Slaves to Darkness lore

[Kaleb Daark]

11 hours ago, Tasman said:

I'm going to hope that Warriors, knights and , yes, marauders continue to be part of the realm of Chaos. Those Marauders have won me a lot of games over the years.

 

Me to, I’m using blood reavers instead of marauders as my army will be a mainly khorne marauder army, with sprinkles.  I used to have my marauders as a mix of the Vikings and beastmen gors with various head swaps.

I think marauder horsemen are brilliant now, and always won me a lot of games back in fantasy, probably because people had dismissed them from the off, and didn’t understand how fast cavalry worked.

With AoS, I now have the Khorne army I always wanted, and that’s very much due to the marks being keywords rather than the BS that was the old fantasy mark system with khorne giving frenzy and all it’s downsides.

Bueno has sold me some skinwolves so they now complete the family, and they’ll be the painting reward together with the mammoths and the warshrine when I finish the Ma-reavers.

I’d like to think that the slaves to darkness still have so much to offer, and I can see them being made up of dispossessed souls who have been touched by chaos or just grown up with it as a way of life rather than the god centric specialist forces.   I can imagine that if your realm had the likes of flesh eater courts preying on you or a constant fight for survival with greenskins, then when chaos comes marching and rids you of them perhaps they would be seen as the good guys and saviours, after all, chaos in itself is not good or evil, and as we’re learning through the campaign arcs, that the Stormcast are just as brutal if not moreso as any lord of chaos.

[Tasman]

2 hours ago, Kaleb Daark said:

 

Me to, I’m using blood reavers instead of marauders as my army will be a mainly khorne marauder army, with sprinkles.  I used to have my marauders as a mix of the Vikings and beastmen gors with various head swaps.

I think marauder horsemen are brilliant now, and always won me a lot of games back in fantasy, probably because people had dismissed them from the off, and didn’t understand how fast cavalry worked.

With AoS, I now have the Khorne army I always wanted, and that’s very much due to the marks being keywords rather than the BS that was the old fantasy mark system with khorne giving frenzy and all it’s downsides.

Bueno has sold me some skinwolves so they now complete the family, and they’ll be the painting reward together with the mammoths and the warshrine when I finish the Ma-reavers.

I’d like to think that the slaves to darkness still have so much to offer, and I can see them being made up of dispossessed souls who have been touched by chaos or just grown up with it as a way of life rather than the god centric specialist forces.   I can imagine that if your realm had the likes of flesh eater courts preying on you or a constant fight for survival with greenskins, then when chaos comes marching and rids you of them perhaps they would be seen as the good guys and saviours, after all, chaos in itself is not good or evil, and as we’re learning through the campaign arcs, that the Stormcast are just as brutal if not moreso as any lord of chaos.

Yeah, that's always been my mental image of them too. Picture  'Conan' from the novels, or even the film (the first one, not the remake). A completely amoral killer who was shaped by events and formed into a ruthless fighting machine. 

I picture marauders as sort of everyday dudes who fight when they must, but must fight often. Warriors are the better fighters who rose to the top. The cream as it were, followed by knights, and so on up the ladder to possible recognition by the ruinous powers for further "gifts". 

It is a story arc that is ripe with possibilities.

[AGPO]

One of my favourite bits of fluff from the world that was is when a trader visits a Norse village and comes to understand how the Norse see their Gods. Gods are capricious - Sigmar may answer your prayer, he may not. The northerners recognise this, but at least their gods offer real power and social mobility to anyone with the talent to take their chance, unlike the southern gods and their rigid social order and organised religion. A Norseman prays to Khorne to give him strength in battle, Tzeentch for good fortune on a hunt, business venture or sea voyage, Nurgle to protect their family from sickness and Slaanesh to find favour with the one they love. A man who grows a set of antlers is not a mutant that needs to be purged but a blessed figure who has been favoured by the Gods.

The holy warriors, high priests and other chosen followers of each God are true fanatics, but for many ordinary northerners the dark gods were not that different to gods that were worshipped in our own ancient cultures. I imagine the same kind of worship exists in the mortal realms.

[Rob P]

I can heartily recommend 'Wulfrik' as a novel which really gives you the flavour of marauders etc.

