Warhammer: Mark of Chaos cover art[2]
Warhammer: Mark of Chaos is a real-time tactics game set in the universe of Warhammer Fantasy Battle in the immediate aftermath of the Great War Against Chaos in the early 24th century IC. It was developed by Black Hole Entertainment and co-published by Namco Bandai Games in the U.S. and Deep Silver in PAL (Europe, Indo-Pacific, Africa and parts of South America) territories.
The game was released for Microsoft Windows in the US on November 14, 2006, with subsequent release in PAL territories on November 23, 2006. It saw a digital re-release as Warhammer: Mark of Chaos - Gold Edition on March 9, 2020, via the digital distribution site GOG.com.
Plot[]
Stefan von Kessel, the last scion of the deposed ruling family of Ostermark, whose father and grandfather were executed for Chaos worship and whose own face is branded with the game's titular Mark of Chaos, led the armies of Ostermark in a desperate bid to beat back the Northmen hordes encroaching upon the Empire at the behest of Count Otto von Gruber.[1a]
But von Kessel soon discovers that not all is as it seems in the Empire, as the High Elf Mage Aurelion arrives among the lands of Men with portents of a great threat that could spell doom for all the peoples of the Known World.
Thorgar the Blooded One, a powerful Norscan warrior and Champion of the Chaos Gods, is visited by a herald of the gods, the Chaos Sorcerer Sudobaal, who tells him that his dread deities have set their gaze upon him and have chosen him to take up the mantle of the fallen twelfth Everchosen Asavar Kul, recently slain in 2304 IC.
Thorgar must unite the clans and warbands of Norsca and the Chaos Wastes into a mighty host that shall sweep aside his foes and ultimately bring about the End Times. To aid him in this most unholy endeavour, he recruited all manner of Chaos Marauders and monsters to his side, including a force of Skaven led by the wily Kasqit.
Battle March[]
Cover art for the Warhammer: Mark of Chaos expanion pack, Battle March[2a]
The expansion pack for Mark of Chaos, Battle March, deals with the aftermath of the invasion of Thorgar and the encroaching Greenskins who seek to take the scraps of what is left. Led by the brutal Warboss Gorbash and his shaman adviser Wazog; the Orcs and Goblins spill down from the mountains in a mighty Waaagh! following a set of arcane signs leading them to battle, each leading to one more perilous than the last.
Concurrently, the Dark Elves of Naggaroth, led by Lilaeth and Kaeleth, use the chaos caused by the Greenskins to launch their newest attack against their High Elf cousins of Ulthuan. But both factions are more entwined than they appear at first glance.
Canon Conflict[]
The Empire campaign sees Stefan and Aurelion defeating Thorgar the Blooded One and successfully defending the city of Talabheim from a Chaos invasion, whereas in the Chaos campaign Thorgar and Kasqit work together until Thorgar eventually ascends to become a Daemon Prince and razes Talabheim.
Thorgar the Blooded One can choose either Nurgle or Khorne as his patron in his quest to ascend to daemonhood. Whichever god he does not choose will instead support Sudobaal as the treacherous sorcerer tries to overthrow Thorgar. In the Empire campaign, Thorgar defaults to a Khorne Daemon Prince in the final mission.
A Mark of Chaos novel was written by Anthony Reynolds during the development of the game, following much of the in-game storylines of both Stefan and Thorgar. However, it contains several inconsistencies compared to the full release, as the game designers had likely made some last-minute changes. These include Thorgar being referred to as "Hroth", Aurelion dying during the Siege of Averheim (she would later return in the Battle March sequel) and a differently-named elector count of Talabecland.[1]
Videos[]
