Vardek Crom, Herald of Archaon
Vardek Crom, also known as "the Conqueror," or simply as Crom and the "Bringer of Storms," was a Chaos Champion, a Chaos Lord and the Herald of Archaon, the thirteenth Everchosen of Chaos Undivided and the Lord of the End Times.
Crom was the chieftain of the Kul tribe of the Kurgan, and the successor to the infamous Asavar Kul, the twelfth Everchosen who unleashed the Great War Against Chaos in the early 24th century IC and was slain by Magnus the Pious.
During the End Times, Crom successfully united all the tribes of the Kurgan under his leadership and led them to war against the Empire in service to Archaon, fighting his way through the Auric Bastion into Imperial territory. He was slain by the Sigmarite champions Valten and Luthor Huss at the Battle of Heffengen.
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History[]
End Times[]
By the End Times, Vardek Crom had hacked his way to supremacy over the Kurgan, only to ultimately bend the knee to the thirteenth Everchosen, Archaon. Crom, more than any, had recognised the dark power at play on the Everchosen's brow, and he knew that no other could replace Archaon in the favour of the Dark Gods as the Lord of the End Times.[2]
Where another Chaos Lord would have chafed at that knowledge, and quickly perished in an unwinnable challenge, Crom the Conqueror saw only opportunity and favour from the Dark Gods to be won, and so he became Archaon's lieutenant and herald.[2]
Battle of Heffengen[]
At the great Battle of Heffengen, Vardek Crom, the undefeated Herald of Archaon, charged into the fray alongside a band of Chaos Warriors. No mere Chaos Marauders, these Chaos Armour-clad brutes were the favoured warriors of the Kurgan, and Vardek Crom was their lord. Loosed from the Inevitable City by Archaon's will, Crom had come south to seek the favour of the Dark Gods. He did not know that Archaon had despatched him thus in the hope that death would find him and, even if he had, would not have cared one whit. Vardek Crom had ever believed himself a conqueror; now, with Archaon's blessing, he sought to prove it.[2]
At the height of the battle, Crom sighted the Exalted of Sigmar, Valten, and his protector, Luthor Huss. Smelling the prospect of glory, he pushed through the melee, seeking to restore his followers' flagging morale with the blood of the enemy's champions.[2]
Seeing Crom approach, Huss spurred forward. The Warrior Priest of Sigmar's great warhammer swung down to split the warlord's skull, but Crom was too fast, and swept the strike aside with his shield. Crom's return blow was not loosed against Huss, but rather against the priest's horse. The beast screamed in pain as the axe all but severed its foreleg and, rearing up, flung Huss from the saddle. Crom was on the priest before he could regain his footing, and the point of his sword plunged deep into Huss's shoulder.[2]
As his warhammer fell from nerveless hands, Huss called Sigmar's holy fire down upon his tormentor. Though Crom was staggered, he did not fall, and his next blow sliced deep into the priest's scalp to crack his skull. Laughing at his victory, Crom battered aside Huss' desperate punch, and readied his sword for the final blow.[2]
That blow never fell. As Crom's sword thrust home, Valten urged his steed through the press of battle and assailed Crom from behind. Ghal Maraz came hammering down, and the Conqueror's hastily raised shield crumpled under the blow. Huss forgotten, Crom spun to face Valten, his axe flashing out to cripple the man's horse as it had the priest's.[2]
This time, however, the gambit failed. Valten's steed had been a personal gift from the Emperor Karl Franz, and was well-trained. Swift as Crom's axe strike was, the warhorse stepped smartly aside, leaving the Conqueror's blade hacking at empty air. Ghal Maraz came down again, and this time it was Crom's sword that shattered. Now the warlord had only his axe at hand, but still he did not yield the fight.[2]
Crom had his opponent's measure now, and kept his weapon ever in motion, whirling the axe in dizzying arcs so that Valten could not be sure where the next blow would come from. Again and again the axe bit at Valten's armour, and all the while Crom evaded the man's return blows -- the Conqueror had tasted the might of Ghal Maraz twice now, and resolved to let it strike him no more.[1]
Once, twice, three times Valten struck out at his foe, and each time Ghal Maraz passed within a hair's breadth of Crom's helm. On the third strike, the Chaos warlord leaned inside the blow's arc and, with his free hand, hauled Valten from the saddle.[1]
Valten hit the ground, all breath driven from his body, and Crom closed for the kill. Roaring his victory, Crom brought his axe down, but now it was Huss' turn to save Valten. Though slowed by his wounds, the Warrior Priest threw himself forward, and locked both of his gauntleted hands around Crom's weapon arm.[2]
Such was the warlord's strength that Huss could check the blow for only a moment, but a moment was all Valten needed. The man's fingers tightened around Ghal Maraz's grips and the warhammer came around, smashing into Crom's armoured chest, crumpling the steel and pulping the flesh behind. A second strike stove in the warlord's horned helm, and Vardek Crom the Conqueror, Herald of Archaon, passed at last from the mortal world...[2]
Storm of Chaos[]
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Attention, Empire Citizens!
