This post continues my history of WFRP1, which started here.

In WFB1 the Regiments of Renown miniatures box sets had played an important role in defining and describing the setting (see part XII). The series continued to shape the world of WFB2. A further ten Regiments of Renown were produced between December 1984 and August 1985.

MUDAT’S HALF-ORC MERCENARIES

RR9 – Mudat’s Half-Orc Mercenaries (December 1984)

It was general anti-Goblinoid feeling, coupled with religious mania that resulted in the banishment of the Half-Orc population from Nuln, one of the Human settlements on the borders of the Old World. The Half-Orcs resented this very deeply. Such a Half-Orc was Mudat Brokenbone. After spending several years organising the Half-Orc Tonayl tribe (most of whom had turned to cattle rustling and ambushing travellers), Mudat put his new army into operation. With his warhammer in his hand and revenge on his mind, he led the Tonayl horde against the town of Nuln. Resistance soon crumbled and the body of the unfortunate town champion was impaled on a pole, later becoming the regimental standard. The Tonayls wandered the borders of the Dark Lands; fighting in a number of wars for both Orc and Human paymasters. Proving [sic] themselves to be unreliable and unscrupulous mercenaries in the best Half-Orc tradition. However, during the battle of Gonnear, after changing sides for the third time that day, Mudat was crushed by the infamous Goblin general Grom, ‘The Paunch of Misty Mountain”. Their leader slain, the Tonayls dispersed into the wilderness under the command of the company Champion and paymaster Earwangle. Battlecry – The battlecry of this famous Regiment is “Only for the Money”. Deeds – Mudat Brokenbone was to rise to fame (and fortune) by being both the defender and attacker of the fabulously rich city of Helmgart. With two clients and the resources of two waring [sic] kingdoms at his disposal, Mudat managed to keep the siege going for almost 2 years without actually striking a single blow. – ‘The Story of Mudat Brokenbone’ (RR9 Mudat’s Half-Orc Mercenaries)

This is the first mention of Nuln in Warhammer. At this stage, however, it is not a major city in the southern Empire, but “a town” lying “on the borders of the Old World”. The presence of half orcs among its population seems to imply it was a frontier town.

Helmgart is another later settlement making its first appearance. Here it is a “fabulously rich city”, rather than a trading town in the Grey Mountains.

ELWING’S ELVEN GUARD CAVALRY

RR10 – Elwing’s Elven Guard Cavalry (December 1984)

The Elves have never been a very militaristic nation, preferring to raise impromtu [sic] armies of citizens rather than keep a large standing army. The seclusion of the High Elves and the basically maritime nature of the Sea Elves also made it inessential to have a large army. However, to guard the coasts of the Sea Elf lands against possible foreign incursions, a body of Guard Cavalry is maintained, small units being distributed throughout the Elf Kingdoms. Captain Elwing of Lothern was the leader of one such small unit, stationed along the north coast of the Elf Kingdom. He sprang to fame during the Norse Raids – at a time when adventurous Old Worlders were beginning to nurture territorial ambitions in the Elf Kingdoms. The Elves quickly put the invaders to flight, and those that fled to their longships were later intercepted and destroyed by the Sea Elf navy. Battlecry – The battle alarm of the Cavalry Guard is “Death to the Defilers”. Deeds – Elwing’s rout of the armies of Norse Champion Cecil Bloodaxe the Mauler of Many, [sic] and his subsequent slaying of the same were much talked about in Lothern and still form the basis for many popular stories of heroism. Elwing’s extreme cool in insisting that he finished his game of shove ha’penny against the Regimental champion Estrulan before riding out to meet the invaders has passed into Elvish folklore. – ‘The Story of Elwing of Lothern’ (RR10 Elwing’s Elven Guard Cavalry)

Elwing was the name of Eärendil’s wife in The Silmarillion, by JRR Tolkien.

