"Madness! Madness! Can it be possible that you don't remember me? Can it be possible that you have masterminded my failure-fall by mistake? Did you not destroy my works in the Nuln warren, oh those many years gone by? Kill-killing my plague priest, burn-smash my gutter runners and my engineers, killing even my first gift of Moulder?....Did you not follow me north, foiling my every attempt to capture the earth diggers flying machine? Did you not twist-taint my servant-slave and turn him against me when you flew to the Waste? Did you not rip-take the machine from me when my magic had it in its grips? Impossible! Impossible that you don't know me! Impossible that all is by chance! My whole life! My whole Life!"
- —Grey Seer Thanquol, confronting his arch-nemesis Gotrek and Felix after 20 long years to only find out they don't recognize him
Grey Seer Thanquol, favored of the Council of Thirteen, and one of the most powerful sorceror the Under-Empire has ever known
Grey Seer Thanquol is arguably one of the most cunning, devious and perhaps the most ambitious Skaven Sorcerer to have ever live, having worked previously as High Emissary in the service of the tyrannical Council of Thirteen. Considered by himself in being one of the most talented and ingenious minds the Under-Empire has ever known, Thanquol has served many roles with the Skaven hierarchy, having worked as a skilled diplomat and politician for many powerful Warlords and Generals. This prestigious role has garnered him an immense fortune in both wealth and magical power.
A Skaven of great cruelty, Thanquol has been at the forefront of causing misery and mayhem to both his enemies and the Skaven race. Such mayhem includes Thanquol ruthlessly taking command as the Supreme Commander of the Nuln Campaign to overthrow the city with a force of nearly 10,000 warriors and war-machines, as well as saving the infamous Clan Moulder city of Hell Pit from the clutches of a horrific Chaos Invasion by personally taking command of the city's innumerable Legions for himself. Though he was unrightfully disgraced for his actions, he nevertheless proved all the more cunning by crippling the immensely powerful city of Under-Altdorf, a rival city that is as dangerously powerful as Skavenblight itself. Though he was once more condemned as a scapegoat for his masters, he was still instrumental in a successful expedition towards the lush jungle-continent of Lustria, where he personally saw the total annihilation of the infamous Temple-City of Quetza, which lead to the death of a Prophet of Sotek. But probably the greatest triumph the Grey Seer has ever known was unwittingly partaking in a magnificent ritual that has resulted in the summoning of the greatest Bloodthirster to have ever lived, Skarbrand greatest of all the Blood Gods servants.
Although his exploits were grandiose and many, most of them have ended in near complete disaster, a inevitable consequence that stems from the interference of his many enemies, and ironically even by Thanquol's own paranoia and incompetence. After losing much favor and reputation, Thanquol has been marked by his brethren's as nothing more than an incompetent backstabber. But it was Seerlord Kritislik that saw a great potential within the young Grey Seer, seeing him having the uncanny ability for setting the Priesthoods many enemies against each other. As a reward for is somewhat successful missions, Thanquol was rewarded a Rat Ogre by the Council, naming him Boneripper -- a name he continues to use for everyone of his Rat Ogre bodyguards. He is also the main nemesis of the two great heroes Gotrek and Felix.
History
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Very few knows the true origins of Grey Seer Thanquol, what his previous Clan was, nor even early records of his first few exploits. All that is certain was the great ambition the young grey-furred ratling had for the future, and the need to grow more powerful and wealthy amongst his many and jealous kin. Like all of his kind, Thanquol was born from one of the many breeder mothers that provide the Under-Empire with an inexhaustable supply of warriors and slaves for the clans. Unlike his brethrens however, he was fortunate and perhaps even blessed by the Horned Rat himself to be born with the extremely rare case of having grey-colored fur and stubs of growing horns. Whether it truly was the will of the Horned Rat to make this ratling his messenger and prophet is uncertain, and only the God of the Ratmen know the true answer. Like his fellow grey-furred brethrens, by the time Thanquols former Clan figured out that one of their own kin was one of the legendary Grey Seers, they are ordered by the Council and the Priesthood of the Horned Rat to forfeit the youngling to the Order, and indoctrinated him into the Priesthoods beliefs and society.
When becoming an initiate into the Order of the Grey Seers, Thanquol became the apprentice to Master Grey Seer Sleekit, along with several other initiates that Thanquol had a strong rivalry with. Although he is suppose to be a loyal apprentice to his Master, Thanquol like many of his kind despises his betters, and had always dreamed of the day he would see his Master dead, and take all his worldly possessions. When Master Sleekit's time of doom was upon him, Thanquol did what any sensible Skaven would have done. He stole his Master's magical Talisman and scurried off into the distance, chittering triumphantly at his pitiful dismay. Thanquol just had enough time to savoir the look of disbelief on his Masters face before hundreds of tons of rock and debris fell upon his former Master. With his Master gone, Thanquol had the rights to acquired his Masters staff and talisman and took up the mantle as the new Grey Seer of the Order, and began his long and glorious career as the Council of Thirteens most favored messenger.
Supreme Commander of the Invasion of Nuln
"Brother Skavens! Consider this... Until the coming of Vermek Skab, the Council of Thirteen placed me in command of this army. Since Vermek Skab is sadly no longer with us, the leaders place in the rear must still fall to me by edict of the Council. Of course, if any of you wishes to challenge the Council's ruling I will notify them of this at once."
- —Grey Seer Thanquol, taking command of the Nuln Invasion force as Supreme Commander
Gotrek and Felix, arch-nemesis of Grey Seer Thanquol.
After many long years of somewhat faithful service under his Skaven Overlords, Grey Seer Thanquol has gained a considerable reputation amongst his kin as one of the Under-Empires most powerful of sorcerers, and a capable leader of great cunning and intelligence that rivals few amongst his brothers within the Priesthood. Along with his powerful staff and magical talisman, Thanquol was given a Rat Ogre bodyguard by the Council of Thirteen as a reward for succeeding in his numerous missions. With these gifts, he was also given new orders to go into the great Imperial City of Nuln and instigate a massive civil war between the Imperial Capital of Altdorf and her sister city of Nuln. This process would be done by using his puppet, Fritz von Halstadt and his paranoia of mutants to his advantage, killing off key individuals within the Nuln nobility. For the better part of the plan, it worked, and eventually, he planned to make his pup pet kill the Emperor's own brother-in-law to seal the deal and ignite the flames of Civil War.
Unfortunately for Thanquol, his ingenious plan began to suddenly unravel as an unlikely duo of warriors entered the Imperial City, and caught wind of his cooperation with Fritz von Halstadt. The two heroes, Gotrek and Felix, was on patrol with the local Sewer Watch when they caught the Cheif Magistrate talking to a Skaven in the Sewer networks of Nuln. Fortunately for Thanquol, Fritz von Halstadt managed to conceal his identity and escape from the Sewer Watch before he was caught. His companion, the Skaven messenger however was not so fortunate. Disturbed by this confrontation, and fearing that his plan might be revealed to the Imperial authority, Thanquol ordered a small contingent of elite Stormvermin infantry to ambush the Sewer Jacks before they caught wind of more of their operations. These warriors were the best of the best within Clan Skab, and the host-leader of this pack was a birth-kin of the Skaven messenger who Gotrek killed and desired revenge for his loss (althought it was later revealed he was just annoyed he had to find a new ally for his ambition).
The pack of Stormvermin stalked the Sewer Watch as they made another one of their daily patrols through the tunnels just underneath the Noble Quarter of the city. One group under host-leader Tzarkuel followed the Sewer Watch from behind, with two other detachments following in the parallel tunnels with more of his infantry stationed just up ahead. Host-leader Tzarkuel motioned for his warriors to stop, as he saw that the Sewer Watch began to huddle together within the passage. Thinking that the Sewer Watch were huddling in fear, he ordered his Stormvermin to be ready for blood-shed. Unsuspectingly however, a massive Dwarf and a blonde-furred Man-thing charged at his warriors ranks, slaughtering his Stormvermins one by one. Within a span of a few minutes, most of his warriors were dead, and the Host-leader jumped into the Sewer waters and fled the scene.
