A Dark Pegasus
The Dark Pegasi (sing. Dark Pegasus), sometimes called Fallen Pegasi,[3a] are Chaos-corrupted, mutant versions of normal Pegasi. Native to the Chaos Wastes, they fly south into Naggaroth's Iron Mountains to make their nests, and are often captured and then used as flying mounts by the Dark Elves of Naggaroth.[1b]
Isolated populations of Dark Pegasi are believed to exist in the Grey Mountains, who are rumoured to be the result of a failed attempt to crossbreed Pegasi with darker creatures by ambitious Couronnian horse breeders.[3a]
It is said that the Elven god Nethu, the Gatekeeper of Mirai, the Elven Underworld, commands a host of Dark Pegasi from his dark fortress.[1a]
Role[]
The Dark Pegasus Sulephet, mount of the sorceress Morathi of the Dark Elves, as rendered for Total War: Warhammer II.
It is from eyries in the Iron Mountains of Naggaroth that the Dark Elves steal young Dark Pegasi to serve as steeds, knowing that the adults are too savage to be trained. The majority of these young Dark Pegasi are sold in Ghrond, for such beasts are favoured as steeds by the Druchii Sorceresses but may also be ridden by Dreadlords.[1b]
The Dark Pegasus Sulephet, mount of the sorceress Morathi of the Dark Elves, as rendered for Total War: Warhammer II.
The only named Dark Pegasus is Sulephet, the mount of Morathi, the first of the Hag Queens.[1b]
Dark Pegasi are originally the bat-winged Pegasi denizens of the Chaos Wastes that migrate south to make their nests in the highest peaks of the Iron Mountains of Naggaroth. A Dark Pegasus is a swift and certain hunter, able to soar upon thermals for hour upon hour, patiently tracking its prey.[2a]
Only when the quarry is at its most vulnerable does the Dark Pegasus launch into a swooping dive, its jagged horns aimed to impale. Although all Pegasi are formidable fighters at need, only the Dark Pegasus seems to revel in combat. They are aggressive and kick out their front hooves in an effort to intimidate their foes.[2a]
Appearance[]
Dark Pegasi would appear as great, black steeds were it not for their two unique features:
They possess two horns, one greater than the other, which protrude from their heads. These are used to impale prey and enemies. These horns are organic, unlike the metallic grafts attached to the warhorses of the knights of the Empire and Bretonnia.
The Dark Pegasus Sulephet, mount of the sorceress Morathi of the Dark Elves, as rendered for Total War: Warhammer II.
All Dark Pegasi possess bat-like wings that are used for flight. Dark Pegasi fly at the altitude of the tops of mountains.