Jacob Stacheldhorf

Map of the Old World, and possible portrait of Stacheldhorf.^[2a]

Jacob Stacheldhorf, also spelled Jacob Stackeldhorf^[6d], Collector of Antiquities, is an explorer, cartographer and "archaeologist" of the Empire -- a brash and resourceful man who has succeeded in many dangerous "digs." He is often accompanied in his expeditions by Andrea Munch, a tough woman who holds Jacob's eye, and Aziz, his right-hand man, guide and loyal friend.^[1]

History

Stacheldhorf and the High Elf Empire

"Domains of Ancient Elfenfolk from the Mystic Ysle," by Jacob Stacheldhorf.^[4a][9a]

The Asur of Ulthuan are notoriously protective regarding the extent of their ancient empire, and the details of those parts of the Known World that still remain under their control. They do not like to teach the Men of the Old World too much about such things, explaining that they feel the Dwarfs still harbour bitter enmity towards them, and that as a matter of security they must therefore keep their secrets to themselves.^[9a]

The explorer Jacob Stackeldhorf's attempts to put together a map of the extent of old High Elf colonial territories has met with criticism, as he blots his record rather egregiously by confusing the locations of major nations, for example, and many of the islands he depicts located on the coasts of Lustria are inaccurate in their scale and position, but his theories as to the times and places that the High Elves have occupied parts of the world beyond the borders of Ulthuan stand up to moderate scrutiny.^[9a]

Old Worlders are only too aware that cities such as L'Anguille, Tobaro, and Marienburg were founded on High Elf ruins, and that the Asur still hold on to a few scattered fortresses on the shores and islands of the seas in the world's southern hemisphere. However, the High Elves have dwindled a great deal since the days of "the height of the seafaring power," as Stackeldhorf has it.^[9a]

Visitors to the Citadel of Dusk in Lustria and the Fortress of Dawn in the Southlands are few, for the High Elves are stringent as to who they do and do not allow passage to such places. However, those few Human sea captains that have had dealings with the High Elves of such places say that the vast towers of the great Elven fortresses are empty and echoing places, garrisoned by a lonely few warriors, wizards, and attendants.^[9a]

Of course, much of what remains of their northern territory is now split between warring kingdoms of Men, and no evidence has been found of the lands they once occupied about the Isthmus of Lustria, if Stackeldhorf has it right that they ever lived there at all.^[9a]

Expedition to the Badlands

Stacheldhorf's expedition to the Badlands seems to have started from Barak Varr and headed south through the territory of the Orcs of the Great Slaughter, who killed one of his men, Juan. The group then headed east towards the entrance of Death Pass, and then west again to avoid the "many large old Orc camps" in the area, eventually finding Boggart holes.^[5a]

Further south they hired a Goblin Wolf Rider as guide, but he proved to be untrustworthy and ended up killed north of the Blind River. The expedition crossed it, then trekked upriver to find the route that winds along the Worlds Edge Mountains from Karak Azul, managing to steal a Wyvern egg from its nest in the process. Later they also explored the upper part of the Blight Water river near the Misty Mountain, and found massacred traders near Fire Kobold territory on the southwestern edge of the Badlands.^[5a]

From there they decided to cross the Marshes of Madness, but they were ambushed by Bone Nose and Red Shield Orcs and eventually got lost in the marshes. In the end they reached the Dragonback Mountains near Mount Bloodhorn and walked around them to the southwest to reach the Route of El Cadavo from Araby and Zandri back to Barak Varr. During this endeavor, another member of the expedition, Enrico, was eaten by a Troll, and the horses were eaten by Boggarts near the territory of the Bloody Hand Orcs.^[5a]

Soon after they joined an Arabyan trader and returned north along the Black Gulf's eastern shore, although they had to pay a toll twice to the Blue Face Tribe to leave the Dragonback Mountains behind. In the end they reached Barak Varr safely, but they saw Orc Boar Boyz shadowing them near the end of the expedition.^[5a]

