Ratkin: Difference between revisions

{{Race characteristics|image1=File:Ratkinbattle.png|race(s)=*[[Gnorr]]

</DPL>|sources=*[[Kings of War 2.0 - Uncharted Empires 2nd Edition Rules|2.0 - Uncharted Empires 2nd Edition Rules]]

*[[Kings of War – World of Pannithor]]|image2=ratkin-icon.png|language=[[Chitter]]|notable_events=*[[The Great Revolt]]|facebook_group=[https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratkinsofwar Ratkin (Kings of War)]|shop_link=[https://www.manticgames.com/kings-of-war/ratkin/ Mantic Store]|stl_link=[https://pannithor-kow.fandom.com/wiki/STL_Kings_of_War_Catalog#Ratkin Ratkin STL List]|nicknames=The Scourge, Underkin, The Swarm, Skitterfangs}}'''Ratkin''' are a faction comprised of different types of [[Ratkin (race)|Ratkin]] including [[Gnorr]], [[Ratkin Brutes]], [[Night Terrors]] and [[Rat-fiend|Rat-fiends]]

The creation of the rat-men, known as Ratkin, is one borne in agony and madness. Their desperate life began under the ruthless watch of an [[Abyssal Dwarfs|Abyssal Dwarf]] called [[Bharzak the Grim]], overmaster of the Gift-Piers of [[Zarak]]. Desperate to fuel the sacrificial pits of [[Zarak]], he needed more victims to appease the [[Wicked Ones]].

[[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak]] began to experiment. Consumed by his madness, he locked himself away while he worked in a frenzy on his project, rarely seen. Strange chittering screeches and agonised wails came from behind the locked doors of [[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak’s]] laboratory. After a while, [[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak]] was forgotten and a new overmaster took his place.

Some thirteen years after [[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak]] had sealed himself away, the heavy doors opened once more and [[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak]] reappeared triumphant. As he emerged from his self-imposed exile, behind him streamed a vast pack of rats, but not rats as they had been. These were something new, something terrible—a horrifying hybrid of rats and other races: [[dwarf]], [[human]], [[Elven|elf]], [[goblin]]. In their eyes there was a smouldering malignancy and their rapid, jerky movements were spine-chilling and beyond natural. [[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak]] had bred a new race to sacrifice, a race he named [[Ratkin Race|Gnorr]]. Ones that could do more: work harder, work longer and, most importantly, produce more sacrifices for his wicked masters.

With the biggest brutes he had created, [[Bharzak the Grim|Bharzak]] reasserted his authority and quickly rose back to a position of power, even greater than before. Over the years that followed, the Ratkin became a commonplace sight in the worker pits, and their endless supply saw them sacrificed, tortured, maimed, worked, and discarded in inconceivable numbers. The Ratkin were bred for oppression and were thus cruelly exploited.[[File:Ratkin.jpg|right|frameless|200x200px]]But vermin thrive in adversity. The darkest, most miserable places in the world are the domain of rats. They watched. They learned. They plotted and schemed. The [[The Great Revolt|revolt]] and breakout were a maelstrom of blood, fur, teeth, and gore. When they turned on their masters and creator, they showed no mercy. Thousands of [[Abyssal Dwarfs]] died as the vast pack boiled though the halls on its way deeper into the earth. Unknown to their overlords, the Ratkin had been preparing for this moment for years. Miles and miles of new tunnels had been burrowed away from [[the Abyss]], far away in an escape route that could expedite the flight of a new species of evil, somewhere they could form their own destiny and plot revenge on the wickedness that had spawned them.[[File:Ratkin.png (1).jpg|centre|frameless|438x438px]]More than a century after the exodus, the Ratkin are a menace that have plagued many of the civilised lands. Tales of savage beasts, of arcane magics and bizarre contraptions all heading to war. Names have attached themselves to the rumours like moths to a flame: The Scourge, Underkin, The Swarm or Skitterfangs. The Ratkin have learned from their masters too. They have built their own battle engines, having stolen the knowledge from the war factories of the dwarfs and fashioned them in their own image. They have learnt about cruelty and suffering first-hand as they watched from the shadows. They saw the iron-casters in their forges, blending machine, flesh, and magic to construct lethal artefacts of war.

The [[Warriors]] form vast blocks of teeth, claws, steel, matted fur and spears, those born bigger and stronger form the shock troops, whose role is to soften the enemy for the warriors to then overwhelm with vast numbers.