Infuriated by his servants lack of conviction and courage, Thanquol had no choice but to confront his puppet about the matter at hand. The Grey Seer went into the Chief Magistrates small mansion in the Noble Quarter and entered his filing chamber. Von Halstadt wasn't too pleased by his presence, fearing that his servants might see him and attract unwanted attention to their dealings. But Thanquol was no fool, and he ensured the Magistrate that his servants were all asleep, a simple incantation he used. Relaxing his shoulders, the Chief Magistrate listened to what the Grey Seer had to say. Thanquol explained the situation at hand, he told von Halstadt about the two warriors, and was concern that the Sewer Watch might be a danger to their associations. This gave Von Halstadt the desired effect Thanquol wanted, and the Cheif Magistrate looked worried about this situation. Giving in, he gave Thanquol his word that they must die, and will have their Watch Captain interviewed. He also handed Thanquol a file concerning them, and their current whereabouts.
After reaching the Sewers, Thanquol cursed himself for dealing with such a low-life surface dweller like von Halstadt. Yet he knew that he still needs him for the coming plans, and ordered his new Rat Ogre bodyguard, Boneripper to follow him to the suppose location of their prey. For several hours they waited, but the blond-furred man-thing has not shown up to his bedding. Getting impatient, Thanquol decides to head back to the Cheif Magistrates office to discuss this inaccurate information. It was upon their entrance to the secret tunnel of the mansion that Thanquol found the door open. Extremely worried that the Sewer Jacks have found out about his plan, Thanquol entered the doorway and ordered his Rat Ogre to pounce on an unsuspecting Sewer Jack awaiting at the entrance.
Suddenly, Thanquol heard fighting coming from the Magistrates chambers and ordered his Rat Ogre to lead the way. After sprinting through the winding halls of the mansion, his bodyguard came into an erupt stop, with Thanquol smacking snout first at the creatures massive frame. Looking beside his bodyguard, he saw a very menacing looking Dwarf, with a hideously large axe. Thanquol in reaction ordered his Rat Ogre to charge and kill him, whilst the Dwarf still stood where he stands. Filled with momentary triumph, he watched as a ensuring slaughter began. But it was not the kind of slaughter he was hoping of, for at the very last second, the Dwarf raised his massive axe and clove the massive beast head in two. Fear gripped Thanquol as he stood alone with the red-crested Dwarf. Thinking that evasion is the better part of valor, Thanquol retreated back to the sewers to leave his puppet to his fate.
The following days led to Thanquol to answer for his erupt failure at instigating a Civil War between the two Imperial city's. Within his chamber, the magnificent Far-Squeaker was constructed to allow him to answer to Seerlord Kritislik directly. At first, the communication was mostly static, and using this to his advantage he told his Master of great victories to come, only mentioning momentarily about the death of his puppet. But the Seerlord could not be fooled, and he simply turned a nob, and the screen was clear, and there his Master sat staring at Thanquol evilly. Fearing for his life, Thanquol tried to find an excuse for his failures, but it was when the Seerlord told him that the plan has changed did Thanquol relax his paranoia. The Seerlord said that the Invasion will start within a few week, and ordered Thanquol to relinquish his command of the army and aid Warlord Vermek Skab in his role as "Supreme Commander".
Deep inside, Thanquol was bitter at this change of events, but he knew better then to anger the Seerlord. It was then that Thanquol realize that the machine began to smoke and roar loudly then usual, and saw by the edge of his eyes, all his servants running away from his chamber. Just before jumping out of his chair and leave the Chamber with all his might, the Seerlord told Thanquol something that glued him to his seat. He told him about a Man and a Dwarf, whose destinies would be intertwined with his. It was before the last few words were spoken that the Far-Squeaker exploded, throwing Thanquol off his stool and into the floor. Picking himself up from his feet, Thanquol saw his servants return, and with a very imposing voice he ordered the Skavens to summon the Gutter Runners, and kill the Man and Dwarf, lest his Masters prediction become true.
Unfortunately for Thanquol, these two warriors had also managed to kill off the deadly assassin of Clan Eshin, and one of his greatest Assassin, and a pupil to Deathmaster Snikch himself failed him and fled in hiding. It took weeks to find his cowering assassin, but upon his discovery, Thanquol dragged the shamed Assassin into the great gathering of the Skaven invasion force. There, Chang Squik, grovelled in the dirt, pilling excuses on how he was betrayed, how he had inexperienced Gutter Runners, how his enemies were forewarned of their coming, and worst of all how it was not his fault. The other War-leaders of Clan Skab and several other Clans stood with him, chittering and hiding their laughs behind armored fists. He wanted to make the Assassin pay for his failure, but a direct approach might anger Deathmaster Snitch, and so with his brilliant cunning he found out a way to hurt the Assassins pride. Picking out the smallest and weakest of the Clan Skab war-leaders, Lurk Snitchtongue was singled out for his little experiment. The small war-leader had unwittingly insulted the Assassins pride, a thing that Lurk didn't notice until it was too late. Thanquol gave a small grin at the situation, followed by a roar of laughter coming from the rest of the Skaven armies. Chang Squik threw dagger stares at the foolish Skaven. Luckily for Lurk, he managed to prelong his death by assisting in the death of the Man and Dwarf, a mission he is sure to not come back from.
It was at that instant that a Skaven messenger approached the Grey Seer and handed him a letter. The letter was obviously read, as evident by the marks of hand prints and filth. Feeling this a good time to show the assembled army his power, he torched the messenger with unholy Warp energies, pealing off the flesh and skin of the Skaven until only bones remain. Whilst the army was at awe by the awsome display of power, Thanquol began reading the message with a savage grin, knowing full well who had done this. With his most powerful voice, he told the assembled mass about the death of Vermek Skab, and how the command of the Invasion shall fall into his second-in-command... Thanquol. Some of the War-leaders weren't so keen on the idea, and each representative of the Great Clans stood up and deny his claim, as respectfully as possible of course, but hostile towards their other competitor. Only Thanquol's threat of bringing the Council of Thirteen into this argument silenced the representatives, making each one of them fight each other for the position of second-in-command. Thanquol was pleased with the results.
The Betrayal of the Great Clans and the final Battle of Nuln
"Tonight is the night you have all been waiting for! Tonight we will smash-crush the humans once and for all. Tonight we will invade the city and enslave all the occupants. Tonight we will strike a blow for the Under-Empire and the Skaven nation that will long be remembered!"
- —Grey Seer Thanquol, commencing the final Battle of Nuln
In his chamber, Thanquol sat and bask in the sunlight of his triumph as the new commander of the Invasion. Unsuspectingly however, Thanquol notice a Skaven entered the chamber. Walking nervously inside, Lurk Snitchtongue gave the Grey Seer some dire news he eave-dropped during his mission to kill the Slayer and human. Apparently, Heskit One Eye, representative of Clan Skryre was planning an unexpected attack on Nuln's Engineers College, hoping to steal some valuable weapons and engines to fuel his grandious ambitions. This goes as a direct challenge to his supreme command, but a direct action might instigate hostility towards Clan Skyre, so Thanquol had no choice but to make a cunning plan to kill two birds with one stone. He wrote a letter forewarning about the attack to the most unlikely of pawns. Lurk was given orders to give this letter to Gotrek and Felix, hoping for them to thwart his underlings plan. Thanquol thought through all possible results, and found it fool-proof, either they kill Heskit or Heskit kills the duo, and in the best of results, they kill each other in the process. Once Lurk left, Thanquol laid back and let his glorious plan unfold.
