eee AO Wee a ke ek ee el Wea ee ome NORMED ReDesign and Writing: Gary Astleford, Steve Darlington, and Robert F. Schwalb Slaves of Destiny: Chris Pramas Development: Robert J. Schwalb Editing: V3 Studios Proofreading: Scort Neese Graphic Design & Art Direction: Hal Mangold Cover Art: Andrea Uderzo and Scott Purdy © WERP Logo: Darius Hinks Interior Art: Miguel Coimbra, Mike Franchina, Paul “Prof” Herbert, Jon Hodgson, Andy Law, Pat Loboyko, Scott Purdy, Wayne Reynolds, Christophe Swat Cartography: Andy Law WERP Development Manager: Kate Flack Head of Black Industries: Marc Gascoigne Warhammer, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay the Warhammer Fantay Roleplay logo, Black Industri, the Black Industries Jogo, and ll associated races and race insignia, mats, names, characters ilstatons, and images fom the A Black Industries Publication First published in 2006 by Black Industries, an imprint of BL Publishing [No pate of this publication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, oF transmitted in any form by any means, electronic ‘mechanical, photocopying, ecording or otherwise shout the prior permission of the publishers. © Copyright Games Workshop Limited 2006, All Rights Reserved, Games Workshop, the Games Workshop logo, BI Pablishing ‘Warhammer universe are cher @, TM, and/or ee {© Games Workshop Lidl 2000-2005, variably Thee registered in the UK and other countries Wilow around the wool Al ight ser Nottingham eh us NG72WS Green Ronin and the Gren Ronin log re UK “indemarks of Gren Ronin Publishing and are used with permission Product Code: 60040283015 ISBN 10: 1-84416-307-5 ISBN 13: 978-1-84416-307-6 www.blackindustries.com www greenronin.com a eRINTRODUCTION Cuarrer 1: THE SKaVEN ARE REAL, AND THEY ARE AMONG US) reconionneninenS Legends of the Ratmen “6 Form and Function ‘Chronicles of the Skaven.. 4 Cuarren I: Skaven History 27 The First Wate ann Skavenblight =a Disaster at Skavenbligh Aftermath ond Exposion 29 Tae Crug of he Daf Nagash The Rise of Clan The Glorious Detthwmmmmnnw it The Spreading Shadow... Present Threat. The Enemy Within — Skaven and Other Races anni Wri of th Horned Ras — 42 rey Sees Sen Goer The Council of Thirteen. The Four Great Clans. Clan Eshin.. Clan Moulder Cla Fle AD Clan Mors.. a CaN Sk nnn $0 0 $2 0, $ ‘SKAVEN SETTLEMENTS . = The Under-Empire —. Geogrphy ofthe Under Emgirest Climate in the Under-Empire $2 Highways and Byway: Joining s the Under-Empire Together $2 ‘Skaven Satlements Skaven Architecture ommcnmnnn $3 Skaven Communities of Note 54 Black Chasm. 4 The City of Pillars mnmnmene 54 elt Pent Ip MOUillncrnmnemnmnan $3 Qucekwel... SS ‘Savenbligh nmnmnnnnn S$ Under-Altdorf 56 = Sample Settlement — sreenn 6 Under- Dalberg $6 = Warts — scncenennnnbt Sample Skaven Werband 62 Custom Skaven Clans nmmnnnen65 Clan Size. 5 Clan Inf luentennnrnnnnn63 eae Clan Talents. Sent Se Clin Se, Cuarrer V: Slave Harvesting Co a ae ‘Strength in Numbers, ‘Types of Skaven — S58 ern Clanrats.. Grey Sern Gutter Runmers. The Lore of Plagitmennnnnm77 The Lore of Scalth The Lore of Warpanenmnmn 78 New Spells. ee Warpstone Dust Warpstone Tokens Unrfined Warpston nd — Warpsione Artefacts ‘Clan Skryre Technomancy. Building the Device Using the Det omennananene87 ‘Malfunctions. 38 Filling in the BMS ooonon 88 Sample Device. Cuarrer VI: New Talent evmnonnrennnnetO} — Fleshmoulding — Requirements enmmnenrnnnnn 04 Cuarrer VII: A SKAVEN CAMPAIGN «101000, 106 Seven Player Grp mnt Skaven Adventures. — Against the Skaven — 109 = Unekr-Empire Bestiary nn tt Cuavren VII: Staves oF Destiny Inpex.Re symbolizes decay and disease. The ereatures luk in the ‘nidden and the privy, in the slaughter yatd and the boneyard They gnaw atthe dead and ac thee toteen flesh, and if not prevented they creep into be ‘warm beds andl devouring fesh food. And ualike the goat aes and granaties, breeding in ing ineo the cabbages, a single rat in the granary could ddo more than just reduce the food stores. Te filth ic caries ‘vith i could poison the whole harvest, leaving the peasants with wo unenviable choices: death by starvation or death by some hideous plague To contol the rts, the Empire | employs Rat Catchers, men who scour