Next, in a bizarre tribute to the blasted wastelands of the [[Abyssal Horsemen|Hellequins]], the Ratkin let their own flea-bitten cavalry roam wild on the second level of the lair. The [[Mawbeast|Mawbeasts]] stolen from the [[goblins]] regularly break free of their pens and cause havoc – eating the gathered Ratkin before being captured or killed. Those that are broken-in by their captors are ridden with a kind of wild glee by their owners. After all, there aren’t many beasts that are lower than a measly Ratkin, so mastery over another living being must send them dizzy with power.

The third floor of a Ratkin’s layer is home to their [[Scurriers]]. These are the scouts of the nest – sent out to scavenge for food and resources under the cover of darkness. It is possible they’re housed towards the top of the lair to make it easier to drag back the supplies and distribute them through the colony. Due to their role as scouts, the [[Scurriers]] are among the most cunning of the Ratkin. They are constantly scheming amongst themselves and against the other parts of the nest to rise through the ranks and better themselves – only the [[birthing-daughters]] rival their calculating nature.

From the realm of the [[Warlock|Warlocks]], you travel up to the home of the [[War Chief|War Chiefs]] and their strongest [[warriors]] and [[Shock Troops|shock troops]]. A Ratkin nest will have many [[War Chief|War Chiefs]] all vying for the attention of the [[Brood Mother]]. Like children fighting to gain the recognition of an uninterested parent, the [[War Chief|War Chiefs]] push themselves to greater feats of cruelty and violence to rise through the ranks of the pack.

This is a part of the nest that is fraught with in-fighting as the [[War Chief|War Chiefs]] battle for dominance over their own kind, each attempting to prove they are the most powerful. It is something the [[Brood Mother]] encourages, as she is keen to find the strongest leaders for her brood when it marches to war. It is also the responsibility of the [[War Chief|War Chiefs]] to carry out the commands of the [[Brood Mother]] – as passed on by the [[birthing-daughters]].

From the Brood Mother’s lair, you travel upwards to the rune-encrusted halls of the [[Warlock|Warlocks]]. A Ratkin nest will typically only have a handful of [[Warlock|Warlocks]] among its ranks, yet they are respected and feared almost as much as the [[Brood Mother]] and her [[birthing-daughters]]. They are respected because many claim to still hear the whispers of the [[Wicked Ones]] and recite these words as though they were religious texts. As they continue to draw on the almighty influence of [[the Abyss]], they’re mutated by its impact – becoming a bizarre mix of Ratkin and Abyssal. It is not uncommon to see [[Warlock|Warlocks]] sporting the hooves of a [[Lower Abyssals|Lower Abyssal]], the wings of a [[Seductress]], the tail of a [[Succubi]] or even a second demonic head, for example. Their fur can even take on a red hue over time as they continue to touch the influence of the Abyss.

In the deepest, darkest depths of the Ratkin lair you will find the bloated, near-blind monstrosity known as the [[Brood Mother]]. She lives to further the cause of her horde. Only females are allowed in her musty cave and she is tended by a plethora of [[birthing-daughters]] – carers for the mewling, sightless Ratkin pups. From her birthing-daughters, the [[Brood Mother]] will carefully select those that are allowed to breed with males throughout the lair. She will typically pick the most loyal and weak-willed, constantly fearful that one of her daughters will attempt a rebellion and try to become a Brood Mother herself.

From the safety of her lair, hidden deep on the seventh level of the nest, the Brood Mother leads with a ruthless cunning. She dispatches her birthing-daughters to scurry throughout the clan and deliver her commands. However, it appears it is not uncommon for these messages to be interpreted in a way that will greatly benefit the receiver. The [[War Chief]] that first receives the message often claims the [[Brood Mother]] has given his battalion the easier flank in battle or extra troops, for example. There are shrieks of treason if any dare questions the legitimacy of the Brood Mother’s instructions. The [[birthing-daughters]] are keenly aware of their own powerful influence in this process and will readily accept bribes from recipients keen to ensure they’re first in line for the Brood Mother’s instructions.

{| class=wikitable style="font-size: 12px;" align="center" ;

! colspan="2" | '''Heroes'''

! colspan="2" |'''Infantry'''

! style="text-align:left;" ; |'''Basic Infantry'''

! rowspan="3" style="text-align:left;" ; |'''Basic Cavalry'''

! colspan="8" |2nd Edition Units (Retired Units)

|}

{| class="fandom-table" align="center" ;