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| “ | BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand and the Khornate warcry. |
| “ | A coward dies a thousand deaths, all of them slow and very painful. | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand to Thanquol in Warhammer Fantasy: Thanquol's Doom. |
| “ | Khorne demands I bathe in your family's gore. | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand in Warhammer III. |
Skarbrand Ragefeaster[7] is a Bloodthirster of Khorne, one of the Greatest Servants of the Blood God, and an antagonist in Warhammer. He was the strongest of the Chaos Daemons, reaping mountains of skulls and spilling oceans of blood for his master and the most revered of his followers. However he would fall victim to the treachery of Tzeentch, and attacked his master in a dishonorable manner. For this unforgivable crime, he was eternally banished from the realm of Khorne and became known as The Exiled One.
He is voiced by James Ballanger.
Appearance[]
| “ | Skarbrand's hound-like face split in a baleful grin, it's eyes blazing with unbridled savagery... | „ |
| ~ A description of Skarbrand from Warhammer Fantasy: Thanquol's Doom. |
Skarbrand is an Exalted Bloodthirster of Khorne; he is slightly larger than others of his kind. Like most Khornate creatures, he boasts red skin and a black mane of hair that runs in a spiky ridge from his head to his nape. This fur can also be found near his elbows and hooves, giving him fetlocks of a sort. Skarbrand is a massive daemon, standing more than thrice the height of a man. He is bulky; only a Great Unclean One outdoes his kind in sheer mass.
Skarbrand, the Exiled One
Distinct from other Bloodthirsters, Skarbrand's rightmost horns are broken and damaged from his vicious encounter with the Blood God himself. His face is damaged as well, shorn down to the bone. Skarbrand is missing an ear, and wears one earring in his remaining ear, emblazoned with Khorne's skull rune. Has has three intact horns on the other side of his head, one spiring up and one curling down like a rams. He has a set of massive wings, with black, severely shredded membranes, again from Kharneth attacking him. Skarbrand wears damaged Chaos Armor; this occurs on his chest, legs, arms, and even his near his hooves. Skarbrand's eyes are mismatched, with one being bright blue and the other a hellish red-yellow; it is unknown if this is yet another result of his disfiguring injury.
Arguably the most distinct physical trait Skarbrand possesses is his long, braided beard. Tied at its end with the sigil of Khorne, the beard is heralded by a spur of spiky hair on Skarbrand's chin and is taller than a man.
Personality[]
| “ | Leave nothing alive! Rejoice in Slaughter! Bathe in blood! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand's Pre-Battle Speech, in Warhammer III |
Before his fall, Skarbrand was like most Bloodthirsters: immensely bloodthirsty and immensely prideful. He gloried in battle and thrilled at killing. This brings him favor from Khorne, which he basks in. However, Skarbrand was also ambitious. Bloodthirsters often envy the warrior above them in rank and plan to eventually challenge him for his title, but all fear Khorne and so none dare to challenge the Blood God.[8] All except for Skarbrand, who was arrogant and ambitious enough, moreso than his siblings. It was little trouble for Tzeentch, then, to fan the flames of his hubris into an all-consuming inferno. Notably, Skarbrand did not formally challenge Khorne for dominance when he betrayed him. Rather, he struck when the Blood God's back was turned, likely knowing even in the midst of his fury that he was no true match for a God.
The brutality of the Ragefeaster.
There is conflicting lore regarding Skarbrand's personality after his treachery. Earlier sources suggest he is little more than an unthinking beast, but newer sources such as Warhammer III and Thanquol's Doom demonstrate that Skarbrand is still capable of intelligent conversation and diplomacy, even with ancient enemies like the Slaaneshi legions. All notions of treachery have been seared away from him and even in Exile, even with the Blood God's scorn, Skarbrand exuberantly praises and exalts Khorne's name. Skarbrand is a Khornate daemon through and through and maintains his ability to commit extreme acts of violence. He glories in bloodshed, excited at the prospect of war, and martial challenge. Skarbrand leads his armies with demanding zeal, enthusiastically reaping skulls for the Skull Throne.
