dire trolls that fight alongside
28
29
Northkin Fire Eaters
Trollblood Unit
You ever seen a trollkin stumbling drunk, ablaze in a ball of flame, belching fire every which way? In
the hills up north, that’s a normal day.
—Winter Guard Sergeant Akina Fedorevna
Tactical Tip
Pyg Buddy – The Pyg Buddy is a trooper
in the unit but is not a Grunt in the unit.
30
Trollkin Highwaymen
Trollblood Unit
What we do, we do for the good of the kriel. If it means a few gun-mongers take a round in the belly, so be it.
—Jurson Firetongue, trollkin highwayman
As the conflicts of the greater world escalated, the threats trollkin have reintegrated into their kriels, bringing their
passing through these brigands’ lands grew, as did the fighting tactics with them. They are peerless woodsmen
potential for plundering the traveling forces. While some and hunters who can blend into the surrounding forests or
highwaymen simply saw an opportunity to improve their swamps as they stalk prey. They strike from the shadows
lives, others noted the increasingly desperate plight of their and remain continuously on the move, opening fire on
people. These good-hearted trollkin began distributing a startled enemies before returning to the safety of the deep
portion of their ill-gotten gains to the camps of dispossessed woods. Unlike so many of their kin, trollkin highwaymen
kin. Occasionally they would even step out of the tree line do not resort to hammer or axe when an enemy draws
to defend those camps from human aggression. close. Instead they stick to their trusty pistols, as ready to
fire at an onrushing enemy from point blank range as to do
Tales of highwaymen as outlaws evolved into legends so from a safe distance.
of trollkin heroes fighting for justice. Gradually, these
31
Horgle Ironstrike
Trollblood Trollkin Character Solo
Save your words. Speak with iron and fire instead.
—Horgle Ironstrike
32
33
Braylen Wanderheart, Trollkin Outlaw
Trollblood Character Solo
If doing what I must to help the kin makes me an outlaw, then I suppose I am an outlaw.
—Braylen Wanderheart
WANDERHEART
WANDERHEART
Fearless Tactical Tip
SPD STR MAT RAT DEF ARM CMD
6 6 6 6 13 15 9 Gunfighter Camouflage – If a model ignores concealment or cover, it also
ignores concealment or cover’s Camouflage bonus.
Heavy Pistol Pathfinder
RNG ROF AOE POW
Tough
8 1 — 12
from the law. If any outsiders braved the Glimmerwood in
Camouflage – This model
Damage 8
gains an additional +2 DEF an attempt to bring the highwaymen to justice, they quickly
Field Allowance C when benefiting from found themselves outnumbered by armed trollkin with a
Point Cost 3 concealment or cover. vested interest in keeping Wanderheart safe. Legends of her
Medium Base
Gun & Run – At the end of exploits spread quickly throughout the forest as she moved
its activation, if this model from kriel to kriel, and young trollkin seeking what they
destroyed one or more enemy models with ranged attacks that
activation, it can make a full advance.
perceived as a thrilling and lawless life followed.
Leadership [Trollkin Highwaymen] – While in this model’s Braylen’s fate shifted when she met Calandra Truthsayer.
command range, friendly Trollkin Highwaymen models gain The oracle impressed upon her the kin’s need for a leader
Opportunist. (While a model with Opportunist is completely
of her talents. With threats on all sides, the United Kriels
within the back arc of an enemy model, it gains an additional
die on its attack and damage rolls against that enemy model.) were desperate for munitions and supplies, lest they be
Opportunist – While this model is completely within the back
overcome by better-equipped forces. Calandra spoke of the
arc of an enemy model, this model gains an additional die on its trollkin’s ultimate fate should they fail to defend what little
attack and damage rolls against that enemy model. they had remaining and of how crucial Wanderheart’s skills
Prowl – This model gains Stealth while within terrain were to them having any hope of victory. Remembering the
that provides concealment, the AOE of a spell that provides many kriels that had defended her when she was in need
concealment, or the AOE of a cloud effect. and thinking of their ultimate fate if she abandoned them,
Heavy Pistol Braylen joined their cause.
Luck – This model can reroll missed attack rolls with this
weapon. Each attack roll can be rerolled only once as a result Braylen Wanderheart is now a robber with a different
of Luck. agenda. It is for the common cause that she and her
trollkin bandits now travel the forests of western Immoren,
Among the merchants and lords who travel the plundering military convoys and outposts amid the crackle
Glimmerwood, one name inspires wrath and trepidation in of pistol fire. From these targets they secure much-needed
equal measure: Braylen Wanderheart. A consummate bandit, weapons and supplies for the fighting forces of the United
Wanderheart has earned her legend by robbing wealthy Kriels, and anything they cannot use is bartered. Embattled
merchants only to distribute the ill-gotten gains among kriels across the wilds owe their lives to the efforts of
her less fortunate kin. Lurking in the trees, she waits for Wanderheart and her cohort, for without the goods she
the opportune moment to set upon an unsuspecting target. procures they would surely be whittled away by the many
She and her bandits strike from ambush, relying on surprise enemies they face.
and intimidation as much as on strength of arms. For the
unfortunates who try to fight back, Wanderheart’s gang
answers with a volley of deadly shot before converging for
closer combat. She has become a living legend, as beloved
by the kin as she is reviled by outsiders. Once, her only
concern was the acquisition of personal wealth, but fate has
presented her with a nobler cause.
34
35
Circle Orboros
Abuses of Power
Bradigus Thorle floated between the Pillars of Rotterhorn resiliency of Orboros, but Thorle knew the sources of strain
in the Bloodstone Marches, held aloft by the power flowing Mohsar had mentioned. Krueger had recently drawn on the
through the great standing stones. Suffused by natural deepest ley lines below the desert to invoke a great storm
energies as he was, the bounds of gravity were meaningless, to obliterate a Protectorate of Menoth army, apparently in
his mass repulsed by the soil beneath him as when identical the service of Wurmwood. A significant drain, but nothing
poles of two magnets are placed in proximity. Manipulating the ley line network could not recover from. Then there
such forces was as reflexive to him as breathing. had been Baldur’s ceremony at the Bones of Orboros on the
Hawksmire River, in which he and Morvahna had reached
The soaring, isolated peak of the Rotterhorn was made all
deep to summon an earthquake that thwarted the progress
the more majestic by contrast with the flat and desolate
of a Cryxian army.
expanse of the Bloodstone Desert from which it rose. It was
hundreds of miles from the nearest city, with red sands Thorle had helped defend the site where this ritual had
extending in all directions. Though the Pillars had been taken place, and there he had witnessed Mohsar’s mystical
erected at a site well below the mountain’s summit, Thorle’s strength and power directed against the skorne. Making use
view on this clear day seemed boundless. of two Celestial Fulcrums carved by Thorle’s own hands,
the omnipotent had augmented his own power enough to
As one of the blackclads responsible for the Eastern
banish the skorne warlock Mordikaar deep into the desert.
Dominion, Thorle did not view the desert as a wasteland,
One of the Circle’s easternmost sacred sites had been
for all its starkness and desiccation. Life still thrived here,
obliterated as Mordikaar, together with the unnatural void
and the desert had its own power, which gathered in sun-
attached to him, had been hurled hundreds of miles. That
heated sands during the day and poured down from the
act had sent shockwaves through the ley lines, changing
celestial realm at night. Power flowed beneath the surface
some flows entirely.
of Caen like currents across the ocean. Key conduits of these
flows converged on the Rotterhorn, and from its base the With these events in mind, Thorle had found the Pillars of
energies rushed upward into the twin black stone columns Rotterhorn to be intact and whole, though not unscathed by
first erected thousands of years ago by blackclads who were the ravages of time. Large slabs of solid rock below the soil
among the first of their order. The Pillars of Rotterhorn was had cracked and shifted. He had extended his will to realign
one of the greatest sacred sites of the Circle Orboros, one of them, and soon the flows around him were humming
their most potent conjunctions. harmoniously. He had then sent his consciousness out into
the network, his eyes glowing as he entered a deep trance.
It was for that reason Mohsar had directed Thorle here after
His mind flowed across the face of Caen faster than the
the tempestuous battle against the skorne at the Hawksmire
swiftest bird, not in one direction but in many. The lattice of
River. “The ley lines of the Eastern Dominion are battered
ley lines revealed themselves to him as if it were a vast web,
and strained,” the blind omnipotent had said to him.
and he, the spider within that web, could sense the slightest
“Recent actions by Baldur, by Krueger, and even by me—we
vibration upon the strands.
have done them harm, and there is more harm to come. Go
to the Rotterhorn and assess the damage. The fabric of the The damage that had troubled Mohsar was immediately
ley lines must be repaired, as much as is possible. I leave it evident. Here, the network lacked its former harmony; it
to you to determine where to begin.” was tattered in many places, diminished in others. The
regions that had been particularly strained were dim and
It had been startling to hear such words from a man who
discolored in his perception, as if Caen itself were bruised.
rarely expressed alarm and who knew more than most the
36
He could sense the pull of other blackclads on the ley lines There was a brief silence. When Krueger spoke again his
as they summoned power. Most of these small disturbances tone had changed, as though he were listening to Thorle
hardly registered, like a single drop of water amid a roaring with more focused attention. “My apologies, Runecarver. I
waterfall. The omnipotents, however, could be detected did not mean to be rude, and I do not hold recent events
if he searched for them. He felt Mohsar the Desertwalker against you. There was considerable pressure on all of you
like a shadow across the entire Eastern Dominion. Then to speak as one voice at the Grand Conclave Tribunal. Had
he frowned as he sensed a powerful but unfamiliar mind I been in your position, I might have chosen as you did.
probing the ley lines with an intensity equal to his own. However, I must return to my work—”
He focused his attention and soon recognized Krueger the “Krueger. I must know what you are doing and how it will
Stormwrath. It had not been long since the omnipotents affect my domains.” His irritation had begun to show. “That
had conducted a trial to judge Krueger for his crimes. is my right.”
The self-appointed Stormlord had been found guilty
“The truth of the matter is, I wish I could tell you,” Krueger
and marked for death. Every one of the potents, Thorle
responded with apparent sincerity. “If I thought you
included, had cast votes to seal that fate. A distasteful
might be willing to help me, it would make many things
situation, but from the offered testimony it had been
simpler. But matters are complicated. I have a precarious
clear Krueger was guilty. Wurmwood’s intervention
balance to maintain. I know how loyal you have been to the
had changed the verdict, but it didn’t alter the fact that
omnipotents, and for that reason I cannot bring you into my
Krueger had put the entire order in danger by conspiring
confidence. Not yet.”
with dragons. Krueger ’s present scrutiny of the ley lines
in this manner filled Thorle with alarm.
“Understood,” Thorle said. “I am repairing the Eastern Before Thorle could question him further, the connection
Dominion and felt your presence. The ley lines are unstable was severed. He felt profoundly troubled, all the more
here. I advise against any significant working on your part. because of Krueger’s vague attempts to reassure him. He
Might I inquire regarding your interests here?” recalled the words of Omnipotent Dahlekov at the trial:
“Whatever lore Krueger related while in secret congress
“My business is my own,” Krueger snapped. After a
with Blighterghast, the repercussions for our order might
pause he added, “I will tell you this much: I am ordering
be cataclysmic.”
my forces in the Glimmerwood to rejoin me. Hastening
their return should not be a strain. Nothing for you to be Thorle put that aside. Without more information he had
concerned about.” nothing worth reporting to the omnipotents. Returning his
attention to the ley lines, he saw no trace of the Stormlord.
Thorle frowned, certain Krueger was lying to him, at least
He turned to the trajectory by which Mordikaar had been
by omission. He would have no need to assess the ley lines
hurled into the desert and found there a trench ripped
merely to summon allies. Bradigus said, “You and I have
through the web of ley lines, terminating in a gaping hole
little in common, and you may bear me ill after my role in
in the far desert. Already Thorle’s subordinates were at
your trial, but I have long dealt fairly with you. I ask the
work repairing lesser conjunctions along that path. Thorle
same in return. We each have our responsibilities.”
37
thought first to rebuild the distant site, but on widening his Thorle noted that the green runes carved into the standing
perspective to view the entire dominion, he was alarmed to stones did not fade after his group arrived but instead
see several other irregularities. These included one to the pulsed in an irregular rhythm. He reached out a hand and
north that was worsening as he watched. touched the nearest one. It felt warm under his fingers.
Fresh cracks ran along its upper surface, and several of the
He sent his mind that direction to discover the ley lines
runes had been marred. The other stones were similarly
throbbing with strain. Vast flows of energy were somehow
damaged, with at least one in even worse repair.
being redirected to the region north of Lake Scarleforth and
east of the Hawksmire River. Tremendous surges of natural He immediately set the others to work. All were druids he
power coursed through minor standing stone sites too weak had known for years and trusted to be both competent and
to contain them. Thorle knew more of the power of earth efficient. Several of the stone keepers began to repair the
and stone than anyone in the order, but he was baffled at standing stones, using their powers to reverse the cracks
what he was seeing. and carve fresh runes.
38
might change if these new, more powerful flows were with tremendous accuracy. The remaining Wolves formed
stabilized. He still did not know the cause of the anomalies, a loose line, spears at the ready, while the reeves and the
and he saw nothing to suggest Krueger had visited the site. blackclads formed up behind them. Floating at the fore,
It was possible the Stormlord was not involved, though the Thorle unleashed his anger upon any bog trog in sight
timing made Thorle suspicious. to annihilate them with a punishing hail of stone. The
rest were quickly scattering, perhaps not expecting such
The loss of the Bones of Orboros just west of here—the very
a formidable enemy. More than half of Thorle’s escorting
ground where Baldur’s ritual had transpired—had been a
Wolves had been taken down in the ambush, but twice as
blow to the Circle’s control over the ley lines of this region.
many trogs had paid the price.
Perhaps these wild flows were part of the aftermath. The
skorne had quickly seized that site and had wasted no time “This is not their natural environment,” Thorle said, glaring
in shattering the great stones there, stones only recently toward the western valley. “No bog trogs live anywhere
rebuilt by Baldur after being torn down by the passage of near here.” Even as he made this observation, different and
Everblight’s legion as it fled north. Before his ritual, Baldur larger forms could be seen moving through the trees just
needed to drive away trollkin who had claimed the site in beyond the glade.
the aftermath of the legion.
“Gatormen!” shouted one of the sharp-eyed reeves while
The chaos surrounding control over the Bones of Orboros reloading his crossbow.
was a testament to the area’s general upheaval after the
Though reluctant to pull any of the wolds from his carefully
clash at the Castle of the Keys in which Morvahna had
built configuration, Thorle summoned three woldwatchers
failed to stop Everblight. This once-quiet area of the
and a single wold guardian. “Let the wolds to the fore!” he
Bloodstone Marches had seen escalating bloodshed as well
called. “Concentrate your fire!”
as supernatural conflicts that threatened the Circle’s key
holdings. The body of Orboros was as resilient as Caen As his commands were carried out, Thorle’s mind turned
itself, able to recover from any abuse, but recent events to the incongruities. Although there was a river to the west,
had been picking at the scabs. Moreover, the Cyrissists gatormen were never seen in these parts, having no desire
had suddenly become more active in the other dominions, to enter the arid Bloodstone Marches. He could not fathom
entirely altering the course of major ley lines. It all what would bring both bog trogs and gatormen here. The
contributed to a time of unprecedented instability, against presence of both fighting together suggested the Blindwater
which Thorle had been fighting a losing battle. Congregation, but if so, they were far from home.
“Potent, over here!” The shout came from a huntsman of the The gatormen had attacked through an opening into the
Wolves of Orboros standing watch next to a tree on a slight glade from the wider desert to the west. Thorle’s forces
rise on the western perimeter, spear in hand. He pointed advanced cautiously. As expected, the gatormen were
and said, “There’s movement—” waiting in ambush. They surged from the trees with
polearms raised, hissing with blood lust. The first volley
The warrior was cut short as a hooked blade jutted through
of crossbow fire largely bounced off their scaled hides,
his chest in a plume of crimson blood. He stared down at
and those bolts that struck home seemed to do little harm.
it in surprise and made a choking noise, and then his body
Thorle’s woldwatchers unleashed crackling lightning
was pitched aside as the bog trog that had skewered him
into the nearest enemies while his wold guardian strode
yanked its weapon free.
ahead to shatter them with its enormous stone arms. Other
Shouts of alarm came from all quarters. More bog trogs gatormen were met by wold constructs. Thorle sent runes
sprang into view, and the Wolves fought them fiercely. Thorle to surround and empower his wolds, allowing each strike
flew swiftly toward the huntsman’s murderer. He gestured greater impact. Crushing stone battered the gatormen’s
forcefully, drawing a rock the size of a skull from the earth scales and broke their bones. The Wolves rushed through
and shooting it at deadly velocity straight into the bog trog’s the gaps to finish any enemy left standing.
chest, shattering ribs and crushing organs. Behind Thorle
Once the gatorman line was broken, the cold-blooded
other blackclads rushed forward, drawing on their own
creatures that had survived pulled back into the trees. The
power to summon and hurl rocks into the attackers.
reeves continued firing and reloading until they saw no
The bog trogs had used their talent for camouflage to more targets. Several more reeves had fallen, and one of
close the distance and take the Wolves on the western Thorle’s woldwatchers was badly damaged. He moved to
side by surprise. Now the reeves who had been on it and touched its stone plates, closing his eyes as he sent
the southern side of the glade rushed to support their power through his fingers to allow the stone to grow back
comrades in arms, their crossbow bolts finding targets to wholeness, its cracks mending in an instant.
39
“We should see how many more there are,” said his master of
the hunt, a grizzled woman whose face was lined with scars.
40
certain these vaults were dangerous. The gatormen bokors Deep in thought, he had not realized his environment had
were powerful necromancers, as skilled in their own way changed. A strange fog had seeped into the wooded glade,
as any Thamarite or Cryxian. Altogether, it was a force he out of keeping with the afternoon heat. He was brought up
stood no realistic chance of stopping. short as he realized his way was blocked. Directly in his
path stood a familiar withered and twisted tree, its leafless
“This is no place for your kind, below the burning sun and
branches dangling with bones that made a slight whistling
walking the dry sands,” Thorle said. “What is your goal, if
sound in the wind: Wurmwood, the Tree of Fate.
not strife with us?”
He looked to his right and Cassius was there, less than five
“We go where we must,” she said. “Kossk guides us, and
feet away, staring intently at him. “Allow the gatormen to
the spirits have shown me the way. Nothing will stand in
pass,” Cassius said in his raspy voice.
our path. Time is wriggling away. The war we seek is with
the trollkin, not you, but we will carve a path through you “What?” Thorle was so startled he could think of no better
if we must.” response. “Impossible!”