At the next day, Thanquol caught the young Warlock-Engineer as he retreated back to the invasion camp, and presented his failure to the whole army, blaming him for nearly jeopardizing the whole invasion to the Imperial Authority. The ending of the confrontation lead to Heskit returning to his burrow with his tail in-between his legs. Thanquol couldn't help but keep an evil grin during the whole ceremony. Once more within his chamber, Lurk once more came into the chamber of Thanquol with more dire news. Thanquol had the temptations to blast the Skaven for barging in without him knowing, but the news he held swayed his hands. Again, another one of his underlings began another operations within the surface without the concern of Thanquol. Vilebroth Null, representative of Clan Pestilens has brought up his cadre of Plague Priest and the Cauldron of the Thousand poxes into the city's graveyard to unleash the foul disease upon the populace of the city. Thanquol wouldn't have minded the operation, except for the knowledge of how Clan Pestilents plagues would back fire and begin to ravage the Invasion force if left unchecked. Fearing the same catastrophe, he had no choice but to once more use the unwitting duo to his advantage.
Once more the duo have prevailed, and have managed to stop the Plague Priest before they could unleash the full wrath of the plague. Thanquol was particularly happy in his chambers, as piles upon piles of paper indicated the favour he is gaining as more troops were marching to his gathering legion of 10,000 Skaven warriors, the vast majority of which is contributed by Clan Skab. Once again, Lurk came into his chambers to tell the Grey Seer rumors about a secret operations being held by Clan Moulder. Lurk didn't have much information to offer, and so Thanquol ordered him to find out more, giving him a considerable amount of Warpstone Tokens from his own treasury. In the following days, Lurk came and gave Thanquol his dire news. All he could learn was that Clan Moulder had a secret weapon that will bring the City to its knees, and it will begin tonight. Such a result shall bring Izak Grottle -- representative of Clan Moulder -- great prestige for his exploits and will be rewarded handsomely by the Council, an outcome that Thanquol wanted to greatly avoid. With all haste, he wrote once more to his arch-nemesis about this operations, hoping that they might catch them before its too late.
Yet again they managed to do it, but at a grave cost. The very schemes that his rivals used against the city have back-fired upon the Skaven army. After nearly a week after the last rebellious incident, an unknown plague ravaged all of the warriors within the Invasion camp. This only worsen when an un-naturally large number of rats began to appear within a span of a few days, numbering in the thousands and eating nearly everything in sight. Thanquol sat in his chambers, sulking at this unfortunate turn of events. All is going wrong, nearly all the supplies have been eaten, half the invasion force have died off, and he is slowly losing control of his army. Taking the initiative, Thanquol began to assemble the 5,000 warriors still able to fight into formation, hoping to capture the city before his armies die off. Using the vast sewer networks as their main highway of transport, the army attacked the sleeping city in the dead of night, burning, pillaging, and killing all in their path. Grey Seer Thanquol took personal command of a few hundred Stormvermin into teleporting themselves into the palace of the Elector Countess Emmanuelle herself. There the skaven forces killed and seized all the nobility within the dancing hall of the palace.
Unbeknownst to Thanquol, a trio of Skaven were secretly trying to plot against them, as a result of learning about the treachery of Thanquol aiding Gotrek and Felix in destroying their premature attacks on the city. Each of these Skaven were the leaders of the three attacks staged earlier in the invasion, and now they sought revenge for their loss and humiliation. Using Thanquol's own method against him, the trio managed to write a replica of Thanquol's messages and forced the frightened Lurk to tell the duo of warriors where Thanquol is, and what he was planning to do.
After retrieving the message, the two fought against the Skaven forces invading the city, and lead a large crowd of civil militia and local mercenaries into the palace of the city, killing all the Skaven that were in their way. Ironically, one of the trio of Skaven was killed by this mob, with another one of them being killed in an accident that he had created. The third one, the representative of Clan Moulder was the only one to escape. Amongst the slaughter, there were small engagements and street fighting all along the winding streets of the Poor Quarter, with militias and the city garrison putting up a tough fight against the invading forces. By the grace of their gods, horns began to be heard and the small Imperial Army stationed at the Noble Quarters began to rally and push the Skaven forces back.
When the mob reached the palace and entered the main dancing hall, the duo was just in time to save the Countess from being killed by the Grey Seer. Aided by a hidden Imperial Wizard amongst the captured nobility, the duo was blessed by magical wards and was protected by the foul sorcery's of Thanquol's staff. Squirting the musk of fear, the Grey Seer scurried away and escaped from the duo's grasp, leaving his whole army in disarray. With the Imperial armies and militias rallied, they began to systematically push back and kill off the remaining Skaven forces entrenched within the city streets.
In the aftermath, nearly half of the city was in ruins, but weeks later reconstruction was in process, and the duo was given thanks for their aid against the Skaven. The Council of Thirteen was in great upheaval at this major lost of both money and troops, demanding Thanquol to awnser for his failures. Luckily for Thanquol, Seerlord Kristilik saved his pitiful hide by pointing out that Clan Skab (the main contributor to the invasion) was a traitrous clan who was rumoured to have been planning a revolt against the Councils ruling after taking the city as their own. With the Seerlords persistents and influence, the other Council members reluctantly resign their accusations, and the Grey Seer's fur was saved by the Seerlord from utter annihilation.
The Savior of Hell-Pit
"Now we will smash-crush the Dwarfs like beetle-bugs! We will roll over the valley from both sides and nothing will stop us! Forward brave Skavens, to inevitable Victory!"
- —Grey Seer Thanqoul, commanding a Legion of ratmen against the Dwarfs of the Lonely Tower.
Grey Seer Thanquol and his fight against the Dwarfs
With the Invasion in utter ruins, and a great amount of blood, bodies, and most importantly, money having been lost at this catastrophe, Grey Seer Thanquol have lost a considerable amount of influence and grace from the Council of Thirteen for his failure at taking the man-city of Nuln. For many months he hid, trying every avenue available to him to find a way to reverse his misfortunes. Luckily, his prayers have been awnser once he caught word of an army of Dwarf retaking a small outpost from within a small back-water region within the Empire. Thanquol was no fool, if the Dwarfs were to send an army towards a desolate place like this, something is up. Taking what little bits of wealth and influence Thanquol still possess, he made haste to the outpost, making sure that those surivors from the attack would not squeak to anyone about his independent operations.
Once reaching the area, Thanquol used what little wealth he possess to hire out a small army, supported by a contingent of Stormvermins bearing the colours of a local Clan. Promising future payments and favours to the Clan, Thanquol had within his desposal a few hundred armoured Clanrats to used against the Dwarfs, but the Clan was no fool, and to ensure that the deal goes as promised, they sent Clawleader Grotz to escort him. On an elevated position just above the valley of the region, Thanquol spied the encampment with his spyglass. The area the Dwarfs occupy was called the Lonely Tower, a small stone-walled fort, with an old but imposing tower at the centre of the fortress. Spying through the encampment, he found the ghost of his past haunting him once more. There, as clear as day, he saw Felix Jaeger accompanying a group of Dwarfs into the camp. Fear gripped the Grey Seer, and he wouldn't believe it himself, making a second glance to ensure his worst nightmare was indeed there. He knew that if hes there, then the Dwarf Slayer was too. With haste, he mustered his host at the twilight of night, using the darkness to move his army within range of the valley edge.