the sewers and steets with Frav Goss | Owss: Ret! Rats! Hori rats! | Weresncane Ras inthe sees! nx Gussen: And rats inthe house! Rats in my hair! Joncen Gussen: And rats in my trousers! | Bur the Rac Catchers know more than they lecon. Bebind the fagade of grimy faces and hard eyes, they know that something far worse hus below the streets. Certainly if you kc chem they will deny it. bur che truth is there, You can sce Jn their faces when they hear che srabbling click of laws fom the cobbles, of when they see the tatered silhouette of some bene creature peering out from an alley. They know there are things that Took like rs, but larger. Things that walk uprighe like men, jeoearGneane tay fehl ont their despite forthe surface races. The wise men and sages, kings and trusty smal ut vciou) dogs at | Mato: Ras in the bed! A cers ey that these cares sides These brave men goeren_ | Govanwes And asin he rade! Je ierveee The farcucten wml otitis | aan rut av Pree eae Ch ding te parton the | FATHER Feasts Resin he sus | peer orthtes who did nor turn Bp feed ofc petal rt Thigh | from her fay ina the sewers ; Ont; Rats! Rats! Horrible horrible rats!” the may reck of his hunting grounds | whose bodies were never found. | and hispreya Rat Catchereating | mow Tie Oreanc Gionts row | They say that these unforsunaces | pole with a dozen fa brownies | Denar Smacx’scomncorms, | were screed, were ken by the | ed by tical apy gh “Tre RarsorHwustar” | Children ofthe Horned Rat, by toall Older Worldets, regardless of | the Skaven, ‘WEICoME TO CHILDREN OF THE Hoxnep Rar! is wolume examines one of the most dangerous races in the Old World: the Skaven. These Ratmen hatch terrible plots, commit profine atrocities, and breed both their ‘own spawn and pestilence with equal ze, all vo overthrowe Humanity long eign on the surface. While the Skaven have made many attempts to destoy and enslave Humans, they ate thrown back each time inc their warren, defeated by the resolve ofthe good people ofthe Empice. Buc the Skaven are not exclusive to the most populous regions of che Old World. No, their Under-Empire extends to every corner of humanity's kingdoms from as far away as exorie Cathay to the steaming jungles of Lustia, Considering how widespread and powerful they ae, itisa wonder the people ofall nations arent cowering in their homes for fear oftheir im ing doom. The reason? The Skaven dont exis. (Or so say the powers that be. Wuat’s Insipe Children ofthe Horned Rat explowes every aspect of the Skaven, From their history to their culture, from che eats of their ‘various breeds tothe habits oftheir most infamous vilins ‘Within these pages is all the information you need to bring these dreaded foes full-force into your campaigns. Inside you'll find Chapter One: The Skaven Are Real, —And They Are Among Us! “This chapcer explains how the people of the Old World see the Skaven, examining thei tendency to shroud legends ofthe sinjsver Ramen in myth and denial In addition, this chaprer offers advice for dhose who would combat the Skaven menace including views fom established Skaver hunter, ips for equipment, and alist ofthe tell-tale signs of a Skaven infestation, This chapter also provides a broad overview ofthe diferent types, ‘of Skaven, as well as examining thir physiology and habi the perspective ofthe somewhat balled residents ofthe Empire A Few legends ofthe Ratmen ae alo explored. Chapter Two: Skaven History This chapter examines the history of this insidious race revealing several diabolical secrets regarding the Skavens fromThis chapter explores the intricacies of Skaven society, providing Designed for groups who want a more vicious game or for details on its hierarchy, the nuances of social interaction ‘Game Masters who want more robust adversaries, cis chapter ‘erwoen is members, and the minutiae and details of the ed specifically for caltue, such as tis that binds these abominations together The Skaven world hears a disconcerting resemblance to This chapter is ivaluble for campaigns tha heavily feacure the surface world. This chapter illustrates the appearance, __Skaven, whether as yer Characters ot as opponents File ‘organisation, and structure of