“What matters the exact route as long as you reach your “I will ensure they do not destroy the stones. Your work can
destination? There is a grove here, a protected place. I must resume when they have passed,” Cassius said calmly.
ask you to go around.” He gestured to the left and right,
“What’s your involvement in this?” Thorle felt great
where the line of hills stretched out into the barren wastes.
mistrust of Wurmwood, of the entire ancient arrangement
“March either way, find another path, and you will save
his order had entered into with the primordial tree. Again
yourself unnecessary bloodshed.”
he considered Krueger’s trial and how this strange being
She made a hitched hissing sound, extending her tooth- had stood in the way of justice. He tried to remember the
filled jaws toward him, and he realized she was expressing formalities that surrounded contact with this entity. “With all
amusement. “We seek bloodshed, Runecarver. We do not due respect, this territory is mine. I did not invite you here.”
fear it. And we do not have time to wander the hills—to
“Withdraw your people, quickly, or suffer. It is your choice,”
bake beneath the sun, as you say. There is need for haste. We
Cassius said, and in the blink of an eye he was gone.
will pass through. Make way, or be swallowed by Kossk.”
With that she turned her back and strode away, her retinue Thorle gritted his teeth as he looked at the gnarled tree
following close behind. ahead, which he suspected would vanish soon. Before it did,
he was intent on learning something. His eyes narrowed
Thorle now wished he had brought more wolds along with
as he plunged his will and his mind down into the earth,
him. The gatormen respected strength. As it was, they did
connecting to the ley lines that surged so powerfully here,
not consider him a threat, and in truth given their scope
pregnant with strange energies. He gasped. As he had
they were right. Even so, he knew he could not simply walk
anticipated, the roots of Wurmwood were sunk deep into
away. Even if they did not intend harm, the gatormen might
these ley lines. The flows of power here, he felt certain,
obliterate his careful work as they marched through, and in
originated with Wurmwood—an entity said to be an aspect
doing so create a disaster. He pondered the bokor’s words,
of the Wurm, just as Kossk was.
and the strangeness of such an army’s appearance here.
The name of the gatormen’s god was known to him, but A powerful voice spoke in his head, a voice much like
Kossk was simply another aspect of the Devourer Wurm, Cassius’ but also not, resonant and vibrating with energy.
itself only an expression of the will of Orboros. Jaga-Jaga “These channels of power are not yours. They are mine.”
was a sage of her people, from a powerful bloodline. Was
The sensation was dizzying. Shaken, Thorle realized he had
it possible she had some communication with the Wurm? If
closed his eyes. When he opened them Wurmwood was
so, what could that signify?
gone. He heard the rumble and clatter of the approaching
He and his wolds turned back toward the central site. He gatorman army and hastened back to the grove to gather
would have better hopes of defending there, where he could his forces and withdraw, for a time. If a single standing
draw on the great power flowing through this place. It was stone was disturbed, he vowed, he would commit to a full
vital he shore up the ley lines here. At the least he might be reckoning against both the gatormen and Wurmwood,
able to stall their army long enough to complete the work whatever the consequences.
and prevent a catastrophe. There was primal power in
blood; perhaps amid the battle he could draw upon that.
He considered what reinforcements he might summon, but
between the losses at the Bones of Orboros and those that had
gone to join Krueger or Morvahna, his options were limited.
41
Bradigus
Circle Warlock
Thorle the Runecarver
His eyes behold the raw power of Caen. His hands shape for us the tools to wield it.
—Mohsar the Desertwalker
42
43
Argus Moonhound
Circle Light Warbeast
These hounds find their prey with the certainty of the rising moons.
—Kaya the Moonhunter
D
within 5˝ of this model and Olgunholt. Unable to rely on their own eyes, the blackclads
in its LOS.
know they can trust the natural abilities of their loyal argus.
IT
IR
SP
6
5 Prowling the nighttime
shadows, the argus
Fury 3
moonhound stalks the
Threshold 9
Field Allowance U wilds of western Immoren
Point Cost 4 to hunt down the
Medium Base enemies of the
Circle Orboros
no matter where
they hide. Moonhounds can detect the very faintest
scent of prey; even supernatural methods of
concealment cannot thwart their superlative senses.
Across Caen moonhounds flush out those who seek
to escape the Circle, calling to their masters with a
chorus of low baying. Victims who try to flee are relentlessly
run down to be ravaged by the hounds’ powerful jaws.
44
Rotterhorn Griffon
Circle Light Warbeast
Its voice pierces as deep as a spear’s thrust.
—Una the Falconer
unleashes a shriek as deadly as its talons. This piercing cry Models within 2˝ of this
IN 4
model suffer a POW 8
M
D
can be heard for miles, echoing across the parched earth damage roll.
IT
IR
SP
Claw
6
Open Fist
5
45
Brennos the Elderhorn
Circle Satyr Character Heavy Warbeast
Underestimate the elder beasts of the wild at your peril. The power of Orboros is not ours alone.
–Morvahna the Dawnshadow
IN 4 can use the animus of In his youth Brennos was a powerful primitive shaman
M
any friendly Faction non- leading one of the largest herds of his kind, high in the
character warbeast in its
IT
SP
command range as if the
6 animus were its own. repelled with blasts of arcane might or deadly blows from
5
Sacred Ward – This model his cudgel, a crude weapon fashioned from stout oak. With
cannot be targeted by Brennos as their defender, his herd thrived as no other.
Fury 4
enemy spells. In time, his mystic capabilities were recognized by the
Threshold 10
Field Allowance C Special Issue [Morvahna] – blackclads tending herds in the region.
Point Cost 9 This model can be included
in Morvahna’s theme Convinced the druids would protect his wards, Brennos left
Large Base
forces. It can also be bonded to serve a dozen different masters, and each warlock left an
to Morvahna. imprint on his mind. As a stone at the river’s edge is shaped
Arcane Winds over time by the currents, Brennos’ intellect and magical
Magical Weapon talent were gradually refined. Over many years, he met and
Thunderbolt – Enemy models hit are pushed d3˝ directly away bonded with some of the most powerful blackclads in the
from the attacking model. On a critical hit, the enemy model is Southern Dominion.
knocked down after being pushed.
Eventually Brennos entered the service of Morvahna the
Horns Autumnblade. The night she first appeared before him, she
Critical Pitch – On a critical hit, instead of rolling damage
overawed him with her arcane power and presence. The
normally you can choose to have this model throw the model
hit. Treat the throw as if this model had hit with and passed the mighty and aged satyr bowed low, prostrating himself before
STR check of a throw power attack. The thrown model suffers a the powerful druid. Brennos offered himself in service to the
damage roll with POW equal to this model’s STR plus the POW Autumnblade, desiring only to lend his power to hers.
of this weapon. The POW of collateral damage is equal to this
model’s STR. For decades Brennos has been Morvahna’s most reliable
Oaken Staff sentinel. He guards the innermost points of her domain,
Magical Weapon hidden away at major ley line conjunctions of tremendous
Reach potency. Though his youthful vigor is a fading memory,
his mind remains remarkably cunning. He has reshaped
Mage Killer – Gain an additional damage die on this weapon’s
damage rolls against models with Spellcaster or Magic Ability. his original club into a rune-carved staff to support his
bent frame, and his age often deceives Morvahna’s rivals.
Once every few centuries, a satyr with exceptional potential Ancient Brennos is still mighty, and he continues to leave
and the gift of magic rises from among their kind. These the bodies of those who oppose his mistress twisted and
beings are revered as shamans and champions, each a broken on the battlefield—blasted into the land of the dead
blessing bestowed upon the herd. Brennos the Elderhorn is by his primal magic or broken by a swift blow from his
one of these. An ancient and wizened satyr grown grey and heavy staff or gnarled horns.
46
47
The Death Wolves
Circle Wolves of Orboros Character Unit
They follow a path etched in blood and manifest the ravenous appetites of the Wurm.
—Vernor the Nightbringer
48
Stinking of the blood and decaying remains of their recent Deadly and agile, Tala is the Wurm’s shadow, striking from
victims, the Death Wolves stand apart from other Wolves the darkness to cleave skulls and slice limbs from bodies.
of Orboros in other ways beyond their devotion to death Caleb is the most feral of the three, truly more animal than
and slaughter. Their grim helmets made from the skulls man. His iron claws leave ragged wounds like the talons of
of great beasts, their bloodstained armor, and their very some terrible beast as he rips into enemies, awash in gore
demeanor all speak of something darker and more primal, and primal rage.
something from a time when the line between man and
Despite their gruesome rituals, the Death Wolves are a
beast was far less distinct.
potent weapon for the Circle Orboros. The druids send
The Death Wolves are led by the fearsome Sköll, a throwback them into battle when they are in need of brutally effective
to the savage Molgur warlords of old. Sköll leads by force combatants and wish to sow particularly intense terror and
of will and strength, using his gargantuan axe to hack his discord among their enemies.
enemies into quivering bits. It is his relentless assault that
heralds the arrival of the Death Wolves on the battlefield.
49
Una the Falconer
Circle Character Solo
She is as cold and distant as the winds.
–Grayle the Farstrider
50
51
Skorne
Test of Resolution
Northeastern Ios bandage over his left eye. His other eye widened when he
It was rare for Xerxis to know defeat, and the loss of saw Xerxis. The scouts bowed low as the tyrant dismounted
Primus Sellk’s decurium was the first he had felt as they and strode toward them.
penetrated Iosan lands. As Makeda had anticipated, the
“Tyrant Xerxis, I did not expect the honor . . .” said the
northeastern border of Ios was more lightly patrolled than
dakar as he rose from a deep bow.
the southern, allowing them to quickly advance past the
outer watchtowers, annihilating the light opposition they “Report, Dakar,” said Xerxis sharply. “Tell me how Sellk
had initially faced. Word had clearly reached the Aeryth managed to lose so many warriors.”
Dawnguard. The foes they had faced were only the first
“They attacked at night, using these,” said Saikhan. He
of many defenders gathering. On hearing of Sellk’s defeat,
placed an object into Xerxis’ outstretched palm: two green
Xerxis went to personally inspect the site of the battle and
lenses on a leather strap, meant to be worn on the head. “It
assess the state of those who remained.
allows them to see better in the dark.”
Loraak, his signal bearer and nephew, knelt next to the
Xerxis called for Aptimus Sarangerel, one of his extollers, to
corpses of a ferox and rider, inspecting the wounds.
examine the device with the crystal oculus that replaced one
“Firearms,” he said. “Similar to those used by Cygnar.”
of his eyes. Xerxis knew the extoller could use the power
Xerxis sat astride Suruk, the great cerops he’d ordered sent of that oculus to see in the dark, and he inquired whether
to him from the east after suffering near-fatal wounds at the these devices might be similar.
hands of the dirt mystics. He did not relish having to rely on
“This mechanism is quite basic, very different from what
a mount, but he would not hold back his army in any way.
we use,” said Sarangerel. He was old and rail-thin, with
“Primus Vulto,” he said to the tall officer who had first a hunched back. Though physically not well suited for an
informed him of the situation here. “Sellk claimed to have extended campaign, he could rely on his two apprentices for
the Iosan border force boxed in. That does not appear to be assistance when he required it, and his loyalty was beyond
the case. Who commands his remaining forces?” They had question. Scoffing, the extoller continued, “Our oculi allow
already heard Sellk had been slain. us to see spiritual energy. These simple chymically treated
lenses merely amplify existing light to afford the Iosans some
“Dakar Saikhan, Tyrant,” said Vulto smartly. Xerxis nodded. He
amount of night vision. This would give them an advantage
had hand-selected these soldiers, each officer a worthy veteran.
in night attacks, but not near the vision of an extoller.”
They continued on, and when they reached what was
“Such devices are common among their soldiers,” said
left of the decurium, Xerxis saw the troops arrayed in a
Saikhan. “They will use them again when they come to
defensive formation near a rocky, moss-covered ridge. He
finish us off tonight.”
counted several hundred warriors, mostly Praetorians and
Venators. Several scarab packs were penned nearby, next “And we will do our best to disappoint them,” said Xerxis
to the surviving Cataphracts. The geography made the grimly.
encampment easy to defend; Saikhan had positioned his
troops wisely.
52
the enemy, he decided to keep his Cataphracts in reserve strike. A second rider managed to drive his lance into the
under the command of Primus Vulto. He’d brought several other cyclops’ chest. Xerxis could feel the life ebbing from it
dathas of Praetorian keltarii, which he assigned to the but used his mortitheurgy to stall its death as it clawed its
vanguard. Sellk had few warbeasts, but Xerxis knew the way up the lance to deliver a crushing blow to its killer’s
Iosans would not be limited in the use of their myrmidons. breastplate.
The primus had captured and interrogated one of their
That left two horsemen for Xerxis. He drew Lamentor and let
arcanists, and after three days with the paingivers she had
the massive flail dangle. One of the riders came up fast, earth
explained how the great machines functioned and how they
churning beneath his mount’s hooves. Xerxis compelled
required downtime after battle to restore their energy. The
Suruk to attack. The beast lowered its horn and hit the
primus had then sent small harassment forces to deny the
attacker’s mount head-on, snapping the steed’s neck and
Iosans that luxury.
throwing its rider to his certain death. The sudden jolt caused
The skorne readied for battle as night fell. To make their black spots to appear in Xerxis’ vision, and he was painfully
position more defensible, they felled trees and hewed the reminded of his injuries. He ignored the pain and struck at
trunks into spikes, which the Cataphracts pounded into the last rider, who had ducked low in the saddle under a
the ground. Several large bonfires were lit close to the blow from one of the cyclopes. The flail collapsed the Iosan’s
ridge to provide light for the army without ruining their breastplate and knocked him off his horse, and the point of
night vision. The night air was cold, and fog began to form Xerxis’ standard made sure he would never rise again.
between the trees.
53
Vulto’s quick response had blunted the Iosan ambush, but Iosan cavalry. Despite the losses, any other commander
the skorne were still too vulnerable. The enemy commander would have counted it a great victory. Xerxis did not.
had sent skirmishers against them, perhaps hoping to Numbers were already against him, and he knew more
decimate the command structure before they knew what Iosans would join the fight, including forces from Aeryth
was happening. If Xerxis or his subordinates were inclined Dawnguard. Any casualty was one too many.
to lead from the rear, the plan might have worked. Now
They rejoined the main army two days away from the Hill
that they were aware of the threat, however, the ambushers
of Scavengers, a giant slope that rose out of the surrounding
would be swiftly dealt with.
forest where the main Iosan force was encamped. As soon
With the skorne distracted, it would have seemed the perfect as he reached his tent, Xerxis banished his advisors. Every
opportunity for the enemy to renew the attack from the morning, junior officers updated or redrew the maps
forest. Surprisingly, there was no immediate response from sketched of the local region, adding features and adjusting
that quarter. The wisps of fog had thickened into a dense the placement of small bone chits used to designate friendly
soup that hid the enemy, but no attack seemed forthcoming. or enemy forces, the former stained blood-red. There were
In the enemy commander’s place, Xerxis would have far too few representing his skorne.
thrown everything he had into the fray. What was holding
He adjusted the chits around the base of the hill. Any way he
the Iosans back?
positioned them, they were still dwarfed by the Dawnguard
He called for Aptimus Sarangerel. When the extoller arrived, forces. He frowned deeply and rose. To a waiting slave he
his crystal oculus glinting in the firelight, Xerxis asked, “Can said, “Bring me Dakar Saikhan.” A few minutes later the
the Iosans not use their devices to see through fog?” stocky commander arrived and bowed deeply.
54
energy, or at least the will to ignore their fatigue. His plan Eventually they would determine they had no choice but to
hinged on hiding the disposition of his troops, and he was fire on their countrymen—after all, their entire nation was
well aware of the difficulty of doing that in terrain the Iosans at risk—but he did not intend to let them take any decisive
knew better than he. There was one bright spot: as Saikhan action that was not according to his plan.
had predicted, the area was shrouded by thick fog. Until
When his forces were a quarter of the way up the slope,
now, this had largely worked to the defenders’ advantage.
Xerxis lifted his war standard and thrust it twice overhead.
Xerxis guided Suruk above the fog level to get a clear look The Cataphracts saw the signal and tightened ranks around
at the enemy, and his retinue followed. the prisoners. One of the captured warriors tried to push
past the armored skorne. The blade of a polearm spilled his
“We’re like reptile hounds going up against an archidon,”
guts out onto the grass.
Loraak said when they finally saw the Iosans. He had
spoken louder than he intended and looked abashed when The rest of the Cataphracts, following Xerxis’ command,
he realized he’d been overheard. tore into the prisoners savagely. By design, most of their
blows were not immediately fatal. Iosans screamed as arms
Xerxis frowned but had to admit the comparison was apt.
were severed and stomachs opened. A few captives broke
They had to reach the foe to harm them. The Iosans looked
free and dashed toward the Iosan line, only to be run down
impressive in armor that practically glowed in the early
and killed. Xerxis had instructed the Cataphracts to butcher
light. Their cavalry, both riders and steeds, were as heavily
the captives in order to goad the enemy into attacking.
armored as Cataphracts. Their fighting machines looked
like giant suits of armor carved with glowing sigils. Despite the discipline of the Iosan army, several units started
to break formation, and their commanding officers had to
“Even the most fearsome foe is vulnerable to an attack
shout them back. The damage was done, however: the shifting
delivered at the proper place and time,” he told his nephew.
line was in disarray, their soldiers in emotional turmoil.
Saikhan emerged from the fog, jogged over to them,
It was not the knights who attacked first. Instead a lightly
and dropped to a knee. “The beast handlers are having
armored arcanist directed one of the myrmidons behind the
difficulty with the bronzeback. It is high-spirited and
front lines—a huge construct with a metal blade on each
they do not wish to dampen its reflexes with drugs. They
arm and a single horn, similar to Suruk’s—to step forward
respectfully request that you commence your attack soon
and fire. A shimmering field of light manifested around it,
to take advantage of its temper.”
then coalesced into a beam of powerful energy that hit one
Xerxis searched with his mind and found the fiery point of the Cataphracts and burned through his armor. Some
of rage that was the bronzeback. The paingivers had used Iosans interpreted this as the signal to attack, and many
spiked chains secured to sensitive points on its hide. The forward elements broke ranks and charged.
pain was meant to control the beast, but the bronzeback was
The two lines met in a clash of thunder and steel. The heavy
too stubborn. Xerxis applied just enough of his will to tamp
armor of the skorne protected them initially, but the Iosans
back its burning rage.
commanded their myrmidons skillfully. Xerxis watched as
“The timing of our attack will be at my choosing, not that of one machine closed with a group of Cataphracts, using an
a titan. Tell them to remember that, lest I have their tongues arcane field to slow their movement, and then ripped into
removed.” Xerxis turned Suruk back into the fog. It was them with arm-mounted glaives. Another rippled with blue
time to rejoin the army. flame, leaving fiery corpses in its wake.