This article or this section of the article contains information regarding the Storm of Chaos campaign and its aftermath, which is now considered a non-canon, alternate timeline.
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Rise to Power[]
To the east of the Worlds Edge Mountains and north of the Mountains of Mourn, the Eastern Steppes stretch from the civilised lands of Men to the Chaos Wastes. These vast, rolling plains of grass and tundra are home to the Kurgan, savage tribes of nomadic warriors who spend their lives in battle to prove their might before the Chaos Gods. Born into a land constantly riven by warfare, the people of the north must be strong warriors lest they meet an early and brutal end in battle.[1b]
Vardek Crom, Crom the Conqueror, is of the Kul. A tribe of the Kurgan people, the Kul stake their claim on the lands above the Worlds Edge Mountains and to the east of the Sea of Chaos, from where they launch brutal raids on their neighbouring Northmen tribes, sometimes travelling as far as Grand Cathay or the Empire in their quest for plunder.[1b]
Possessed of an ambition that burned like fire and a keen warrior's skill, Crom bested his chieftain in a leadership challenge before his twentieth year. Crom's cunning and prowess ensured that the Kul rose to great renown, a position built on the backs of slaves, and paid for with a hoard of stolen wealth. Before another ten winters had passed Crom was one of mightiest kings the Eastern Steppes had ever known, and it was then that the dreams started.[1b]
Night after night, Crom dreamt of the future, of a world drowning in a tide of Chaos for the glory of the Dark Gods. He saw a dark figure silhouetted against a red sky, a blade sheathed in golden fire raised above its head. The dreams became ever more vivid, and Crom became convinced that it was a message from the gods and a clue to his destiny; but who was this figure?[1b]
Was it his own destiny to claim the world for the Ruinous Powers, or was there another, even mightier than he? Obsessed with the meaning of the dreams, Crom spoke with the sorcerers of his tribe but when they could not provide him with answers, his mood became dark and brooding.[1b]
When news came to him of a company of armoured Chaos Knights marching over his lands uninvited, Crom was furious. Angered by the slight to his sovereignty and made reckless by his infuriating dreams, he immediately rode forth to challenge the intruders. Catching sight of the knights across the sweeping plains he bellowed challenges at them until eventually, their dark leader raised a hand, stopping his riders and turning back.[1b]
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Vardek Crom, the Conqueror, shows little mercy to his foes.
The knights spurred towards the king of the Kul, who soon found himself encircled. Though outnumbered many times over, Crom did not back down and demanded to know who dared cross his lands without his permission. The leader of the Chaos Knights replied simply that his name was Archaon, and he sought the Six Treasures of Chaos. As far as Crom was concerned, for Archaon to make such a statement as this was the ultimate blasphemy. Drawing his sword Crom challenged Archaon to single combat and to prove that he was indeed he chosen of the Chaos Gods.[1b]
Archaon's shoulders shook slightly with silent laughter and gestured to one of his riders. Seemingly unhindered by the great weight of Chaos Armour upon his back, the knight leapt down from his horse and charged at Crom. Crom simply grinned, and in a single motion battered the warrior's sword aside before backswinging his blade, severing the man's head.[1b]
Crying out in triumph, Crom demanded once more that Archaon face him. Archaon said nothing, but gestured again. Another of the armoured warriors stepped forwards; again Crom cut him down with ease. A dozen times more Archaon sent forth his champions, and each time Crom proved victorious, the blood of the Chaos Knights spilt upon the barren Eastern Steppes. The Kul ruler was in a fury, demanding to know why Archaon refused to fight, when the huge knight finally dismounted. Sensing that this was to be a fight worthy of his skills, Crom did not allow the knight to even draw his blade before rushing headlong towards him, his sword swinging in vicious arcs.[1c]
At first Archaon gave ground before the enraged barbarian king, beating aside the ferocious attacks with his shield, seemingly unable to draw his own weapon in the face of such skill and ferocity. Crom pressed on, believing that he had the measure of his foe, but as Archaon reached the ring of Chaos Knights, he gave ground no further and with a single sweep of his shield swept the blade from Crom's hand.[1c]
Without pause, Crom flung himself weaponless at his foe but as fast as he was, Archaon was faster, his right hand closing in a vice-like grip about Crom's throat. As he lifted the struggling Kul high off the ground, Archaon abandoned his shield and drew his sword, the blade easing from the scabbard.[1c]
Struck with awe, Crom instantly stopped his struggles, for the blade shone with a golden flame that danced across runes inscribed so finely as to be barely readable. The serrated edge of the sword seemed to move and flow even as he watched, and a faint moaning emanated from the desperate struggles of an imprisoned Daemon. Still holding the barbarian king at arm's length, Archaon told him of the quest for the Six Treasures of Chaos. The Slayer of Kings Archaon possessed already, as well as the Eye and the Mark. He still needed Dorghar, the Steed of the Apocalypse, the Armour of Morkar and the Crown of Domination.