Skaven serlements. with roleplaying tips and adventure ses, it pulls together and provides context forall ofthe information presented previously “This chapter explains the martial motivations ofthe bellcose Skaven as well as offering insight inco typical Skaven tactics. Finally, an adventure pitting the adventurers agains the foul This chapeer also includes new splls and rules for Warp Ratmen is provided, aswell as guidlelines for playing the Technology scenario from te side of the Skaven aswell PRISONER OF SKAVENBLIGHT ‘The las thing he remembered wos praying to Sigmar. A terrifying animal face had snared, he'd heard a bade ht his helm, and is vision had faded second before his mind di. And he had prayed to Sigmar that he would ner di that dy. For a moment, shen he came to, he thanked his God for having. hod heard him. Then his vision cleared, and he felt the weight around snc nd ary ane Knew h ods wr cru ad fe Heine Ui bao «cand prisoner he He scared around the cramped stone cell he was ying in eying to see faces in the darkness. Were any of his fellow soldiers here? ‘A friendly face would be a great comfort. But he saw only old men he did not know, their ees reflecting his own fear back at him, He thought of his brother, Heinrich, who had disappeared fighting the Rermen that spring —had he ended up in a place like tis? If 30, might he stil be here? That hope gave him courage. He began to stand, pushing his body up aginst he rock wall. Almost immediatly, another prisoner eroshed ino him, grappling him wth cod, clammy arms Fe looked ico the ece, hoping for anything familar, but There wus no longer even any humanity there. The ees llled, Moodshot and Wind, and zhe withered skin was stuck ro the seul lke toe paper. The madman vied to talk, but his mouth wes filled with ores, and hs tongue had long ago been severed with a dull kaife “He pushed aay the gnarled prisoner, and raised Rimself up again. He could sea gate, and alight beyond it, and then all of @ sudden, the ligh was gone. Ac the top ofthe darkness tht replaced it the ight sihoueted ro pointed cars, end whiskers wafting ina lighe breeze. The smell ung Ms gjs, and he fel back. The gate clanged open, and leathery claws grabbed his chains and dragged Nim out ofthe ell. ‘The world spun about him. He fl the pebbles of rocky path cutting into his back ashe was droga. cliff foce towered aboot, and beyond ta cavern of impossible sze, filled with light, and nose, the sound af a thousand forges end a thousand shipyards, though how such things could be found inthe dark underground, he couldn't understand, The dragging stopped, and he loll inco the fellow prisoners who were being dragged along with him. He saw the old madman again, sill trying to form words, Bellowing out urgene sounds at him from his broken throat. A warning, perhaps? A terible cry about what wus to core? What torture would thy have him endure? Whar knowledge could they possbty need from him? Cows grabbed him, and threw his body onto @ wooden sat. Spikes hammered his wrise-shaklesinco the wood, locking him ico place. Dinnly, he realised it was some kindof slave gelle. An iron-bound handle satin front of him, and the floor moved when he {rod on i. Not «golly, he thought, bu a treadmill, for erushing grain. They meant to use him as slave labour. Well he could anal thee. He had worked a treadmil os «bay. Ie twould be brutal work, but at night he could plan his escape. He was strong. Almos as srong as hs brother. He would find others like him. He would escape. He would sursive. Another bellow cam as the madman was pushed in next ro him. He recoiled in horror as once again the crazed cripple grabbed at his hands, sliding over them with his dech-cold skin. Then he saw it. The old man was puting their hands together, next to cach ‘other, si was obvious tha the rings they each wore on ther second fingers were identical “He tooked up in sudden realisation. He stared into the eyes of the broken, inhuman creature thar his brother had Become in only six months. And he went mad.THE SKAVEN ARE REAL, AND | ‘THEY ARE AMONG Us! 1. you ae reading this, then first I thank you, but second I must warn you: herein are contained rrurhs