Marauder Chieftain

"Chieftains are the bravest, most warlike among their kind - hurling themselves into the fray and remaining until the very end."

—The leaders of the Northmen tribes.^[1]

Chaos Marauder — A hulking Marauder Chieftain.^[3]

Marauder Chieftains are the mighty leaders of the Northmen Marauders, fearsome warriors who are greatly favoured by the Dark Gods.

Overview

The tribes of Northmen that flock southwards with any Chaos invasion are known by those in their path as Chaos Marauders. These savage barbarians fight with heavy axes and cruelly barbed flails, and charge in great howling mobs towards the foe. They have little fear of dying in battle, for they know that they fight under the scrutiny of their gods, and that cowards are beneath their deities' notice. The Chieftains that lead these warriors are a daunting sight, brooding hulks of muscle and hair whose bodies are covered in the scars and trophies of battle. Bearing weapons worn from dealing a thousand mortal injuries to those foolish enough to face them, these savage leaders are independent and fierce. These battle-hardened killers are the products of a people so steeped in conflict that, even in times of prosperity, they will fight to the death for the honour of leading the next raid.^[1]

Many Marauder Chieftains are blessed with Chaos Steeds, fearsome Daemonic Weapons and other mighty boons. They reside in massive, grand halls where they and their Huscarls feast and receive visitors. These halls are usually made from upturned longship hulls, specially-built great round huts or built into caves, always at the foot of some unholy monument used to summon monsters to a Chieftain's cause.^[1]

The Skeggi

The Chieftains and Champions of the Skeggi tribe are no less warlike than their cousins in Norsca. They may forgo the wearing of heavy armour due to the sweltering heat of Lustria, but they are very well equipped, and blessed with the gifts of the Chaos Gods. Some ride into battle upon mighty Cold Ones, leading the warbands of the Skeggi to battle in the search for pillage and blood.

The Kurgan

Though there are differences between each of the Kurgan tribes, most notably the God whom they serve, they all value strength over any other virtue. They are a people of hardened warriors. Courage, skill, and brawn are their celebrated traits. The most powerful warrior of the tribe is called the Zar, their name for the Chieftain and in imitation to the Tzars of Kislev. He holds his position by dint of his power, the favour of his divine master, and the loyalty of his warriors, which he earns by bestowing onto them gifts for their service. Facial scarring is the clearest sign of a Zar’s ability, and once a battle is won, the tribe's Shaman (a Chaos Sorcerer) makes an incision on the leader’s cheek.^[4]