[J-P]

1 hour ago, AGPO said:

trader visits a Norse village

Yeah! Is that the one where the trader sees the women of the village go off to a cave to give food to a villager who has turned into a were-thing?

[VBS]

7 minutes ago, J-P said:

Yeah! Is that the one where the trader sees the women of the village go off to a cave to give food to a villager who has turned into a were-thing?

I think it is. From the first couple of pages of the Hordes of Chaos book?Didn't read it in many years...

Great story, I love how the were-thing is some sort of Spawn but the villagers see it as a gift (?) and don't freak out. I also like how norscan tribes that worship the Dark Gods can interact normally with other civilized humans (the Empire, Kislev,...) without the culture/god affiliation being a source of confrontation.

That's what I would like if they detail a bit more the Mortal Realms. Showing Chaos devotees not only as "kill, maim, burn" brain-dead beasts a la Khorne but also more moderate human tribes that just happen to worship deities that aren't Sigmar & Co., without making them necessarily evil (I don't like the idea of chaos worshipper = the bad guy that wants to destroy everything else).  

[Robzilla]

21 hours ago, J-P said:

*snip*

Some of them have claimed that Chaos, in its eternal diversity, has spawned an infinite number of gods. Others say that all the apparently different gods are no more than different aspects and manifestations of one supreme being: The Great Unnameable One, The Abomination, The Unspeakable Beast, The Chaos Undivided.

Ooooh that's all kinds of cool. Really smacks of the Kyballion, As Above, So Below, mico/macro stuff. 

Love it! 

Got a ton of slaves to darkness stuff I'm toying around with ideas for in terms of fluff and this just made the top of the list for an Undivided band. 

[DarkBlack]

On 4/25/2017 at 7:22 PM, stillness said:

As in, what kind of societies do these people have, why did they turn to Chaos, etc.

They don't really, they are reavers AFAIK. . Chaos Warriors Slaves to Darkness are all those who turn to Chaos from pretty much any background, though someone born to a barbarous tribe in a Chaos controlled land have a significantly higher chance.

In terms of the mortal realms, most mortal Chaos armies are likely to have Slaves to Darkness in their ranks.

[J-P]

56 minutes ago, VBS said:

I think it is. From the first couple of pages of the Hordes of Chaos book?Didn't read it in many years...

Yes it is, Hordes of Chaos (2002), pg 14.

The Were of Fjirgard

...

Now he had brought his ship northwards, to the coast of Norsca in search of amber, and the fur of the fox, bear and marten.

It was early in the morning of the third day when he lay down upon the rocky hilsside to break his fast and watch life stir below in the little village of Fjirgard. His companion, a young Norseman called Haubr, had spread out a handsom, thick fur for them sit upon, and from a leather bag he'd produced a loaf of bread, cheese and some strips of smoked meat that Wilhelm understood to be bear meat. As they ate and chatted, the people of Fjirgard went about their early morning business.

-- Side note: it would be utterly and completely without fault to portray this faction as having a well-functioning and culture-rich civilization. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. They are not evil. Like you @VBS, among others, I don't like them being portrayed as evil villains. Some are, perhaps, but others are just like any other people. I haven't read City of Secrets yet, but supposedly it brings a bit more lore about cults within a city. Back to the story:

...

"Tell me, friend Haubr," said Wilhelm, "Each day now I have seen those women meet at dawn, as they do now, and having assembled together, some dozen or so carry laden baskets high up the mountainside to what I percieve to be a cave somewhere in that black gully."

...

"They go to feed the Were," replied Haubr matter-of-factly. "Is it not so in your own town of, how do you say it, Ma-ree-in-berg?"

"Marienburg is quite correct - but we have no creatures of that name. What manner of beasts are these Were?"

"No Werekin?" Exclaimed Haubr. "Or perhaps you know them by some other name in your land. The Were are those of their chosen champions whom the gods deem not yet worthy to join them as immortals. The Werekin live deep in the caves until war comes when they shall fight for one last time before rejoining the cycle of life." Haubr could not but notice the expression of incomprehension on the Marienburger's face and added, "It is no disgrace amongst us, you understand. Some are chosen for glory and some are cast down, but even those cast down have been chosen, and when they are reborn they shall be all the greater. It is better to be chosen than to live your whole life beyond the sight of the gods, is it not?"