Just inside the edge of the fog bank were several rows of Melee swirled around Xerxis. From atop Suruk he swung his
shackled figures. These captives were the key to Xerxis’ plan— deadly flail. Two huge aradus sentinels stood on either side
one that never would have worked against a skorne house. He of him, their scorpion-like tails claiming a victim with every
was about to find out if it would work against the Iosans. thrust. Any Iosan who managed to close was snatched up
by their mandibles. Xerxis empowered these beasts with a
At his signal, a runner dashed off into the fog. A moment
burst of speed and sent them against a fiery myrmidon that
later a horn sounded. Paingivers cracked their whips, and
had seared its way through the surrounding Praetorians.
the prisoners began to move. They were Iosans, captured
fighters as well as villagers from every town between here The sheer number of enemy soldiers was too much for his
and the border. force, and his lines began to give. The myrmidons were
exacting a gory toll. With a snarl he focused his power, and
As the prisoners emerged from the fog, a cry of dismay arose
a field of jagged rocks erupted from the earth in front of him
from the Iosan army. Standards dipped, and a horseman
to send one of the machines toppling to the ground, along
broke away from his unit to gallop along the front line and
with a pair of cavalry. Cataphracts moved in to finish them.
consult with his commander. Xerxis had read them correctly.
55
He looked around and spotted Loraak, who had just knocked had dared engage a heavy myrmidon nearby, and Pelyth
over an enemy halberdier with his shield and impaled him. gestured at them almost dismissively. Blue fire leapt into
“Give the order!” Xerxis bellowed. “Fall back!” being and spiraled around one arm. With a shout, he threw
the vortex at the Cataphracts, sending them spinning into
The younger skorne nodded, then lifted an ivory horn
the air like dried leaves.
to his lips and blew. The skorne began to disengage.
Praetorian phalanxes backed slowly down the hill, shields This was an opponent worthy of single combat.
locked. Lines of Venator reivers fired their needle guns to
Xerxis compelled Suruk into a charge, guiding the cerops
cover the rest of the army as they pulled back. Even the
squarely into a nearby myrmidon’s chest. There was a
Cataphracts gave ground. A cry of victory arose from the
squeal as the beast’s horn parted steel, and Suruk’s huge
Iosans and they surged forward down the hill, exacting
neck muscles bulged as he lifted the construct into the air.
a heavy price on the retreating army. Some among them
Blue flame washed over them as the myrmidon’s energy
alternated between firing short-ranged but heavy-hitting
field exploded, but Suruk’s armor and hide were thick, and
firearms and hacking left and right with the attached
the flame was no more than an irritant, enraging the beast
blades.
even more.
Xerxis was among the last to reach the fog bank. He
One of Xerxis’ aradus attempted to engage another
yanked hard on Suruk’s reins. The enormous cerops
myrmidon, but the white machine flickered and disappeared
snarled a protest as he drew up short and turned around.
as the insect’s pincer swept through empty air. A second
An avalanche of warriors pursued them. Just as Xerxis had
later the myrmidon reappeared a few feet closer and lashed
hoped, his ploy had enraged the Iosans, and the retreat
out with an energy-field-enhanced punch that cracked the
had them scenting blood. But their lines were spread out,
beast’s armor. It retaliated, tearing through the hardened
with mounted troops far ahead of the infantry, and their
steel of the myrmidon’s torso with its powerful mandibles,
myrmidons even farther back. Behind him skorne were
following with a rake of one of its claws.
reforming into tight, orderly units.
Xerxis stood in his stirrups and drove the point of his war
standard into the myrmidon’s back with all his might.
“Regardless of what happens The weapon pierced the construct and came out the
other side. With a touch of his will, flames erupted along
here, you are doomed.” the shaft and he heard a wail of metal distorting in the
intense heat. As the myrmidon toppled onto its back, the
banner was lifted high, unfurling to display the symbol
“Release the titans!” he ordered. A few heart-stopping
of House Kophar.
moments later the Paingivers had urged Tiberion, Xerxis’
personal warbeast and leader of the herd, into combat. More That got the attention of the enemy commander. The Iosan
titans rose to their full height behind it—most prominently warcaster turned his steed and stared up undaunted at eight
the bronzeback, which trumpeted a battle cry. feet of skorne atop thirteen feet of cerops. Xerxis readied
Lamentor. He felt renewed pain in his back and chest but
Xerxis focused his arcane power on Tiberion and several
suppressed it, showing no weakness to the foe.
of the largest titans, directing them to attack. The beasts
smashed into the ranks of the Dawnguard first, snatching The warcaster reached over his shoulder and drew a
up warriors in full armor and tearing them in half. Though disproportionately long two-handed sword, curved and
the Iosan elite troops rallied as best they could, they were glowing. The Iosan spoke, surprising Xerxis with his
no match for the warbeasts. These fighters were not Xerxis’ command of the skorne language: “I am Pelyth, and this is
primary objective for his warbeasts, however, and he sent the sword that felled the eldritch Damonsenes. Dying by this
the titans against the myrmidons that had so brutally torn blade is an honor a barbarian like you does not deserve.”
through his warriors earlier.
“It is an honor I do not seek,” answered Xerxis. “But if
Joined by Tiberion and two more aradus warbeasts, Xerxis it comes, I will accept it. You fought well today. Your
advanced. He sensed the enemy commander close by, in the descendants will remember your name and mark the place
middle of a knot of myrmidons. Saikhan’s captured Iosan where you fell.”
had said the general’s name was Pelyth and that he was
Pelyth advanced, holding the sword horizontally just above
from a noble house. To Xerxis, the man seemed a small,
his head. “The captives you killed deserved a better end.”
unassuming creature with a bald head, oversized ears,
and tattoos across half his face. Despite his appearance, “Perhaps,” said Xerxis. “But a worthy death must be earned.
this arcanist wielded tremendous force. A Cataphract unit I will grant you the opportunity for such a death.”
56
“The Dawnguard will hunt down every one of you,” spat He left the cleanup to his subordinates and retired to
Pelyth. “Regardless of what happens here, you are doomed.” his tent. Venators had scoured the battlefield for exotic
weaponry, and the most intact were brought to him.
Xerxis shrugged. “So be it.”
Several fine examples had been laid out before him. Both
The two fighters circled each other. The cerops reared onto the lances and the short-bladed rifles of the Iosan knights
its hind legs and came crashing to the ground, nostrils flared were intriguing, each designed to be as deadly at range
and horn lowered. The Iosan stallion’s eyes rolled, but Pelyth as in melee. It suggested a philosophy very different from
snarled and spurred it forward, forcing obedience. When hoksune—tactically flexible but with little concern for a
the cerops swung its head sideways to smash the creature, warrior’s honor.
the Iosan reacted with surprisingly agility, vaulting from his
His nephew’s shadow fell across the floor, and he looked
horse to grab the great horn and using it to swing onto the
up from the weapons and nodded, allowing him entrance.
cerops’ back.
“The extollers are busy, Uncle,” Loraak said. His midsection
Xerxis was barely able to catch Pelyth’s blade on the haft
was bandaged and the tip of one ear had been severed by
of his flail. The Iosan’s momentum carried him through
a glancing blow, but he was otherwise unscathed. “The
the strike and his shoulder hit Xerxis just below the
sacral stones of our guardians contain a wealth of worthy
breastplate, sending the two tumbling to the ground.
companions for the exalted. Of those who survived, even the
Pelyth sprang to his feet with his sword held in a low
lowliest Venator will tell of the time he fought on the Hill of
guard. Xerxis rose slowly, feeling the pain of his unhealed
Scavengers against an army four times the size of his own. A
wounds.
great victory, if not the one we were sent to achieve.” He said
Sensing an opening, Pelyth leapt toward Xerxis’ right side, the last as an afterthought, and immediately bowed his head
away from the flail, and brought his blade down in a sharp in contrition when he realized it sounded like a criticism.
overhand slash. Unable to avoid the blow, Xerxis absorbed
Xerxis picked up a curved Iosan sword and fingered its
it on his thick armored pauldron. He felt the sharp sting
edge thoughtfully. “You are correct. Supreme Archdomina
of the blade’s edge as it bit through, but the wound was
Makeda sent us to besiege Aeryth Dawnguard, and that
not deep. Needing room to swing the flail, Xerxis surged
fortress still stands.”
forward and slammed his shoulder into Pelyth, and the
Iosan was thrown backward. “On that, I bear good news,” Loraak said. “A runner
reached us with word Supreme Aptimus Zaal followed our
Xerxis whipped Lamentor around his head once to build
course and brings his forces, including ranks of immortals.
momentum and then lashed out. Pelyth immediately
Perhaps we can yet complete our mission.”
brought his sword up in a high guard, but the heavy chain
struck the blade and the flail’s weighted end wrapped Xerxis had no fondness for Zaal, but any soldiers and
around the sword to strike the Iosan in the chest with warbeasts he brought would be welcome. As for their
crushing force. With his opponent knocked off his feet, mission, other possibilities were forming in his mind.
Xerxis strode forward, his wounds forgotten in the pleasure
“A wise commander knows the heart of his ruler, not only
of an imminent kill. He whirled Lamentor around again and
her words,” he said at length. “We will not besiege Aeryth
brought it crashing down as the Iosan struggled to rise. The
Dawnguard.” Xerxis noted Loraak’s evident surprise and
blow shattered Pelyth’s helm and skull, splattering blood
continued, “Our mission was to neutralize Iosans from the
and brains in a wide arc.
north and prevent them from interfering with the supreme
Just like his army, the Iosan had seized an opening that archdomina. Tying up the garrison at this northern fortress
wasn’t there. seemed the way to do this. But now we have crushed the
greatest of their strength in the open field. I hazard what
remains is sufficient only to man their battlements and hold
us at bay. We will not indulge them. We will force the Iosans
Xerxis’ army had emerged victorious, though at a terrible to send more soldiers against us, while the Dawnguard cower
price. Nearly half his warriors were killed, many during behind their walls.”
the strategic retreat that had eventually won them the day. He swept the Iosan weapon through the air and then brought
On the other hand, he had lost few warbeasts, while nearly the flat of the sword down on the makeshift stone table. The
all the myrmidons they had faced were destroyed. There blade snapped at the pommel and fell to the ground. “We
were no prisoners. After seeing how Xerxis had made use will destroy every town, kill every citizen, and raze every
of his most recent captives, the Iosans had either fled or structure we find. Ios will be forced to assemble another army
fought to the death. to stop us. The ancestors willing, we will crush them as well.”
57
Xerxis, Fury of Halaak
Skorne Epic Cavalry Battle Engine Warlock
We need not look to the ancient exalted for paragons of hoksune. He who leads us embodies every
virtue set down by Vuxoris.
—Primus Kritax of the Cohort of House Kophar
58
59
Scarab Pack
Skorne Warbeast Pack
Let the scarabs feed on the bodies of the fallen. They have earned their banquet.
—Paingiver Beast Handler Kilexaan
60
Aradus Soldier
Skorne Heavy Warbeast
I’ve stomped a good many bugs in my day. I find it troublesome that there’s a bug
that can stomp back.
—Alten Ashley
Heightened Metabolism – Because the boxed model is removed Barbed Claw Barbed Claw
from play before being destroyed, it does not generate a soul or POW P+S
Reach R 4 15
corpse token.
Pull – If this weapon hits
Pull – “Any distance” means “as much as necessary,” not “any an enemy model with
distance the player chooses.” an equal or smaller base, 2
1
immediately after the attack
3
is resolved the hit model BODY
For centuries the skorne on the eastern fringes have utilized
can be pushed any distance IN 4
the ferocious aradus in warfare. Many slaves perish
M
D
directly toward this model.
gathering the precious eggs from the aradus tunnels, and
IT
IR
the painstaking process of conditioning the creatures begins SP
6
the moment they hatch. Once they are mature, the skorne go
5
to great lengths to train them for battle.
Fury 4
Threshold 9
Field Allowance U
Point Cost 9
Large base
61
Aradus Sentinel
Skorne Heavy Warbeast
Our sentinels will shower our enemies with a poison rain.
—Lord Arbiter Hexeris
D
damage rolls against living
models.
IT
IR
SP
6 Claw
5 Open Fist
62
PraetorianSkorne
Keltarii
Unit
We shall show our enemies how the true warrior’s blade becomes the tempest that scorns the bullet.
—Primus Taarex of the Praetorian Keltarii
Honor, discipline, glory—the Army of the Western Reaches LEADER & GRUNTS
LEADER & GRUNTS
is a proud testament to these values, the foundational tenets Combined Melee Attack
SPD STR MAT RAT DEF ARM CMD
of the hoksune code. Legions of Praetorian warriors stand Blade Shield – This model
6 6 6 4 13 14 9
ready to fight and die at the command of the tyrants and gains +2 DEF against
Double-Bladed Glaive
ranged attack rolls.
dominars under Supreme Archdomina Makeda’s rule. POW P+S
Parry – This model cannot 4 10
Praetorians of the keltarius tradition are no less dedicated be targeted by free strikes.
Field Allowance 3
than the swordsmen of the warrior caste, but their path Reform – After all models Leader & 5 Grunts 5
in combat is around and through the blades of oncoming in this unit have completed Leader & 9 Grunts 8
enemies rather than directly into them. The keltarii use their actions, each can Small base
advance up to 3˝.
their double-bladed glaives, or toboresh, to turn aside enemy
blades so that they may slip past their opponents unharmed. Double-Bladed Glaive
This deft, evasive maneuver allows keltarius warriors to Reach
bring sharpened steel to bear against the most dangerous
foes rather than simply those closest at hand.
Even more impressive than unerringly turning aside a foe’s
Keltarius training involves incessant drills that push blade is the ability of Praetorian keltarii to deflect lethal
aspiring warriors past physical limits to a subconscious projectiles with the flat of their blades. Keltarii have been
awareness of all battlefield movements around them. In known to shift the trajectory of arrows, javelins, and even
the field, a veteran keltarius knows not only who will be the occasional bullet, shunting them harmlessly aside rather
next to fall at the edge of his blade but also exactly where than allowing them to find deadly purchase in flesh.
and when every other toboresh in his datha will strike true.
Secure in this knowledge, each keltarius can be assured that
the enemy he just put at his back will not be there for long.
63
Tyrant Zaadesh
Skorne Character Solo
A true warrior consumes pain and thrives on suffering—both his own and that of his enemies.
—Vuxoris, the First Exalted
64
65
Legion of Everblight
Daughter of the Dragon
66
Though facing Venethrax would almost certainly result in He was aware of their scrutiny, though he did not know
her death, she was first and foremost a survivor. Her very where they were. He had seen Charsaug through the eyes of
essence was an affirmation of blighted life and fertility, his warlocks, and the feeling of pride that had welled inside
manifested in the creation of rapidly evolving spawn. him when Lylyth drove that dragon away was slowly being
Avoiding Venethrax would be failing Everblight, however, replaced with seeping dread. Blighterghast and the other
and that was inconceivable. She went to her fate gladly. dragons were aware of him in a way they had not been in
She had dedicated her life to serving Everblight, and if her centuries. Even now their agents were out in force, hunting
death could serve him as well, it was coin she was more for him. He knew even the blackclads whose armies now
than willing to pay. harassed his flanks must be in league with them. It was
only a matter of time before the other dragons discovered
his secret and grew to understand his divided existence. He
had hoped to have longer to build his forces before this day
came, but that was not to be. He had to be ready, now.
Everblight chafed at the constraints of his divided
consciousness even as he recognized its necessity. It was Added to the encroaching presence of the other dragons
what would protect him against his siblings, even now that was a new threat—or, rather, a reminder of the oldest
they were aware of his movements. None of them would threat, the first threat. The Dragonfather. Everblight knew
ever have delayed physically reforming himself. None what few other beings on Caen did, that the entire purpose
could ever have imagined dividing the athanc, sharing a of Cryx’s empire was to build a power base strong enough
single identity among many lesser creatures. His was the for Toruk to find and slay his offspring. He also knew
only cunning that could conceive of this path, which was the name of the chief architect of that mission, the lich
his only defense against the other dragons until he grew lord Toruk had put in charge of studying, tracking, and
powerful enough to defeat them. confronting the other dragons: Venethrax. One of the only
once-mortal creatures on Caen to have battled a dragon and
In his grasp now was the means to do just that: the lived. If Venethrax were to learn enough about Everblight,
disembodied athanc, found by Cryx through some the lich lord was one of the only beings that could pose a
unknown means and carried south by them in a hastily true threat to his existence. The danger was not just to his
constructed wagon designed to keep its nature contained. warlocks and his armies but to his very essence. Venethrax
Everblight hungered for it. Before Pyromalfic, he had never knew far more about most dragons than they knew about
consumed another of his own kind, but now he knew the themselves, and he had the full might of Toruk’s army at
power of it. He burned for it. Now he understood better his back.
than he ever had before the hunger that Toruk must feel
to become whole. Yet for Toruk each athanc was a small
piece of what he had once possessed, while for Everblight
consuming the essence of another dragon had magnified his Before Pyromalfic, he had
own power far beyond what it had ever been. How much never consumed another
stronger would he be after consuming a third, or a fourth? of his own kind, but now he
The athanc promised power enough to defeat any of his knew the power of it.
siblings—and eventually to destroy Toruk himself.
67
To Everblight, they were simply a part of him, a series of eyes and tall grass, the ground soggy underfoot. Above, the
through which he could view the world. Each set brought sky was a ceiling of low, dense clouds. Fog lay in heavy
a different perspective, but it was always him gazing out. streamers that cut off mundane sight and distorted sound.
They were no longer individuals at all but one entity made Each skirmish became a closed room, the heat of the
up of many parts. He had assembled his warlocks carefully. helljacks burning off the fog just enough to illuminate
Each had been chosen for the vantage that his or her eyes the immediate area. The muffled sounds of other battles
offered. Each had a role to serve, but they were all one vast echoed through the fog: the clash of metal, the screeching
army, united by his will. of dragonspawn, the cries of the living and the dead.
Every sound seemed eerie and far away, like voices heard
Now, however, the army was becoming ragged. Rhyas and
in a dream.