BATTLE CHARIOTS OF BOGDAN THE GOBLIN WARLORD

RR101 or BN1 – Goblin Warlord’s Chariot (December 1984)

Bogdan Legbreak was the chief of all the Goblins of the northern Old World Mountains at the time of the Goblin and Dwarf Wars. He was of ‘Cave Goblin’ stock, a fairly small breed but incredibly tough and strong . From his stockade at the foothills of the mountains Bogdan led many raids against the Men and Dwarfs of the Old World, including numberous [sic] sorties into the north and the area known as the Troll Country between the Old World and Norsca. It was here where Bogdan’s marauding charioteers met and destroyed a Dwarf convoy under the command of Bono Bugman, and it was also here that Bogdan met and teamed up with the treacherous Ogre mercenary Golgfagg [sic] the Rutdrogg. Although Bogdan was killed before the Goblin/Dwarf wars came to an end, his famous chariots continued the fight and took part in every major engagement of the war, including the battles of Zhuf Field, the onslaught on the [sic] Middenheim and the final catastrophic battle of Mad Dog Pass. Bogdan’s son and the Regiment’s Champion Mad Eyed [sic] Hogg led the chariots after his death, and survived the war to become a thorn in the side of the Dwarfs for many years. If anything [sic] Mad Eyed Hogg was even more violent and drunken than his father, and could be heard for miles around bellowing his war cry of “Beer for Hogg”. After the war the chariots were dispersed, although many continued to fight in numerous small skirmishes after the war had ended. Battle Cry – Bogdan’s usual battle-cry was, [sic] “Tear out their livers and eat ’em raw”. After his betrayal by the Ogre mercenary Golgfag, Bogdan took to shouting out “Rot you Golgfag” during moments of stress. These were reputed to be his last words, uttered as the Ogre tore him limb from limb. Mad Eyed Hogg preferred the cry of “Beer for Hogg”. Deeds – The destruction of Bono Bugman, and the convoy of Bugman’s ale that he was guarding was one of Bogdan’s most influential deeds. Bogdan was present at the Battle of Bugman’s Brewery just before his death and Goblin legend tells of how he goaded Bugman with tales of his son’s death before slaying the Old Dwarf in an undignified and painful manner. – ‘The Story of Bogdan’ (RR101/BN1 Goblin Warlord’s Chariot)

It is not clear whether the “Old World Mountains” are a specific range or (despite the capitalisation) a generic term. If the name was intended to refer to a specific location, I believe this is its only mention.

KARNAC’S LIZARDMEN RAIDERS

RR11 – Karnac’s Lizardmen Raiders (January 1985)

When the Dwarfs built the mountain city of Caraz-A-Carak in the East of the Old World, they created the largest, most wonderful and impregnable fortress the world was ever to see. Its chambers and halls opened into the heart of the mountain and deep into its roots. Unknown to the Dwarfs their tunnellings were to lead them into the still vaster, still deeper and unfathomably more ancient caverns below the mountains. Within these caverns dwelt many foul creatures. Little did the Dwarfs guess of the blood-letting and savagery that was to rise from beneath their feet. Soon the lower passages of the Dwarf Kingdoms became the hunting grounds of the perilous Lizardmen, the most feared of whom was the reptile known to the Dwarfs as Karnac, leader of a savage band of Lizardmen including the dread animal called Huris. For almost a hundred years the Dwarfs battled against the Lizardmen, chamber by chamber and level by level. But the Lizardmen proved too strong, and grew ever stronger as they feasted upon the flesh of the slain and drank the blood of their doomed captives. Eventually the Dwarfs gave up hope of ever recovering the lower levels, and sealed them off by collapsing the connecting passages. What then became of Karnac, Huris and the Lizardmen can only be imagined. Battlecry – Before battle these creatures raise up a great noise of hissing and snarling, as the cry gets louder and louder the Lizardmen’s thirst for blood reaches an uncontrollable level, and they fall upon their unfortunate enemies. Deeds – In the main chamber of the 142nd level Karnac slew and subsequently ate a dozen Dwarf warriors, including Baluk Ironfist, the heir to the Kingship. After this occasion his howls of indigestion echoed throughout the fortress for many weeks. – ‘The Story of Karnac’s Raiders’ (RR11 Karnac’s Lizardmen Raiders)

The tale of Caraz-a-Carak and the lizardmen closely resembles the story of Khazad-dûm and the Balrog in JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

The name Karnac might perhaps be inspired by the ancient Karnak temple complex near Luxor in Egypt.

