Banshee
Banshees are the restless spirits of evil women. [1a][2a]
They are also known as Tomb Banshees, Grave Harridans in the southern Empire, the Wailing Hags in Bretonnia and the Freezing Shriek by Dwarfs.[2a]
Appearance
A Banshee has a skull-like visage surrounded by writhing hair. She is dressed in flimsy shrouds and grave-clothes and is usually surrounded by the spirits of the men that she murdered whilst alive.[1a][2a]
Banshees were usually magic users of some kind whilst alive, either sorceresses, enchantresses or witches. They fear to pass into the afterlife and face the punishment that awaits them. Instead they linger in the mortal realm, constantly howling as they remember the pleasures of life that they no longer have and in longing for the peace of the grave that they cannot achieve. The wail of a Banshee stikes terror into the hearts of those who hear it. Only those with hearts of iron can hear it and not die of fright. [1a]
With the correct rituals, a Vampire can summon Banshees to the battlefield and bind them to his or her will. Although they have no physical form they can drain the life of a mortal with but a touch, although many soldiers will have been driven mad with fear long before that happens. [1]
History
Vyktros von Kreiger, a Vampire Lord found that the defences of Ironstone Fortress were too strong, destroying his undead as quickly as he could raise them. He dispatched three Banshees, women who had originally taught him Necromancy whose howls killed the defenders of the gate, allowing von Kreiger to raise them and open the gates. [6a]
Morai-Heg
Banshees are also claimed to be sent by the elf goddess, their wailing fortelling death - it is further said that should an Elf withstand such a scream they will become immortal. [3a]
Notable
Syreen's
Weapons and Equipment
- 8th Edition: Hand Weapon. [6b]
Notes
Until the 7th edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battles they were simply known as Banshees, but in that editions army book, they became the champions of Cairn Wraith units and were renamed Tomb Banshees. [2a]
Gallery
Banshees.
Tomb Banshee
Syreen
Miniatures
Banshee.
Tomb Banshee.
Tomb Banshee.
Quotes
| Ahh, Banshees. Exquisite. There is nothing quite so elegant as the combination of death, beauty, agony and absolute terror. |
Source
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (5th Edition),
- 1a: Liber Mortis, pg. 58
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (7th Edition)
- 2a: Vampire Counts Bestiary, pg. 49
- 3: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 3a: pg. 75
- 4: Old World Bestiary
- 4a: Banshee, pg. 66
- 5: Sea of Claws (book)
- 5a: Bestiary, pg. 145
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (8th Edition)
- 7: Sigmar's Blood
- 7a: Whispering Nell, pg. 32
- 8: Warhammer Nagash, Book I
- 8a: Chapter II, pg. 103