"Now is the time to fight-slay. Kill all man-things and take their land!"
- —Blight Tenscratch proposes capitalising on the infighting between the realms of Men
Blight Tenscratch, known as the "Wormlord" because of his clan's practice of breeding parasites, was a Skaven Grey Lord and the supreme warlord of the Clan Verms during the Black Death in 1111 IC and a member of the Council of Thirteen as a Lord of Decay. He was deeply despised and reviled by other Skaven, as were all of his clan. Tenscratch was slain in a duel for his seat on the council by Poxmaster Puskab Foulfur of Clan Pestilens who he had sponsored to become one of the Lords of Decay, believing that Foulfur would challenge his mentor, Arch-Plaguelord Nurglitch IV of Clan Pestilens.
Instead, Foulfur betrayed Tenscratch and challenged him for his seat. Tenscratch's death vastly increased Clan Pestilens' power on the Council of Thirteen at a crucial juncture in Skaven history.
History[]
Scheme with Puskab Foulfur[]
"Why talk-speak with Nurglitch? There can only be one arch-plaguelord on the council, after all. The other Lords of Decay are ready for a change."
- —Blight Tenscratch tempts Puskab Foulfur into betraying his mentor Arch-Plaguelord Nurglitch IV
In 1111 IC Blight Tenscratch forged an alliance with the Plague Priest Puskab Foulfur, the poxmaster of Clan Pestilens and the creator of the disease known as the Black Death. The Plague Priest desired allies and protection following an assassination attempt upon him by the joint forces of Clan Mors and Clan Skrittlespike. Foulfur was unwilling to go to his own clan for aid, fearing that Seer Lord Skrittar, the leader of the Order of the Grey Seers, had jeopardised his position as the favorite pupil of Clan Pestilens' ruling Arch-Plaguelord Nurglitch IV. [1a]
Tenscratch was also interested in Foulfur's contagion and had an intimate knowledge of how it worked, something that unnerved the Plague Priest. Since the Black Death was spread by infected fleas and Clan Verms was known for breeding all sorts of parasites, an alliance between the two was formed as a natural fit for the spread of the pathogen. The Wormlord also wanted Nurglitch IV slain and replaced by his new ally Foulfur. [1a]
As part of this plan, the Wormlord sent Foulfur to lead an assassination attempt on Nurglitch IV. Tenscratch also assigned Thaglik, the swarmleader of his own clan, as Foulfur's partner and as an extra pair of eyes to watch over the Plague Priest. However, it was Foulfur himself who thwarted this attempt. After the failed assassination, Tenscratch knew that further half-measures against Nurglitch IV would not be viable, as the arch-plaguelord's was now aware that there was a plot against him. Tenscratch's solution was to have Foulfur directly challenge the arch-plaguelord for his seat on the Council of Thirteen. Tenscratch used his power as a sitting Lord of Decay to sponsor Foulfur for and help him cheat on the required Twelve Tests, each designed by a sitting Lord of Decay to prevent challenges to their positions and eliminate any challengers.[1c]
Yet Tenscratch did not know that by accepting Foulfur into his clan's lair, he had already sealed their doom as well as his own.[1b] The same disease the Wormlord coveted and planned to use to bring Skavendom to its knees before his clan had already been released via fleas from Foulfur's own fur inside The Hive, the stronghold of Clan Verms. The pathogen ravaged the clan's population, as Foulfur had planned. The Council of Thirteen then demanded the immolation of Clan Verm's burrow in order to contain the infection, and sent Clans Volkn, Skryre and Rictus to carry out the deed. Tenscratch only escaped the destruction of his clan through a series of favours owed to him and the placing of expensive bribes. Watching his home warren burn, Tenscratch blamed Nurglitch IV, unaware that the real culprit was his own ally, Puskab Foulfur. [1d]
Foulfur was brought before the council and accused of plotting Clan Verms' destruction, but the Wormlord himself denied this. Tenscratch instead believed Nurglitch IV was the author of Clan Verms' destruction and expected Foulfur to challenge the arch-plaguelord, but the intra-clan loyalty of the religious fanatics of Clan Pestilens held firm. Foulfur instead announced his challenge for Tenscratch's seat, having never intended to betray his mentor or turn against Clan Pestilens.[2a]
Death[]
"The destruction of my warren demands justice! Challenge the traitor-meat! Remove his stink from the Shattered Tower!"
- —Blight, unaware Puskab intends to challenge him
Incensed with murder-lust against Foulfur for his betrayal, the Wormlord raced up into the upper levels of the Shattered Tower, the basilica of the Horned Rat where the Council of Thirteen met, both ratmen seeking to get to the belfry's platform before the 13th toll of the Horned Rat's Bell.[2b]
Tenscratch tried to cheat by loosening bricks and stones to drop on his rival, but Foulfur relied on his magic to complete the climb. The Wormlord proved a swifter opponent, as he was equipped with climbing claws and cords made from Skaven tails. Tensratch brought a blade to the challenge, as well as a huge red centipede hidden beneath his clothing, both of which he used against the traitorous Plague Priest. However, Tenscratch's physical might proved no match for Foulfur's pestilential magical gifts.[2b]
After shattering Tenscratch's skull with his staff, the Plague Priest shoved the Wormlord's corpse over the edge of the belfry platform, laying claim to his seat upon the council as the newest Lord of Decay.[2b]
Appearance[]
Blight Tenscratch was a large, scabrous Skaven with a thin voice. His ears were a mass of scarred tissue, overwhelmed by the ticks that had fastened themselves upon them. Despite this, Tenscratch's ears were still capable of mobility and communication with other Skaven.[1a]
Tenscratch travelled on a palanquin carried by legions of tawny-furred Skavenslaves.[1a]