you will not wish ro hear, and that others wil sek 0 persecute you for knowing, If you are reading this in any town or cicy inthe Empire, then know without doubr that there are one or more Skaven warriors within a mile of ou, and furthermore that they are, at this moment, planning or carrying out acts of theft ond murder, Spreading setion, and working to brig about the desruction of oxr great Empire and the death of every person within it.The Skaven are real, Gnd they ore among us, and they are working constantly o murder us all. {you have found this document, then it means that you are one of the few withthe courage to face this truth and the desire ro know more about pour enemy. It is for you tha Ihave assembled these pages. They are based on 10.yars of study and exploration, during which I travelled aeros all, the Old Worl, seeking truth in al the olde books and all he darkest corner. [have ried to learn everything ofthe Skaven that I can, so that you tad those lke you need no longer be ignorant and afraid. There are, I know, many of Jou who have seen through the comforting lies and know that and those who the Ratmen are an ever present and very deadly threat. I hope that with ths document those who were ignorant wil be made of which they ore were already axare will Become learned and sill uncers ofthe beats. Perhaps if enough learn what they are, and of theatre capable, we may one day togeher drag these vermin out into the harsh light of day. Yours in Vigilonce, Ammelie Meyer, Priestess of Verena, 2522EGENDS OF THE RATMEN “ere ar fe as roof the Slave, For those who tae sen them do no wth oe ened of sch rer ad hore wo fae not en Ahem hve ie dee oa stoi five comes when here ae so many more aparnt ons in ths age of war. What fev ei Ihave cole hee an empl of both the wus ad the Fons ie stuound the Rasen. Ie is said that ll myths contain a glimmer of truth Our frst story's purpose, however isto bury thar glimmer, ro eliminate the truth and puta great falsehood ines place. I ransmes historical facs and honourable ded in partieular those of Emperor Manseed Rasher, into 1 chil’ tale ofthe Raslaer driving out vermin. I presen it here 252 demorstation of the full exten ofthe is our children are being taught. Grar MANDRED THE RATSLAYER AND. THE INCREDIBLE CHEESE Jn the year str after the reign of Sigmar, there came a great calamity. The people ofthe Old World were even more wicked than they are roday. They had turned away from Sigmar and Ulric and the goodly Gods, and the Gods of Evil and Chaos punished them lesfully for this Firs there eame a great plogue of horrible Hack boils, ond thousands upon thousands ded in their beds ond on the siret: And then came an endless horde of rats larger then any the word has eer sen, and at their head ran the ratings he ‘Skaven larger ond more cunning and more deadly than el other rats. With these leaders the rats ran unef raid shrough the land. ‘They fed on the lving os wel s the den, killing the young and the ld. With cach passing day, the rats grew eer more brazen ond amore vicious The attacked men and women inthe streets, hey chased dogs and Killed cats ond feared no trap or net, nor was there ‘enough poison inthe whol ofthe Empire to kill them. Soon there was nota town or silage in the Empire tha was free of ‘them. The filed he streets ond rashed along the gusters. Thy at (on the rooftops andthe eles, the eveledshrouh the miadens and climbed into the privien They atthe food and they the wine and they scratched the widows and they ft he babies. They ran through he gree places of ltdorf andthe trading houses of ‘Marienberg ond the College of Nuln, and they come swarming ‘over the gret wall of Telabxim. Soon, ox every man and ‘woman in the Empire lay sickening or lay in thei proves. And ll the wll the Skavn kings did laugh ro se such slougher. Only Middenhim held ou agains the plague and the ras, safe ax the top of Ulriesberg. Graf Mandred wisely ordered the great aducs of the cy smashed before the rats cul ers, and men Stood at ery wall and window with fre and olf stop them climbing up th rocks. Bu the rats swarmed around the bes of that ‘mourain and he ela besiege. Months pied, and the food