Bitter Stink, or sometimes known as Bitter Stump is a Skaven stronghold located within the marshes of the Wasteland, controlled by the Grey Seers of Clan Scruten. Marienburg, being the infamous trading port of the Old World, lies in the midst of the stinking swamplands called the Cursed Marshes. It is within these marshes that the Skaven of Clan Scruten have their hidden stronghold, from where they launch their insidious raids beneath Marienburg and its surroundings. Around the year 2000 IC, the clan was led away from Skavenblight by the Grey Seer Kritislik. Deep beneath the marshes of Marienburg he led them, into the ancient and abandoned Skaven stronghold known simply as Rat Rock, to the north-east of the human city.[1a]
It is said that several Warlord clans once competed for dominance within the keep and it was once teeming with thousands of Skaven and their slaves. However, the stronghold was doomed once a new threat became apparent. The rival Warlords united, combining their strengths to fight this menace, yet it was to no avail. Who this foe was has been covered by the shroud of time, though stories tell of some form of daemonic, cyclopean swamp-dwellers.[1a]
It is said that these ancient daemons were somehow a part of the marsh itself, able to control the mists and command the creatures that dwelt within them. Whoever this enemy was, it is believed that they had the Skaven wiped each other out. Marienburgers fear the swamplands, and venture into them only when necessary as a result. The Skaven of Clan Scruten take advantage of this, and many of their activities are attributed to mythical daemons of the swamp - whether they ever existed or not.[1a]