In Warhammer 40,000, Skarbrand's rage is something that is triggered. He is also demonstrated showing empathy, as he hears out the tribulations of fellow exile the Masque when she requests his ear.[9]
Biography (Warhammer Fantasy)[]
The Battle of Krudenwald[]
Skarbrand was present during one of the several early chaos incursions. One of the most famous battles, the Battle of Krudenwald occured after the discovery and destruction of many Beast Totems. Believed to contain magic potential, the destruction of so many in so short a timeframe would have made the area rife with free-floating magic. This provided the perfect environment for Chaos Daemons to spawn and the Legions of Nurgle and Khorne fell upon the men of Krudenwald. Skarbrand's bloodletters opposed the joint forces of the Knights of Sigmar's Blood and the Teutogen Guard, some of the finest fighters in the land. There are no records of the battle proper, as no men survived against the Bloodthirster.[10]
As the forces of the gods had been united during this time, the Bloodthirster found himself allied with a Great Unclean One called Necroth. Having destroyed his own enemies long ago, he assisted the Nurglish Lord in dispatching Unstoffe von Kreif and Count Hagstaff. The Great Unclean One bore down on the Count, but found himself struck from behind and banished by the Bloodthirster of Khorne. It is unclear what prompted the betrayal, though Kreil theorizes Skarbrand was angered that the Great Unclean One had pre-empted him in attacking the enemy leaders. Whatever the case, the death of the Nurglish Lord would cost Skarbrand the battle.[11]
Count Hagstaff, taking advantage of the in-fighting, ordered every gun, canon, and pistol in his company be discharged into Skarbrand and Skarbrand alone. So it was that the daemon was torn upon by a hail of gunfire, felled at last. The Count retained Skarbrand's head as a trophy, but some eight years later the skull of Skarbrand would be retrieved and the manor of Hagstaff would be assailed, likely in revenge.[12]
Grand Marshal of the Blood Legions[]
| “ | A god to many a mortal tribe was Skarbrand, for the mountains of skull he reaped for Khorne covered the lands, their peaks scraping the skies... | „ |
| ~ Age of Sigmar on Skarbrand. |
Skarbrand before his disfigurement.
At the height of power, Skarbrand was heaped with praise by both his god and even some mortals, who worshipped him as a deity alongside Kharneth. Skarbrand was the Daemon to slay Nurgle's Poxviathan. He was also the daemon who defeated N'Kari, even when Slaanesh armed him with the Witstealer, a blade forged in his own blood. Rarely one for direct confrontation, only Tzeentch did not put forth a champion to challenge Skarbrand.
With no other god capable of producing a rival in strength and skill for him, Skarbrand turned his attention to his fellow Exalted Bloodthirsters. Dueling the strongest of them in a great melee, Skarbrand emerged victorious and fashioned the souls of the strongest of his enemies into his legendary axes: Slaughter and Carnage. Wielding the souls of his strongest brethren had given the daemon yet more strength and at this, the other Chaos Gods despaired. When Tzeentch looked to the future, he saw visions of a mighty army of Blood Daemons crushing the realms of the other gods and ending the Great Game at last. At the head of that army, he saw Skarbrand and so made to remove the threat and thus end Khorne's ascendency.[13][14]
Treachery and Exile[]
| “ | I drew my father's fury. He cast me out. All I feel is rage. Do you hear me, father? RAGE! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand |
Skarbrand leading the Exiles of Khorne.
Sneaking into the Skull Realm, Tzeentch whispered poisonous words into Skarbrand's ear. Ambitious and hubristic, Skarbrand was all too eager to hear them. He reasoned that since he was the strongest and since he was undefeated, it should be him leading the Blood Legions, not Kharneth. So, on one dark day, when Khorne's back was turned and he surveyed the Realm of Blood, Skarbrand stole up behind his master and father. He smote the Blood God a mighty blow, the power of which would have split a mountain in twain or destroyed a star. However, despite all his strength only a tiny nick was put into Kharneth's baroque armor. Khorne turned to Skarbrand with the blackest hate, seizing and then pummeling his traitorous scion so that all emotion and personality was scoured from him; all save the reckless fury that had driven the strike in the first place. He then dragged Skarbrand to the top of the Brass Citadel and hurled him across the Realm of Chaos. For eight days and nights did Skarbrand fall before landing in the Realm of Mortals and emerging from the wreckage of earth and stone. The rightmost portion of his face was ruined and his wings were shredded, leaving him permanently unable to fly.[15]
Once the Grand Marshal of Khorne's legions, Skarbrand was now little more than an animal, killing anyone and everything in his eternal rage until there is nothing left to destroy. Only a dim sense of regret and guilt exist within the Bloodthirster, but it is mostly mindless fury. Ironically, Skarbrand serves Khorne in exile and madness more faithfully and fully than every before. Despite his status and hatred towards his unruly son, Khorne is ever the pragmatic god, and is entirely willing to send Skarbrand into the fray to butcher his enemies.[16]
Total War: WARHAMMER III[]
| “ | One skull for the throne. The rest are mine to collect! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand in Warhammer III. |
Skarbrand preparing to pursue Ursun, God of Kislev.