FLYING GARGOYLES OF BARDA

RR12 – Flying Gargoyles of Barda (January 1985)

Barda Von Micklestein was neither the most famous, nor the most powerful wizard ever to live within the confines of the busy seaport of Marienburg. He was, however, almost certainly the most careless. It was as a result of his personal ineptitude that a horde of flying Gargoyles were to be released upon the unsuspecting folk of the city. The ensuing orgy of destruction lasted for a week; 7 days in which hellish, abhuman forms stalked and slew the petrified citizenry. By the time things quietened down much of the city lay desolate, and Barda Von Micklestein dangled from a hastily improvised gibbot [sic] outside the Dog and Duck Inn. The Barda Gargoyles were a new and previously unknown type of Lesser Demon, but other wizards were soon to learn how to safely summon and control them. … Barda Gargoyles have an affinity with fire, and cannot be affected in any way by fire or fire based [sic] magic. The Great Standard carried by these demons appears to carry the device of some unknown, but undoubtably powerful God. So long as the Barda Gargoyles carry this standard no other demonic troops will dare to attack them, not even Greater Demons. Battlecry – A croaking howl, or insane cackle. Deeds – The assault upon Marienburg may have given these creatures a taste for human blood. In any case they have fought on numerous occasions on behalf of the wizards of Marienburg, always with barbaric ferocity. – ‘The Story of the Gargoyles of Barda’ (RR12 Flying Gargoyles of Barda)

Another Old World city makes its debut: Marienburg. It is in a more familiar guise as a “seaport”, though the city’s open demonology differs from the later setting.

LOTHERN CITY GUARD

RR13 – Lothern City Guard (January 1985)

The Elves have always been an insular race, arrogantly proud of their culture and contemptuous of other folk. The Elf Kingdoms themselves are considered ‘off-limits’ to other races. Any Man, Dwarf or Halfling who attempted to despoil the fair lands with his presence would be executed on sight. The only exception is the huge, walled city seaport of Lothern. Lothern is the one and only place in the entire Elf Kingdom [sic] where other races are tolerated. Accordingly it is full of Norse traders, Old World merchants, adventurers, sailors, dropouts, drunkards and other assorted wierdoes. Maintaining order is not easy. The job of Captain of the Guard of Lothern is not a popular one. Few jobs are popular in the Elf Kingdoms, as Elves despise all forms of work. Perhaps it is because of this that important or responsible positions tend to fall to eccentrics. D’roi Haisplinn, Captain of the Guard of Lothern, is a case in point; a neurotic, homicidal maniac. At dusk he can be seen pacing the battlements of the great lighthouse of Lothern, cackling madly and, perhaps, torturing an underling. All this is most un-Elf like, as are his habits of shouting abuse at travelers, spitting on sleeping Halflings, eating small toads in public and bathing in cauldrons of steaming goat offal. But then D’roi Haisplinn is no ordinary Elf. His men respect him. The Champion of the Guard; [sic] Haisplinn’s right hand man, respects him even more. This is Lahaven Ramjewel, notorious libertine and rake. Ramjewel is a Elf of good family, but estranged and disgraced as a result of an much publicised incident with a drunken Dwarf mariner. Battlecry – The battlecry of this regiment is based up the age old tradition of challenging strangers during the hours of darkness. In Elvish the cry is “Elo Cailor Gotda Liet”, which is popularly supposed to translate as “Hello, Hello [sic]. What’s going on here then [sic]”. Deeds – Amongst Haisplinn’s many deeds of infamy the destruction of the ‘Halfling House’, Inn [sic] and rest home, must be one of the basest. Many Halflings were slain, or suffered horrible and embarassing [sic] torture at the hands of the Guards. Haisplinn’s only motivation seems to have been that Halflings are short, ugly and have very poor dress sense. – ‘The Story of the Lothern Sea Guard’ (RR13 Lothern City Guard)

The battle cry is a pun on the sexual proposition “Hello, sailor. Got a light?”.