Crom had been tested and found to be a mighty warrior; Archaon bade Crom accompany him for the remainder of his journey. Crom realised that Archaon could truly be the figure from his dreams, the chosen of the Dark Gods and he who would bring about the apocalypse. The Chaos Gods could not have given Crom a greater honour and, leaving his people, he joined Archaon's warband of Chaos Knights, the Swords of Chaos, and Crom's tale passed into the myths of the Kul.[1c]
Over the decades spanned by that epic quest, Crom's fervour and belief in Archaon grew ever stronger. Soon he became the most loyal and devoted of his lord's companions, travelling far and wide in his lord's name -- a herald for the Lord of the End Times.[1c]
As the day of prophecy drew near, Crom took it upon himself to create an army worthy of the Lord of the End Times and Crom returned to his homeland for the first time in many years. He strode brazenly into the tent of the new king of his people demanding that the Kul swear loyalty to Archaon and the End Times.[1c]
When the king of the Kul, himself a mighty warrior, challenged Crom, he was cut down like a mere boy. In awe of Crom and his words, and remembering the legends of their tribe, the assembled chieftains of the Kul acknowledged him with deafening cheers and swore themselves to his cause.[1c]
Under Crom's leadership once more, the Kul burst forth from their own lands in a whirlwind of conquest. Those chieftains who would not join the cause were slain by Crom, their armies humbled in battle, and the people of their tribes pledged to obey Archaon as their ruler and Crom as his herald.[1c]
As the ranks swelled with the peoples of the conquered tribes, the horde swept eastwards across the plains. Crom's following was the largest army ever assembled in the Eastern Steppes, the warriors fanatical in their desire to crush all before them in the name of their gods.[1c]
When the Conqueror was finally satisfied with the strength of the force at his command, he led his army south, leaving the open plains of the Eastern Steppes for the rocky, Greenskin-infested lands below. The lands of Men would be attacked not only from the north, but also from the east, each incursion alone more mighty than any that had come before. Truly the time of mortals was at an end, and the Storm of Chaos had come upon the world.[1c]
Assault on the Empire[]
During the Storm of Chaos campaign against the Old World, Vardek Crom was tasked by Archaon with leading part of his great army through the Dark Lands. There, he was to lead his Kurgan horde against the Dwarfs, to prevent them from coming to the aid of Men as they had done during the Great War Against Chaos. His attack was meant to penetrate the flank of the Empire, threatening the Moot, Stirland, Ostermark and Averland while Archaon's armies concentrated on the northern provinces of Middenland, Nordland, Hochland and Ostland.[3a]
Battle at High Pass[]
Crom's Kurgan armies marched through the foothills of the Worlds Edge Mountains, where his warriors crushed the Dwarf troops sent to investigate the rumours of a great new invasion by the forces of Chaos. As he led his armies into the foothills below the High Pass, Crom found an unexpected enemy: Armies of Greenskins under the command of Grimgor Ironhide, who eagerly marched forward at the prospect of testing himself against a truly worthy opponent.[1a]
The two colossal armies clashed in one of the largest battles ever seen in the Dark Lands. The Kurgan warriors fought for their lord like men possessed, their frantic swings with axe and flail slaying Greenskins in droves. The Orcs were indifferent to their own casualties, wielding their rusty cleavers and blunt swords with brutal force, hacking down hundreds of Men in return.[1a]
On the flanks the savage Marauder Horsemen of the Yasuk tribe fought for supremacy with the Goblins of the foothills, slavering Giant Wolves and warhorses lashing out with fang, claw and hoof as readily as their riders hewed at each other with notched and primitive blades. Boar riders thundered deep into the ranks of the Marauders, their snarling mounts trampling and goring as many warriors as the Orcs speared, only to find themselves crushed in a countercharge by the tall and brutal knights of the Tokmars, their armour shining like brass in the morning sun.[1a]