Saeryn had been at the vanguard, but they had been delayed
and depleted by the ambush of Circle forces. Lylyth and Absylonia let her eyes sink away behind ridges of forming
Bethayne still ranged ahead, nearest the athanc, but they bone and opened her sight to blighted vision. With that, she
were also beset by blackclads. Kallus brought up the rear, pierced through fog and clouds to see the winged shapes
while Thagrosh and Vayl remained in the north, awaiting that wheeled in the sky above her: an angelius locked in a
Everblight’s call. Venethrax planned to create a blockade, battle with two of the winged bonejacks called Scavengers.
a dam that would stop the river of soldiers and spawn As she watched, one of the constructs fell like a dead
entirely. Everblight refused to let that happen. crow to splash in the muck at her feet. Within moments,
the angelius drove its spiked tail into the side of the other,
piercing the joint where tattered wing met metal shoulder
and slicing the light ’jack in two. One piece plummeted to
Now it fell from the heavens the watery ground, while the other spun away through the
like a sword dropped from on air, streaking the fog with black smoke.
high, its spiked tail angled to
Absylonia called the angelius to her with a thought and
pierce Venethrax’s chest and turned her blighted sight toward the battlefield around
pinion him to the earth. her. Everywhere, blighted ogrun and spawn clashed with
the necromantic nightmares of Cryx, some of them much
nearer than the sound of their combat would imply. Only
He rankled at sending one of his warlocks against Proteus was directly at her side, the remaining raeks and
Venethrax. He knew he could not commit enough troops to nephilim farther afield. As she watched, Proteus lashed
stop the lich lord without compromising his true objective. out with his barbed tendrils and pulled a soulhunter
Absylonia would serve only as a diversion, there to stall off its feet, dragging it into reach of his maw and talons
Venethrax. If she could sufficiently distract him, the others before tearing it apart. She felt his frustration on tasting
could get past and eventually reach their prize. He was the undead flesh, but he continued to consume it; with so
more than willing to sacrifice a warlock to gain the athanc. few living creatures among Venethrax’s forces, there was
What gave him pause was to sacrifice her to Venethrax, of little to feed him.
all creatures.
As she cast about looking for prey, she noticed strange
One of the hazards of his current arrangement was that he plumes of blackened smoke that even her blighted vision
could feel his warlocks’ emotions and sense their thoughts. couldn’t penetrate. Two massive engines of black metal and
Through them, he had tasted what it was like to be mortal, necrotite fire came barreling at her from out of the smoke.
to suffer the fears and frailties of such a short life. Through One was a Desecrator, a spiderlike horror with a buzz saw
them, he had felt mortal hopes and mortal despairs, and arm that advanced through the swamp on four spiny legs.
he had tasted mortal fear. The feeling that settled in his The other was the sleek, tusked form of a Reaper. Between
mind when he thought of Venethrax carving the athanc them came Venethrax himself.
shard from Absylonia’s body was disturbingly close to that
Absylonia assumed he had once been a man, centuries ago,
sensation. It was not a feeling Everblight relished.
but he now bore none of the hallmarks. He was a hulking
creature of black armor and green flame, nearly as large as
the helljacks accompanying him. Soul cages clanked at his
waist, and plumes of black smoke poured from stacks on
Skeletal trees stood draped in shrouds of hanging moss, his back. Of his former humanity only his skull remained,
jutting accusatory fingers skyward from pools of brackish and from that, green balefire eyes glared with a monstrous
water. The Wythmoor was choked by expanses of weeds intensity that went far beyond human.
68
For hours, she had been leading Venethrax and his forces Proteus wrapped his thrashing tentacles around the
on a chase. She struck and withdrew, then curved around helljack’s chassis, while his talons ripped the cannon arm
his army to pick at their flanks. Using her superior from its side and hurled it into the swamp. The Desecrator
maneuverability, she slowly drew them away from the path dug its buzz saw arm into the warbeast’s side, and Absylonia
of Everblight’s other warlocks. She proceeded carefully, for saw black blood spatter into the water at their feet. She
Everblight’s voice in her mind told her Venethrax was a could not afford to focus her attention on this confrontation,
canny foe, one who wouldn’t easily be misled. Her strikes though; she had to trust her beast’s combat instincts and
had to look convincing, and each one cost her dearly. prowess to deal with this foe. The Reaper was wheeling
Dozens of spawn and countless blighted Nyss and ogrun around, aiming its harpoon cannon into the thrashing
lay dismembered and broken in the miles of moor behind melee between Proteus and the helljack. Absylonia called
them. Absylonia had lost most of her spawn in the various the angelius and her remaining neraph from the skies. The
skirmishes, leaving her with only a bare handful. neraph crashed into the Reaper, toppling it into the moor in
a mass of beating wings and scything tails as the angelius
She had avoided engaging Venethrax directly, knowing
struck at Venethrax.
that to do so would make another withdrawal almost
impossible. Then she had seen him carve her ravagore apart Absylonia had always admired the grace of the angelius, its
as methodically as a hunter cleaning a rabbit. She had lost form an expression of the draconic perfection of Everblight
spawn in other battles, of course, but never had she seen himself. Now it fell from the heavens like a sword dropped
anyone or anything capable of slaying them as effortlessly from on high, its spiked tail angled to pierce Venethrax’s
as Venethrax. It was as if his massive sword Wyrmbane chest and pinion him to the earth. As it fell, so fast it almost
knew exactly where to strike, for it seemed to leap of its couldn’t be seen, Venethrax was already turning, swinging
own accord to weak points, to joints and arteries. Each blow Wyrmbane just as fast and with a finesse that belied its
was crippling, and Venethrax hadn’t yet struck a creature size, and Absylonia knew even the grace of the angelius
that didn’t soon die. wouldn’t be enough for it to evade the strike.
Now, she knew, the time for avoidance had passed. Her Wyrmbane sliced through the angelius’ tail, sending the
force was too diminished for another running assault, and spike flying. It grazed harmlessly off Venethrax’s power
they were far enough away from the rest of the warlocks to field and landed in the mud like an arrow fired from afar.
guarantee their safe passage. Even if she fell here, it would The angelius shrieked, and Absylonia drew on its animus to
be difficult for Venethrax to catch them. create a blast of energy that hurled Venethrax backward, his
taloned feet carving trenches in the earth.
She called out to a nearby nephilim soldier. In spite of
its wounds, she used its animus to spur it toward the As the angelius beat its wings to rise back into the air, the
Desecrator, its two-handed sword held high. Before the Reaper pushed itself from beneath the body of the neraph.
spawn could close the distance, though, the ’jack turned The spawn’s attack had rendered the helljack mostly
and fired a greenish gout from the cannon on its arm that defunct—one arm was a mass of twisted metal, and its
struck the nephilim and exploded in a burst of flesh-eating engine was ruptured and leaking black smoke—but its
fire, searing and eating away at the blighted flesh like a harpoon was still intact. The barbed missile sank into the
ravenous disease. In seconds, flesh was stripped from bone angelius at the base of one of its wings and dragged the
and the nephilim’s corroded sword sank into the bog. spawn back down into the reach of Venethrax’s blade,
which was enough to sentence it to death.
Absylonia had seen this before. The hideous biles and
corrosive liquids the Cryxian army deployed were With one sweep of Wyrmbane, the lich lord sheared the
especially potent in proximity to Venethrax, who seemed wings from one side of the angelius. It fell thrashing in the
to corrode the very air by his presence. It was a sensation mud at his feet. Before Absylonia could react, he placed one
almost like the blight but totally alien to her. metal foot on its neck and chopped downward to sever its
head and send it tumbling. She tried to pull the blighted
Fortunately she hadn’t been counting on the nephilim as
energy from the expiring spawn but found she could not.
a fighter, just as a distraction to slow her enemies, keeping
That energy was no longer hers, having already been
their attention while she sent Proteus around the cloud of
siphoned away in long green streamers flowing from the
choking flame and into the side of the Desecrator. She had
slain beast to Venethrax, empowering him instead.
seen him dash the heaviest of warjacks to the ground, but
the spidery legs of the Desecrator gave it superior balance, As he looked up from his grisly work, his skull seemed to
and the attack simply drove it backward, digging its legs smile at her. “By all means,” he called, his metallic voice
into the muddy ground. ancient and echoing, “send more of your pets for me to kill.”
69
He pointed with Wyrmbane at Proteus, who was nearly different even than his joining with Thagrosh. He felt her
finished with the Desecrator, but Absylonia had no death throes, and the agony that poured from her spread
intention of sacrificing more spawn to Venethrax if she like a ripple through all the athanc shards. Each of his
could help it. She leapt into the air, her hands forming warlocks staggered for a moment as the shards in their
into wings to glide her toward her foe. As she dropped to chests burned with sympathetic pain.
the ground they changed again, bones disjointing with a
The pain itself, the physical sensation, meant nothing
series of sickening pops to transform her claws into brutal
to Everblight. He had been completely unmade by the
talons that raked at Venethrax. He stepped aside, and she
Iosans centuries before, and damage to his flesh was
carved furrows in his black armor. He brought Wyrmbane
inconsequential next to the humiliation of defeat by a tide
around, but she was already moving, her protean flesh
of mortals. The excruciation felt by living things as they
already changing, reshaping itself to bend her out of the
died was foreign to him, a distraction he had deliberately
path of his blade.
avoided replicating in his dragonspawn. It wasn’t sharing
Absylonia’s pain that kept him rooted in her consciousness.
It wasn’t even the loyalty that he felt from her. She faced
Gazing through her eyes into death with no fear for herself, only a crushing sense that she
the blazing sockets of the had failed him. What fixated his attention was Venethrax,
lich lord’s skull, Everblight towering over her. Gazing through her eyes into the blazing
sockets of the lich lord’s skull, Everblight could almost
could almost imagine
imagine Venethrax saw him.
Venethrax saw him.
If Absylonia fell now, here, like this, Venethrax would
claim her athanc shard. There was no possibility this foe
would simply leave her corpse, as the study of draconic
Her blighted vision showed other ’jacks approaching
minions was his obsession. He would take her back to
from the fog, while she had no more spawn in range save
Cryx and dismember her—if he even waited that long.
Proteus. Dodging another swing from Wyrmbane, one that
The athanc shard would be immediately apparent to him,
cut so close she could feel the breath of its passing along
unmistakable in its substance and import. If any creature
her skin, she reached within herself and released a cloud
on Caen had the knowledge to understand what Everblight
of blighted energy to temporarily disrupt Venethrax’s
had done, to puzzle out how he had spread himself among
connection to his ’jacks—and prepared to sell her life as
his warlocks to create a composite greater than the sum of
dearly as possible.
its parts, it was Venethrax.
70
Even as her sensation of her own body began to fail her, a vessel, constantly itching to change, always straining to
she felt the presence of Everblight. The heat of his nearness be nearer to the glory of Everblight. Now it had found its
was like the sun beating against her, and she felt like at place. The power that had poured through her had remade
any moment she would burst into flames. Beneath the her in his image, and now she was nearer to him than she
dragon’s rage, she felt something she had not sensed was to the Nyss she had once been. Now she was truly his
before—his fear. She saw what was coming through his daughter.
eyes. She saw the athanc shard pulled from her mutilated
Proteus also had not stopped at healing. Bones popped
chest, saw Venethrax hold it aloft, his eyes gleaming and
wetly out of their sockets, and he, too, extended new
herself trapped inside it. She saw Venethrax hold the shard
wings. Though these appeared to be more of a temporary
out to a draconic form so black and vast her sight couldn’t
augmentation, obviously made of less stern stuff than her
encompass it, and it swallowed her vision like an eclipse
own wings, they would be enough to carry him with her out
of the sun.
of harm’s way. Everblight’s energy poured outward from
Everblight’s rage poured into her, a rage that burned hotter Absylonia with such strength that Venethrax was forced to
than any fire on Caen. It mingled with her own anger, her shield himself. He poured all his arcane strength into his
horror at the idea that she might ever fail her master so power field as he backed away, and the delay was enough
completely. She could not be the instrument by which he to provide an opportunity for both Absylonia and Proteus
was delivered unto his greatest enemy. She was willing to take flight.
to die, but she couldn’t, not if it meant that even a tiny
Everblight no longer had to speak to her in order to
fragment of Everblight would find its way to Toruk.
communicate. She could feel his approval, his pleasure in
She couldn’t remember what it had been like to receive the what she had become. She knew she had done enough for
athanc shard, but now she felt something of what it must now. She had drawn Venethrax far enough away, and she
have been like. Her veins burned with anger and blighted should take her remaining forces and withdraw.
energy, with the knowledge of what would transpire if
When she took to the sky this time, strong wings carried her
she fell and the conviction that it could not be allowed.
aloft, Proteus at her side. They were followed by a volley of
The shard in her chest was like a fiery lance that pierced
shots from Venethrax’s ’jacks, but she quickly moved out
her, and she felt the heat from it radiate out, fill her, and
of range. She circled once to gain a good perspective on the
expand beyond her.
enemy forces arrayed below, allowing Everblight to better
Absylonia was accustomed to changing. Her flesh had appraise them. She knew Venethrax would continue to seek
never been content to settle into one form. But the change to thwart them in their advance south, but also that several
she felt now was different. Her wounds sealed, new blood of Everblight’s other warlocks had made it around him and
pulsed in her veins, and she felt the radiance of Everblight would continue on. She would join them soon, but first she
pour outward from her to Proteus, healing his wounds as needed to gain more familiarity with her new form and
well. Through new eyes she saw Venethrax stop, watching gather another army. Empowered anew by Everblight, she
as a fully restored Proteus suddenly stood tall and roared at felt certain her next clash with Lich Lord Venethrax would
the sky, tentacles flailing. be quite different.
71
Absylonia, Daughter of Everblight
Legion Epic Blighted Nyss Warlock
She acts without hesitation or forethought, with no concept of self. We should all envy her clarity and
purity of purpose.
—Thagrosh the Messiah
72
73
Blight Wasps
Legion Warbeast Pack
The air about them droned with the buzzing of countless wings.
—Travian Jules, monster hunter
74
Neraph
Legion Heavy Warbeast
Walls and battlements are futile against the spawned miracles of Everblight.
—Bethayne, Voice of Everblight
M
model ignores intervening D
IT
charge target.
IR
SP
Serpentine – This 6
model cannot make slam or 5
trample power attacks and
cannot be knocked down. Fury 4
Soulless – This model does Threshold 9
not generate a soul token Field Allowance U
when it is destroyed. Point Cost 7
Large base
Grasping Tail
Coil – When this
model directly hits a model with this weapon, its
melee attacks against that model automatically hit
for one turn.
75
Zuriel
Legion Nephilim Character Heavy Warbeast
With the gifts I have bestowed, Zuriel shall be my finest instrument—a weapon to clear the path to
my destiny.
—Saeryn, Omen of Everblight
D
completely past them.
This model ignores
IT
IR
SP
intervening models
6 when declaring its
5 charge target.
Special Issue [Rhyas or
Fury 4
Saeryn] – This model can
Threshold 10 be included in Rhyas’ or
Field Allowance C Saeryn’s theme forces.
Point Cost 10 It can also be bonded to
Large base Rhyas or Saeryn.
Dragon Breath
Continuous Effect: Fire
Damage Type: Fire
War Blade
Chain Attack: Char – If this model hits the same
model with both its initial attacks with this weapon,
after resolving the attacks it can immediately make
one ranged attack targeting that model.
76
StriderLegion
Blightblades
Blighted Nyss Unit
You’ve been cut by a most tainted blade. Trust me in this: far better that you let me take the arm
and hope to grow a new one.
—Kalena Bloodwhisper, trollkin shaman
77
Fyanna the Lash
Legion Blighted Nyss Character Solo
All blighted must adapt to their new flesh, and for some this is a trial. In the end we all serve
the same master.
—Captain Farilor
FYANNA
FYANNA Tactical Tips
Pathfinder
SPD STR MAT RAT DEF ARM CMD Beat Back – The attacking model can advance even if the enemy
7 7 7 4 15 12 9 Attack Type – Each time model is destroyed by the attack.
this model makes a normal
Barbed Lash Pitch – A model cannot throw a model whose base is larger than
melee attack, choose one of
POW P+S its own.
5 12 the following abilities:
• Beat Back – Immediately
Damage 5
after a normal attack with did, Fyanna struggled with both her remade form and the
Field Allowance C this weapon is resolved new society forged after Everblight’s blighting touch. She
Point Cost 3 during this model’s had once enjoyed rising renown among the Nyss, but she
Small base combat action, the enemy
now turned inward and avoided contact with others of her
model hit can be pushed
1˝ directly away from kind, growing increasingly feral. At last she was cast out of
the attacking model. After the enemy model is pushed, the the tightly knit fellowship of striders entirely and labeled
attacking model can advance up to 1˝. hyvyloash—outsider.
• Dismember – When this model hits a warbeast with a melee
attack, roll an additional damage die. Forced to live on the fringes of the corrupted Nyss society,
Fyanna allowed her most basic instincts—now augmented
• Pitch – Instead of making a normal damage roll on a hit,
this model can throw the model hit as if it had hit with and by the blight—to overtake her. She became little more than
passed the STR check of a throw power attack. The thrown a predator, hunting and killing whatever happened to fall
model suffers a damage roll with POW equal to this model’s into her path. For a long time she roamed far beyond the
STR plus the POW of this weapon. The POW of collateral
lands inhabited by the Legion. Yet despite the increasing
damage is equal to this model’s STR.
dominance of her savage side, Fyanna retained a tenuous
Evasive – This model cannot be targeted by free strikes. This
connection to the dragon through the blight.
model can advance up to 2˝ immediately after an enemy ranged
attack that missed it is resolved unless it was missed while
One day in her wanderings she stumbled upon her shard’s
advancing.
old settlement. There she found painful reminders of the
Prowl – This model gains Stealth while within terrain
proud hunter she had once been and came to recognize
that provides concealment, the AOE of a spell that provides
concealment, or the AOE of a cloud effect. the pathetic creature she had allowed herself to become.
Rapid Strike – This model can make one additional melee
Determined to reclaim her pride and prove her worth or die
attack each combat action. trying, Fyanna set out to hunt down and eliminate those few
unblighted Nyss who resisted the Legion’s power. As she
Barbed Lash stalked her prey throughout the traditional Nyss hunting
Reach
grounds and lands, Fyanna used her intimate knowledge of
Chain Strike – This weapon has a 4˝ melee range during this
the wilderness to lure her quarry into traps where she could
model’s activation.
eliminate them face-to-face.
Chain Weapon – This attack ignores the Buckler and Shield
weapon qualities and Shield Wall. As her collection of trophies from these encounters grew,
word of her deeds spread and blighted Nyss wishing to
Before the arrival of the dragon Everblight and the follow her example began to seek her out. Having achieved
assimilation of the Nyss into his blighted legion, Fyanna was acceptance among her fellow fighters together with a certain
a charismatic and renowned hunter. It was widely assumed harmony with her new form, Fyanna the Lash earned her
that upon the death of her shard’s leader Fyanna would place as a hunting pack leader within Everblight’s legion.
assume that responsibility. All that changed, however,
following the cataclysm that shattered the Nyss and placed
them in thrall to Everblight.
78
79
Minions
Forging a Dynasty
The Bloodstone Marches Helga and Grulla continued in silence, making their way
Helga the Conqueror stepped out from the smoky darkness through the orderly rows of farrow huts. They heard the
of her great hall into the afternoon sun. The Marches were sound of gunfire as they moved through the camp. Beyond
always hot in the day, even in the spring. In the wide space the main encampment, farrow brigands were practicing
before her, hundreds of farrow were drilling under the stern with their pig irons, firing into a berm of piled earth.
guidance of her primary chieftain, Grulla.