NOTLOB’S ORCISH BOLT THROWING ENGINE

RR14 – Notlob’s Orcish Bolt Throwing Engines (January 1985)

For many years the only route over the Black Mountains was dominated by an Orcish settlement run by Harboth – an Orc of great size and strength. Many battles were fought within this mountain pass, the Black Fire Pass, and many heroes emerged on both sides. Dwarfs and men tried desperately to destroy the Orcs, and the Orcs in turn responded by strengthening their defences and enacting countless revenge raids on human farmsteads. Notlob was already famous amongst his kind when he arrived at the Black Fire Pass. Had he not invented many fiendish engines of war and instruments of torture? Had he not designed and commanded the War Engines that battered down the walls of half the cities in the Badlands? Now Notlob was to apply his creative genius to designing new engines for the defence of the pass. The Men and Dwarfs didn’t know what had hit them when their next assault foundered under a driving storm of huge bolts – as large as spears and capable of piercing straight through even the toughest Dwarf armour. Further assaults proved equally fruitless, and eventually the Orcs were left alone, to continue their age-old trades of murdering travellers and plundering merchant convoys. Battlecry – Due to the nature of their weaponry these Orcs do not employ a battlecry as such although they will happily enter hand to hand combat, screaming, yelling and gesticulating in the usual Orcish fashion. However, unusually for Orcs, many of Notlob’s crewmen can write a few words. They employ this talent to enscribe various slogans along their missiles, including such erudite witticisms as, “Notlob does it from 300 feet” and “Chew on this [sic] Stuntie”. Deeds – The Black Fire Pass conflict was to earn Notlob a reputation amongst Human and Dwarf kind. However, he always considered the invention of the ‘Happy Halfling Mangling Rod and Head Press’ to have been his greatest achievement. – ‘The Story of Notlob’ (RR14 Notlob’s Orcish Bolt Throwing Engines)

THROG’S HOBGOBLIN DESPOILERS

RR15 – Throg’s Hobgoblin Despoilers (April 1985)

Driven from the Old World at the end of the Goblin Wars many of the Goblins, Orcs, Hobgoblins and other allied creatures fled into the Dark Lands. The Dark Lands were then, as now, truly dark: ceaseless volcanic activity, steaming tar pits and terrible, natural pollution shielded the land from the sun. Little could grow in such a place, and very few creatures could tolerate the barren landscape, the gloom and the choking air. Throg, however, quite liked it. From his armed camp on the eastern side of the World’s [sic] Edge Mountains, Throg gathered his seasoned warriors and began to carve himself out a little empire. Soon a goodly chunk of the western part of the Dark Lands were under his control, and he began to extend his power deep into the mountains themselves. Here he and his Champion, Grunmunter the Beast, fought numerous battles in the valleys and passes of the mountains, and eventually within the Dwarf fortresses. His enemies were mostly Dwarfs, and the Hobgoblins soon acquired a taste for the flesh of these creatures. What became of this renowned fighter is a mystery, some say that he disappeared whilst leading a mixed force of goblinoids into the Dwarf Fortress of Raven’s Hold. Others link his disappearance to treachery on behalf of the ferocious Grunmunter, a callous individual. Battlecry – The strange and animalistic battlecry of these creatures is in the Goblin Tongue. It means, [sic] “Mark your target well and eat it”. Deeds – Of all the many bloody and violent deeds of Throg the most often remembered is the so called Feast of the Dwarven King. On this occasion the Hobgoblins infiltrated the underground fortress of Boran Fireheart a powerful Dwarf lord. The Hobgoblins secreted themselves in the kitchens until the night of a feast, subdued the servants and disguised themselves in the aprons and other clothing of the waiters. That Boran Fireheart failed to notice until far too late that his kitchen staff were all over 6′ tall and incredibly ugly, can only be put down to the general level of intoxication. The feast went ahead as usual, but instead of the planned proceedings the Hobgoblins ate Boran and his guests, while Throg entertained [sic] by torturing a troop of Halfling Jugglers unlucky enough to be passing through. – ‘The Story of Throg’ (RR15 Throg’s Hobgoblin Despoilers)

The dwarf fortress of Raven’s Hold does not recur.