Expeditions to Nehekhara

Stacheldhorf seems to have taken part in several successful "digs" in the ruins of the Tomb Kings of Nehekhara, alongside Andrea Munch and the Arabyan guide Aziz.^[1]

On one occasion, he returned to Altdorf in 8th Plugzeit 2499 IC after a long expedition to the south. He met with his friend Heinrich Johann at the Red Lion tavern, where he ranted about the sarcophagus of the infant King Kaspeh, exhibited in the Wonders of Ancient Nehekhara display of the Magnus Museum. The next day, he ascertained that the Khepra Beetle pattern inset on the lid of the sarcophagus matched a drawing on an ancient parchment he had acquired from Araby, and left it in Heinrich's care alongside a stone ankh -- purportedly the key to the tomb of Queen Rasut -- to be kept safe until his return in a month.^[7a]

By the time he returned, however, he found that Heinrich Johann had had the parchment deciphered, lost the stone ankh to antiquities collector Clarissa Lohft from Nuln, and resolved to travel to Al-Haikk in her pursuit.^[7a]

Stacheldhorf only found the last pages of Johann's journal many years later, but his friend's whereabouts remained unknown. Apparently, from Araby he reached the necropolis of Khemri and, thanks to his own rough map, located Queen Rasut's pyramid, hoping to take her mummy back to Altdorf to exhibit it alongside Kaspeh's. Inside, Johann discovered Lohft had died upon drinking from a fountain with a hieroglyphic inscription that read "Eternal Life," and he kept delving into the deadly tomb until he found both Rasut's sarcophagus and the Scarab Key for Kaspeh's. His notes ended as he began to hear "strange noises" coming from the queen's sarcophagus.^[7a]

Fearing the worst, Stacheldhorf informed the Lord Curator of the Magnus Museum, promising to mount an expedition to investigate the final fate of his friend.^[7a]

Another infamous expedition to the Land of the Dead took Jacob, Andrea and Aziz to the tomb of Prince Rahektep. Before reaching the final sandstone door that blocked their approach to Rahektep's resting place, half their companions had died due to various insidious and artful traps. When he did open the door, the Undead guardians of the tomb woke up and rushed to their liege's defence, led by an irate Liche Priest.^[1]

Having been routed from the prince's tomb, Stacheldhorf and his remaining compatriots retreated to the relative safety of their makeshift campsite, erected among the ruined walls of a long-forgotten temple. Nevertheless, the Liche Priest sought to keep them away for good, and Stacheldhorf was wise enough to realise that he would never be able to outrun the dead. Refusing to die at the hands of the leathery creature and throw away all of his research and toil, Stacheldhorf and his surviving men fought back, managing to escape with the stone sarcophagus of the Tomb Prince.^[1]

Back in Altdorf, Jacob brought the sarcophagus of Prince Rahektep and his Tomb Guard to the Magnus Museum, where they were displayed in a new exhibit themed after a reconstructed Nehekharan temple. In the middle of the celebrations, however, the Liche Priest reappeared -- he had managed to track the party back to the Empire and was trying to resurrect the Tomb Prince to enact revenge upon the grave robbers. His presence awakened the Tomb Guard, and a pitched battle was fought to stop the Ritual of Awakening.^[1]

Expedition to the Worlds Edge Mountains and beyond

At an unknown date, Jacob Stacheldhorf undertook a trip to the Dwarf realms of the Worlds Edge Mountains, probably to compile a map of the Karaz Ankor.^[6a] He seems to have reached Karaz-a-Karak by foot, and to have left behind descriptions of its main gates and the High King's Hall.^[6b]

From there it's certain he took the Underway with the intention of visiting Karak Kadrin, although he took a detour overland to see Zhufbar.^[6c] On the way back to Karak Kadrin, he crossed the high altitude bridge known as Ekrund Grom (Khazalid for "Stair of Courage"), where he witnessed a strange ritual of the Slayer Cult.^[6d]

Nothing is known of his visit to the Slayer Keep. The last known communication from Stacheldhorf to the Empire was sent from the eastern slopes of the Worlds Edge Mountains, where he had travelled through the dangerous Silver Road from Karaz-a-Karak. He declared his intention to travel into the Blasted Wastes of the Dark Lands, and his hope that he'd be able to send new letters in the future.^[6c] His fate remains unknown.