“Lord Carver is coming,” Helga said without preamble,
Grulla walked toward her, leaving behind a group of feeling a surge of dread at the powerful farrow’s name. “His
slaughterhousers attacking tall wooden poles with forces were spotted entering our territory this morning.”
their cleavers. “Warlord,” the older farrow said as she
Grulla’s hand instinctively fell to the haft of the axe at her
approached, dipping her head.
belt. “How many?” she said, fairly growling the words. “If
Helga nodded. “Grulla, tell me, how are our troops faring?” he wants a fight, we’ll give him one.”
Grulla crinkled her snout. “I’ve got the brigands shooting “That’s the thing,” Helga said. “He sent word he wants
straight but they still can’t switch between pig iron and to talk.”
club on the charge. Half the slaughterhousers think their
Grulla shook her head. “He thinks you will simply step
pole cleavers are close combat weapons. And our razorback
aside. You can’t possibly trust him. He has conquered or
crews couldn’t hit the broad side of a mountain.”
killed every warlord and chief who stood against him. Even
Helga smiled and clapped Grulla on the shoulder. “Sounds Midas now serves him.”
like progress to me,” she said.
It was true that Carver’s subjugation of Midas was
Grulla snorted. “If you say so. There is still much work troubling. She would have expected the proud and stubborn
to do.” bone grinder to fight to the death before submitting to that
indignity.
“And you’re the best one for it.” Helga’s tone became more
serious as she added, “I must speak with you.” Helga grunted. “I will hear him. It could be a ruse, of course.
If we must fight, we will. Carver will bleed if he seeks to
Grulla cocked her head. “Is something wrong?” She had
take my lands.”
been Helga’s battle master for years, the only of her chiefs
to swear allegiance to her without requiring a show of force. “Good,” Grulla said.
Helga trusted her.
Helga smiled, but a knot of apprehension tightened in
“Yes,” Helga said. She began walking toward the main her stomach. She knew the strength of her forces, which
group of huts, passing the slaughterhousers. Those nearest she would gladly pit against that of any other warlord in
stopped drilling and stared. Helga was used to this; most of the Marches. But Carver was something different. It was
her farrow regarded her with almost worshipful reverance. not simply his army that Helga feared—it was also his
She had earned their respect through many long and bloody command of the terrible monstrosities provided for him by
fights as she consolidated the tribes in the area. his pet human doctor and inventor. She had heard tales of
their unnatural ferocity and speed.
“Back to it, you wallowing bastards!” Grulla barked.
Alarmed squeals erupted from the idle farrow as they “Come,” Helga said. “We must prepare to meet our
immediately surged to attack their wooden targets. honored guest.”
80
“I seek a mate, and there are few females worthy to bear my
progeny,” Carver said. “I have chosen her above all others
for this honor.”
Lord Carver was perplexed. The feeling made him want to
“She may see it differently.”
take Hand of God from his back and kill something. Instead
he turned to the thickly muscled bone grinder warlock “Impossible,” Carver said. “But if she would rather fight
behind him. “This is her encampment?” They had moved than accept my offer, I will crush any champions she sends
forward from the main army and closer to the walls, along against me.”
with a small honor guard of warbeasts and brigands.
Midas did not look convinced. “As you say, but she may
“Yes,” Midas said. “The largest of several.” not trouble with formalities. She may just send her army. Or
shoot you from here.”
“This does not look like a farrow compound,” Carver said.
“It looks almost . . . human.”
Midas nodded. “Helga has strange ideas about how “if she would rather fight
warriors should be trained.” than accept my offer, I
“Trained? Farrow are not trained; we are born warriors, and will crush any champions
the stronger rise above the weaker. Still, she has managed to she sends against me.”
seize a large expanse.”
81
Helga had considered this, but even with the hundreds of Helga continued, “I am not averse to considering the idea,
farrow she commanded and an entire pack of razor boars, she though, given certain assurances.” She couldn’t deny that
felt uncertain about facing Carver in open combat. Moreover, mating with Carver would have its advantages. She had not
while his army looked only loosely ordered, their numbers sought a mate because of the inherent problems involved,
were substantial. Even were she to perform a lightning strike problems male chiefs and warlords could ignore. But if she
on his immediate escort, she did think she could kill him could somehow maintain her standing and also gain access to
before being encircled in turn. His resilience was the stuff of the powerful hybrid warbeasts created by Carver’s pet arcanist,
legends. “No,” she had told Grulla. “We’ll see what he wants.” a more lasting alliance could be extremely advantageous.
Outside the shelter of her encampment she felt vulnerable. “What assurances?” Carver said, plainly taken aback that
As they drew closer, she saw Carver’s war hogs more clearly she hadn’t immediately accepted the proposal.
and was both repulsed by their patchwork grotesquery and
“First, I would want access to the creatures your human,
intrigued by their obvious strength. The smaller gun boars
Arkadius, provides to you,” she said.
were also impressive, and she wondered how accurate their
cannons might be. “That could be arranged,” Carver conceded.
Carver himself was a towering figure clad in heavy armor “Second,” she continued, “tradition demands that a suitor
with spiked pauldrons and wielding a gargantuan two- prove himself in battle. I respect the old ways.”
handed blade, very much like a great cleaver, across his
“What are you doing?” Grulla hissed from behind her, but
back. His right hand rested on a double-barreled scattergun
Helga ignored the battle master. She knew exactly what she
holstered low on his hip. Next to Carver and slightly behind
was doing.
him was another large armored farrow with a saw-edged
axe and a pair of large knives tucked through his belt. A “The old ways?” Carver said, surprised. “After my countless
huge cauldron filled with bones, meat, and other totems conquests, you would have me prove myself in battle?”
was chained to his back. In his own way, Midas was as
“I would see your might firsthand,” Helga said. “You say
fearsome-looking as his master.
I am worthy to bear your young; I only wish to determine
“Lord Carver,” she called out. “I welcome you to my lands.” if you are worthy. I have refused all others. I must know
you are not just strong and skilled but are also one who can
As Carver moved toward her, she glanced at Grulla,
command well and seize spoils. Only a real battle can show
nodded, and sent a mental command to her razor boars to
this, not a simple one-on-one duel.”
stay where they were. Then she and Grulla walked out to
meet the great warlord. “Very well,” Carver said, considering. “I know where there
are human villages not far from here, belonging to a tribe
“Helga the Conqueror,” Carver said. “I have heard much of
that has defended their lands from others in the past.”
your exploits.”
Helga’s eyes narrowed; she knew the settlements he meant.
“I am flattered,” she said. He nodded imperiously. “But
They belonged to a tribe that served the blackclads. She
what brings you to my lands?”
had considered adding those lands to hers in the past but
“I have come to bestow upon you a great honor.” had held back to avoid drawing the ire of the druids. If
the blame for the attack were to fall on Carver instead, this
Helga exchanged a wary look with Grulla and said, “Please,
could be her opportunity to gain the territory without direct
tell me, what is this boon?”
reprisal. “Perhaps,” she allowed.
“I require a strong female to bear my young, and there
Carver nodded decisively. “I will take but a fraction of my
is none stronger than you. You will help me forge my
army, to prove my strength. You will accompany me and
dynasty,” Carver said, spreading his arms wide in a gesture
I will show you why I am the only suitor worthy of you.”
of generosity.
She stared at him, mouth open, as her mind raced. She found
herself at a loss for words. “Again, you flatter me. This is
indeed a . . . surprising offer,” she said finally. “However, In truth Helga had no doubt Carver was a mighty warrior—
a pregnancy and the resulting time needed to raise young perhaps the greatest farrow warrior who had ever lived—
would put me in a vulnerable position. It would weaken my but she required some time to gauge the merits of what was
standing among my chiefs.” proposed. Nonetheless, she could not deny that she found
the prospect of seeing Carver’s war hogs in action quite
Carver nodded. “Underlings are a duplicitous lot.” He
compelling.
glanced back at Midas, who glowered in return.
82
The two chiefs marched with their warriors toward the groups to flank the ring of slaughterhousers, then began
closest of the human settlements, some ten miles from firing their pig irons at the shadowy figures hiding in the
her main encampment. Helga was outfitted for battle and rocky terrain.
carried the long hunting spear that had belonged to her
A savage cry rose over the din of gunfire as a group of human
father, a powerful chief in his own right. She also carried a
warriors clad in animal skins and sand-colored clothing
shield fitted with a short cannon modified from one used by
and armor charged Carver and his brigands. They wielded
razorback crews.
heavy cleft-bladed spears, and their armor bore stylized
Carver had brought only Midas, a small number of patterns and whorls. Helga counted twenty individuals.
warbeasts, and his immediate escort. Helga’s own
Carver surged forward with his war hogs in the middle of his
force consisted of thirty slaughterhousers and twenty
farrow mob. He cut down two humans with his mammoth
brigands, all marching in orderly ranks behind her and
blade within seconds of first contact and blasted two more
Grulla. Three razor boars moved ahead of her, controlled
with his scattergun. His war hogs trampled, crushed, and
by her mental command. Her largest warbeast, the
flung aside any humans foolish enough to close, while his
hulking bipedal great boar Snar, walked beside her. Her
gun boars fired on those at the fringes.
reason for bringing this large a force was simple. Carver
had a reputation for being temperamental, and if for A crossbow bolt thudded into Helga’s shield, pulling her
some reason he turned on her, she needed numbers to attention away from Carver. She glanced around and saw
counter his aggression—not that she liked her odds in more human warriors emerging from cover, their crossbows
that scenario. bearing heavy blades on the stocks. Helga looked ahead
and saw Carver’s small force had nearly overwhelmed
“Look at them,” Grulla said to Helga, pointing at the
the humans they were fighting. The arrogant warlord was
brigands milling around Carver and Midas. “How has he
showing her his skill in battle—well, she would show him
conquered so many with fighters like that?”
why she was master of these lands.
Carver didn’t seem to mind that his troops were more a
“Move aside!” Helga shouted. The slaughterhousers parted
mob than a trained fighting force. Helga replied, “Simple.
swiftly, allowing her and the great boar Snar to push
He has numbers, considerable personal strength, and the
through, followed closely by her razor boars. The humans
monstrosities made for him by his human.”
were closing in on both sides.
“You give him too much credit. He’s a thug. A strong one,
“Grulla!” Helga called out. “I have the left flank!” The battle
surely, but still a thug.”
master gave a stiff nod and began shouting orders to the
“We cannot underestimate Carver,” Helga said. “He has farrow around her.
shown enough cunning and strength to conquer every
Helga reached out to her beasts. She felt their animal fury
warlord in his path. And his warriors bear the scars of many
coursing along her connection with them, and it filled
battles. Individually, they know how to fight.”
her with a heady battle lust. The humans were coming
Grulla grunted and shook her head. “Maybe, but I—” on fast, and Helga urged her razor boars to charge. The
two-hundred-pound beasts slammed into their foes, tusks
Her point was cut short by the twang of crossbows
ripping gaping wounds and splattering blood in wide
discharging their bolts and the resulting howls of pain from
crimson arcs.
the farrow struck by the missiles. They had entered an area
strewn with large boulders and outcroppings of stone—a She sent Snar next and ran close behind him, spear readied
perfect place to spring an ambush. The bolts had struck at her right shoulder. The great boar barreled into a group
Carver’s band, some fifty yards ahead of Helga’s force. of four humans, its armored fists rising and falling to smash
the weak, pale creatures into gory paste.
“Slaughterhousers! Ring!” Helga shouted. Her warriors
moved swiftly to form a circle around her and her beasts, Helga ran out from behind Snar toward another group of
a dense thicket of projecting blades. Helga summoned her humans firing their crossbows at her razor boars. They
will, and bright yellow runes flared around her outstretched were backing up as they fired, clearly looking to retreat. She
hand. The spell washed over the slaughterhousers, charged, summoning her magic to quicken her gait, and
shrouding them in arcane wards. More crossbow bolts was on them before they realized the danger. She lunged
came whizzing from the cover of nearby boulders but were with her spear to catch the first human in the throat, nearly
turned aside. taking his head off.
“Brigands! Two lines! Covering fire!” Grulla’s commands The remaining three moved apart in an attempt to flank her.
rang out loud and clear. The brigands split into two She took a step back, then lunged to her left and slammed
83
her shield into the nearest one. The female staggered Carver had not yet sent his war hogs against the wall, but he
backward, and Helga’s spear followed, skewering her. would soon tire of the siege, use his beasts to batter down
Helga yanked her weapon free, whirled around, and the walls, and then slaughter every human inside. It was an
flipped the weapon up into an overhand grip, better for outcome that seemed inevitable.
close combat. She lashed out at her next opponent with a
“You see, Helga?” Carver said. “These pitiful humans
heavy hoof, smashing his knee. He went down, and she
cannot stand before my strength.”
buried her spear in his guts.
Helga shrugged and said, “Your skill is beyond question,
The final human warrior turned and ran. She let him get
but I am keen to see how you will handle the final stage
a dozen steps away, took aim with her shield cannon,
without losing half your warriors. Will you be rash, or can
and depressed the firing stud. The cannon unleashed a
you be patient?”
deafening roar, kicking hard, but the shot was true. Her
target was blown forward, arms and legs flailing limply, a Carver scowled and said, “I shall—”
fist-sized hole in his torso.
A flash of bright light and a sound like distant thunder
Helga scanned the battlefield. Their enemies either lay dead stopped him midsentence and caused all three farrow
or were swiftly retreating, and Snar and her razor boars were warlocks to whirl around. Before them stood a human
greedily devouring the corpses. Carver was leaning on his wearing a hooded black cloak and carrying an axe-like
sword thirty feet away. Clearly he had been watching her. weapon that appeared to be made entirely of wood. A
She walked up to him, her spear balanced on her shoulder. blackclad.
“Well fought, Lord Carver,” she said. Helga’s razor boars and Carver’s war hogs instinctively
surged toward the newcomer. The two warlocks pulled
“And you,” he replied. “You prove yourself more worthy of
them back, though Helga noticed Carver let his beasts get
my attentions with every passing minute.”
a bit closer to the newcomer than she allowed hers. She
“You took some casualties, I see.” She pointed at the many was well aware blackclads had powerful magic. This one
farrow lying dead on the sand behind the warlord. Her own seemed unfazed by the huge beasts and the hundred armed
forces were entirely intact. farrow in front of him.
Carver snorted in irritation. “They were weak,” he said “Warlords Carver and Helga,” the human called out. There
simply. was no fear in his voice. “I would speak with you.” He
spoke in Cygnaran, which they understood easily enough,
“Or poorly trained.”
but he enunciated his words with an exaggerated care and
Carver cocked his head and stared at her. His face was slowness that made Helga bristle.
unreadable, but his eyes narrowed. “Perhaps,” he said after
“What do you want, human?” Lord Carver said. “Have you
a long pause, “they could benefit from your methods.”
come to challenge me?”
Helga met his eye, and after a moment she gave him a small
Helga doubted that. The blackclad had come alone, so he
nod. “Let us continue on. I would see the mighty Lord
likely wasn’t looking for a fight.
Carver wipe this human settlement from my lands.”
“I am Wayfarer Ilius,” the human said. “You must end your
Carver offered her a tusk-filled smile. “That will soon come
attack on this settlement. It is protected.” Helga frowned.
to pass.”
She had known the tribe here to be connected to the druids
but had not expected them to intervene directly.
“Why should I not crush you along with the rest of these
feeble humans?” Carver said, leaning casually on the haft
The settlement was surrounded. Its walls were stout, but of Hand of God.
its defenders were beginning to waver. There were already
a dozen human bodies at the base of the wall, felled by The black hood hid most of the human’s face, but Helga saw
pig irons from Helga’s bandits or spells hurled by Midas his mouth twist downward. “If you continue this attack, the
or Lord Carver. Sentries manning the palisade had fired retaliation will be more terrible than you can imagine.” He
crossbows down at the farrow with deadly accuracy. held up his staff and pointed at something behind Carver.
Neither side possessed the ranged advantage, and the On a high bluff above the village stood a tree she was sure
farrow had backed off for the moment, knowing they had hadn’t been there before. Several objects hung from its
their enemy trapped. gnarled, leafless branches by short lengths of rope—skulls,
farrow skulls among them. Helga felt cold dread settle into
84
the pit of her stomach. She knew the legend of the Tree of Midas muttered, “Troll livers and hearts make powerful
Fate, a being that fed on blood. Calamity followed where it fetishes, too.” Seeing Carver’s unimpressed look, he added
appeared. in a stronger tone, “Trollkin produce fine weapons, and
Ironhide’s are likely to have powder stores as well. Your
“That is Wurmwood, Lord Carver,” Midas said, breaking
chieftains have been running lean for too long. They grow
the silence that had settled over the farrow. “This is no idle
restless for fresh spoils.”
threat.”
Helga was surprised and gratified to hear him support the
Carver fumed. “We have bled in this battle, and my farrow
notion. “If they are depleted, we must strike soon. Trollkin
have been promised spoils! Your tree does not frighten me.”
resilience is well known; their wounded will recuperate if
The tree did frighten Helga; whatever its connection to the we wait.” Midas nodded his agreement, but bloodlust still
village, it was not an entity to provoke blindly. But she shaded Carver’s expression.
could smell the possibility of advantage beneath the druid’s
Helga met his glowering gaze. “There is another reason,”
words, and she said, “I wonder why the human came to
she said. “We should do it because together we can. Ironhide
treat with us rather than simply unleashing the power of
is said to have a mighty army. Each of our forces on its own
Wurmwood upon us? Perhaps there is an agreement that
might not be enough.” Carver huffed menacingly, but she
can be made to our benefit.”
pressed on. “Our forces blended, the pair of us marching at
Carver only grunted, but Midas nodded, his eyes gleaming. the fore—surely we can accomplish great things. Let this be
He turned to the blackclad. “Do you have something to our true test, Lord Carver. Let us lead our great armies in
offer us in exchange for giving up our spoils, druid?” battle, side by side, for the glory of a future dynasty.”
After a moment the human said, “You would find little of Carver scratched at the tuft of fur on his chin. He was
value here, but there is another place where great gains spattered with blood and stank of sweat and death. Helga
could be had, for those willing to take risks.” knew she was standing on the precipice of disaster; the
unpredictable warlord might do anything at this moment.
Helga snorted. “You would turn us against your enemies?
He did the one thing she didn’t expect: he smiled.
That is fair. But speak plainly and do not insult us.”
“Very well, human,” Carver said to the blackclad. “We
The blackclad inclined his head. “Very well. Go north. There
will leave your village standing. But if you are lying about
you will find a trollkin settlement, newly established and
these trollkin and their wealth, I promise our retribution
filled with warriors wounded and tired from a great battle.
will be more terrible than anything you or any human can
There is much to be gained from their destruction.”
imagine.”