Lurk Snitchtongue was granted command of the first assault force, having been a favoured emmisary of Thanquol for his aid in the Nuln campaign, unbeknownst to him that Lurk was forced to aid the trio of Skavens who tried to undermine him. Leading the attack, the army surged through the canopy of trees and into the open valley below, charging head-first into the Dwarfs that were smithing and smelting just a few minutes eariler. But the Dwarfs made pre-cautions, and a warning was sent when a Dwarf sentry spotted the army whilst hiding within the undergrowth. Just in time, the Dwarfs assembled within organized columns of infantry, forming a battle-line all across the valley floor.
The battle was long and bloody, though the Skavens outnumbered and out-armoured the ill-prepared Dwarven blacksmiths and engineers, the determination they have and the orginization they possess proved decisive in the battle-line. Not only that, but two Dwarf Slayers were slaughtering his forces apart, with one of them most likely being Gotrek. Thanquol has also committed his new Rat Ogre bodyguard -- Boneripper, the second to bear the name -- into the fold. But to Thanquol's surpise, this new Boneripper proved as pathetic as the last, having chased the fool Felix Jaeger all around the battlefield only to have been blown up after eating a fused bomb mid-air. To make matters worst, the Dwarfs sent their aerial support into their war-efforts, with Gyrocopters dropping payloads of bombs onto the thick mass of Skaven troops. Within a span of about a few minutes of their appearce, the Skaven army retreated, leaving Thanquol grovelling in utter defeat at the hands of his nemesis.
Thanquol however, ensured that he had a contingency plan, devised for just such an unlikely eventuality as this. With his mind and sorcerous power, he reached upon his servant Lurk Snitchtongue and communicated with the large warpstone communication artefact embedded into the War-leaders skull. The young skaven stalked through the wreckage of the battlefield after surviving the initial route that took many of his former comrades. With Thanquols brilliant mind, Lurk was directed to where the Grey Seer wanted him to be, to uncover the secrets the Dwarves were making. It was after sneaking pass several patrols did Lurk reach the central structure of the encampment and there he saw it, with fear gripping at his very heart.
With fangs as big as a man, and eyes as large as castle gates, Lurk believed himself looking at the face of a hideously large shark creature. Only after observing the creature for several moments did he realise it was fake, and indeed the creatures face was in fact a giant balloon like airbag. Thanquol saw great opportunity with such a machine, and thoughts of capturing and recreating this wonderous machine flared through his horrendous mind, and tempted his greedy emotions. Ordering Lurk to infliltrate the airship and await further orders, Thanquol will try to gather support for his cause and to also locating the exact location of the airships destination. After the following day, the airship set off, moving at hundreds of leagues within a matter of hours. Thanquol had to journey fast to the north, following the airship in hopes of not losing communication with Lurk.
For many days Thanquol travelled north, only stopping to change the Slave-rats carrying his palanquin along with his luggage. From Lurks latest report, he stated that the airship have already left the city of Middenheim, moving through the waters of the Sea of Claws, until the lands below looked more empty and bleak. A highly educated Skaven, Thanquol knew that the airship was heading towards the ice-encrusted Kingdom of Kislev. With the only closest Clan within the vicinity of the human kingdom being the Clan Moulder city of Hell-pit, Thanquol had no other option but to ask and hire their assistance, alteast ensuring that he dosen't let loose his plans of capturing the airship to the greedy Moulders.
With a force of several hundred Stormvermin guards bearing the colours of Clan Moulder, the Grey Seer located the small outpost his servant Lurk had previously reported before the airship once more took off into the Chaos Waste of the north. With superior numbers and the aid of his sorcery, Thanquol overcame the feeble outpost within a matter of hours, managing to defeat an Imperial Wizard in the event and capturing some prisoners to be used as bait for the airship. Once his prize was within his grasp, and all his forces were in hiding and taking positions within the ruins, Thanquol began to commence his long-planned ambush. But his initial assault on the outpost was not subtle, and the ruins and smoke made Gotrek and Felix, along with Snorri Nosebitter another Dwarf Slayer to descended onto the Tower docks alone, expecting an ambush.
As they descended, a host of the ratmen surged through the corridors of the tower, and started to fight the human and slayers. But Thanquol was not pre-occupied by their struggles, but instead he gathered all of his sorcerous power, and with the aid of warpstone energy, he cast a spell of great potency to capture the airship. With tendirls of pure eldrich energy, Thanquol's spell grasp the airship around like a monstrous tentacle dragging down an Imperial warship. As he was occupied with his spell, Thanquol was unable to aid the Skavens in stopping the Slayers from slaughtering his troops. Unbeknownst to him, another group of human prisoners managed to break free during the ensuring chaos and began to fight the Skavens at the rear. Worst yet, Gryrocopters from the airship began to lend aid in the assault.
Realising this turn of events, Thanquol began to fight back against the Dwarfs. Only incidentally did he become aware of something sticking to one of his tendrils. Only a brief moment had past when he realised it was Lurk, squealing words of obedience and servitude if he would just save his life. Thanquol has also notice a bizzare change in his physical appearance as well. Thinking to study his servant further, he dropped Lurk not so slightly unto the ground below and resumed his fight against the Dwarfs. But in his moment of consideration, the airship began to lift off once more. Reaching out again, he tried to grasp at the airship when he suddenly notices the Human and Slayers moving in towards his physical body. Using his incredible power, he tried to swat and kill the Slayers, but alas they proved too fast, and slowly but surely his power began to fade away.
It was finally when the Imperial Wizard from the battle before re-emerge and began to wove a counter-spell that Thanquol fully lost control of his magic, forcing the Grey Seer back into his physical body. Realization hit Thanquol like a ton of bricks as he surveyed the scene all around him, Skaven bodies lie everywhere, the Wizard is still alive, and worst yet, Gotrek was only a few yards away from him. Fear gripped Thanquol and in desperation he used a spell of teleportation to transport him far away from this maniac.
Touching ground once more, Thanquol slumped in defeat at the hands of his nemesis. He was tired, his troops were dead, and his sorcery is at a low ebb, and worst yet, he couldn't find a way back to Skaven territory. It was during his strain of thoughts that a large monstrous shape loomed over the Grey Seer. With the size and muscle of a Rat-Ogre, horns as large as the Grey Seers, and a large spiked tail that grew well over a meter in lenght, he thought he was looking at the Horned Rat himself, coming to past judgement to his failures. It was only after the creature spoke did he realize it was Lurk, changed drastically ever since coming back from the Waste. Expecting an explanation to this, Lurk told the Grey Seer that he would explain along the way. As they walked, Thanquol knew Lurk was up to something, his eyes looked full of hunger and hate, his bulk moving every so slightly closer to Thanquols. With great effort, Thanquol woved a small greenish glow in his arm to show Lurk who is still leader here. Lurk backed down, and Thanquol explained to him his plan of returning to the Underway. Not taking any chances he ordered Lurk to be in front, hoping that the monster would not do anything drastic.
For several days they walked, but no sooner had they come near their destination that a eriee wind began to course through Thanquols fur. Thanquol stood where he was, eyes wide, mouth open, breathing in the storms magical energy. Once more Lurk hungrily at Thanqoul, but only the greenish glow upon his eyes made Lurk think twice. The further these two ratmen walked, the further their rage and hatred towards each other intensifies. But their hatred will pale in comparasion to the fear these two will face as the men of the north made claim. Far off in the distance, huge dusk emerge and the ground trembled as the iron-shobed hooves of a score of armoured Knights rode towards them. But these Knights were not from the weaker southern realm. No! These were the dreaded Chaos Knights of the Northern Waste! Outriders of an even larger army far far off in the distance.