Cartographical Work

Physical map of the Empire by Jacob Stacheldhorf^[3a]

Political map of the Empire by Jacob Stacheldhorf^[3b]

Map of Albion annotated by Jacob Stacheldhorf^[8a]

Stacheldhorf's calligraphy can be recognised in several maps of the Known World, including:

• A full map of the Old World.^[2a]

• Physical^[3a] and political^[3b] maps of the Empire.

• A world map estimating the maximum extent of the Elven overseas empire, titled "Domains of Ancient Elfenfolk from the Mystic Ysle," and drawn as part of a book of his called "Elfen Ruins in the Old World and Beyonde."^[4a] This map mistakes the positions of Grand Cathay and Khuresh in the Far East.

• An updated cartography of the Badlands. This seems to have been commissioned by an Imperial nobleman who refused to reveal his motivations to Stacheldhorf, and to have been exceedingly dangerous to accurately compile.^[5a]

• A map of the Karaz Ankor. It includes sketches of Dwarf strongholds and artefacts, including an old Flame Cannon.^[6a]

• A map of Albion and the coasts and ports of the Old World.^[8a] Stacheldhorf seems to have added notes to an older map about Losteriksson's landings, native tribes and other features.

The dates on which he compiled these maps are unknown. Several of these maps can be seen in the gallery at the top of this section.

Wargear

Jacob Stacheldhorf wields a whip, a sword and a pistol, and wears a lucky hat that grants him a measure of protection. Andrea Munch fights with a sword and a pistol, and Aziz with a dagger.^[1]

Quotes

"Domains of Ancient Elfenfolk from the Mystic Ysle
Through laborious research and arduous cross-referencing on the many legends and myths of the ancient race of Elfenkind, coupled with my own knowledge of the geography of the realm, I have pieced together this estimation of the extent of the Elfen expansion at the height of their seafaring power. For more detailed cartographic splendours I refer the honourable gentleman to my accompanying work, 'Elfen Ruins in the Old World and Beyonde.'"

—Jacob Stacheldhorf^[4a]

"Lord, I Trust that this new map will be more to your esteemed taste, including, as it does, a whole new assortment of additional information. Shown here are the territories claimed by the many and varied greenskin tribes that lurk at present in the Badlands. The accuracy of the information displayed here has never before been equalled, and was obtained at no small cost in both equipment and lives. I have taken the liberty of including with this map a few of the more interesting scraps gleaned from the divers merchants, traders and explorers we have questioned. I hope they are also of some use. However, if I may humbly suggest once more that my research could be of more help to your lordship if he were to vouchsafe the purpose of his proposed expedition through these treacherous lands."

—Jacob Stacheldhorf^[5a]

"My Lord Curator of the Magnus Museum,
After many years I have finally recovered the final extracts of Heinrich Johann's journal. Of Johann's whereabouts I know not. We can but pray to Sigmar for his safe return. When funding becomes available I will endeavour to mount an expedition to investigate the matter further but I fear for the worse."

