Manticore

"The rage of a Manticore is legendary and to behold such a creature in its wrath is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Its roar alone can cause warriors to flee the battlefield."

—Korhil Lionmane^[3a]

A Manticore is a huge, leonine beast born from the power of Chaos that soars through the air on leathery wings. They are amongst the most powerful of all the monstrous predators that live in the mountain ranges of the north. The mutating power of Chaos ensures that no two Manticores are truly alike. However, all Manticores are berserk killers saturated with primal fury.^[1a]

Role

Total War Manticore Concept Art 2 — A Manticore as depicted in concept art for *Total War: Warhammer.*

Like many of the Known World's monsters, Manticores are borne amid the swirling magical energies of the northern Chaos Wastes. Some still roam the changing lands, although most Manticores fly south to less ruinous climes. So it is that the northern mountain ranges of the world have become the hunting grounds for Manticores beyond counting.^[3a]

Even for beasts of Chaos, Manticores are particularly ferocious, possessed of an innate stubbornness that propels them to fight for their territory against even the most overpowering odds. Be the interloper a Great Eagle, Griffon or even an Emperor Dragon, the Manticore's response is always the same: to launch itself roaring into a bloody and brutal conflict from which there can be but a single victor. The fact that this victor is almost always the Manticore (providing the enemy isn't too much larger) stands as harrowing testament to its savagery and determination.^[3a]

Total War Manticore Concept Art 1 — A Manticore as depicted in concept art for *Total War: Warhammer.*

The common description of a Manticore depicts them with the body of a large lion, surmounted by a pair of leathery bat wings and a whip-like tail. But they are a breed of Chaos beast, ever mutable and terrible with uncountable variations. Some have barbed tails like a scorpion's that bear bitter poison. Others are armoured in scales and covered in thorny projections that bleed ceaselessly.^[2b]

Manticores are cunning fighters. They are swift to retreat to the relative safety of the air when a battle goes against them.^[2b]

Dark Elf Manticores

"Mounts for our dark kin. Their blood lust is the reflection of the dark lord of murder to whose service they are consecrated. Fear the Manticore not merely for what it is; fear it because the presence of one signals the approach of our estranged brethren. Sooner face a dozen Manticore than the one who would dare to ride one into battle."

—Filanas, Elvish Vagabond^[2a]

There are rumours that the Dark Elves practice the breeding of Manticores amidst the black obsidian peaks of the mountain ranges that dominate Naggaroth, far to the west of the Old World. How they manage to tame such vicious creatures is unknown, though many stories indicate that the Dark Elves of that land are every bit as fierce as the Manticores they raise. Scholars that ask too many questions about such matters tend to find few answers or a messy death.^[2a]

Dark Elves hold no creature in higher esteem than the Manticore, for they believe it to be one of the thousand incarnations of Khaine, the Elven god of war and murder and daring Beastmasters venture as far north as the Chaos Wastes of the New World in search of young Manticores to sell at auction. Manticores can be tamed enough to take the rider, though they remain feral. Even if their steed occasionally ignores their commands and pitches them into unfavourable fights, a Dark Elf considers this a minor risk compared to the fear and respect that having such a mount brings.^[4a]

Old World Manticores

"There are those that say they can speak in the tongues of Men, or at least, the dark tongue of the Beastfolk. I once gave little credence to such rumours, but the tale of a Marienburg sailor has since given me pause. He claimed to have fought in a desperate sea battle with the Marienburg navy against a ship that supposedly rested upon the back of a sea serpent. As outlandish as that tale itself may seem, many others have confirmed it. During this battle, a Manticore supposedly flew out from one of the high towers of the odd serpent vessel. As it flew over the navy's ships, it supposedly roared out insults in its foul tongue. I have no idea what a Manticore was doing at sea, but there it is."

—Kirsten Hultze, Merchant^[2a]

Manticores are ferocious beasts of Chaos that dwell high in the mountains, usually far from the habitations of Men. Few have ever been seen in the Empire, which is doubtless a blessing, for they are voracious predators who constantly hunt not only for sustenance, but also for the pleasure of the kill.^[2b]

Oddly perhaps, for such a vicious and ill-tempered beast, the Manticore has become a common heraldic device in the Old World. This is not to say that a great many Manticores are encountered in the lands of Bretonnia, Tilea and Estalia -- nor that a great many are slain there. Its prevalence upon shield and banner is merely an indication that many nobles, having heard tales of the beast's legendary battle-prowess and resolve, simply wish to be associated with it. That most such men and women would run screaming in terror should they encounter a real life Manticore is normally left unspoken.^[3a]

Miniatures

Videos

Total War- WARHAMMER - Introducing… Chaos Manticore -ESRB-

Sources

1: Warhammer Armies: Chaos Warriors (8th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 29
2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Bestiary(RPG)
- 2a: pp. 44-45
- 2b: pg. 101
3: Storm of Magic (8th Edition)
- 3a: pg. 88
4: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (8th Edition)
- 4a: pg. 51