DISCIPLES OF THE RED REDEMPTION

RR16 – Disciples of the Red Redemption (May 1985)

The Red Redemption was born during the bitter religious wars fought between the Men of the West and the swarthy Arabians. Amongst the countless factions of crusading warriors, those known only as the Brotherhood were surely the most feared and the most powerful. As with all protracted wars, there were long periods of inactivity, whilst supplies were organised, spies sent out or paltry scouting missions undertaken. Such lulls were anathema to the more zealous of the warrior-priests of the Brotherhood . They hated sitting around whilst they knew the Arabians were out there being, well, downright Arabian. Eroneus Balbadron was one such frustrated fanatic. Eroneus fell into a black mood whenever the fighting got held up. Each stoppage caused his moods to become even blacker; indeed, legend has it that his skin and hair turned completely black during this time. His frustration turned easily to anger, and the anger grew inside him until it was almost a palpable thing. He sought solace in the holy books of the Brotherhood, but to no avail. His anger grew and grew until he became crazed and twisted with it. His hatred of Arabians became a hatred for all. Presently, a very strange thing happened that was to change the course of Eroneus’s life, and the lives of countless others also. It was a dark evening, and the Brotherhood had just captured the ruins of an ancient temple from a group of Arabians. The enemy had hardly put up any resistance, and the fight had been a most disappointing affair. It was as he searched the ruins for any signs of the enemy that Eroneus saw a curious book, its cover barely visible as it lay on the floor. Eroneus compulsively picked it up and sought secrecy in the ruined remains of a sunken room. Eroneus placed his torch in a bracket by the wall, and feverishly spread the book in front of him. Kneeling before it he began to read. To say that what he read was a bombshell would understate the impact that the volume had on him. In truth his crazed mind could not at first believe that it was possible: this aged book contained the truth. Eroneus was overwhelmed by a feeling of physical, spiritual and mental Redemption. The book was a sacred scripture dedicated to and revering the Chaos God of Khorne. Khorne the black God of Battle, the dark Lord of Slaughter, the thirsting God of Blood! At once Eroneus felt his links with the Brotherhood, and with humanity, permanently broken. In a fever of ecstasy he pounded his face against the chamber walls until all that remained was … well, little enough remained to betray the fact that he had once been human. Only then did he see the black robes and iron masks that hung upon the chamber walls. The iron mask was unnaturally hot and seared his face as he put it on. The black robes soaked the blood from his armour. Eroneus had become the first and greatest of the Redemptionists, the Master of the Redemption, and his cry was, [sic] “Be redeemed through blood, saved through slaughter.” Quickly slaying his former comrades in a chaotic commando-style exercise of carnage, Eroneus fled into the world at large. His objectives were unclear, but he was certain that people of the right persuasion would be sure to welcome enlightenment. He was right. Only a few years after the incident of the Brother-slaying, the cult of the Red Redemption had become established throughout the Old World. In the secret temples of the cult, initiates were introduced to the vile and bloody ways of the mighty God Khorne. The skin was ritually flayed from the face and torso of each initiate. Glowing hot iron face masks and cuirasses formed a new and tougher skin. At last they were permitted to wear the black robes of Khorne. Of course, this resulted in all of the Disciples of the Red Redemption suffering from total and irrevocable madness, but that really didn’t bother them too much. (They were more concerned in shedding the blood of heretics, as members of the countless groups of Disciples then spreading the ways of Khorne in the world.) One such group is Darkhoth’s Disciples of the Red Redemption. Darkhoth is said to have been initiated by the Master of the Redemption himself, a great honour indeed. His power is such that he can command a group of up to 40 Disciples. The key to this power is the large black book that he always carries – the Darkhold. This is a transcript of the original scriptive book discovered by Eroneus. It is a very powerful magic item, although its uses are confined to cult practices. Merely looking at the pages of this book would drive any living being insane. The Disciples are immune to this by dint of them already having achieved this particular state of mind. Darkhoth is able to read passages from this book, and herein lies his power. A passage read from the book gives Darkhoth absolute power over any Disciples who hear him. During the initiation ceremony, Darkhoth reads a special passage from the book which so assaults the mind of the initiate that his personality is forever shattered. Darkhoth assesses the suitability of the initiate for cult membership by his reaction. If the initiate reacts with extreme violence, this is judged to be good, and he is prepared for flaying and encasement in glowing iron. If the initiate fails to react with sufficient violence, he is given up as a sacrifice to Khorne. Battlecry – “Be redeemed through blood”. Deeds – Spreading the ways of Khorne through the Old World by means of slaughter, destruction, arson, murder and the propagation of insanity. – ‘The Story of the Disciples of the Red Redemption’ (RR16 Disciples of the Red Redemption)

The Red Redemption actually predates Warhammer. As mentioned in part III, Bryan Ansell’s Laserburn game (1980) had featured an organisation with the same name (though a somewhat different character). Moreover, there is an even earlier ancestor.