—Jacob Stacheldhorf^[7a]

"I had expected the Underway, or Undgrin as it is known in the Khazalid tongue, to be a treacherous ruined route. My research into the histories of the Dwarf nations led to my belief that it had been virtually destroyed in the Time of Woes. To my great amazement what I found was a road that makes the Street of Sigmar in Altdorf seem like a farm track in comparison. Wide enough for two cavalry regiments to pass each other with ease, the Undgrim is truly spectacular. I hired a guide to escort me to my destination of Karak Kadrin, although I plan to make a detour to encompass a visit to Zhufbar on route.
My guide informed me on some of the history of the Undgrin. It would seem that it was constructed in the time of the High King Snorri Whitebeard. Originally it was designed to link the northern strongholds with those of the south, as the winding treacherous mountain routes proved to exact a high toll on Dwarf ore shipments. As trade began to flourish, the Dwarfs saw a need to expand the route. A series of routes were added to the main road, 'Umwan' in Khazalid, linking each of the major Dwarf settlements together. Before the great earthquakes, the Dwarf engineers had even constructed a gigantic steam driven wagon which pulled carts filled with ore up and down the route.
Unfortunately all this was destroyed in the Time of Woes. The great earthquakes collapsed many of the sections of the Undgrin and blocked off communications between the strongholds. Most of the mountain passes had been usurped by Goblins and were no longer safe to travel, and thus the strongholds found themselves isolated and vulnerable to attack.
It was with this in mind that I expected to find a ruinous rocky route but my expectations were proved wrong. The Dwarfs have rebuilt much of the northern section of the Umwan and many of its tributary road. Every twenty feet a massive oil torch burns, lighting up the busy route. Gigantic pillars reach up one hundred feet to the ceiling of the Underway, which is so smoothly hewn from the rock that it reflects the light of the torches. Many engineers are busy constructing areas of the route, though what they are actually doing I can but speculate. Most of those engineers whom we passed were busy in conversation and seemed little concerned by the disruption that their work caused.
More carts than I have ever laid eyes upon travel the Undgrim, all laden with precious ores and gemstones.
As I passed some tributary routes, I took note that they were blocked off from access and many had guards posted at their entrances. These, my guide informed me, were sections that are still ruinous. Many of these routes are occupied by hordes of Skaven and Goblins who took advantage of the earthquakes to take them over. From what my guide told me, I gathered that it is the Dwarfs' highest priority to clear these sections of vermin and to once again link all of the Dwarf Holds. Should they achieve this, I have little doubt that once again the Dwarf nation will flourish."

—Jacob Stacheldorf^[6c]

"Day 29. I have begun my trek up Karaz Whitecap. I find myself having to regularly stop for breath. The air as we ascend the mountain grows thin and I cannot walk for more than an hour before I must stop. My Dwarf guide is most patient with me, although I have little doubt that such is the vigour and stamina of these stout fellows that he could easily have reached the top by now without any need for rest. We have made camp for the evening at a beautiful site that overlooks the great lake of Black Water. In the distance I can just make out the ruins of Cragmere. From this high vantage point, had I not known of the beasts and monsters that now inhabit the former stronghold, I would have thought it no different from any other of the great Holds.
Day 30. My sleep was disturbed by the bellows of the stone trolls that stalk the mountainsides. Many was the time I woke believing the strong winds that buffeted my tent in the night to be my impending doom at the claws of one of these monstrous creatures. By noon we had reached the top of the mountain. My legs gave way to the sight before me. A bridge arcs high between the peaks of Karaz Whitecap and Karag Fanghorn. I cannot even hazard a guess at how the Dwarfs built such a structure, or why. I can now understand why the Dwarfs call this bridge 'Ekrund Grom' or the Stair of Courage. My guide has informed me that we shall not be making the crossing today as the winds are too strong. I thank Sigmar for his mercy, but know that this is a brief respite before I must search my heart to summon the courage to cross.
Day 31. A party of troll slayers have arrived at the summit. Usually loners, they have gathered together to perform a rite of passage for one of their number. For some unknown reason, trolls' guts acquired from a recent victorious battle were tied to his ankles. What happened next was beyond my comprehension. He walked to the centre of the bridge carrying a large boulder to which was tied the other end of the length of troll gut. Placing the boulder he then jumped off the bridge to what I thought was his doom. Amazingly the troll guts are so tough they took his weight and he was catapulted back up towards the brige. After retrieving their comrade the small party offered me the chance to undertake this ritual, but I value my life more than these strange caste of Dwarfs and politely declined.
Day 32. Today I finally summoned up the courage to cross the skybridge. My guide informed me that I was the first Man to do so since Sigmar himself. I must admit though it was not easy to do. The bridge is wide enough to accomodate several Dwarfs abreast at its start, but by the time I had traversed its path to the centre it becomes barely a few feet wide. I was very glad to reach the other side and start my descent to the stronghold of Karak Kadrin where I intend to visit the famed Slayer Shrine. After finally meeting some of this legendary caste, albeit in such strange circumstances, I will regard these doomed Dwarfs with a new respect."