They surronded the two ratmen like a pack of wolves circling a lamb and a sheep. Not even Lurks massive form could intimidate the foes, and the worthless swine threw himself headlong into the ground in utter terror. Fearing for his life, he used every inch of brilliance he possess to secure his safety. In desperation, Thanquol made up a lie about him being a representative of the Council of Thirteen, coming towards the army as a sign of negotiaitons with the leaders of the Under-Empire. Unimpressed, a rider charged at the Grey Seer and had his lanced bared, but Thanquol's squeals of mercy and talks about cooperation with the army halted the rider. The riders began to bicker amongst themselves on what to do with the Grey Seer. It was finally decided that they will present the Grey Seer to their leader, and so they grabbed Thanquol and herded Lurk into the army's camp.
At the heart of the massive army, Thanquol was led into the very center of the encampment, where a massive armoured Warlord sat in a chair of pure crystal, floating just a mere inch from the ground. Alongside him were his two powerful sorcerors. Thanquol prostrated himself to them and explained his attempt at negotiaitons. But even the Warlord and his lackeys was not impressed, but they still found Thanquol still useful to their cause and told him to go to the city of Hell Pit to relay their response. Before leaving, Thanquol asked if they may have some Warpstone to spare. Luck once more showered upon him as the Sorcerors gave Thanquol a sphere of pure warpstone the size of his fist. After the talk, the Chaos Knights herded the two towards the gates of Hell Pit.
At the gates of the crater, the riders left the Grey Seer and returned back to the invasion camp. Thanquol demanded entrance to the city, and after a few conversations with the local gate guards the Moulders allowed him entrance. Upon entering the city, the Moulders took his servant Lurk away from him, to test and expirement on how he gotten his physical form. Thanquol however was in the guest room, awaiting the Moulders response. Unexpectingly, Izak Grottle, former representative of Clan Moulder in the Nuln campaign came in and talked to Thanquol about his business with the Clan. Giving the dire news to Grottle, the fat ratmen simply yawned and told Thanquol that he will deliver this to his masters, leaving Thanquol alone in his chambers, a prisoner of Clan Moulder.
The Hell Pit Rebellion and the Battle of Hell Pit
"I told you I know nothing of any scheme! This is nonsense. Nonsense! The Council of Thirteen will hear of this insolence. They brook no disrespect to one dispatched on their businesses. "
- —Grey Seer Thanqoul, imprisoned in the city of Hell Pit
For many days did Thanquol awaited for his release from this nightmare, contemplating for a way to escape his captivity, but his deliverance came when an event began to occur within the city itself. His former servant had unexpectingly broke lose from his bondage and began to instigate a revolution within the more poorer and desperate of the Skaven populance. The rebellion grew nearly out of control, almost topling Clan Moulders grip on the city, with several hundred of their own elite troops changing sides and joining Lurks growing armies. Under Lurks leadership, the rebels managed to use their sheer weight of numbers and fanatical zeal to crush the majority of Clan Moulders resistance, taking over key facilities within the city and holding them off against any at all Moulder counter-attacks. In desperation, the Master-Moulders had no choice but to ask Thanquol's sorcery in their war-effort to save their city form utter destruction. The Master-Moulders of the city dragged the Grey Seer into their chambers and forced him to use his sorcerous powers to see what Lurk is up to.
Using his sorcery, and the aid of a magical glass orb, he managed to finally locate his former minion and easedrop on his plannings. With the plan all but revealed to him, Thanquol gave the details to the Moulder-Masters, and as a reward for his efforts, he was set free from captivity, and was given a group of Stormvermins to aid in the coming battles. Knowing the rebels plan of attack, the Moulders managed to counter each of Lurks assaults, killing Skavens by the hundreds or even thousands within mere hours. All around was howling chaos, as hundreds of Moulders fought each other to the death, with Stormvermins hacking mericlessly at Slave-rats, whilst Clanrats are being devoured by the beast of Clan Moulder. Thanquol on the other hand pushed his forces foward into the Warpstone Refinery where Lurk is currently hiding, hoping to get revenge on his treacherous minion, and also to grab some of the warpstone substances for himself. However Lurk unexpectingly retreated from the city, having seen the rebellion as a lost cause after seeing how horriblely wrong everything went.
Once the rebellion was crushed, Thanquol was once more ordered to scout out the location of the Chaos army he previously mentioned, giving him a sack-full of the purest warpstone dust he'd ever seen, along with several thousand Clanrats and Stormvermins infantry blocks, as they spy the distant Chaos hordes in the deep cold snow of the Kislevite winter. His efforts proved fruitfull for not too long after making camp Thanquol saw a great battle unfold in front of him. Not too far away, he sensed a great unleashing of enormous magical energies. Curiosity got the better of him, and so Thanquol used the following of magic to allow him to view the great battle from above, where he was amazed and appalled at the sight. He saw the mighty hordes throw themselves at the walls of Praag, huge siege towers rose from the teeming armies, with masses of warriors and beast rumbling along with them. Soaring himself up for a better view, he saw that the attack was indeed a pincer movement, with the bulk of the army attacking the Gargoyle gate whilst a secondary army attacked the Eastern and Western gates. Many deamons died, one great siege tower toppled, the spells binding it unravelling. Finding the source of the power, he once more saw him. Gotrek stood in hte centre of the mystical conflagration, slaughtering all those that got in his way.
Though hundreds of the northmen fell within a span of about a few minutes the relentless assualt continued and soon the Eastern gate fell as the defenders were routed. Soon nearly all the defenders in the city walls retreated to the secondary walls, hoping to re-establish another fortified line, but the two heroes stayed their ground. It was only a mere moment later that a massive boulder crashed headlong into the city walls, knocking Gotrek into the snow, a pool of blood emerging form his head. Thanquol squealed in triumph, and prayed that indeed the slayer truely was dead. But his prayers was not awnser, for the young Felix ran to the Slayer and annonced that he still lives. Frustration gnawed at the Grey Seer, and soon he returned back to his physical form to find another way to end the miserable Slayers life. No sooner had he come back to his body that Izak Grottle reported that a Chaos army of several thousand began to march against thier own encampment. Thanquol rose wearily from his trance and began to realize the sheer scale of the situation. Barking orders to his liutenents, he began to assemble the host for battle.
On the flat cold plains of the Kislevite winter, wave after wave of Chaos Knights surged through the first of the Skaven battle-line, threatening to overcome even the elite Stormvermin infantry stationed at the front. More then twice Thanquol had to throw sorcery after sorcery at the Northmen riders, turning their armour into blobs of melted steel before they could break through his armies ranks and reak havoc. The demonstration of magical power Thanquol unleashed has made the Moulder armies fight in feats of ferocity unprecidented by any Skaven army before them. Though many times he wanted to retreat, he knew the army needed him to survive or else the Khornate warriors will destroy his army and trample him in the process. The battle was long, but with the aid of Thanqouls sorcery, the Moulders stood their ground. No sooner had they managed to hold out for a few hours longer did the Chaos army fall back, as if something during the siege against the human city has disheartened even the savage northmen. The Chaos army fled back to the north, and the remnants of the Moulder armies began their march back to Hell Pit.
Thanquol was given many rewards and honours for his aid in the Battle of Hell Pit, but being a humble Skaven (or rather fearing that the Moulders will blame him for the rebellion), Thanquol simply accepted a small token of gratitude for his efforts and wished to return back to the Council. After that, Thanquol made his leave to the city of Skavenblight, where he hoped to report his latest findings during this long and arduous endevour.
