Saurus Oldblood

"From its back, their war leader, the Saurus Oldblood Ax-Hotl, drove his spear through the bodies of the foe. Following this king of predators was a living wall of armoured monsters whose tread flattened a path as easily as it shattered shieldwalls. If the Dark Gods heard the desperate pleas of their mortal minions, they did not acknowledge them. In a few short, savage minutes, it was over, the sounds of battle replaced by the crunching of bones."

—Accounts of the Battle of Toradotek^[1a]

Warhammer Lizardmen Oldblood — The Saurus Oldbloods are ancient Lizardmen Saurus warriors many thousands of years old.

A Saurus Oldblood is amongst the most powerful living Saurus warriors among the Lizardmen of Lustria, ancient beings who have been alive for several thousand years.

Role[]

Total War Saurus Old Blood Render 7 — A Saurus Oldblood as depicted in *Total War: Warhammer II*.

Though slow to react, these mighty reptilian warriors are not dull-witted or simple, quite the contrary, for they know just about everything there is to know about fighting, and often care little for anything else. Since it has never been known for a Saurus to die of old age, the longer a Saurus lives, the tougher and more ferocious he becomes. Their scales become thicker and harder, and their sheer presence encourages the younger Lizardmen to greater acts of savagery.^[2a]

Total War Saurus Old Blood Render 1 — A rendering of a Saurus Oldblood made for *Total War: Warhammer II*.

Many Oldbloods bear markings on their bodies which help to indicate one or more of the inscrutable Lizardmen gods that favour them. These markings may be a subtle change in hue of their crest or more obvious signs, such as a pale or even albino tone. Those most favoured are destined to become mighty heroes and leaders of their own armies.^[2a]

Due to their ancient status, Oldbloods are often attended to by scores of Skinks so that their every thought can be directed towards the impending battle. These servants will secure bronze armour-plates and otherwise help prepare them for battle. The Skinks will often daub warpaint and adorn the Saurus with oils, precious metals, the shrunken heads of sacrificed foes and other such grisly trophies. This not only marks his status or rank, but also serves to warn the enemy that the vengeance of the Old Ones, made manifest in over eight feet of savage reptilian muscle, has come for them.^[2a]

These Saurus are without mercy and capable of slaughtering entire regiments with terrifying acts of savagery. With lethal efficiency, these cold-blooded killers dispatch their foes, each and every movement a killing stroke. There is no finesse to the massacre, the enemy is simply torn apart limb by limb. When a Saurus Oldblood leads an army to battle, only the greatest of mortal heroes and warriors could ever hope to stop this ancient defender of the Great Plan from achieving ultimate and glorious victory.^[2a]

War Games[]

Saurus Oldbloods learn and rehearse battle tactics by moving onyx pieces on a stone tablet to represent troop movements. Skinks have adopted this game and added victory conditions, an element of competition, and random mechanics dependent on the current position of the stars. Skink Priests use it for divination purposes, with quadrants on the board representing the heavens.^[3a]

Saurus Oldblood

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