It was a tempting proposition. Taking a large trollkin
The blackclad nodded. “I do not promise it will be easy. You
settlement would provide food, supplies, and—most
should hurry,” he said, and then he disappeared in a burst
importantly—valuable weapons and armor. It would also
of green light.
allow Helga more time to turn Carver’s proposal to her full
advantage. Carver turned to Midas. “Return and gather the rest of my
army. Send word to Arkadius as well, and have him bring
His blood already enflamed by combat, Carver had yet to
Sturm and Drang.”
see the full benefit. “End the attack?” he said. “Hogwash!
Why should we?” Midas’ ear twitched as he looked at his Midas nodded. As he turned to go, he also nodded at
leader with barely concealed disdain. Helga—though whether that signified the beginning of an
alliance or simply grudging respect, she could not say.
“These humans have proven to be an unworthy foe, Lord
Carver,” Helga said. Even were she present with her entire “Now, Helga, you will see why the world will one day lie at
army, she would be reluctant to provoke Wurmwood. But my feet,” Carver said with a savage grin. “You will see why
Carver had his pride and would not back down unless he my dynasty will rule for a thousand years, and why I am
could do so without appearing weak. called the Bringer of Most Massive Destruction!”
85
Helga the Conqueror
Minion Farrow Warlock
She intrigues me. She stands apart from the other warlords, as cunning and adaptable as they are
pig-headed and intractable.
—Dr. Arkadius
86
Helga has lately drawn the attention of Lord Carver, a joining the Thornfall Alliance, but she would do so on her
development she knew to be inevitable given the extent own terms. She may be eager to gain access to the weapons
of his conquests. Surprisingly, he came to her not to force Carver’s army has created, but she is determined to achieve
her into submission but because he sees her as something this goal without relinquishing her autonomy. In return,
unique: the key to a dynasty, the only farrow worthy to she would bring to the alliance both a fierce and disciplined
bear his young. While as yet unwilling to make any such army and her own tremendous talents as a warlock and
commitment, Helga has not rebuffed Carver’s advances. battle commander.
She knows that as a warlock she has much to gain from
87
Jaga-Jaga, the Death Charmer
Minion Gatorman Warlock
The will of Kossk comes to me in the bloom of blood in the river, in the unwinding of spilled entrails,
in the taste of flesh killed by my hand.
–Jaga-Jaga
JAGA-JAGA
Amphibious – This model ignores the effects of deep and Tactical Tips
shallow water and can move through them without penalty.
Amphibious – This model can attack other models that are in deep
While completely in deep water, it cannot be targeted by ranged
water.
or magic attacks and can make attacks only against other
models in deep water. While completely in deep water, this Deadweight – Remember, a model that forfeits its action cannot run.
model does not block LOS. Escort – Modifiers to movement apply only to a model’s normal
Gatorman Warlock – This model can have only Minion movement.
Gatorman warbeasts in its battlegroup. Legion of Death – Legion of Death models can make free strikes. If
Death Snake you lose control of a model you controlled with Legion of Death, it
is still removed from play when Legion of Death expires.
Reach
Chain Weapon – This attack ignores the Buckler and Shield
weapon qualities and Shield Wall. Jaga-Jaga is linked to the dark forces of the swamp through
Poison – Gain an additional die on this weapon’s damage rolls
her forebears. Her bloodline has a long history of brokering
against living models. power with such spirits, and she has maintained many
of these pacts. It is by dark and bloody rituals that Jaga-
Twisting her way up from the deep waters of the Marchfells, Jaga’s line has long called upon Kossk as a wellspring of
Jaga-Jaga has risen to prominence as a high priestess of the power, supplicating the great spirit by walking the path
Blindwater Congregation. In her talons writhe the spirits of predation and becoming friends with death. The boons
of death and of the swamps, eager to bend to her designs. granted by Kossk must be repaid with sacrifice, however,
She is an enigmatic creature, whispering into the darkness or the spirit takes what it desires from the flesh of the seer.
to converse with ravening things of shadow. Around her It was through Kossk that Jaga-Jaga had visions of Bloody
the unseen spirits bubble close to the surface, drawn to her Barnabas as a living shadow of her master, walking the
as leeches are drawn to disturbances in the water. Other bloody path as an avatar of the spirit and its hunger for
gatormen commune with such spirits, but they perceive only slaughter. Though Jaga-Jaga knew Barnabas’ actions would
a glimmer of what she knows. Her eyes pierce the tenebrous doubtless lead to the death of countless gatormen, she also
barrier between Caen and that which lies beyond. She sees believed that this would leave a stronger people, tempered
a larger, immaterial world, and from it she charms forth by conflict and imbued with spiritual power. Carefully
intangible beings to serve her whims and offer her council. weighing the options set before her, she chose to entwine
her fate with Barnabas’.
88
Jaga-Jaga soon made her way to the territory of the Blindwater Congregation
to meet the venerable warlock. She spoke to him of unknowable truths, of his
imminent and glorious fate, of tides of slaughter and powers unimaginable. To
the amazement of those such as Calaban who predicted Barnabas would destroy
her, he instead brought the perceptive Jaga-Jaga into his fold.
Each step Barnabas takes toward his goal of ascension, Jaga-Jaga walks with him,
whispering in his ear the words of the spirits. She is now one of his favored
mystics, one of many tools he uses to sharpen his understanding of the world
beyond. In Barnabas she sees singular supernatural potential that she can shape
to her will. From her position within the Blindwater Congregation, she works
steadily toward darker, greater goals.
89
Efaarit Scouts
Minion Light Cavalry Solo
Only the deadly and the useful make it in the harsh world. We are both.
—Efaarit scout aphorism
90
Maximus
Minion Farrow Character Solo
Maximus is the arrow that, once loosed, points the way to slaughter.
—Lord Carver
cut down. Only Maximus survived to flee into the swamp. Spell Ward – This model cannot be targeted by spells.
Unyielding – While engaging an enemy model, this model
gains +2 ARM.
Fellblade
Magical Weapon
Reach
Weapon Master
91
Meat Thresher
Minion Farrow Battle Engine
It is the crowning achievement of our race—it kills and cooks at the same time.
—Midas
As the farrow continue to aggressively expand their Upon seeing the meat thresher in action for the first time,
holdings under the command of Lord Carver, their Lord Carver ordered a second tier constructed atop the
victories over more conventional military forces give them machine’s frame to hold a spinning hailer. This weapon’s
access to more salvage than ever before. While much of impressive rate of fire combines with the machine’s armored
this plunder has gone to fuel the twisted experiments of bulk to make the thresher the perfect assault vehicle. What
Dr. Arkadius, he is not the sole architect of the Thornfall’s it does not mow down with heavy-caliber rounds, it minces
martial might. Some conservative tribal chiefs remain wary and flattens beneath its bladed drum.
of the costs of Arkadius’ “progress,” but many among the
While these weapons are still few in number, their slap-
new generation of farrow have embraced his philosophy.
dash construction means that despite the farrow’s minimal
This enthusiasm has led to a renaissance in technology
industrial manufacturing capability, the number of these
as enterprising young farrow combine principles of
nightmarish contraptions will only continue to increase.
engineering with their own sensibilities.
92
93
Sacral Vault
Minion Gatorman Battle Engine
When Kossk feasts on our sacrifice, the god’s strength becomes ours.
—Bokor Kallok
Minion – This model will Each sacral vault is a monument to the worship of Kossk
SACRAL VAULT work for Circle, Legion,
and a fearsome example of the power that can be harnessed
SPD STR MAT RAT DEF ARM CMD and the Blindwater
4 10 — 5 9 20 10 Congregation pact. through deathly energies. When awoken by a bokor, a
Spectral Fury supernatural windstorm whips about the vault, carrying
RNG ROF AOE POW
SACRAL VAULT the forms of disembodied spirits. This ethereal wind swirls
12 1 — 13 Construct
violently as the spirits attempt to break the bonds of the
Eyeless Sight
Damage 20 cage that holds them. Their spiritual frenzy allows these
Field Allowance 2 Gunfighter ghostly bodies to rip at the physical world, making the
Point Cost 9 Arcane Vortex – This model surrounding area particularly dangerous to those who have
Huge base can immediately negate not appeased Kossk. At the direction of the bokor, these
any spell that targets it or
spirits can be sent forth to unleash their eternal frustration
a model within 3˝ of it by
spending 1 soul token before the RNG of the spell is measured. upon enemies far from the vault itself.
The negated spell does not take effect, but its COST remains spent.
For victims, a gruesome death at the hands of the vault’s
Crypt of Souls – At the start of each of your Control Phases, this
occupants—their flesh rent to bloody rags by howling
model gains d3 soul tokens if it does not have any. This model
gains one soul token for each living model destroyed in its spirits, but their soul passing on to Urcaen—is in truth
command range. This model can have up to five soul tokens at a the best outcome to be hoped for, granted to only a few.
time. During its activation, this model can spend soul tokens to For most, a far worse fate awaits them as the vault itself
boost attack or damage rolls at one token per boost.
ensnares their souls. Their bodies are used against their
Soul Sacrifice – If this model is in a friendly Faction warlock’s comrades at the behest of the vault’s master before their
control area, the warlock can remove 1 soul token from this
model to gain a fury point. Each warlock can do this only once
souls are ultimately ripped from them and locked into the
per turn and only during its activation. inescapable prison of the unholy tomb, there to await the
Soulstorm – While this model has one or more soul tokens, call of their new master. Such is the hunger of the sacral
enemy models entering or ending their activations within 2˝ of vault that it does not distinguish between friend and foe;
it immediately suffer 1 damage point. all living souls are inexorably drawn to its cold embrace.
Spectral Fury For the gatormen, however, such a fate is viewed with
Magical Weapon reverence.
Deathly Domination – When this weapon boxes a living or The most powerful sacral vaults are built of stone ruins
Undead non-warcaster, non-warlock enemy warrior model,
unearthed from the swamps and long steeped in death and
you can immediately spend one soul token to take control of the
model and make a full advance with the enemy model followed decay. The Blindwater region contains many aged fragments
by a normal melee attack, then the boxed model is removed of Orgoth construction or older ruins from the days of the
from play. The boxed model cannot be targeted by free strikes Molgur. These slabs are already inscribed in the profane
during this movement.
texts of these civilizations and serve as perfect conduits
Rapid Fire [d3] – When you decide to make initial attacks with for the power of death as they are set one atop the other
this weapon at the beginning of this model’s combat action, roll a
to create a towering edifice. The bokurs consecrate these
d3. The total rolled is the number of initial attacks this model can
make with this weapon during the combat action, ignoring ROF. structures in blood and pile them with bones and candles
made from the tallow of their victims, creating a haven for
Though they lie divided across the many swamps and the spirits of the restless dead.
bogs of western Immoren, the gatorman tribes have The rise of the Blindwater Congregation under Bloody
always shared the worship of Kossk and the belief in Barnabas has greatly increased the demand for and the use
absorbing an enemy’s power through ritual consumption of sacral vaults. Unification has brought together both more
of their flesh. While most gatormen conduct these building material and more mystic talent than ever before.
ritualistic feasts in small ceremonies, a few of the larger The sacral vaults now being constructed were designed with
and more powerful tribes have constructed massive mobility in mind so that their formidable strength might be
edifices dedicated to ritual sacrifice. These sacral vaults used against Barnabas’ enemies. Not only does this allow
are specifically constructed to harness and store the the gatormen to employ these holy structures in battle, but
energies of blood and death, literally housing the souls Barnabas also believes that the ability to gather multiple
of those killed in its vicinity to power the dark rituals of sacral vaults together at the height of his greatest battle will
the attending bokor. be critical to his successful transcendence to godhood.
94
95
Model Gallery
96
Tyrant Zaadesh Jaga-Jaga, the Death Charmer
Skorne Character Solo Minion Gatorman Warlock
Horgle IronStrike
Trollblood Trollkin Character Solo
97
Dozer & Smigg
Trollblood Dire Troll Character Heavy Warbeast
98
Argus Moonhound
Circle Light Warbeast
Neraph
Legion Heavy Warbeast
Rotterhorn Griffon
Circle Light Warbeast
99
Strider Blightblades
Legion Blighted Nyss Unit
100
Praetorian Keltarii
Skorne Unit
101
Painting GUide
HORDES: Exigence is packed with monstrous new models areas on your models: adding character to meaty trollkin
ready to be brought to life by your brush. We start with a fists, creating a convincing glow on heated metal, painting
full step-by-step guide for Absylonia, Daughter of Everblight realistic metallic weapons, and bringing out the delicate
that includes methods you can use for other Legion models details of feathers. These techniques help models stand out
as well. You’ll also find tips for approaching some specific on any tabletop, so grab your brushes and paints and get
ready to take your models to the next level!
Flesh
Step 1) Basecoat the flesh areas using Frostbite mixed with
small amounts of Exile Blue and Skorne Red.
Wings
Step 5) Highlight the wing membranes with Carnal Pink.
Blend Carnal Pink into the flexible joints of the model as well.
102
Step 7) Add small amounts of Battlefield Brown and Exile
Blue to the mixture from step 6, thin it with water, and
blend it over the scale pattern as a translucent glaze. This
will help integrate the pattern into the existing highlights
and shadows.
Step 11) Highlight the spikes and chitin with Beast Hide.
Aim for a feathered texture to give these areas some
extra detail.
103
PAINTING Guide
Cloth Step 20) Apply a coat of matte sealant. Once this is completely
dry, highlight the armor with Quick Silver.
Step 14) Basecoat the cloth areas using Coal Black mixed
with a small dot of Thamar Black. You need to basecoat only
the surfaces that face the light; the other surfaces should be
Face
left primer black. Step 21) Coat the eyes and teeth in Thamar Black to separate
them from the rest of the model. Using an extremely fine
Step 15) Add Frostbite to the basecoat mixture and apply detail brush, apply some final touches in Thamar Black and
highlights to the cloth. Morrow White to define the enraged expression, making it
easier to read at a distance.
Step 16) Add a small amount of Menoth White Highlight to
the mixture from step 15 and use this to apply final highlights Step 22) Paint each tooth with Menoth White Base, being
to the cloth areas. careful to leave a border of black between them. Use the same
color to start painting the eyes.
Armor
Step 23) Highlight the teeth and eyes with dots of Menoth
Step 17) Basecoat the armor plates with Radiant Platinum,
White Highlight. Then use glazes to add tones to the details
taking care that this layer appears solid and uniform.
of the face. Glaze the teeth and eyes with Ember Orange, then
Step 18) Shade the metal areas with a mix of Coal Black, glaze the lips and eyes with Sanguine Highlight. Reapply
Beaten Purple, and Pig Iron. any lines obscured by the glazes.
Step 19) Use a mixture of Thamar Black, Blue Ink, and Step 24) Carefully add final tones to the eyes and teeth with a
Red Ink to apply lining and definition to the metal. thin glaze of Yellow Ink and a thin glaze of Red Ink. Now you
Then return with Radiant Platinum to clean up the lines only need to base the model, and Absylonia will be ready to
and rivets. fly into battle!
21
14 15 16
22
23
17 18 19 20 24
104
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
Trollblood Base Midlund Flesh Step 7) Using Hammerfall Khaki, add lines on the fingernails.
Leave just a little of the black undercoat uncovered.
Sanguine Base Hammerfall Khaki
Step 8) Shade the nails by blending Battledress Green over
Thornwood Green Battledress Green the lines added in Step 7.
Cryx Bane Base Menoth White Base Step 9) Highlight the nails with Menoth White Base.
Finally, use Sanguine Highlight to paint small scratches
Underbelly Blue Sanguine onto the knuckles and cuticles to complete the battered
Highlight appearance.
105
PAINTING Guide
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
106
Metal Weapons
Metal reflects light strongly, which makes for nice contrast
Pig Iron Battlefield Brown
on metal weapons between bright sections where light
falls directly and dark areas where it doesn’t. To paint a Greatcoat Grey Cold Steel
convincing metal weapon, concentrate on the way each
individual face interacts with the light source. Broad, Exile Blue Quick Silver
flat faces, such as the cheek of an axe blade, often have a
gradient from light to dark. Curved surfaces, such as on the Step 3) For the second shade, mix Exile Blue with Battlefield
trollkin hammer shown below, have a gradient that starts Brown to create a rich, dark grey. Apply this shading more
dark on one side, becomes brightest where the light would sparingly, concentrating on the areas of deepest shadow and
reflect directly toward the viewer, and darkens again as the on any chips, notches, and cracks in the surface.
surface curves back out of sight.
Step 4) Begin highlighting with Cold Steel. Concentrate on
Not every face should have a full gradient from light to raised areas, edges between faces, and surfaces that face the
shadow. Sections of a blade that face upward toward the light source.
light source may require only highlights, with no shading at
all. Likewise, faces of a weapon that are overhung or facing Step 5) Before applying the final highlights, apply matte
the ground may need only shade colors. The placement of varnish to your miniature and allow it dry thoroughly. This
highlights and shading is what will make a painted weapon will enhance the final highlights by smoothing the blends
appear three-dimensional. The weapons shown here are all and reducing the shine of the metallic paints. Use Quick
painted with the same colors. Silver to apply highlights sparingly to the hard edges and the
lower lips of chips and notches in the weapon. (Sometimes
Step 1) Basecoat the weapon with Pig Iron, using several thin reflected light from the ground or other nearby surfaces will
coats for smooth coverage. cause a downward-facing edge to catch the light. If you’re
feeling adventurous, apply “bounce light” highlights to the
Step 2) Apply the first level of shading using Greatcoat Grey. underside of weapons as well.)
This shading will begin to define the shape of the weapon.
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
107
PAINTING Guide
Feathers Falcons
Step 1) Basecoat the falcon with ’Jack Bone mixed with a
Step 1) The most important thing to do when painting small amount of Frostbite.
feathers is to make sure the shaft of each feather is distinct.
Start by painting each shaft with a fine, straight line of Step 2) The plumage of falcons tends to be darker on top
Trollblood Highlight. with a pale underside. Start by shading the top side with
Bootstrap Leather, with the goal of making each feather
Step 2) Using ’Jack Bone, fill in the feathers with thin, appear distinct.
distinct lines. Make sure each line is separate, with the black
undercoat separating the lines from the central shaft and Step 3) Mix Brown Ink with Bloodstone and apply additional
from one another. shading. Where possible, paint a line along the spine of each
feather and add some fine patterning at the wingtips.
Step 3) Make a glaze of Bootstrap Leather and apply this to
the feather tips. The glaze should be translucent enough to Step 4) Add Exile Blue and Thamar Black to the mixture
allow the lines beneath to show through. from step 3 and sparingly apply some dark shading to areas
that need a bit more contrast.
Step 4) Add a pattern to the feathers using several light
glazes of Umbral Umber, taking care that the layers beneath Step 5) Using Menoth White Highlight, add a few highlights
remain visible. to the feathers.