—The Journal of Jacob Stackeldhorf. Travels through the Worlds Edge Mountains.^[6d]

"From the east pass of Karaz-a-Karak I began my trek along the Silver Road. Most passes to the east of the Worlds Edge Mountains are dangerous routes and within a few miles of leaving the vicinity of the Dwarf stronghold I found my path difficult to travel. Night Goblin tribes and Orc bandits have claimed ownership of the eastern half of the Worlds Edge Mountain range and will attack any intruders. I was reliably informed that the Silver Road was the safest route to the east since the Dwarfs have managed to hold most of the surrounding mountains. Once the route was well travelled. My guide told me that vast mule trains trekked back and forth along the road carrying loads of silver ore on their backs, from which some scholars believe the road's name originates.
The route descends steeply through the Deadrock Gap where even Dwarfs are now hesitant to go. It was here that my guide left me to return to the safety of his Hold. I carefully made my way down the slope, losing only one mule on the treacherously narrow path. As well as the usual tribes of Goblins that now inhabit the ruins of Mount Silverspear, at certain times of the year many Giants gather here. It is largely believed that they group together for some ritualistic ceremony. The intrepid Halfling adventurer, Will Bough, is the only known witness of the ceremony and he paled, refusing to talk of the subject when I began to enquire about his experience. Whatever the dark nature of the gathering, the Giants revel in hurling large boulders down into the pass at any creatures that should be unfortunate enough to catch their attention. Care should be taken if you intend to travel this route and a sturdy, preferably Dwarf-made, helmet is highly recommended.
Once I safely made it through the Deadrock Gap, the road continued on through the Blasted Wastes. It stretched on into the distance as far as my eye could see. Opinion varies as to the final destination of this road and as to who constructed it and more importantly why. Nonetheless few Dwarfs who have ever travelled the road past Mount Silverspear have ever returned. Of those rare few who have, I found them reluctant to speak of what lies to the east of the Worlds Edge Mountains, cursing in their own tongue and falling silent. It is with trepidation of my journey ahead that I dispatch this scroll by means [of a messenger] bird. I trust that it reaches you and pray that you will receive another soon."

—Last known letter of Jacob Stacheldhorf^[6c]

Sources

• 1: Games Workshop US - Skirmish: Tomb Kings (Archived 22/6/2004).
• 2: Warhammer: The Game of Fantasy Battles (6th Edition)
  • 2a: pp. 158-159
• 3: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition)
  • 3a: pg. 5
  • 3b: pg. 57
• 4: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition)
  • 4a: pg. 49
• 5: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (6th Edition)
  • 5a: pp. 4-5
• 6: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (6th Edition)
  • 6a: pp. 4-5
  • 6b: pp. 56-57
  • 6c: pg. 60
  • 6d: pg. 61
• 7: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (6th Edition)
  • 7a: pp. 72-75
• 8: Warhammer World Campaign Weekend: Storm of Magic - Shadows over Albion (6th Edition)
  • 8a: pp. 6-7
• 9: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Lustria (RPG)
  • 9a: pg. 85