"A Bretonnian Grail Knight, Sir Amalric of Gaudaron, has been drawn ever closer to Athel Loren these past few days, guided by visions of the Lady. Even from the borders of the forest, Kemmler's handiwork is plain and, sensing a quest worthy of a Grail Knight, Amalric forces his steed to ride on through the screaming skies and writhing trees..."
- —The Return of the Lichemaster.[1a]
The Bane of the Undead.[2]
Sir Amalric of Gaudaron, also known as the Bane of the Undead, was a famed Grail Knight of Bretonnia.[1a]
History[]
Of all the Grail Knights in the service of Bretonnia, few were so famed as Sir Amalric of Gaudaron Keep, scourge of the undying and blessed champion of the Lady of the Lake. Almaric spent his early years as a knight in the service of Baron Prithard of Carcassonne, one warrior amongst many in the Baron's service. Prithard, whilst a noble and just Lord, needed the support of worthy knights to defend his domains, for though well schooled in the courtly arts, the skills of diplomacy forever eluded him. As such he often found himself at odds with his peers and could rely on little support from them. Though young, Amalric swiftly proved his impressive skill at arms, and he was soon made a full Knight of the Realm and appointed master of Gaudaron Keep, an old but serviceable castle in the foothills of the Vaults.[1a]
It was shortly after the young knight was installed in his domains, that the accursed Liche, Hardakh, rose from his crypt deep within the Vaults, and led an army of mouldering corpses into the southern Carcassonne territories. Amalric was one of many bold knights who met with Hardakh upon the field of battle. It seemed that the Blessing of the Lady flowed through Amalric with unprecedented vigour, for the undead warriors could not stand before him. Wherever Amalric rode, the Necromancer's evil magics seemed to ebb and fade. Skeletal warriors collapsed into dust and spectral hosts dispersed into the wind at his coming.[1a]
Even the Vampiric Knight, Sir Morten the Black, scourge upon the lands of Gaudaron for over 200 years, aged and died as he offered challenge to Amalric. With his army crumbling about him and the men of Bretonnia emboldened, Hardakh had no choice but to retreat from battle (though within a league, his undead form suffered a short but pointed encounter with Baron Prithard's favourite Hippogryph). Recognising the instrumental role that Amalric had played in the victory, the Baron offered him rank and great wealth. Such a reward would have brought a new age of comfort on Amalric's impoverished family. Yet, spurred on by visions and faith, the young knight chose instead to commit himself to the path of the Lady.[1a]
To this day, ballads are still sung of the Quest of Sir Amalric - largely on the insistence of his family who benefited greatly from his fame. Though some of the claims made of Amalric's travels are mythical - he did not engage in a game of riddles with one of the fey folk - or embellished - the Chaos Champion Karnak had merely three heads, not five - he still performed many great deeds.[1a]
On the slopes of the Grey Mountains, Amalric beheaded the ferocious Beastlord Shadeflench and scattered his followers. It was Amalric who single-handedly defended the Tower Perilous from Goblin raiders, and he who twice defeated and slew the Wight King, Bracht the Eternal. Ultimately, with the blessing of the Lady as his guide and companion, Amalric's quest was was a successful one. On the banks of the Brienne, Amalric supped from the Grail and truly became the chosen of the Lady of the Lake. Little was he to know that the greatest trial of his life was yet to await him, for shortly after, in the year 2497 IC, the Lady bade him to ride deep into the fey and dangerous forest of Athel Loren, where he would confront one of the most powerful Necromancers to ever walk the Old World. Heinrich Kemmler.[1a]
The Grail Knight proved invaluable to the Wood Elves of Athel Loren, aiding them in their fight against Kemmler's undead hordes. The Necromancer commanded legions of rare and powerful undead, such as Simulacra, Glooms and Barrow Guardians. The Elves attempted to weaken his army, assailing them at every step as they marched further and further into the forest, but their numbers were too few to halt the unliving. A fierce battle soon erupted within a massive glade, deep within Athel Loren's borders. Thousands of stoic Eternal Guard advanced on the foe, while Warhawk Riders swept down time and time again through thick clouds of crows and ravens to attack the long dead warriors. It was the furthest into Athel Loren that any attack had ever reached. Nevertheless, the Lichemaster could not overcome the combined fury of the Asrai and the Bane of the Undead. He was eventually defeated, driven from the forest by the Wood Elves and their Bretonnian ally.[1a][3]
Amalric would later become a member of the King's royal court in Couronne, after Louen Leoncoeur's coronation in 2500 IC.[2]
Wargear and Abilities[]
Amalric was an incredibly powerful warrior, having slain Chaos Champions, Wight Kings and Beastlords while still a mortal knight. He was anathema to the unholy, capable of destroying hordes of undead enemies without even lifting his weapon.[1a]
- "The Icon of the Lady" was a holy talisman that protected Amalric from the gravest of harm, shielding him from the blows of his enemies.[1a]
Miniature[]
Sources[]
- 1: White Dwarf 310 (UK)
- 1a: pp. 104-107
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition)
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (6th Edition)
Gallery[]