... dont want to copy all of it... Haubr talk of the Werekin... Once they were men...

"They are monsters and many die in battle before ever they return home, or else run blindly in their terror and perish in the wilderness. Yet some come home and the womenfolk tend to them -- their husbands and sons -- for the bonds of kinship are strong and the Were do not attack their own."

...

"The gods choose some for immortality and some for oblivion -- is it not thus the whole world over?"

"Nay," Wilhelm shook his head. "I have never heard such a thing in all my travels -- no Were and no immortals either."

"Then I pity you and all the world," said Haubr earnestly, "that of all the races of Men, the gods favour we Norse alone."

End of story time with J-P

 

[Robzilla]

Love the idea of a culture rich society that relies on chaos ritual and worship for practice. 

Just normal people who want protection, good crops, a solid harvest and no illness. So (human) sacrifices and offerings are common, rituals take place frequently at holy times (realm of chaos opening gates, periods of warp storms etc). 

Kind of getting a very medieval pagan-esque vibe now... 

[J-P]

And here's an old gem, from Champions of Chaos (1998).

The Unholy War

...

When Archaon was accepted into the service of Chaos no-one knows, but rumours say was once a fanatic Templar, a priest-knight who fought against the enemies of mankind, pure in heart and thought.

He studied the ancient scrolls and grimoires of the temples of the Old World, trying to find a way to defeat the darkness of Chaos that stirred in the north. His studies proved futile until he stumbled upon a manuscript written by one of the acolytes of Necrodomo the Insane, the mad blind prophet who foresaw the desctruction of the world at the hands of the Chaos gods.

-- side note: well, he was quite right wasn't he.

What he learned from the manuscript is not known, but legend says that Archaon screamed in rage, calling the gods liars and then fled from the temple. He gave up his name and burned down the sanctuary where he had found the manuscript. He hunted down and slaughtered his entire family so nothing of his former life would remain. Only service to Chaos held any importance to him from that moment on.

...

[J-P]

7 minutes ago, Robzilla said:

rituals take place frequently at holy times

Like christmas trees, right? Honestly, it's a pagan tradition which is quite fun, nice and cute. What if it had a greater meaning? Do we know? That's the point, really. If Your Chaos faction/tribe/civilization has had a tradition for... what, like Ages, would they not cling to old traditions -- perhaps even without knowing it's meaning?

[Kaleb Daark]

2 hours ago, Rob P said:

I can heartily recommend 'Wulfrik' as a novel which really gives you the flavour of marauders etc.

Wulfric is a brilliant read and you really get behind the character.  I read valkia and Archaon and the latter didn't do a great deal for me to  endear myself to him and Valkia was just a ******.  But Wulfric, oh yes, and the richness of the writing as well really serves to set the scene.

In game for 80 points he's an amazing way to get 40 bloodthirsty marauders to the enemy's table edge.

[J-P]

Now I want to read 'Wulfric' as well..

Do you think one can convert a Wulfric from the Bloodbound hero, the one with the beard?

[Kaleb Daark]

I think that's pretty doable, if you've got the chaos chariot the skulls on the spikes would work as would a massive stormcast shield with the emblem removed.  He's absolutely awesome. Or even that head on the ubiquitous slaughterpriest with swinging ball body would work as well. .... hmmm

[Killax]

4 hours ago, Rob P said:

I can heartily recommend 'Wulfrik' as a novel which really gives you the flavour of marauders etc.

Marauder flavour, sea salty, though meat and a blend of salmon/bear taste. 

[stillness]

I'm really going to have to find this Champions of Chaos book and the Hordes of Chaos one as well. This thread is awesome!

 

7 hours ago, Kaleb Daark said:

Wulfric is a brilliant read and you really get behind the character.  I read valkia and Archaon and the latter didn't do a great deal for me to  endear myself to him and Valkia was just a ******.  But Wulfric, oh yes, and the richness of the writing as well really serves to set the scene.

In game for 80 points he's an amazing way to get 40 bloodthirsty marauders to the enemy's table edge.