Step 5) Apply final texturing with a mixture of Umbral Step 6) With the top side finished, you can move on to the
Umber and Exile Blue. underside. Start by shading with Bastion Grey, making each
feather distinct from its neighbors.
Step 6) Use the mixture from step 5 to clean up any mistakes
from previous steps. Step 7) Apply additional shading using Ironhull Grey. Also
use this color to add a pattern at the wingtips that mirrors
the pattern on the top side.
Trollblood Bootstrap Leather
Highlight Step 8) Finish the pattern by applying fine lines of Battlefield
Umbral Umber Brown mixed with Exile Blue.
’Jack Bone
Exile Blue
1 2 3
4 5 6
108
’Jack Bone Brown Ink Thamar Black Bastion Grey
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
Step 4) Use a mix of Blue Ink and Red Ink to add a purple
color to the feathers. Apply this color at the base of the
feather and blend it toward the tip. While the ink is still
wet, you may want to use your blending brush to wipe the
ink off the center shaft so it remains distinct.
3 4
109
Blood Debt
Part Two
Upper Wyrmwall Mountains of lava pouring down its black scales. The glow visible
Krueger had taken what precautions he could, but he between the slats of its ribs told of another fire burning
knew his life would be forfeit if the dragon decided to within it, giving shape and definition to what was otherwise
destroy him. There was no point in bringing an army, as a void of light. It towered before him, massive and terrible,
the heat of the being’s hiding place would end them, even eyes afire. The great mouth opened to annihilate him with
without taking into consideration its blight. Only his wits a single breath.
and audacity would keep him alive, as it had been with
It took all his will not to fly away. He gritted his teeth and
Blighterghast at the start.
focused on slowing his hammering heart. He had faced
Blighterghast’s emissary had directed him to a volcano, Blighterghast, a far greater entity. The blight radiating from
one of the few still active among the Wyrmwall Mountains, Charsaug was weak in comparison. Nevertheless, it was
although it had not erupted in centuries. It was high one thing to consider this a weaker dragon in the abstract
among inaccessible peaks, requiring Krueger to negotiate and another to be face-to-face with the monster rising before
dangerous currents and updrafts. One of the jagged teeth him. It was hypnotically fascinating to watch the long neck
of the Wyrmwall had long ago had its point blasted off, extend, the head approaching, the inferno within about to
leaving a smoking chimney a hundred yards across, deep be unleashed.
within which he could see the pulsing glow of a lava lake.
“Hold, Charsaug!” Krueger shouted as loudly as he could,
The superheated liquid steadily pushed to the surface
“I am not your enemy! I am Krueger the Stormlord. I come
through a vent connected to a massive magma chamber
as an emissary of Blighterghast, the Boiler of Seas. I tremble
below, slowly releasing pressure that otherwise would have
before your power and beg you not to annihilate me!”
eventually resulted in an explosive eruption.
The great creature continued to glower but seemed to
This was an area known to the Circle, as the conditions here
reconsider delivering an all-consuming blast of dragonfire.
were rich with natural energies. Magma and lava were the
The voice when it came was a dull rumbling that emerged
lifeblood of Orboros. Places where molten stone reached the
as if from the heat around him rather than from any vocal
surface and refused to cool were akin to seeping wounds on
organ. “Blighterghast has no need for the likes of you to
the body of the Wurm. The energies of this place were not
speak to me.”
easily tapped, so there were no standing stones here, but
a significant site drawing on residual energies lay twenty The dragon was nearer to him than Blighterghast had ever
miles to the south. Several of the neighboring mountains been, and Krueger felt the focused attention of those baleful
housed hidden complexes built by worshipers of the eyes as pressure. Searing heat erupted along his arms,
goddess Cyriss, who had erected machines to harness these and he smelled his robes begin to smolder. He channeled
flows in their own ways. energy to disperse the heat into the swirling wind, which
was spiraling into the chimney above and returning with
Krueger amused himself with the thought of provoking
fresher air. He ignored the pain as the surface of his skin
Charsaug to lay waste to those neighbors, thereby solving
began to cook. It was difficult for him to remember what he
another problem. But it would be difficult enough to
had planned to say, though he knew he must be careful not
convince the dragon to perform the task he had already
to voice anything resembling a demand. “I am the architect
agreed to undertake. The Stormlord steeled himself and
of the plan your alliance has set upon. Your part in this is
plunged downward, feeling the hot air pushing against
essential; all will unravel without you. I come to beseech
him like stagnant breath. He summoned a vortex of cooler
you to return.”
air, driving away the choking smoke and ash which would
have filled his lungs and scraped his eyes. Amid this self- “Blighterghast knows the condition I require.” Despite the
contained storm he flew to a narrow rock spire jutting from dragon’s power and the resonance of its voice, the words
the lava. Despite his efforts the heat here was almost more seemed almost petulant.
than he could bear. With it came an even more dangerous
“Our plans threaten to be derailed for this. Those lesser
radiating energy: dragon blight, an invisible malignancy
spawn are nothing compared to your might! They are
threatening to unravel his power.
meaningless.”
So focused was he on preserving the magic that kept him
“Our plans?” Charsaug asked, his voice booming with
alive that he almost did not see the dragon until a great black
indignation. “You think yourself my equal?” The great jaws
form emerged from the lava lake, backlit by the orange fires.
snapped toward him suddenly, a motion made as casually
It loomed like a leviathan rising from the waters, runnels
110
and reflexively as a dog biting at a fly. Krueger was saved “You cannot,” a new voice proclaimed from above,
only by the buffeting winds he had pulled around himself, loudly and with great depth and power, startling Krueger
which he drew on in a moment of panic to fly backward completely. “Promises bind us.”
over the lava, just out of reach of those closing teeth, each
Krueger saw the enormous overshadowing form of another
longer than his forearm.
dragon plummeting into the volcano’s throat. This one’s
“Of course not, great one!” Krueger shouted. “Forgive my scales were like burnished steel, lit by the orange light
insolence!” The dragon had not lunged with any serious below. It halted its descent by spreading wide its huge
intent to kill and was now simply watching him. and terrible wings, creating a downdraft that almost sent
Krueger plunging into the lava. He returned to the rocky
“You would have us scrawl on the earth, debasing ourselves
outcropping and cowered there, trying to overcome a
to create a meaningless pattern. This effort is an insult, one
primal terror that made his limbs shake.
for which I will make you suffer. Blighterghast should have
consigned you to the fire.” “I made no promises,” said Charsaug. “I am not bound.”
“The pattern is not meaningless,” Krueger insisted. “That “You and I heed the oath made by Erdross. Those promises
is why Blighterghast did not destroy me. Only I can see are etched into our essence and cannot be undone. Only
this through, connecting the ley lines controlled by my when the task is complete can we return to our war with
order. I am ultimately insignificant, but my part in this is the giants.” This dragon, similar in size to Charsaug, landed
necessary. Together we will see Everblight destroyed, a on the other side of the lava lake. The heat in the chamber
purpose that is worth some indignity. It was for this you became still more intense.
came from the east to meet with your brethren for the first
“Erdross is no more,” Charsaug insisted. “Those promises
time in sixteen centuries.”
are not mine.”
“A mistake,” Charsaug said. “I should return and be done
“You cannot deny your nature.” The two stared at each
with this place.”
other with naked hatred.
111
Blood Debt: Part Two
Krueger had regained his mind and sought to regain his eyes returned to normal. Ashnephos said, “What he speaks
dignity. He stood back to his full height, leaning on the shaft is truth. Everblight is without form. I see it.”
of Wurmtongue to steady himself. His mind raced, pondering
A rush of hot wind forced Krueger to seize hold of the rocky
matters they alluded to and the name they spoke. He
spire to resist being hurled into the lava. Charsaug had
remembered Erdross from the Wyrmstone, an artifact he had
launched into the air on massive wings, climbing out of the
stolen from Omnipotent Dahlekov that had been inscribed
volcano. A moment later Ashnephos followed. Despite his
with lore possessed by the Circle Orboros on the spawn of
burned skin, ash-choked lungs, and hammering heart, Krueger
Toruk, the Dragonfather. Among the inscriptions had been
felt triumph. He had persuaded them. He rose into the air,
mention of a dragon that had fled to the east: Erdross, one
following at a distance behind the wing-beats of dragons.
of the greatest that had survived the war against their father.
Another hand had inscribed runes naming Charsaug and The Mistbough, Ios
Ashnephos, also of the east, the only dragons known to Dozens of crossbow bolts flew from the mist on their right
tolerate the company of another of their kind for long. The flank and thunked into the Praetorian swordsmen there,
runes implied they were twins spawned of Erdross, though it prompting groans and the sound of soldiers falling. Supreme
was unclear how or why this had come to pass. Archdomina Makeda did not need to issue orders to her
“I answered the call,” Charsaug said. “But Blighterghast soldiers, who responded with swift and immediate alacrity.
does not show trust. How will Everblight be lured out by She had carefully staggered her advancing forces with mixed
this ritual? That was not answered. This mortal makes units of soldiers, designed to reinforce one another. Heeding
demands—an insult beyond bearing. Let us incinerate him. the orders of their primus, several units of Praetorian karax
Blighterghast can find another.” advanced through the opened lines of swordsmen to lock
shields and intercept the next volley of deadly bolts.
The dragon Krueger suspected was Ashnephos turned
toward him suddenly, making him start, and demanded, Strategically placed extollers employed mortitheurgy to
“Where is Everblight? How will this pattern expose him? augment the sight of warbeasts in their vicinity, including
Speak plainly or die.” the mammoth and several titan cannoneers under Makeda’s
control. She drew on the essence of a cyclops raider to
Krueger hesitated only briefly, knowing the threat was not bolster the range of the gargantuan warbeast’s siege battery,
idle. He sought a way to address the topic that would not then together these creatures sent an explosive salvo to
appear to be dissembling. When he had explained matters thunder amid the trees where the enemy hid. Trees were
to Blighterghast, they had agreed the other dragons were torn to shreds, together with numerous lightly armored
best left ignorant. Things had changed. “Everblight has no Iosans. Those enemies who survived melted into the forest,
form,” he answered. “That is why you cannot find him.” He where they would regroup and attack again.
had their attention, if not their belief.
A number of nimble, dark-attired forms vaulted from the
He spoke quickly, hoping to prevent their doubts from trees and rushed through the lines. They seemed a more
birthing a murderous impulse. “Everblight has learned how elite and specialized group than the defenders in white-
to divide his athanc without dividing himself, and each lacquered armor she had fought before. Makeda watched
piece is carried in one of his generals. His blood flows in with admiration as they evaded retaliation and cut down
their veins, and so long as even one of them exists, he cannot a number of skilled swordsmen, each shadowy Iosan
be destroyed. He learned this after his fall to Ios, when a wielding a short curved blade in each hand. These enemies
mortal army destroyed his body and sealed his essence reminded Makeda of bloodrunners, and it was clear they
away.” Their eyes were fixed on him with a new intensity, were trying to reach her.
but neither made a move to kill him—yet. “To destroy him,
all his athanc shards must be taken at once. This requires Makeda did not even raise the Talon of Murzoul but faced
knowing where each is at all times. The pattern, integrating them calmly, allowing her subordinates to witness that she
your blight into the ley lines of the Circle Orboros, will was utterly unperturbed. It was their honor on the line now,
give me that knowledge, but only if there is cooperation. not hers. Her warbeasts were near enough to intervene,
My order will work to unravel what we have wrought the but she kept them back. In these close quarters both the
moment it begins.” titans and the mammoth would have difficulty hitting foes
without getting in the way of her own people.
Ashnephos made a deep, rumbling noise, and for a
moment Krueger thought the creature was about to strike. The nearest senior officers intercepted several attackers and
The dragon’s eyes swirled with a strangely iridescent hue, made short work of them. Three more got past, one of them
and Krueger felt as if blight were roiling within him from making a seemingly impossible leap over an intervening
his head to his bowels. The sickness abated as the dragon’s cataphract, while another disarmed and then disemboweled
a veteran primus. These Iosans had true skill.
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The ancestral escorts that kept to her side took two steps The conquest of Ios would be an extended campaign. It
forward and adopted a ready pose, their obsidian blades required ensuring she could hold what she seized or see
raised. They never had to engage. Hakaar the Destroyer it razed to weaken the enemy. But the Iosans had left little
moved with a swiftness fueled by anger at the death of the exposed here she could exploit to her advantage. The entire
primus, his great swords a blur. The first assassin saw his Mistbough seemed to exist solely for defense. There were
blade shattered as he sought to parry the ancient guardian’s few townships or settlements that were not simply minor
stone sword, which continued without slowing to cut him in fortifications housing garrisons of soldiers, easily abandoned
half. The second lost her head from a lightning-swift backhand and containing nothing useful to the conquering skorne.
strike, and the third took a sideways swipe with the side of the
Three days prior she had captured a small but well-
blade that shattered his skull. Hakaar turned and inclined his
positioned forest keep, managing to overwhelm its
head toward Makeda. The bodies were swiftly hauled away
defenders without doing substantial harm to the structure.
as her officers berated the warriors on the outer lines who had
She had manned the keep with her soldiers so it could serve
allowed the Iosans to get so close to her.
as a strongpoint in her supply lines. The Iosans had already
Cataphract incindiarii launched a hail of explosive fire made it difficult to get food, ammunition, and other vital
that set the underbrush behind them ablaze, although supplies to the vanguard, which had slowed her advance.
their officers restrained them from wasting ammunition The keep was but a step in the right direction.
against shadows. After ensuring no immediately reprisal
was imminent, the column continued its advance through
the trees, hacking through underbrush to make progress Cataphract incindiarii launched a
possible. Makeda directed one of her titan gladiators back to hail of explosive fire that set the
the fore to resume assisting in making a path by shattering
through smaller trees.
underbrush behind them ablaze.
Her army had adapted well, using all their discipline and
training to respond to the unrelenting harassment attacks They marched for another hour before a ferox rider emerged
they had encountered since venturing north into the trees from the mists ahead—Tyrant Rhadeim. The soldiers at
from the Twilight Gate. As her intelligence had suggested, the fore parted to make way for him, and he leapt from
this geography would be one of their most formidable his snarling mount to kneel before Makeda. “Supreme
barriers to making inroads into the elven nation, whose Archdomina,” he said, “an army is gathering south of Iryss.”
few major cities existed at a considerable remove from their
Makeda called a halt and bid her senior officers attend her
borders. The skorne were well prepared to be set upon, and
after establishing a secure perimeter. A space was cleared
Makeda had anticipated their attacks as they carved their
for Makeda, Rhadeim, and the other leaders to talk. Hakaar
way through the maze-like forest. Still, the advance cost
the Destroyer stayed nearby with Aptimus Marketh, the
them time and lives.
senior extoller prepared to translate in the unlikely event
The Iosans had clearly spent centuries preparing for this the exalted Hakaar wished to address them.
place to serve as a killing field for any intruder moving
Rhadeim quickly laid out what he and his Praetorian ferox
toward their heartlands, with winding paths subject to
had observed during their reconnaissance. It seemed the
assault from small watchtowers as well as defenders
Iosans had been alerted sooner than they had anticipated
within the adjoining trees. The forest itself was not only
and were already mustering a sizable army. Makeda listened
overgrown but also laden with cleverly concealed traps—
to his observations closely and gave her subordinate
spiked deadfalls, tripwires connected to hidden projectile
dominars and tyrants the opportunity to speak and assess
weapons, and other deadly contrivances.
the situation. Ultimately she would decide, but she felt it
They had captured dozens of slaves, some knowledgeable was important to observe the strategic assessments of her
enough to divulge useful information at the hands of their officers, letting her know their worth.
paingivers. Makeda had what she felt was a reasonably
It was during this discussion that she heard Master
accurate description of the intervening geography and
Mortitheurge Kaleeta at the perimeter asking to be granted
the location of the nearest Iosan city, Iryss. Her initial plan
admittance. “Let her pass,” Makeda said to the cataphracts
had been to reach this city as quickly as possible. She had
who had intercepted her.
hoped to break its outer defenses and use it as a stronghold
from which to deplete the Iosan armies while her forces The severely slender mortitheurge wore a tight metal cowl
plundered valuable resources elsewhere. They had already that exaggerated her emaciated features. She prostrated
seized multiple mines in the south whose wealth was now herself until Makeda bid her rise. Kaleeta was the most
flowing through the Twilight Gate to the Skorne Empire.
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Blood Debt: Part Two
senior of the mortitheurges with Makeda’s vanguard. She This pronouncement was met by nods and words of
had distinguished herself in Malphas before joining the agreement. Among those eager for conquest was the
Army of the Western Reaches at the bidding of Lord Arbiter relatively young Tyrant Zaadesh, a member of a branch of
Hexeris, who spoke highly of her. Makeda presumed her to House Balaash that had been critical of Makeda and who
be his spy in her camp, but such was to be expected. had recently joined her army. He was staring at the ancestral
guardian with a fixed intensity.
“Speak quickly, Kaleeta. You interrupt important
deliberations.” Makeda looked to the towering and powerful form of
Hakaar the Destroyer. His arrival outside the Abyssal
“I have information of relevance,” the mortitheurge said.
Fortress after she had overthrown the Conqueror had been
“I just received a mystical sending from the lord arbiter.”
heralded as a tremendous sign of support by the ancestors.
Makeda waved for her to continue. She said, “His army,
Tensions that might have accompanied her rise had been
together with that of Dominar Rasheth, engaged as planned.
eased. And yet, Hakaar’s words now came perilously close
They believe the majority of the forces garrisoned at the Gate
to sounding like a command.
of Mists and nearby environs have been enticed to remain in
the west. However, one Iosan general surmised the nature She said to him, “Hakaar, your guidance is invaluable.
of their ruse and disengaged. Her forces are headed this Already you have given me much wisdom. In this conquest
direction or to the Twilight Gate. The imminence of their we have secured significant spoils.” She scanned the faces
arrival is unknown, as is their exact size or composition.” of the others before continuing. “But this is not the time to
march on Iryss. We will turn back and fortify our position.
Makeda directed several pointed questions at the
There are potentially two armies advancing on us, one
mortitheurge, from which she learned Hexeris had a
from the north and one from the west. We do not know
high opinion of this Iosan general, a warcaster, and did
their scope or disposition. We cannot afford to be cut off
not believe her to be a trivial threat. Reluctantly Kaleeta
from the Twilight Gate. We will defeat both armies, but
divulged that both the dominar and the lord arbiter had
doing so here would be foolish. We cannot allow them to
been outmaneuvered by this enemy, despite their numerical
dictate terms of engagement.”
advantage. While Hexeris’ strategy had never been to
fully commit, the accomplishment was still noteworthy. She could see that most of her ranking officers disapproved,
Whatever his faults, Hexeris was a skilled tactician, and but they were too respectful and intimidated to speak. They
Rasheth was clever enough not to waste resources. bowed. There was something in Zaadesh’s eyes, a gleam
she did not like, but she ignored it; he was unimportant. She
Makeda felt torn between a warrior’s thirst for conquest
watched Hakaar. Marketh’s oculus still glowed. He said in
and her more intellectual assessment. Looking at the faces
that same resonant voice, “Iryss is the spark by which this
around her, she could tell most of her officers wished to
land can be made to burn.”
push on. They were eager to confront this army from Iryss.
