Scourge Privateers
Wolfships of the Scourge Privateers | |
Grand alliance | Order |
Associated factions | Cities of Sigmar |
Races | Aelf |
Mounts | Dark Steed |
Vehicles | Black Ark Reaver-ship Scourgerunner Chariot Wolf-ship Waverunner |
Creatures | Kharibdyss |
Archetypes | Black Ark Corsair |
Scourge Privateers are aelven raiders and beast-slavers who sail the seas of the Mortal Realms in search of plunder and prey before returning to the Realm of Azyr.[1]
Overview
Aelven pirates of the Scourge have travelled the waterways of the Mortal Realms and hunted mighty sea monsters for generations. Some are dragged back to the free ports to be sold to pitmasters or curious wizards for a rich haul while others are slain and stripped of valuable materials. However the ambitious Fleetmasters of the Scourge chafe under the rule of Sigmar's servants and many disavow the rules of the God-King's new empire to pursue their own ends. While slavery is outlawed under Azyrite decree, loopholes are frequently exploited by fleetmasters. [2a]
Huge Black Arks, floating fortress-cities built on the shells and hides of marine behemoths carry raiding parties across the realms wrangling monsters for their organs or to serve as steeds or war beasts for the mighty of Azyrheim. The fleets of the Scourge consist of swift-moving frigates and wolfships while their land forces are comprised not only of aelf Corsairs but also enslaved war-beasts such as the fearsome Kharibdyss as well as the swift Scourgerunner Chariots, harpooning the unlucky prey. [1][2a]
Society
The Scourge Privateers were once raiders and raiders who scoured the many seas. Now these aelven scoundrels and pirates are often employed by the port cities, such as Anvilgard and Excelsis of Sigmar's growing civilization.[5a]
They are most often employed by the Conclaves of the Cities of Sigmar to hunt down monstrous beasts of the seas and enemy fleets.[5a]
The ferocity and skill of the Scourge Fleets is so well-renowned, that few would openly invade a port city defended by them via the sea. Except, of course, for raucous orruk freebooters and their junk-fleets.[5a]
Few privateeers are above supplementing their revenue streams with dubious and morally reprensible deeds, often hiring themselves out to whoever has enough coin to make it worthwhile.[5a]
Much like the Kharadron the Scourge are driven by a lust for profit, for some this comes in the form of payment for hunting beasts or collecting bounties. But to others profit comes in more esoteric forms; favors, influence, immunity to laws of the land.[5a]
While most of the Scourge Fleets are employed by the Conclaves of the Cities of Sigmar, there are still those that live out their lives as pirates.[5a]
The Black Arks of the Scourge are fiefdoms unto themselves, floating cities around which these murderous aelves have built their societies, these are run by Fleetmasters whose cunning, wit, and skill at arms have kept them at the top of their murderous maritime empires.[5a] To many of the privateers the violence and chaos of ship-board life is the only life they'll ever know, and for many the only life they desire to know.[5a]
The hostile and violent environment of corsair life, coupled with aelven longevity, has ensued that the majority of Scourge Privateers is a veteran of countless boarding skirmishes and battles with beastly foes.[5a]
Hunting and slaying the beasts of the sea is the quickest way for them to earn a profit and what most fleets are hired to do. Some of the beasts are taken alive and sold to groups such as the Collegiate Arcane for study, or sold to the owners of gladiatorial arenas. More often the beasts are slaughtered and harvested, their parts sold off to various guilds, including medical and alchemical guilds[5a]
Groups
- Twilight Cabal: A group of Fleetmasters from across the Mortal Realms who seek to revive the ancient Scourge empire.[3a]
Ships
- Black Ark: The massive vessels that serve as capital ships for Scourge Fleetmasters.[4a][5a]
- Waverunner: A variety of ship used by the Scourge Privateers.[6a]
- Wolfship: One of the smaller types of military vessels used by the Scourge Privateers.[4a]
Quotes
Once our kind ruled the waves. Not just in this once benighted corner of the realms, but across the infinite expanse of reality. We bowed to no one. We answered to neither gods nor kings. We took what we wanted – flesh, treasure and coin. When any rose to challenge the Scourge, they were butchered, their lands despoiled. Their children carried off into bondage. They feared us, those weaklings who huddle in their cities, praying to an uncaring god. They saw us in their darkest nightmares, and they paid tribute or felt our wrath.
~ Zarkland Zenthe to the Twilight Cabal.[3b] |
Sources
- 1: Grand Alliance: Order
- 1a: Scourge Privateers, pg 222-223
- 2: Legends of the Age of Sigmar: City of Secrets by Nick Horth
- 3: Heart of Winter (novella), by Nick Horth
- 4: Battletome: Cities of Sigmar (2019)
- 4a: Scourge Privateers, pg.40
- 5: Soulbound Core Rulebook
- 5a: Chapter Eight: The Mortal Realms, Orgamizations and Factions
- 6: Age of Sigmar: Core Book (3rd Edition)
- 6a: The Savage Wilds, Pg. 102-103