"And note well, brave reader, that we need never hunt them alone. In this world of fear and ignorance it is easy to feel so very isolated, as if all the world is blind to the reality and the danger of the ratmen. But there are more of us than you might believe, and with each passing day, there are more still. The more we learn and the more we fight, the more we can remove the Skaven's claws from around the throat of our great Empire. One day, there will be an army of us, brave souls who can no longer pretend to believe the lies. Then we will rise up, drive out the ratmen from their holes, and rid this world of the Skaven menace forever. It is a victory for which I pray every single day."
- —Ammelie Meyer, priestess of the Cult of Verena, Children of the Horned Rat 2522 IC.[1a]
A motley band of Skaven Hunters drawn from many of the mortal races of the Old World.[1b]
Skaven Hunters are those few individuals of any of the mortal races who dedicate their lives to driving back the Skaven menace to the Old World with all their strength, till sword or old age strikes them down. They are few, but their deeds are great, and their courage legendary.[1a]
Role[]
The best course of action if someone believes there is a danger of a Skaven attack is to summon a Skaven Hunter or a group of them. Skaven Hunters are rare, but nearly guarantee success.[1a]
They are few because the task offers great risk, yet no glory in victory, and no payment in bounty. Who, after all, would pay a man for battling a creature that is declared to be but a myth in the Empire and Bretonnia? However, there are many who have come to believe in the existance of the Skaven in both of those realms, among the rich and poor alike, and although they cannot declare it publicly, they will sometimes pay handsomely for the removal of these very deadly vermin.[1a]
Of course, the poor folk of the cities or villages can offer little in bounty, but they can frequently pay in services and supplies. A Skaven Hunter needs food and lodgings; their horse may need shoes; their weapons may be in need of sharpening. Again, however, discretion is vital, for peasants and nobles alike may call the witch hunters if your profession is revealed. Some people are amazed at the courage of these men and women, for not even the crazed Dwarf Daemon Slayers risk execution by the very people they protect.[1a]
Wargear[]
These weapons and other items of equipment are commonly used by Skaven Hunters:
- Halberd or Spear - Skaven are fast and prefer to overrun their opponents in great numbers. The length and speed of these long weapons keeps them at bay.[1a]
- Crossbow Pistol - Though a Crossbow Pistol lacks the range and penetration of a true crossbow, a Skaven Hunter won't need that much distance to be successful, as Skaven rarely wear armour. Most importantly, it is possible to wield a Crossbow Pistol with a single free hand, so it is always ready should a Skaven get past sword range.[1a]
- Pistol or Repeater Pistol - If a Skaven Hunter can afford them, these firearms have a similar advantage to the Crossbow Pistol -- they are fast and deadly, knocking back attackers who get too close. Both a standard pistol and a Crossbow Pistol are also useful for taking down a fleeing Skaven before he can summon more of his verminous fellows.[1a]
- Chain or Plate Armour - The Skaven's needle-like teeth can tear through even the stiffest of leather jerkins like paper.[1a]
- Cloak or Overcoat - Much of a Skaven Hunter's work will involve creeping through sewers or muddy tunnels, and it is wise to have something to protect your clothes. Good boots are also a must.[1a]
- Neckerchief - Soaked in wine, garlic oil or healing herbs, and placed over the nose and mouth, this will allow a person to breathe cleanly despite the smell of the sewers and the even worse smell of the Skaven. Dwarf warriors who hunt the ratmen prefer to soak theirs in their own urine, swearing by its effectiveness.[1a]
- Hooded Lantern - It may be important to gain surprise on the Skaven, so a light that can be shaded is useful.[1a]
- Clay - Skaven hunt by scent, and can smell a Human from at least one hundred yards away. To overcome this advantage of the ratmen, rubbing armour and skin thoroughly with thick, fresh clay is useful. Dwarf warriors prefer more pungent camouflages, such as pig's blood or even Skaven dung.[1a]
- Crowbar - Sewers are often blocked by grills or locked gates. A crowbar can come in handy for these moments.[1a]
- Religious Symbols - The Skaven have little fear for the Hammer of Sigmar, or other religious symbols, but some Skaven Hunters never face their enemies without keeping a reminder of their patron god's presence close at hand.[1a]
Notable Skaven Hunters[]
- Ammelie Meyer - Meyer was a priestess of the Cult of Verena who wrote an exhaustive guide about the Skaven in 2522 IC, following the alternative timeline Chaos incursion into the Old World led by the thirteenth Everchosen Archaon known as the Storm of Chaos.[1a]
- Behram Gundarson - Behram Gundarson had his brains a bit scattered by an injury he received from a Skaven rock-trap while he was a Shieldbreaker, and is a little maddened as a result, but there is no Dwarf braver or more dedicated to wiping out the Skaven.[1b]
- El Gatto del San Stefenato - El Gatto was originally a Tilean Judicial Champion until he discovered his prince was in league with the ratmen. He slew his own master and brought his incredible mastery of weapons with him into exile in the Empire, where he now hunts the Skaven with a fanatic intensity.[1b]
- Fassbinder the Strong - Fassbinder was a young Halfling who crawled out alive after ten long years as a slave in the mines of Skavenblight. His suffering has made him stronger, both in mind and body, than many Men.
- Gotrek Gurnisson - A legendary Dwarf Slayer, Gurnnison always travels with his Human companion Felix Jaeger.[1b]
- Jian - An Elf Ghost Strider from Laurelorn Forest, Jian knows little of the ways of Men, but she is a master of the bow. She equally hates the Skaven for murdering her brother and the Human authorities for covering it up.[1b]
- Volpone Geisser - A lieutenant in the Altdorf City Watch, Volpone has not fought many Skaven himself, but keeps a keen eye on those streets, watching for any crime that may in fact be the result of the machinations of the ratmen.[1b]