It had been too long since they had enjoyed a proper battle “Yes. In due time. But not now.” The ancestral guardian
in the open rather than fencing with shadows. Even the stared at her. She asked, “Hakaar, whom do you obey?”
clash at the Twilight Gate had been unsatisfying.
Hakaar had not moved since he had arrived, but now he
“Supreme Archdomina.” Aptimus Marketh stepped slowly stepped forward and knelt, the same posture he had
forward. “Hakaar wishes to speak.” assumed outside the Abyssal Fortress. Marketh said for
him, “I serve Makeda of House Balaash. I serve she who
Makeda’s eyes narrowed. “Very well. I am eager to hear
rules Halaak.” Makeda nodded once.
what the honored exalted has to say.” She had found the
involvement of the usually aloof ancestors to be a mixed With that, she dismissed her officers, telling them to organize
blessing. Their favor had served to her advantage, but they their withdrawal. It would not be a popular move, she knew,
were unpredictable and unfathomable beings. It was because but she felt certain it was correct. She only hoped ignoring
of Hakaar she had known of the weakness of Ios’ defenses the advice of such a revered ancestor would not create a
and set upon this conquest. She felt grateful but did not crack in the wall of authority she had worked to build.
understand the ancestors’ motives and their interest in Ios.
South of Fharin, Cygnar
Marketh’s crystal oculus glowed with a silver light, an The powerful engine of the Royal Ellena devoured coal
indication he communed with Hakaar. When he spoke as it churned along its tracks heading north through the
it was not with his own voice but one deeper and more eastern Wyrmwall Mountains, whose peaks offered its
resonant. “Advance on Iryss. In crushing them you will passengers a majestic view. The descent into the foothills
force their nation to tremble.” as the train began its acceleration toward Fharin presented
an impressive view. Many of the passengers felt compelled
114
to crowd the windows on the right
side of the train, watching as the
mountains parted to reveal the
eastern farmlands, with the Black
River a distant divide and the red
Bloodstone Marches beyond that.
“Should I pull the emergency brake!?” shouted the junior storm turrets, one atop the forward passenger car and one
engineer who had first spotted them. atop the caboose, though these uncomfortable perches were
exposed to the wind and weather and so were manned only
“Morrow’s sword, no!” The chief slammed the speed lever
when trouble threatened. Long gunners even now scrambled
to full, applying added pressure to the great engines at the
up the ladders, then threw levers to engage the gears that
fore and prompting their gauges to edge into the red. “Pray
rotated the turrets to face the approaching beasts.
we make it past them!”
The nearest of the giant rock-faced trolls had nearly reached
After certain mishaps earlier in the war, the trains had added
the tracks and loomed over the onrushing train, its craggy
protections, including reinforced cars and thickened armor
face scowling. It seemed ready to leap forward to intercept
for both the wheel wells and the engine. Additionally, soldiers
the engine. The engineers had often boasted that their great
were specifically stationed with rifles to fire on potential
engine could smash through just about anything that got in
hazards. The Lady Ellena had recently added a pair of metal
its way, but none of them wanted to test that claim against
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Blood Debt: Part Two
a troll the size of a mountain. Though such an impact might and trained by Gunnbjorn and from the tight-knit champions
kill the troll, it would also knock the train off its tracks and of Madrak’s own kriels, being of a ruthless disposition and
down the hillside, killing the passengers and crew. lacking discipline. Nevertheless, Madrak had earned their
respect, and they submitted to his leadership.
The forward turret spat bullets into the chest of the creature.
The giant troll opened its cave-like mouth to let loose a Ulkor’s words had some truth to them. They had been
tremendous howling roar that rocked the entire train and unable to keep all the trolls fed, not just the mountain kings.
blew out the windows of a full three cars. The turret was Those had been given priority, of course, but that meant the
shorn off the train car, together with the car’s roof, sending full-blood trolls were lean and dangerously hungry. From a
the long gunner flying end-over-end down the hillside. pragmatic perspective, a train disaster and the subsequent
carnage could have fed them all. Madrak could not bring
himself to allow wholesale slaughter, though, particularly
of noncombatants. War required difficult choices, but he
was not that desperate yet.
It took all Madrak’s will to hold the mountain kings in
check despite the well of rage within the one at the fore. They had made remarkable speed winding their way
He was unable to stop that one, named Torn from Peak, through the Wyrmwall Mountains thanks to the guidance
from unleashing a great rending howl that impacted the of Grim Angus and the efforts of their fell callers and
swift-moving train like a cannon shot. Though the upper chroniclers to maintain their spirits and energy through the
portion of one car had been torn off, he hoped the incidental grueling expedition. They had pushed themselves, sleeping
casualties would be minimal. little and marching both night and day when possible. Grim
and his scouts had helped them evade several potential
He could feel the hunger of the great beast; it wanted engagements, though they had been forced to defend
nothing more than to rip the train from the tracks or seize themselves from unavoidable patrols. It was impossible for
the people inside and cram them into its maw. These and mountain kings to travel stealthily. Only amid the untamed
many other violent desires poured into Madrak’s mind peaks had they been able to travel without drawing
from his connection to the great beasts, but he gritted his attention.
teeth and fought them, and soon the train was past. Torn
from Peak turned to glower at Madrak, but the warlock Now they were badly exposed. The worst lay ahead:
stared him down. At length the mountain king shook its hundreds of miles crossing open territory claimed by
head and walked on. Their column of trollkin, trolls, and Cygnar, which was already on full war footing and hostile
mountain kings crossed the tracks to continue their descent to them. He did not see an easy way to reach Grissel,
out of the Wyrmwall. though he knew he must, preferably with as much of his
force intact as possible.
Doomshaper was missed. No other warlock had such facility
at keeping a leash on the ancient trolls. Madrak felt drained Grim soon returned from scouting, and Madrak took
from maintaining a mental connection to so many, particularly him aside. The former bounty hunter was with the pygs
since he could not keep them all close enough to remain that had become his constant companions, and all wore
under his direct control. He had to watch those farther back, expressions of concern. Grim said, “I have no idea how
including the dire trolls, to ensure they did not turn on nearby we’re crossing the Black River. Where it narrows south
trollkin in fits of temper or out of desperate hunger. of the Marchfells might be our best bet, but that region is
infested by gatormen. Just past that, we’ll run the danger
“You should have let them rampage, Ironhide,” said Ulkor, of intruding on farrow territories. Then we’ll be threading
one of the veteran champions marching nearby who had the needle between skorne east of the river and Cygnaran
seen his struggle. “Their hunger may turn them against patrols going down it.”
us soon. And the soldiers on that train will warn the army
garrison at their next stop.” Madrak listened to the litany of perils and said, “The longer
we tromp through Cygnar’s farmlands, the more we invite
“Perhaps,” Madrak said. “But the people on that train had them to send an army after us.” He looked north toward
done us no harm.” the railway bridge visible in that direction, which the Lady
Ulkor and the nearest champions seemed amused, and he Ellena had crossed. “If one isn’t already on the way. Better to
heard several remark on how Doomshaper would have cross the river as soon as possible. We can use the mountain
handled it. He ignored them. These were Hoarluk’s kin kings as our bridge.”
from the Gnarls; they had long been steeped in the shaman’s Grim scratched his head, looking skeptical. “You can control
violent rhetoric. They were very different from the kin drilled them enough for that?”
116
“With your help, I think so,” Madrak replied with a smile. skin was clammy, and he felt dizzy. He might have easily
“It will require keeping them fed. We need to find another dismissed the sensation given how little sleep they’d had,
herd to plunder. And soon.” but he could feel his heart racing. Anxiety filled him, as
though he were bracing to receive a charging foe.
The last great feast they had arranged for their trolls had
come at the expense of a Cygnaran rancher who had He squinted into the rising fog and realized the runes of
cowered with his family in their farmstead while trolls Rathrok were glowing dimly, adding an orange light to the
tore apart his entire herd of cattle. They had destroyed the mist. He stared at the axe and noticed its haft was warm
family’s livelihood, but such was the cost of the war for beneath his hands. He gritted his teeth and prepared for his
survival forced upon them. Better to massacre a few dozen mind to betray him. He had not had any dreams or visions
cows than to lose control of his trolls as they passed the from the axe in weeks, not since the ceremony that had
next village or small town. Their skinners had butchered awakened the mountain kings. With a pang he remembered
those animals the trolls did not eat outright to stock up on the moments after the rite when he had thought himself
meat for the next part of their journey, but they had gone free of the axe. He dreaded returning to his mate Kargess
through that meat quickly, despite rationing. The mountain and the rest while Rathrok was still bound to his soul. Its
kings had proven indiscriminate in their appetites, tearing recent relative quietude had allowed him to believe things
up trees or thorn bushes to swallow whole and sometimes might be all right. Now it was all happening again.
chewing on boulders when there was nothing else. Such
fare merely blunted the bottomless void of hunger within
their bellies, though. Only meat gave true satisfaction. At any moment he expected
“I saw a likely place,” Grim said. “Though goats and sheep shadowy figures to leap at
won’t fill them like those cows did.” him from the formless dark.
Madrak sat down with him to plan a nighttime raid on a
nearby ranch spread across several hills that sheltered
“What do you see?” he asked Ulkor cautiously, not trusting
sizable goat and sheep herds for cheesemaking. Grim was
his own senses.
certain there was a sizable supply of drying cheese wheels
in a building adjoining the ranch house. He suggested the “Not much, thanks to this fog,” the champion groused.
trolls get all the meat while the kin steal as much cheese
Madrak felt relieved to know the strange fog was not his
as they could carry. Madrak sighed as he contemplated his
imagination. At any moment he expected shadowy figures
great war band being reduced to goat, sheep, and cheese
to leap at him from the formless dark. Would they be real?
thieves. He was more eager than ever to return to Grissel
If something moved and he struck at it, would he discover
and his kriels. He prayed to Dhunia to see them safely home.
he had killed a friend rather than a foe? He did not like such
thoughts, but Rathrok was stirring, ready for battle.
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Blood Debt: Part Two
forced himself to accept that the strangeness was real. They Grim was scanning the hills and remarked, “We are definitely
might be under attack. in the Bloodstone Marches. South of the Iosan Mountains, at
least eighty miles northeast of Scarleforth Lake.”
He saw forms moving in the fog ahead. He lifted Rathrok
and readied to throw it. Glowing lights bobbed alongside the “Calandra,” Madrak said, “we were hundreds of miles from
shadows, perhaps people holding torches. Their flickering here just minutes ago.”
orange light filled the fog without giving any definition. It
“Four hundred and seventy miles,” Grim corrected,
seemed odd for anyone lying in ambush to give away their
scowling. He shook his head and stared around them as if
positions by lighting torches. This was the thought that kept
trying to force the landscape to return to what it had been.
him from ordering his people to attack.
“How is that possible?” Madrak asked her.
“Hold!” Grim said loudly. “It can’t be . . .” His tone was
disbelieving. She gave him an uncertain look. After a moment of frowning
and considering she said hesitantly, “It must be a miracle of
Madrak stared at those who approached—kin and full-
Dhunia.”
blood trolls as armed and ready as they were. He lowered
Rathrok at once, hugely relieved he had not simply cast it at Madrak pondered this possibility but could not bring
the first shadow he had seen. At the fore of the trollkin ahead himself to believe it. Beneath his hand Rathrok had
and flanked by a pair of axers was Calandra, Oracle of the become almost uncomfortably hot but was now starting to
Glimmerwood. She was staring at them with similar surprise. cool. He looked to its edge, which was glowing as though
it had been lying within a forge. Its runes were still lit.
“Calandra?” he said, his voice raspy to his own ears. “What
He did not think the axe had done this—such a feat was
are you doing here?”
beyond anything he had heard of it in any legend—but
She gave a laugh, and the way she put her hands on her it reacted to what had transpired. His instincts told him
hips told him at once it was really her, not some illusion. “I that if any higher power were involved, it was not the
was going to ask you the same thing! This is remarkable! Great Mother.
How . . .” Her voice trailed off and she took a step back as she
Perhaps sensing his uncertainty, Calandra said, “You have
took in the mountain kings emerging from the dwindling
been sorely missed by all your kriels, Chief Ironhide.
fog. The giant trolls looked down with suspicious scowls.
Kargess in particular will be happy to see you. We should
“Friends! These are friends!” Madrak shouted for the have a feast to celebrate your return.”
benefit of both sides, even as he mentally clamped down on
Madrak let himself and his people be led away, the trolls
the mountain kings. Fortunately they did not seem inclined
following. Already enthusiasm was spreading through both
to lash out, perhaps because they had been freshly fed and
sides, and the warriors with Calandra warmly greeted those
perhaps because they picked up on Madrak’s emotions
from the Gnarls as if they were long-lost relatives. Despite
of kinship. Grim began to explain to Calandra about the
their high spirits, Madrak’s mood refused to lift. No part of
mountain kings, and she listened in amazement.
this was right, Madrak thought, and he shared looks with
Madrak blinked and looked around as the fog entirely melted both Calandra and Grim that told him both were similarly
away. Dawn broke in the east and the landscape brightened. unsettled. He walked toward the reunion with his kriels
He took in many things at once, most importantly the fact with a deep sense of foreboding, as though he were headed
that the ground he was walking had changed; now reddish to his own funeral.
sandstone and scrub replaced the mud, wet soil, and grasses
of the hills he had left. He remembered becoming familiar Near Old Korska, Umbrey
with the fringes of the Bloodstone Marches when his people The wizened figure leaned on her staff as she climbed the
had moved into the Glimmerwood and its eastern environs. windswept hills until she could gain a proper vantage to
This felt very similar. There were a variety of exclamations look down on the shattered and blasted ruins of Old Korska,
and startled conversations among the gathered kin. once the eastern capital of the Khardic Empire. What had
been one of the glories of civilization had become a maze
“Where are we?” Madrak asked in a tone combining wonder of ruins and half-buried streets overrun by bogrin above
and dread. and dregg in the burial catacombs below. She did not look
“You’re almost home!” Calandra said. “At least, the home on the place with nostalgia, though she remembered how
we’ve tried to make. Grissel’s encampment is just a few it had once dominated this landscape. It was proof of the
miles northeast. For days the portents have indicated an ephemeral works of mankind.
important event would occur here, something significant. I An age of ruin and desolation approached again. This time
came to investigate.” she was more invested in shaping the outcome to preserve
118
the great peoples of the north. No one understood the have sought to interfere with my chosen oracle. Do so again
long centuries of subtle work that had restored Umbrey to only at your peril.”
Khador. All could be undone quickly, by the rash decisions
“That is already done. The seed is planted. I am surprised to
of a few spurious and stubborn mortals.
see vhat you have been about. Your attention is misplaced.
There was always risk, always gambles. The outcome was Do you know the vorld-eaters stir?”
never certain, even for those such as she who could see the
“All is known to me. What was taken from me by you will be
strands of fate and the dance of conflicting destinies. She
mine again soon. Other conflicts are of trivial importance.”
had taken one of her largest gambles recently, when she
had plucked the strand of a certain mortal already marked She gave a low, cackling laugh. “I do not think you believe
by fate—Krueger the Stormwrath, as he had called himself this. Very busy you have been. Some plans have failed.”
then. He was more stubborn, arrogant, and reckless than
The Oathkeeper raised his head higher, letting her see
most. She had set him in motion, like a wildly spinning top,
his eyes, and through them the entity that looked back at
not knowing where he would fly, what he would knock
her. “But not all. This will not turn out as you hoped. The
against. It was often that way. She did not enter into this
dragons should have been left alone.”
lightly. She had known he would set the dragons in motion.
It was time. Those with short lives could not understand Zevanna shrugged and said, “The outcome could be
that stasis was death. beneficial to us both, yes? Vith your help. You could end
this. All of this.”
She reached the crest of the ancient hill and began the rite.
She reached into the bag at her side and drew forth the “The end you seek is different from mine.”
squirming one. Before it could yowl, she pricked its neck
She sucked a tooth. “I admit, your oracle did not do vhat I
with one of her steel talons. She let the blood of innocence
expected. Are you villing to accept the harm he intends you?
flow into the cracks of old stone, the fissures of the flat
The great serpents vill veaken you. This could be avoided, if
petrified trunk where once a tree had been hewn to form
you intervene. Give up the other matter.”
the first great hall of the eastern horselords. Extending her
power through the blood and the stone into the earth, she Cassius shook his head slowly and said, “No. It is too late.
sent an invitation she felt confident would not be ignored. As you say, the seed is planted.”
She and the one she invited had many old disagreements, She looked away for a moment and then he was gone, as
but they could address their differences. They had been was Wurmwood. She felt some surprise at his last reply.
enemies more than allies; the blood of countless thousands Was it truly too late to shape things? The dragons were
had been shed as part of their quarrels, but usually they such torpid and indecisive creatures, so reluctant to act. She
fought only through intermediaries, not directly. In such a did not believe the Stormlord could change this. Frowning,
climate it was necessary to have a means of parley. It had she closed her eyes and found her crows, scattered far and
been a long time. wide. She looked through myriad pairs of tiny, beaded eyes
until she saw it. Saw them.
The other was not obliged to answer. Neither could she
compel it. She turned away and looked to the stars and Through the eyes of crows separated by hundreds of miles
the moons above. If it refused to speak with her, that across the face of Immoren, she watched as great winged
would signify something. A deepening of their conflict. A forms rose. They were reptilian, serpentine, massive, with
declaration of bitter enmity. She did not think it wished for scales gleaming in various hues of fire, metal, and smoke.
such a thing, not now. They soared high above the Wyrmwall Mountains, then
scattered in several directions at tremendous speed. They
She sensed a presence behind her and turned to see the
would go where the Stormlord had sent them, there to
robed and vine-enwrapped form of the Oathkeeper, his
descend and ravage the earth, to unleash their blight and
hood casting his face in darkness. A different Oathkeeper
leave lasting scars upon the face of Caen.
than she remembered. The sword in his hands pointed
downward, and he gripped the crossguard in both hands. She shook her head, making a disapproving noise under
Wurmwood stood atop the adjacent hilltop, rooted as if it her breath. This was not what she had set him to do. She
had always been there, but it preferred to speak through its had known Krueger possessed the potential to destroy the
conduit. Once they had not required such intermediaries, dragons, if things aligned just so. He had arrived at a clever
long ago. She ignored the Oathkeeper and said to the Tree solution—very clever. Too clever by far.
of Fate, “I am here to varn you.”
119
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