Black-fletched Orc arrows darkened the sky, raining down on the shields of the Kurgan warriors. Chariots thundered between the bones of the massive skeletons, crushing them to powder under spiked wheels, their scythes cleaving Men and Orcs in vast numbers. Huge Orc war machines hurled massive boulders deep into the ranks of the marauders, their impact tossing aside the broken and ruined bodies in a shower of blood and flesh, but it seemed for every Kurgan slain, another would take his place, and another, and another.[1a]
Crom hacked and raged at the very heart of the fighting. Leading his own tribe of the Kul, he carved a path through the Greenskin horde. He roared with laughter at the charge of the boar riders, cleaving them from their mounts with great sweeps of his sword. Taking up his axe he disembowelled a Savage Orc chieftain and crushed his retinue with contemptuous ease.[1a]
His challenges rang out across the battlefield, urging his gods to send him an opponent equal to his might and skill. As Crom felled an Orc shaman, his eyes were drawn across the battlefield, his gaze met by the steely stare of the Orc Warlord Grimgor Ironhide. In a moment of recognition both warriors knew that in the other they had found a foe worth fighting. They fought through the churning mass of bodies, each eager for a true challenge, and with roars of triumph they clashed in the very centre of the battlefield.[1a]
The duel continued for hours. Neither fighter could get the better of the other, their skills perfectly matched. For every blow, there was a parry. Every time one of the fighters seemed spent, they would find new reserves of determination and continue the duel. Both Crom and Grimgor were completely consumed by their own conflict, unaware of the battle unfolding around them. Even as the Orcs broke and turned to flee, the duel continued, neither willing to admit defeat. Blow after blow rang out, stroke after stroke was exchanged. Each warrior was utterly exhausted but convinced that they would prevail over their opponent.[1a]
Only as the last blood-red rays of the sun dipped down behind the Worlds Edge Mountains did they pull apart, their muscles drained and blood flowing from scores of wounds. For a long moment they stood, their breath frosting the air, each regarding the other with a grudging respect.[1a]
Slowly, Crom shook his head. The Conqueror put up his axe and took a step back. Grimgor Ironhide bellowed with rage at the insult. His jaw clenched, and seething with resentment, Ironhide stared balefully at the Chaos Lord and the ranks of his victorious followers. Then, slowly, and staring at any who dared look him in the eye, he turned to join his fleeing troops.[1a]
Siege of Peak Pass[]
Crom's army marched further south, intending to assault Peak Pass and cross into the Empire from the east. He was met with stiff resistance from the Dwarf armies of Karak Kadrin, whose king Ungrim Ironfist manned the defences, determined to keep his oath to the sons of Sigmar that none would cross the pass.[4a]
True to their word, the Dwarfs kept the pass sealed for the duration of the great Chaos invasion, with those warbands following Vardek Crom only able to breach their defences in 2523 IC, a year after Archaon's disastrous defeat at Middenheim.[5a]
These survivors of Crom's once great army descended into Sylvania. None emerged from its borders and it is rumoured a great Undead army has been raised from their bodies by Mannfred von Carstein, who had returned to rule Sylvania openly like the Vampire Counts of old.[5a] The fate of Crom himself remained unknown.
Miniatures[]
Canon Conflict[]
In the White Dwarf 282 article that introduced Vardek Crom's background story in the Storm of Chaos alternate timeline, Archaon is already in possession of the Eye of Sheerian and the Mark of the Everchosen, having claimed the Slayer of Kings a short time before meeting Crom.
However, his quest as described in the Warriors of Chaos armybook for the 7th Edition, which also takes place during the Storm of Chaos continuity, states that Archaon first claimed the Armour of Morkar and Dorghar, the Steed of the Apocalypse, before he claimed the Slayer of Kings.
Trivia[]
Vardek Crom, like many characters within the Warhammer universe, may have been based in part on the main characters of Robert E. Howard's sword and sorcery fantasy novels, such as Conan the Barbarian and Kull the Conqueror.
Sources[]
- 1: White Dwarf 282 (UK Edition)
- 2: The End Times Vol. I: Nagash, "Despoilers of Ostermark" (8th Edition)
- 3: Warhammer: Storm of Chaos (6th Edition)
- 3a: pg. 15
- 4: Darkness Rising - A Complete History of the Storm of Chaos (Background Book)
- 4a: pg. 39
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (7th Edition)
- 5a: pg. 15