"A reverberation of the past maybe, but one which brings resounding terror and screaming death, right now, to those unlucky enough to face them."
- —Description of the Dread Saurains from Total War: Warhammer II.[2]
A Dread Saurian standing near a man-sized Skink.
Of all the reptilian nightmares that inhabit the jungle-shrouded continent of Lustria, Dread Saurians are one of the most feared; an echo of ancient days when huge beasts such as they did battle with the forefathers of the Dragons for supremacy.[1a]
Role[]
The spiked fins on Dread Saurians' back brush the top of the jungle canopy as they move, the massive beasts constantly searching for prey to satisfy their unending hunger. Once found their gigantic, snapping crocodilian jaws can tear apart an adult Stegadon in a welter of blood, the Dread Saurians thrashing and shredding their prey until the jungle around them is coated in red. Immense creatures, larger than the towering Carnosaur, when a Dread Saurian lets out a triumphant cry, its roaring echos can be heard within the titled plazas of the Lizardmen cities as well as Lustria's deep jungles; a roar that all predatory reptiles both fear and respect.[1a]
Dread Saurians are few in number and sacred to the Lizardmen. Protected by large armoured plates of gold and jewels inscribed with ancient prophecies, these mighty reptilian beasts often live within mountainous temples dedicated to the Old Ones. From here, they are kept in lavishly decorated chambers that are fit for a king, where the Skink Priests give up offerings of sacrifice to these mighty demi-gods. These ceremonial titans carry the most precious relics of ancient days, items of power left behind by the Old Ones. With these artifacts in their possession, the Dread Saurian are near-indestructible when unleashed upon the enemy.[1a]
When the Winds of Magic rise and a great storm draws close, the Slann Mage-Priests will stir and chant the ancient rituals of binding, shackling captive Dread Saurians to their will, their legendary might being coveted by the sorcerers and wizards of younger races. The fury of each that prowls the fetid jungles is moderated only by the arcane power of the ceremonial armour that bedecks them. Without this precaution, even the power of the Slann could not hold them in check when they are unleashed. Under the Slaan however, these reptilian monstrosities wreak terrible havoc once let loose upon the battlefield, destroying the foe with both their fang-lined jaws and the divine blessing of the Old Ones.[1a]
Known Dread Saurians[]
- The Shredder of Lustria
Theatre[]
Total War WARHAMMER 2 - Introducing... Dread Saurians
The Dread Saurian.
Miniature[]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer: Monstrous Arcanum (Supplement)
- 1a: pp. 64-65
- 2: Total War: Warhammer II (Videogame)