grew sor. Graf Mandred knew ta hough he ould protec his rope from the lague he could not pote thm from hunger. Yet he and hs selers were too fw urn the tide of rats au from the mouncen, and here woul be no help coming from the ouch, for al the cer ites ha fllen to he ends hunger of the rar For 1s dys ond 1 nights Mandred sat on his throne, trying 0 think of esolution eal she men ofthe Empire perish end Sigmar’s sgret nation fll back into Chaos and darknes And onthe morning 6 the fourteenth day, he tod up in triumph, for be had alan. He called together al the srorefolk ofthe rou: the shopkeepers, _ the butchers, the bakers, the fishmongers, the men who owned the warehouses ond sored the grains and the men who owned the restaurants and cooked forthe lords. And he summoned all the peopl ofthe city als and he charged them all witha simple task: toling forward all their meats and chess from their lorders. ‘The people cried out a his, for they ha so tne left, and they “feored the Graf meant to starve them then and there. The Graf ‘calmed them, speaking to them of his great plan. Such ws his kindness and conviction thor the people knew he meant chem no harm at oll, and suck was the wisdom of hs plan tha all inthe city ar once fll x0 their rsks Meanishie, Graf Manared called upon the engineers Bring ‘forth the largest smelting pee in the armoury. This pot was large ‘enough o boil a man on a horse, and the its purpose was ro sma the connon-bolls forthe greet trebuckats. He ordered the greet pot to be placed inthe Square of Mortials, right in front of the poace. And all the people of the cigy were asked to bring their meats and cheeses and throw them inco the giant vessel. And so they dd, every one, bringing seusages and soup bones and dred steak, and 50 many cheeses: great wheels of Ulries Day, and Red Salzemund and Nordland Copper and many more, for the cows had been spared the plogue and piven mach milk that spring, and cheese eas plency. Scan, though the pot was huge, i was ful with cheeses and ‘meats, a feast fit for a thousand men, maybe more. Then the Graf hitched a mighy team of oxen to the pt, and thy Began to move it. Thay took it down to the very bottom of that great city, and then farther, own ino the tunnels beneath. The Dioerfs guided thir way, and great Logs were rolled under the pot to help ic move Soon enough, they had the giant pet scing next to the Great Black Wel, thar wesome channel thet pushes water ort fom the dep dhs, miles nd miles blow Urieserg ‘This great well provided the people of Middenbeim with almost ‘il heir water, and was the lifeblood ofthe cy. Graf Mandred honoured the Black Well, and asked forgivenes from the Gods, and from the Dwarfs, and from the people of Middenhcim, ond from the earth ts, for what he was about 0 do, Firs, he gave the order forthe great bell of Ulric tobe rung ut 1s times. This was the signal forall the good folk of Middeneim. to hide in their homes and in the watchtowers, to find the highest ‘ground they could. Soon only the sldies remained on the streets ‘and walls, 80s to protect any folk found wandering. Down below Graf Mandred ordered the po robe raised up on the logs, and a _great fire lir beneath i. The bonfire Hazed, and soon enough, the ‘eat pile of cheese and meat began ro melt and warm then buble fad boi A great aroma wafted off the po, the most delicious thing tha had ever Been smelt or smelled in that cy. So strong ‘was this flevour that i was soon born on the wind, rising up out ofthe undercicy, shooting out through the pigeon holes inthe rock its, and down through the tunnds to the ground below, and ever courward, onto the plains. The rar hordes below were hungry and angry, ond hed begun tating each other for want of prey. When the smell hit reir noses, they went into a frenzy of hunger. Their mouths filled with foam and their ees with red desire, and they thought of only one thing: to find this food and devour it. In a huge wave the rats charged up the mouncain, climbing over each other in thir fury, and at their head ran the Skaven lords. They charged upto the top ofthe cliff. foce and swarmed oor the walls. Others tunnelled in through the pigeon holes ond raced up