Following The Godslayer's ascension to Daemon Prince and Ursun's sebsequent fall from power, a race between the factions of the Old World is begun in order to claim the body of the dying God-bear. Skarbrand is contacted by a mortal, only called The Advisor, and entreated to pursue the skull of the bear. At first enraged at the Seer's presence, the Reaper is able to be convinced to join the race to the Forge of Souls under the belief that the skull of a God would earn him Khorne's forgiveness at last. Skarbrand leads the Exiles of Khorne against the other factions, who have their own ambitions for the bear.
However, even in victory, the undertaking proves to be all for nothing. After fighting his way to the Forge of Souls and defeating Be'lakor, Skarbrand offers the skull of the dead god to Kharneth. Khorne takes the skull but does not rescind his son's punishment.[17]
The End Times[]
| “ | Know that I am thy Doom, weak mortal. I am Skarbrand, the Deathbringer, the Corpsemaker, Son of Slaughter. | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand facing Malekith in The Curse of Khaine |
Alongside Valkia the Bloody, Skarbrand attacked the home of the Witch King Malekith, Naggarond, seeking to drown it in a tide of blood and gore. He led a host of Bloodletters, Heralds, and several Daemon Princes to war against the Dark Elves. The aura of Skarbrand preceeded it, driving the elves and their company and warbeast into a battle fervor. They were drawn to Skarbrand in particular, like moths to flame, and with similarly fatal results. Thigh deep in corpses, the Greater Daemon tossed aside a slain manticore and challenged Malekith directly. Upon the back of his dragon Seraphon, Malekith is able to defeat Skarbrand.[18]
Biography (Warhammer 40k)[]
Skarbrand was once Khorne's favoured killer and is the strongest of his Bloodthirsters. However, one dark day, the Chaos God Tzeentch decieved Skarbrand into thinking he had a hope against Khorne's almighty strength. He dealt a blow to Khorne that could have shattered a star, but all it did to the Blood God's armor was chink it the merest bit. Khorne beheld his daemon in fury, attacking him and beating him senseless until no wit or personality but rage remained inside of Skarbrand. Then, he exiled Skarbrand from his Domain forever, damning the Daemon to wander as an outcast.
Skarbrand and the Masque.
In Skarbrand's place, Khorne raised An'ggrath the Unbound. The Two daemons hate one another, but Khorne is unwilling to waste their slaughtering talents on each other; it is much more advantageous for him if the pair are both alive. An'ggrath contests Skarbrand's title as strongest of Bloodthirsters, though since they are forbidden to fight, it is not known for sure who is truly the best warrior.
Skarbrand once made common cause with the Masque of Slaanesh, a fellow exile. Even though it was a trick by the Masque in order to help slaughter eldar as he chased her in a bloodlust. He also has a rival in Shalaxi Helbane, Monarch of the Hunt, and it is even rumoured the Keeper of Secrets managed to defeat him once.
Quotes[]
| “ | When you call for me again, I shall be waiting. | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand to Thanquol, following the attack on Karak Angkul. |
| “ | Run fleshling! You cannot hide! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand |
| “ | More warriors, more skulls! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand |
| “ | What do you know of Khorne's Favor?! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand to the Advisor. |
| “ | Speak. But distract me not with Slaanesh's feeble indulgences. | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand to N'Kari in Warhammer III. |
| “ | Pitiful pleasure seekers! I'll tear you apart, as you deserve. | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand to N'Kari in Warhammer III. |
| “ | Skulls! | „ |
| ~ Skarbrand |
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Warhammer III: "Skull of the Bear" (Skarbrand Campaign)
- ↑ Warhammer: The End Times (The Curse of Khaine)
- ↑ Warhammer: The End Times (The Curse of Khaine)
- ↑ Warhammer: The End Times (The Curse of Khaine)
- ↑ Warhammer III: "Skull of the Bear" (Skarbrand Campaign)
- ↑ Echoes of Eternity (Warhammer 40,000)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Thanquol's Doom (Chapters 17-18)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Daemons of Chaos (7th Edition)
- ↑ Gathering Storm 2 (Fracture of Biel Tan)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Daemons of Chaos (7th Edition)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Daemons of Chaos (7th Edition)
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Daemons of Chaos (7th Edition)
- ↑ White Dwarf Magazine #87, "The Wrath of Skarbrand"
- ↑ Warhammer Fantasy: Daemons of Chaos (7th Edition)
- ↑ White Dwarf Magazine #87, "The Wrath of Skarbrand"
- ↑ White Dwarf Magazine #87, "The Wrath of Skarbrand"
- ↑ Warhammer III: "Skull of the Bear" (Skarbrand Campaign)
- ↑ Warhammer: The End Times (The Curse of Khaine)