Conversion by Erik Mogensen, painting by Chris Bone
Royal Hydras or Malekith's Chosen are rare, enhanced War Hydras created by spellcraft and the blood of beastmasters. They have bony armor plates and acidic breath, but are mentally scarred due to the traumatic transformation process. As a result, Royal Hydras may go catatonic when faced with great pain.[1a]
Origins[]
Lord Malekith believes in rewarding his subjects for successes in war. When word reaches him of a stunning victory, or a great feat of carnage wrought by one of his War Hydras and its team of Beastmaster apprentices, the Witch King will summon them all the Naggarond. There, the Beastmasters will engage in a two-week binge of decadence in Malekith's palace. They eat the finest foods, and drink the rarest of wine, all of which have received dark blessings from the Witch King himself. On the final night of revelry, Malekith casts a final spell upon them and they are led to the royal bestiary where their Hydra awaits. It is a great honour that Lord Malekith himself, the rightful ruler of all Elvenkind, commands their Hydra to devour them both alive.[1a]
It is then that the dark energies woven over the fortnight take full effect. Howls of agony echo throughout Naggarond as the Hydra is warped by the Witch King's power. The creature's blood transforms into a powerful acid, and protective plates of bone burst through its hide. Every mutation is unique, but the resulting creature (along with a new Beastmaster team) will stay in the With King's personal bestiary until it dies or is sent to a Dark Elf General as one of Malekith's highest rewards.[1a]