Skaven

Lore & Background

Their technology is a grotesque parody of human and dwarf ingenuity, powered by the mutagenic substance known as warpstone. This glowing green rock fuels their engines, powers their sorcery, and drives them mad, yet they crave it with an addictive fervor. From the massive Steam Tanks clattering across battlefields to the Warpfire Throwers that burn flesh away, Skaven warfare is a chaotic blend of crude machinery and dark magic. They are masters of ambush and guerrilla tactics, striking from the shadows before vanishing back into their labyrinthine tunnels, leaving only destruction and madness in their wake.

In Their Own Story

The damp air of the tunnel tasted of mold and decay as Krelle checked his claws for the third time. Above, the stone ceiling vibrated with the distant rumble of human footsteps, but here below, the silence was broken only by the skittering of a thousand kin. A whisper passed through the crowd—a rumor that the Clan Moulder had stolen the warpstone cache meant for the Skryre. Krelle's eyes narrowed; loyalty was a weakness, and survival demanded action. He signaled his runners to flank the rival clan while he prepared his poison darts. Tonight, the Great Game would claim another victim, and the Horned Rat would be fed yet again.

Reader's Guide

The Skaven are a faction defined by their overwhelming numbers, technological ingenuity, and deep-seated treachery. Their primary goal is the total domination of the world for the glory of the Horned Rat, though this ambition is often undermined by their constant infighting. Their ranks include various specialized castes: the common Skaven warriors who form the bulk of their hordes, the monstrous Clanrats, and the terrifying Stormvermin. They also field unique units like the Warpfire Throwers, Plague Monks, and massive war machines such as the Doomwheel and Steam Tank. In the grand conflict of the Old World, they act as a cancerous force, constantly threatening to overrun civilized lands from below. While they are often outmatched in single combat by humans or Dwarfs, their ability to swarm, use poison, and strike unexpectedly makes them a nightmare for any army that underestimates them.

Did You Know?

• Skaven society is so paranoid that betrayal between clans is considered a standard part of daily life rather than an exception.
• Warpstone is the primary power source for Skaven technology, but it also causes mutations and madness in those who use it too much.
• Contrary to popular belief, Skaven possess a twisted aesthetic appreciation, evident in their grand religious architecture and intricate artifact craftsmanship.