Black Plague

The Black Plague, also called the Great Plague was a devastating Disease and pandemic created by the Skaven which devastated the Old World during 1111 - 1115 IC.^[1b][2a][3b]

It was developed by Clan Pestilens.^{[1a][2a][3a][3b]}

Disease

The Black Plague is both virulent and highly infectious. Plague marks - dark blotches suddenly appear and spread across the body followed by delirium, fever, convulsions, loss of control over the bodily functions and swelling of the joints. Those few who survive - around one in ten - are often crippled. There is no known mundane treatment. ^[5]

History

In 1111 IC it was unleashed simultaneously within the cities of Altdorf, Nuln, and Talabheim by Clan Eshin adepts and quickly spread through trade routes of the Empire. The lucky ones died quickly, but others would survive a few weeks in agonising fever and pain before succumbing.^{[1a][2a][3a][3b]}

The Empire was ruled by the incompetent Emperor Boris Goldgather and was in not prepared for the plague. Middenheim closed its gates and viaducts and avoided the outbreak, but entire towns and villages were wiped out during the winter.^[1a][3a] The Dwarfs sealed their holds. ^[4]

In Sylvania Necromancer Frederick van Hal began raising the plague victims as Undead and waged war against the invading Skaven.^[2a]

The next spring, the Skaven attacked with the Warlord Clans beginning the Skaven Wars. Many depopulated areas could not resist the ratmen and only the largest walled cities such as Altdorf, Nuln and Averheim could resist.^[1a]

The plague had ran its course by 1115 IC. Emperor Boris Goldgather was one of the last victims to die to it, surrounded by apothecaries that did not really try to save him. His death raised morale among Imperials.^[1a][2a][3a]

Outcome

Over three quarters of the population of the Empire had died. The Skaven Wars continued until Elector Count Mandred Skavenslayer of Middenheim defeated the ratmen at the Battle of the Howling Hills in 1124 IC.^[1a][2a][3a]

Sources

• 1: Warhammer Armies: Skaven (7th Edition)
  • 1a: The Black Plague, pg. 23
  • 1b: Skaven Timeline, pgs. 30-31
• 2: Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook
  • 2a: Times of Legend, pg. 28
• 3 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
  • 3a: The Skaven Wars, pg. 9
  • 3b: Timeline of the Empire, pg. 16
• 4: Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs (8th Edition), pgs. 20-21
• 5: The Loathsome Ratmen: A Secret History: The Great Plague, pg. 76