The Destroyer of Under-Altdorf
"You have been a capable servant, Grey Seer Thanquol. The Councilfs finds itself in need of a dispo- a competent servant for a matter of utmost delicacy"
- —Seerlord Kritislik, Master Grey Seer of the Priesthood of the Horned Rat
Grey Seer Thanquol, and the Sewers of Under-Altdorf
Expecting a hero's welcome for his deeds in the north, Thanquol was abruptly taken by the Albino Stormvermin of the Shattered Tower and dragged to Seerlord Kritislik to answer for his failures of capturing the Dwarven Airship, of failing to report about Arek Deamonclaw's invasion, and even being the main instigator for the Rebellion that engulfed the city of Hell-Pit. Despite his best efforts of explaining his failures, the Seerlord was deaf to his words and ordered him to be dropped off into a deep dark hole in the ground. Waking up from his dark nightmarish dream, Thanquol awoke within a large pitch black corridor. There he passed through death trap after death trap, using his mind and cunning to guide him through the maze that he believed was the "Maze of Inescapable Death". Thanquol managed to survive through the endeavour and upon his completion of the killing of the Guardian of the Maze, Thanquol met gaze with his master once more.
Seerlord Kritislik congratulated the Grey Seer for surviving the "Maze of Merciless Penance", a Maze designed to see if the Horned Rat still truely favoured the young Grey Seer. With his bindings cut, Seerlord Kritislik told Thanquol that the Council have need of his brilliant mind once more. The Stormvermin guards grabbed the Grey Seer and led him towards the Shattered Tower to talk to the Council of his next impossible mission. Thanquol knew better then to resist. The Grey Seer walked through the halls of the Tower, until he reached the door to the Council Chamber itself -- guarded by a score of Albino Tower Guards and a massive albino Rat-Ogre. Once inside, the doors behind him closed shut, leaving Thanquol in the gloom of the chamber. There, warpstone braziers illuminated the Council Members, hiding their faces from even Thanquol's magical eyes to see.
Upon his entrance, the Council explained their need for the Grey Seer in a mission that requires the upmost urgency . An artefact of incredible power was lost long long ago, but recently a band of Ratmen have found its location, and fearing that someone might take it, the Council had no choice but to send a representative of the Council to retrieve it before it was stolen. Giving Thanquol a chance of redemption, the Council provided the Grey Seer his staff and amulet and proceeded to give him two Albino Stormvermins to watch over him on his mission into the grand Skaven city of Under-Altdorf. Along with him came Kratch, a former apprentice of one of his colleagues, the only Skaven to know its true whereabouts. Using the underground rivers as a means of transport, Thanquol and his regime stepped out of their barges and into the ports of the city of Under-Altdorf. There, he was greeted by the representatives of the Council of Under-Altdorf, bringing the Grey Seer into the fancy and decorated Chamber that mimics the Council of Thirteens very own.
Once there, Thanquol presented himself to all the gathered clan leaders currently controlling the city, but no sooner had he introduced himself to the Council, that Viskitt Burnfang, a representative of Clan Skryre, cuts him off, getting impatient and wanting to know why the Council is spying on them. With his outburst, Pontifex Poxtix of Clan Pestilens accused the reason for their spying is because of Clan Skyre's heretical technomancy. Once more another Skaven, Warlord Gashslik of Clan Mors rose up and accused of Poxtix's pestilent faith as nothing but heretical. Soon, the chamber sprang back and forth as many members of the Council pile accusation upon the other for the Councils intervention, until finally Skrattch Skarpaw was the last to speak, calling out Clan Skaul for the burning of his dojo of night-runners.
There was a moment of silences, and all eyes of the Council was shifted to Naktwitch Nosetaker, local head of Clan Skaul who is leaning on his chair smoking a rat-skull pipe. The ratmen simply blinked at his comtemporaries and with an almost human shrug, said that he "thought it was a good idea at the moment". The comment made the Council erupt into a dozen arguments, each voice trying to hiss down the other. Thanquol simply laid back, listening and scheming of a way to turn this to his advantage. During his chain of thoughts, Thanquol suddenly finally notice Grey Seer Thratquee glaring at him, silent and grim. Later on after the meeting, Thanquol was invited to Thratquee chambers to discuss matters of busniess. There, he learned that the artefact that he was seeking for was called the Wormstone -- a weapon of great power, and Thratquee is offering an alliance with Thanquol, offering great rewards and titles for his services upon his ambition to become Seerlord of Skavenblight. Though tempting, Thanquol was far too cunning to be tricked, and simply "promised" that he shall do as he says.
After his talk with Thratquee, Thanquol lead an expedition to the suppose location of the Wormstone, with contigents of many Clans making up the bulk of his forces. Upon his entrance to the ante-chamber from which the Wormstone was suppose to be, all was empty, forcing Thanquol to question his apprentice brutally about this inaccuracy. However, whilst scavenging through the ruins, Chantor Pusskab and his regime of Plague Priest found something of great importance to the Grey Seer, but before he could explain it to Thanquol, a score of Clan Eshin assasins leapted from the shadows and killed all the Plague Priest. Many of his regime retreated, but Thanquol stood firm and used his sorcerous power to kill each and every assassin, showing all those present his formidable power. With the last assassin dying a long and agonizing death, Thanquol glared back at all those Skavens that didn't dare aid him. With total fear gripping the expedition, Thanquol ordered them to continue the search of the Warpstone lest they too will suffer the same fate. The response was quick, as all in the chamber scurried off into every direction, terrified of the consequences the Grey Seer will bring to them. As Thanquol followed his underlings, he didn't notice a slight trickle of earth dripping from a collapsed passageway as he left.
As the expedition gathered the strange wormy growths that Pusskab found from the floors of the Cavern, Thanquol heard squeals of terror from the distance as a giant rat-like creature burst from the collapsed passage, slaughtering the expedition ruthlessly. Rally his troops, Thanquol ordered the expediton to fight back or face his agonising might. The rat-beast charged at the forming ranks, dismaying the expeditions and forcing Thanquol and the survivors to retreat. With the rat-beast distracted, Burnfang ordered his Warlock-Engineers to burn the beast with their Warpfire-Throwers. But the thing still lived, and driven mad with pain, the creature crash headlong into the weapons-team, eventually overstepping into the stagnant waters of the Altdorf sewers. Picking himself up, Thanquol saw his apprentice return after fleeing the scene. Smiting shrill abuse on the ratling, Thanquol began his return to Under-Altdorf.
Reporting the betrayal back to the Altdorf Council, Thanquol played the Clans against each other for the attempted assassination, eventually making each Clan outdo the other by giving a considerable amount of Warpstone Tokens as a sign of their loyalty to the Grey Seer. With the sack full of coins, Thanquol bought a enormous three-arms Rat-Ogre as his new bodyguard, and began his expirements on the small greenish worm the Plague Priest have found. After surviving another assasinaiton attempt by what seemed to be Clan Moulder wolf-rats, Thanquol has gathered information from his expirements that the Wormstone weapon is indeed deadly towards Skavens and other Chaos saturated creature, but has proven to be deadly towards Humans also, but at a much slower rate. Using the knowledge he gained, Thanquol eagerly tried every avenue of search to located the fearsome weapon, calling in the aid of a human informat from Altdorf itself. Using this human informant, Thanquol managed to catch a drug-induced human who had the scent and smell of the Wormstome within him.
Not too long after the second assassination, another Clan Eshin assassin leapted from the shadow and began to kill off the Humans within the building. Three sharp metal discs were flung at Thanquol, but the body of his Stormvermin bodyguard caught it just in time. Relief came when Skrim Gnawtails clanrats came in to aid the Grey Seer along with his bodyguard Boneripper. The Assassin fled the scene, knowning that he had no chance against their combined might. Skarpaw and the human informants bodyguards began their chase for the assassin, but failed in the attempt.
