"Ahhh... I love that smell. It smells like... like..."
"Like chicken?"
"...I was thinking LIKE VICTORY you foolish imp!"
- —General Blackheart and Lumpin Croop argue after the conquest of a Temple-City of the Lizardmen.[1b]
Recruitment poster for one of Blackheart's expeditions into the Far East.[1c]
Blackheart is a veteran Mercenary General, famous for his expeditions to the Far East and the Lizardmen Temple-Cities of Lustria and capable of leading armies composed of many different races - all united by their thirst for gold.[1a][1b][1c][2a]
History[]
"Ahaa... I'll tell you what. I'll have you swap with Croop's lot - they'll be too drunk to notice the Ogres by now - that'll put you next to Juggo 'Senseless' Joriksonn..."
"General! Please don't trouble yourself. I see now that the situation is unavoidable... sorry to have bothered you. Goodnight."
- —Blackheart helping to settle camping arrangements with Elodhir Seamane.[1a]
Blackheart began his career as a young Mercenary Captain, leading armies that counted Orcs and Hobgoblins, men, Elves and Dwarfs amongst their ranks. In this early period, he travelled to the Far East took part in the assault upon Nan Chu, where a hundred thousand perished upon the field, and then in the ensuing Terror of Wang, during which ten times as many died.[1b] It may have been during this time that he learnt not to trust the treachery of Hobgoblin units, barring them from ever serving under his banner again.[1c]
Over his long and glorious career, Blackheart's hair turned grey and his body became a criss-cross of livid scars - badges of bloody battle, cruel captivity and occasional inattentiveness. He wore an eye-patch where an Orc blade had gouged out his eye, and he thought it rather fetching. Now he was 'the general', the man whose word drove armies over the salty seas and to the ends of the earth.[1b] He had also gained ample experience in handling fractious mercenary captains under his command, sometimes playing them against each other to maintain order.[1a]
Nonetheless, true power had always eluded him. Treasures so desperately won had been all too easily lost. Knowing this could well be his last chance, he led an expedition of Dogs of War (including at least Halflings, Orcs, Dwarf Thunderers, and Ogres) to assault a Temple-City. There, his forces won a resounding victory over the Lizardmen defenders, and he gave them three days of unrestrained pillage in accordance to the law of battle.[1b]
Accounts of his voyage in Lustria have been read by greedy minds ready to embark in search of Lustria's treasure, just as in the case of the mercenary captain Juan Cornetto. These fantasious reports speak of bands of warrior women waiting in the jungles to prey on the unwary.[2a]
Mercenary units known to have served under General Blackheart[]
"WANTED!... For expedition to the mysterious east... Willing freebooters of good reputation and proven ability. Tropical experience an advantage. Be prepared to sail by the first week of the harvest tide, on a sea voyage of no less than six months duration... Interested Captains to present themselves to General Blackheart at the Reaver's Return Inn, Dockside!..."
- —Wanted poster by General Blackheart, Note ye well - Hobgoblins need not apply.[1c]