Lone Sloane from Druillet provided the origin of the Red Redemption. – Tony Ackland, Facebook comment

Ackland is referring to the graphic novel Délirius (1973) by French artist Philippe Druillet. Délirius describes a similar Red Redemption, comprising fanatical priests in robes and metal masks. In Délirius, however, their robes are red, rather than black.

Délirius, by Philippe Druillet (1973)

The branding of Warhammer‘s Red Redemption with metal skins also recalls the Marvel character Doctor Doom (as noted by Zhu Bajiee).

This is, I believe, the first reference to Khorne as “God of Blood” and the first appearance of his skull rune (though the first association of Khorne with skulls was in ‘The Duelling Circles of Khorne’, 1983). The scripture of Khorne found by Eroneus has similar characteristics to the mind-blasting books of HP Lovecraft’s fiction.

KNIGHTS OF THE CLEANSING FLAME

RR17 – Knights of the Cleansing Flame (May 1985)

“From the ashes of the old are born the new, and the fire shall have cleansed them, and they shall be free of evil.” Chronus Goodheart at the funeral pyre of the Brotherhood. Chronus Goodheart was a member of a singular band of crusaders in the holy war against the Arabians. He was one of the Brotherhood. Chronus came from a deeply religious family and firmly believed in the ways of the West. He abhorred the swarthy, outlandish men of Araby and their insidiously evil culture. Now he was confronted by the most hideous scene he could possibly have envisaged. Before him was a sight that turned his stomach, and a stench that spelled both his nostrils and his soul. It was human carrion, carrion that had once been friend and fellow crusader. Chronus and his three companions were puzzled arid horrified at the sickening carnage that had fallen upon their fellows. It was the work of no man, or no sane man at least, they reasoned. They built a great funeral pyre to consume what remained of the Knights of the Brotherhood. As the flames bellowed and roared one of Chronus’s Knights made a strange discovery amongst the ruins where the massacre had taken place. Returning to Chronus he told of his find, and Chronus at once investigated. What the young Knight had chanced upon was an underground sanctuary -originally part of a temple, but now hidden amongst the ruins. Entering inside Chronus saw the blood stained frescoes, frescoes that depicted scenes of horror and perversion of an altogether abhuman nature. Worst of all, upon the floor lay the discarded uniform and equipment of a Knight of The Brotherhood. ‘Eroneus’, he gasped, as he recognised the clothing of one of the company, Eroneus Balbadron, his own cousin. Chronus’s mind was thrown into chaos. Clearly his cousin had been murdered, and in a manner both foul and inhuman. The whole thing stank of some perverse religious ritual, of a terrible sacrifice to who knows what hellish god. But it was Garland, the standard bearer who glimpsed the truth, for in his youth he had seen the secret woodland temples of the Gods of Chaos, and had heard rumours of their deeds. He came from the forests of the Empire, lands deep enough, and dark enough to hide the minions of chaos [sic] and their victims. In the ruins of the temple he recognised the signs. Chronus was struck dumb at what Garland told him. To find that his own cousin was the monster that had undoubtedly precipitated, if not actually accomplished, the deaths of so many good Knights, was a considerable blow. The Knights packed the sanctuary with straw, and around the whole circuit of the hill they spread such flammable materials as lay to hand. Within an hour the whole hilltop was on fire, and what little remained of the Knights of The brotherhood, and of the strange temple, was utterly destroyed. As the flames burned each Knight swore a great and binding oath. ‘This shall be our call to arms and symbol, the flame of our burning brothers. We must keep the flame burning until such time as our oath is fulfilled and the world cleansed of the evil of Chaos. Only then can our souls rest in peace. And the flame we shall bear as our device, and the minions of Chaos will come to fear us, and we shall be known as the Avenging Knights of the Cleansing Flame. So it was that the four Knights travelled abroad in search of Eroneus. They encountered much evidence of his passing, and many men joined them in their quest, for many were the unspeakable acts committed by the defilers of Chaos. Battlecry – “Cleanse them – and they shall be free of evil”. Deeds – The Knights continue in their quest, never ceasing or stopping in one place long enough save to eat or rest. – ‘The Story of the Cleansing Flame’ (RR17 Knights of the Cleansing Flame)