Once they returned, Thanqoul and his expedition hid themselves before the human returned to his senses. Tricking the Wormstone-scented human into thinking that the store got robbed, and still requiring more of the "Drug" to ease his addiciton, the man made haste to get more "money". Thanqoul and his small expedition followed suit. From within the cellar of the "Orcs and Axe" tavern, the Skavens urged through and began to grab the Wormstone from the two humans guarding it. But then cat-like shadows appeared out of nowhere and pounced on the Grey Seers troops. The man controlling the spectres was a Shadowmancer, a formidable Wizard of the Grey Order. Thanquol fought back with his magical might, but the Shadowmancer was far more powerful then previously imagined, and now has begun to kill off the Skaven by the droves, until finally he loomed over the now exhausted body of the Grey Seer. However, Boneripper came in just in time to swat the Shadowmancer away from his master, just before the ceiling of the cellar caved-in by the treachery of his apprentice Kratch. Thanquol managed to survived thanks to the aid of his Rat-Ogre, and began to follow the scent of his traitorous apprentice through the sewers of the city. As he trekked through the underground passages, just up ahead he could hear the squeal of fleeing Skavens coming down the tunnel, with one of them being his former apprentice.
The Poisoning of the Water Wells
"I will use your power, apprentice-pupil, your power joined with my own... Used to fuel horror... Used to feed carnage... Used to call hunger into the bellies and brains of the traitors and the heretics... Power to summon-call the Black Hunger!"
- —Grey Seer Thanquol, and his fight against all of Under-Altdorf
Whilst his Rat-Ogre ripped apart the fleeing Skaven, Thanquol grasped the neck of his apprentice and began to enchant a spell of agonising power. It was with Kratchs pleadings that he told Thanquol about the "real traitors" within their ranks, about how it was Skrattch Skarpaw who was trying to kill him all along from the start. Releasing Kratch, Thanquol quickly rallied the survivors of the expedtion along with the Wormstone and returned to confront the traitor. Upon the mouth of the cave entrance, Thanquol gazed at a full host of Skaven warriors from all of the Clans of Under-Atldorf, ready to betray him at his moment of victory. Rage gnawed at the pits of his stomach as he found out that Skarpaw wasn't the real traitor here, he was just a figurehead, it was Thratquee who was behind this all-along. Determined not to have his bones as the foundation of Thartquee's "New Skavenblight" Thanquol used up all his warp-dust and began to absorb the powers of his former apprentice.
With this new found power, Thanquol unleashed the dreaded Black Hunger upon the assembled Skavens, making Skarpaw's army disintergrate into a snarling mob of frenzied beast, biting and clawing at their own kin, casting aside weapons and intellignece in the grip of their primal, cannibalistic hunger. Thanquol then ordered his depleted entourage to bypass the carnage, moving his expedition into the safety of the sewers, leaving Kratch to his fate. Thanquol grew insane with rage at this most vile of treachery, all of Under-Altdorf was against him, the Atldorf Council members, the Clans, and even Grey Seer Thartquee. Determined to make them all pay, Thanquol was led by Gnawtail into an old abandoned mansion, the only hiding place Thanquol's dignity would allow. There, Burnfang and his Warlock-Engineers began to transform the mansions kitchen into a makeshift labratory, grinding the Wormstone fragments into dust and filling them into old wine bottles. Skrim Gnawtail has also taken the liberty into providing the Grey Seer with maps detailing the location of a nearby reservior containing much of the cities water supply. Whilst studying the maps, the rat-beast from Thanquol's eariler expedition returned, fighting againsts Boneripper in a clash of titanic proportions. The fight was long and gruesome, but eventually Boneripper with all his might finally put down the beast, ripping off the creatures entire leg and opening a massive gap within the things ribcage. Making haste to leave the hideout before more find their location, Thanquol and his team stepped into the stone pavement of the citys massive reservior, killing off local maintence workeres in the process. But whilst the team was busy killing off the humans, Thanquol didn't realize that he was alone with Burnfang, and the vile ratmen aimed a Warplock pistol at the Grey Seers head, hoping to grab the Wormstone for himself and reap the rewards.
But Boneripper was the only one to know of his masters dismay, and the brute pushed away the Engineer, making him fall off into a nearby wooden scaffold. But Thanquol's sorcery made the Engineer crack open one of the Wormstone bottles, making him die an agonising death by the Wormstones effects. The rest of the expedition grovelled at his gruesome display, with further thoughts of treachery all but evaporated by Thanquol's show of terror. But then a familiar smell appeared in the air, and Thanquol watched in horror as the rat-beast still lived, crawling desperately towards Thanquol in a futile attempt to end his life. But just before Boneripper came into grips with the beast, that the thing simply flop to the ground and died, all its strenght expended coming towards this location. Just as if the nightmare was finally over, the Shadowmancer from before reappeared, fighting against Thanquol with his vile shadow magic. But with the aid of Thanquol's own magic, and Boneripper's aid, they managed to stall the Shadowmancer long enough for Gnawtail and his sneaks to attack. The Warlock-Engineers carrying the Wormstone has also been ordered to move to their position and get ready to drop the poison into the waters. Positioning Boneripper into the opposite bank of the reservior, Thanquol popped the last of his warpstone nugget into his mouth and began to unleash death upon the Shadowmancer. But no sooner had one of his enemies was going to meet his doom that another approached the battle, wearing the greenish slime-encrusted robes of the Plague Monks of Clan Pestilens.
Outraged at this, Thanquol lifted up his Horned Rat amulet and scowled at the image, demanding to know if the Horned One is trying to test him in his time of near triumph. Looking past the horrors of the Pestilent host, he saw Lord Skrolk -- most favoured of the Plague Lords under Lord Nurglich, taking command of the expedition. Chittering maniacly, Thanquol absorbed power all around him, and pointed his staff at the Plague Lord. But his vision eventually settled to a small mage-rat at the fore of the troops, a familiar nagging at the back of his head indicated something familiar about him. Infernal rage gnawed at the very pits of his soul as he saw his former apprentice Kratch still alive and siding with his most hated of enemies. Without reason or hesitation, he blasted the whelp into a blaze of colorful dust, those around him suffering a similiar gruesome faith. The sheer shock of power the Grey Seer had unleashed was like the sound of a thunder-clap, and the display of it settled an eriee silence upon the battlefiled, as all eyes looked at awe and terror at his magnificent might. But the magical backlash from using such a destructive spell had drained him, making Thanquol crumble to the ground and vomit out blood and warpstone, shivering like a leaf.
With momentary terror vanishing from Lord Skrolks eyes, the Plague Lord simply sneered at the weakened mage-rat and clapped his hands together to annouce the entrance of his two pox-ridden Rat Ogres. Thanquol tried to stand up, but his wobbly legs just crumpled beneath his weight. In anxiety, Thanquol ripped an escape scroll from his belt, but his pounding head and blurry vision would not cooperate enough to read the complex runes. The Grey Seer groaned again, smacking his horned head against the cold stone beneath him as he thought about the stupidity of his sudden outburst and temporary madness. The Plague Monks all swarmed at him, but Boneripper just had enough time to intercept and hold them off, but the sheer fanatical determination the Monks possess was too much to hold even for Boneripper. Aid came from an unexpected source as the Shadowmancers henchmens began to fire round after round at the Plague Priest clawing at Bonerippers skin. The Shadowmancer followed suit and a spectacular battle ensured.