I was just wanting to buy Wulfrik the other day, since the model is so awesome. Shame to find out that he's OOP.

I hope they bring him back in plastic or something.

[Circus of Paint]

6 hours ago, stillness said:

I was just wanting to buy Wulfrik the other day, since the model is so awesome. Shame to find out that he's OOP.

I hope they bring him back in plastic or something.

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Exalted-Hero-of-Chaos-3

Still around (on the ?? site at least)!

[Killax]

I don't think they'll bring him back but I do think that once the new Marauders drop I'll be getting those aswell  
I really like this model: 
 

And I believe he's a good indication that GW doesn't want to completely drop the Barbarian look. Instead I see that Bloodreavers are becomming a bit more Gladatorial and this really leaves room for the creative team to go Sword and Sorcery Barbarian vibe for Marauders.

As a blast from the past I also hope that we'll see the 'morph' theme back into Marauders. Which was a little bit touched upon in a DoW unit:



So my moral is, the more Barbarian/Viking/Norse-esque models the better! 

[stillness]

8 hours ago, Circus of Paint said:

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Exalted-Hero-of-Chaos-3

Still around (on the ?? site at least)!

Huh. Thank you for the heads-up. I was reading about him online and people were saying he was OOP, and then ebay was saying he was OOP, so I never thought to check the GW site (that's what I get for never ordering anything direct).

 

@Killax New Marauders?!

[Galas]

The morphing marauder theme is ultra cool.

Just imagine a unit of this dude and his friends:

[Circus of Paint]

With some selective bits-swapping and a bit of sculpting know-how, I'm sure Marauders can be brought more up-to-date.

I've got some languishing in a box, converted with Marauder Horsemen heads and double-handed axes. Must work on those again soon!

I never noticed all the avian skulls hanging from the Darkoath Chieftain - must nick some from my Tzaangor kit spares!

[Killax]

1 hour ago, Galas said:

The morphing marauder theme is ultra cool.

Just imagine a unit of this dude and his friends:

Exactly! Plus it really is the one theme that isn't in particular taken elsewhere. Everybody has it's mutations an the beauty of what could become Everchosen of Slaves to Darkness  is that they can really go a bit deeper into the animalistic side of things. Essentially offering us something like a Werewolf, Berserker or what have you!

All I can say is that I hope GW will go that route for Archaon and Slaves to Darkness. Chaos undivided can be really cool if they manage to capture those characters really well and they can... It's just a matter of if they see enough interest in it. 

[J-P]

I like the animalistic idea! Perhaps a druid-like shaman-priest as well, like a Skald, or village elder. Ferocious looking.

2 hours ago, Circus of Paint said:

With some selective bits-swapping and a bit of sculpting know-how, I'm sure Marauders can be brought more up-to-date.

I got my 50-odd marauders in a box as well. I have an idea of using plasticard to beef them up a size (on par with reavers) and give them scattered armour plates. Add some spikes, and somehow sculpt or bend plasticard into shoulderguards. Don't trust my own skills just yet though. Let us know if you get creative! I'm interested and need to learn.

[stillness]

I got my hands on the old supplement Realms of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness, which is actually a supplement for WFB, WH40K, and WFRP all in one. Pretty cool. I love the vibe this thing has; they don't make illos like they used to! Black and white pen-and-ink can sometimes be far more effective than slick digitally-painted stuff.

ANYWAY...

Here's a sweet tidbit from the book on humans and Chaos. Kind of mixes in the concept of original sin with the Chaos gods and Warhammer lore. Humans are inherently drawn to Chaos because they wouldn't exist without Chaos:
 

Quote

...[w]arpstone dust rained down upon the World at the time of the catastrophe, twisting many races into strange and horrible shapes and leading to the creation of many new species. The fallout of warpstone dust was also the catalyst that stimulated the development of the Human race, giving it the versatility and lust for change that led to the present Human dominance over many parts of the World. Although few Humans are aware of this, and fewer still would ever admit it, Chaos has left a lasting mark on the Human race, and it is among Humans that Chaos finds its richest source of willing servants.

Funny capitalization choices notwithstanding, this is excellent stuff.

Unrelated but also cool: later on in the book they encourage players to come up with their own Chaos gods.