EEZA UGEZOD MOTHER CRUSHERS

RR18 – Eeza Ugezod’s Mother Crushers (August 1985)

Of all the Orcish raiders to have plundered the Old World from the World’s [sic] Edge Mountains, none have been so feared, or so hated as the Great Black Orcs of the Mother Crusher tribe. Their Great Raids of Hunger continued almost completely unchecked for nearly forty two years, leaving in their wake a trail of butchery seldom equaled In Orcish history. Despite many efforts to capture and destroy them, the Mother Crushers always managed to avoid traps set for them. On the few occasions they were brought to battle the outcome invariably favoured the Orcs – using their famous juggernaut columns to push aside any resistance. Their success was due mainly to the inspired leadership of one Orc. Known throughout the tribes as Eeza Ugezod, Orcish legend abounds with stories of this huge and cunning Orc. One such story, typical of the time, concerns the skirmish an the Great Crossing – a huge, natural span bridging one of the few routes through the mountains to the fertile foothills and valleys of the Old World. It was upon this bridge that a group of Orcs led by Eeza Ugezod were attacked by large numbers of Dwarfs and at least one mountain Giant. An extract from the Orcish ‘Volees Adgitz’ translates as follows. “We goes miles this day. Last dark we kills many wittering souls, poking and cutting them – but not having times to make it slow and get them good and screechy. We gets on the Great Crossing and suddenly all around there’s Stunty Long Beards (Dwarfs) trapping us boys and making pain threats. Then they goes all grinning silent, and crashing through the crowd comes a Great One, all drunk up, with great iron boots sparking as it steps, and long spikes and jags hanging off them, all dressed up for Orc stomping. It comes roaring and swaying towards us, swinging its club and making us boys windy and tearful. And the stunties are laughing, saying at last they’ll have our pretty fangs to make their stunty women grin and dance. And us bold boys – we bunch up close, but cannot help a little wimpering. But Eeza Ugezod’s got no wimper. He waves his axe and swears he’s going to cut Great One’s feet off and pop them in its face. With this he goes off fast forward and sharp hacks the Great One. Its knees goes one way, its great screaming whiskers goes another. The stunties has one look and go all quiet and shuffly. Then Guted – our champion – he gives an honest war shout and we goes off at them cutting up their little bodies, this way and that, and we collects much headskin with hair on it and ties it to our belts. We paints their juices all over the Great Crossing and we calls it the Red Span. We push all the stunties off it, but keeping a few for screamings later and food for the march. We leaves not too many boys deadstiff and continues our way to make our dearest war and raidings.’ No one is quite sure what happened to Eeza Ugezod – he certainly wasn’t amongst the hundreds of Black Orc dead after their supernatural defeat at the hands of the Necromantic Chaos Lord Edis Edis Battle Cry – The Giant Black Orc battle cry can only be termed as an incomprehensible cacophany of abuse and threat. Each individual does his best to outshout his neighbour. However, against Dwarvern foes they would chorus over and over again the blood curdling battle cry… “Stomp the stunties – stomp the stunties – stunty stompings fun!” Battle Tactics – On those rare occasions when tribal animosity does not prevail Black Orc tactics are crudely effective. Always consisting of huge columns (juggernauts) led by the best fighters and flanked by archers and wolf riders. Should there be any of the deadly multi-scythed wolf chariots, or mercenary ogres, these would be placed well to the fare. Although cumbersome and easy prey to artillery and magic, these huge formations were well able to plough through and scatter any but the stoutest enemy formations. – ‘The Story of Eeza Ugezod & the Mother Crushers’ (RR18 Eeza Ugezod’s Mother Crushers)

This is the point at which black orcs are introduced to the Warhammer world. I believe the mentions of the Great Crossing and the Red Span are unique. Eeza Ugezod is a pun on “He’s a huge sod”.

The next post begins a look at WFB2 scenario packs with Blood Bath at Orc’s Drift.

Title art by John Blanche. Used without permission. No challenge intended to the rights holders.