Whilst Boneripper was busy brawling with the two Plague-ogres, Thanquol struggled to stand up. But thanks to his eariler display of power, the Warlock Engineers fired their warplock pistol and threw Poisoned Wind Globes at the onrushing swarm of Plague Priest, covering Thanquol while he made a hasty retreated. Whilst one of the Globadiers held off the Monks, Thanquol ordered the other Engineer to spill the Wormstone into the waters quickly. But just after glancing for an instant back to the globadier, that he saw the other Engineer dead, with Gnawtail ready to pounce upon the unsuspecting Grey Seer, hoping to be called the savior of Under-Altdorf in the process. But as the old ratmen raised the bag of wormstone, his fragile back broke, and Thanquol took the chance to pounce on him, cracking his skull with the butt of his staff. The bag fell into the reservior, but the contents were not open, making the bottles entirely harmless. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Shadowmancer blocked his way towards the last Globadier and his sack of Wormstone. Thanquol looked pass him and towards Lord Skrolk as the fanatical Plague Lord approached the two sorcerors. The Shadowmancer spun back and fought against him, but whilst Thanquol was contemplating about escaping with his scroll once more, he saw the Globadiers sack of Wormstone just a few paces from him. With a savage grin, Thanquol was about to finally finish what he had started. Surviving the ensuring battle with the Plague-Ogres, Boneripper returned and with the orders from his master, pounced on the unsuspecting Plague Lord while he fought against the Shadowmancer. But the Plague Lord dodge the beast, and with his staff ensured the death of the brute by pox and maggots. But no sooner had he killed one enemy that another one of the Shadowmancers minion grabbed the Plague Lord, and with the aid of the Wizard he and Shrolk fell into the waters of the reservior.
But it was too late, for by now Thanquol had emptied all the Wormstone into the waters, victory had finally been his. Yet destiny has once more board his way towards inevitable victory, for at the other side of the massive reservior, a lone dwarf dived into the waters, and within a few heartbeats later a mighty explosion shook the entire chamber. The resulting explosion created a massive hole in the wall that drained all the waters from the reservior and into the depths of the world, where no Dwarf, nor Goblin, nor Skaven can ever hope reach. With his time of ultimate triumph gone, Thanquol stared at the cold hard eyes of the Shadowmancer as he stood victorious over the lone ratmen. With unflinching haste, Thanquol ripped his escape scroll once more, and a mighty flash of lightning and the smell of brimstone was all that was left of the Grey Seer. After surging through the Realm of Chaos for only a mere Skaven heartbeat, Thanquol reappeared in an odd house, with a large number of felines staring at him. A large chubby woman came in to investigate the noise when she suddenly saw the ratmen and fainted in fright. Though his ultimate triumph evaded him, Thanquol just had enough piety in his god to give him a prayer of thanks for this glorious of meals. With his stomach full once more, and his energy returning to him, Thanquol made his long journey back to Skavenblight.
The Killer of the Prophet of Sotek
Characterization
"Forward my brave Stormvermins, to inevitable victory"
- —Grey Seer Thanquol shouted, before turning tail and run with all his might
Like many of his kind, Thanquol shares the same tendency for greed, jealousy, and treachery each and every Skaven harbours ever since they were mere pups. He is also prone to be hypocritical about every subject, saying things and doing stuff that contradicts even himself. Unlike his kin however, Thanquol is far more intelligent that even the more gifted of individuals with the Under-Empire, and far more cunning then even his own brothers of the Order. After joining the Priesthood, Thanquol was required to follow a field of expertise on any race that lives within the Old World. Thanquol thusly picked the Man-things as his avenue of research, studying their society and culture to better understand and perhaps even ensure the destruction of their race for future Skavens to learn from. As a Grey Seer, Thanquol is a fairly powerful Sorceror by traits, with few within his own Order to match his magical power -- except, of course his master Seerlord Kristislik.
Though he swore loyalty to the Council alone, deep inside he is only intrested in the well-being of himself, missing no opportunity to use his schemeing guile to improve his own social standing. He is also a master of manipulating or "misunderstanding" orders to his own personal advantage, which often leads Thanquol to shrewd and constantly re-evaluates his plans, always probing for different sides or angles for new benefits to be gained. Over time, Thanquol has sustained his frantic pace and massive reserves of magic through the copious use of Warpstone, a deadly and intoxicating substance that fuels most of the magic used by the Grey Seers. The result of using so much of it has given vivid, if twisted, visions that race through Thanquol's warp-addled mind and gifted the Grey Seer with more than usual insights. This sixth sense has cause Thanqoul to alter plans at the last minute, or urged him to jump twitchily for no tagible reason. Although erratic, this sudden instinct has saved Thanquol's life on more than one occasion.
But probably the greatest trait that singles Thanquol out from all his brothers is that the Grey Seer has extrodinarily, unbelievable, unimaginablely, and impossibly good luck. The places he has been to, and the situations he has survived through proved evidence of this unholy aid by a greater power. Some even speculate that the Horned Rat truely favours this young Grey Seer, for so many times death was but a mere hairs length away from him, but ever so slightly, Thanquol manages to survive and live another day.
Wargear and Abilites
Like all Grey Seers, Thanquol was given a magical Staff and a warpstone amulet as a badge of his status as Grey Seer. These artefacts of power were formerly held by his former mentor, Master Grey Seer Sleekit. Ever since his untimely death, Thanquol was given rights to his personal belongings, and thusly kept his Staff and Talisman as a kind of memoir to his masters unfortunate demise. Thanquol knows several spell from his long history spent studying the Dark Arts, which includes shooting Warp-lightning from his fingers, sending tendrils of magical energy to tear the skin and flesh of his enemies, learning how to summon the dreaded Black Hunger and the Sphere of Annihilation, and finally knowing the incantations and having enough magical power to summon even the fearsome Verminlords into battle (with the aid of the Hand of Vecteek of-course)
- Warp-Amulet - An anceint amulet of power, this artifact was made from the purest Warpstone, and formerly wielded by his former mentor. Before his Masters death, Thanquol stole the amulet from him and scurried away into the darkness leaving Sleekit to his fate. Thanquol just had enough time to savour the look of disbelief on his Masters face before hundreds of tons of rock and debris fell upon his former Master. The Amulet is an ancient artifact from long long ago, during the time before the creation of the Council of Thirteen, and the reign of the first 13 Grey Lord who ruled the fledgling Under-Empire during the time of the Great Migration.
- Staff of the Horned Rat - A magical staff normally issued to all Grey Seers, the staff was also the former possession of his mentor before his death. The Staff is tipped with a bronze icon of the Horned Rat, where most of his sorcererous powers manifest before being thrown towards his enemies as spells of devastating power.
- Boneripper - For most of his later life, Thanquol has always been in the possession of a Rat Ogre in some shape or form. Larger then any Skaven, these beast stand taller then two man, and has enough strength and muscle to fight a whole company of soldiers by itself. His newest and most latest Rat Ogre however, is a cyborg, half Rat and half machine, with reinforced armour plating and a warp-fire thrower in his other hand. Such is the power and strength that this creature possess that very few manages to destroy it. After 20 long-years of service, Thanquol was given his 13th and final Rat-Ogre -- an albino white-furred creature with pink eyes and stubs of growing horns, with his cyborg variant who most likely died a gruesome death after serving the Grey Seer in the 20-years span between his latest contact with the duo, Gotrek and Felix.
- Boneripper 1. Slain by Gotrek in Skavenslayer.
- Boneripper 2. Slain by Felix in Daemonslayer after Felix threw a dwarf bomb at the creature which Boneripper accidentally swallowed.
- Boneripper 3. Slain by both Snorri & Gotrek in Dragonslayer
- Boneripper 4. Slain by Lord Skrolk in Grey Seer.
- Boneripper 5. Slain by Deathmaster Snikch in Temple of the Serpent
- Boneripper 6. Wounded by a gunpowder explosion in Temple of the Serpent and later eaten by Thanquol
- Boneripper 7. Is the Re-animated body of the first Boneripper. Made possible by Clan Skyre's combined use of sorcery and machinery. Gifted to Thanquol in Thanquol's Doom. Despite suffering heavy damage the seventh Boneripper is still up and running.
- Boneripper 8-12. ?
- Boneripper 13. Slain by Gotrek on the deck of a Skaven submersible in Elfslayer
Miniatures
