Rakarth
Beastlord Rakarth of Karond Kar, is the greatest of the Dark Elf Beastmasters.[1a]
History
Beastlord Rakarth is the most accomplished Beastmaster in Naggaroth. Even as a child Rakarth had an almost supernatural ability to subdue wild creatures. When Rakarth was only eight years old his father had been gifted with a particularly fine Dark Steed. The beast was called Bracchus and was faster and stronger than any other in the Rakarth stables, but it had a vicious temperament and would buck and rear uncontrollably if anybody tried to ride it. Rakarth's father attempted to break Bracchus, and was quickly hurled to the ground and almost trampled to death under the creature's hooves.[1a]
Wild with fury, Rakarth's father ordered Bracchus destroyed, but Rakarth strode forward and asked if he might have one attempt to ride the creature, and that if he succeeded he might keep Bracchus for himself. Rakarth's father readily agreed, for Dark Elves love all forms of gambling, even above the safety of their own children. Rakarth walked slowly towards Bracchus, fixing the steed with his steely gaze. Bracchus was visibly shaken at the young child's ice-cold stare, recognizing instinctively that here was a being that out-matched it in sheer cruelty and ability to inflict pain. Lowering his head, Bracchus allowed Rakarth to jump easily on to his back, and meekly obeyed Rakarth's every command. From that day on Bracchus was Rakarth's faithful mount, serving him well until he was slain at the Battle of Finuval Plain some 30 years later. [1a]
He amassed a great force of nine Hydra to attack the Elves of Ulthuan and predicted a swift victory but was defeated by the combined magical power of the wizards Aliana, Ellyunnor and Liandus. They killed all but three of the beasts and he was only able to retreat from the field of battle with one - Daerlythe who had been greatly mutated by the magical barrage it had undergone. Rents had opened in his flesh where Morathi had carved Runes and when he fought again he proved to be physically weaker but strongly resistant to Magic. The Hydra was retired from the line of battle to breed more of his kind, since know as Spellthirsters or Rakarth's Vendetta, although only one in ten of his offspring have his abilities. [5]
Rakarth led an entire army comprised of horrific monsters and Dark Elves, ravaging the lands of Norsca and culminating into a massive siege of Brionne in Bretonnia, where he faced the army of the famed hero Duke, Corentin.[3]
Mount
Weapons and Equipment
- 4th Edition: Armour of Fortune, Bracchus, Enchanted Shield, Sword, Whip of Agony. [1a]
- 6th Edition: Beast Armour of Karond Kar, Bracchus, Hand Weapon, Lance, Whip of Agony. [4]
- Armour of Fortune: Magical plate armour. [1a]
- Bracchus: A Black Dragon. [4]
- Enchanted Shield: Providing better protection than mundane armour. [1a]
- Whip of Agony : A powerful enchanted whip which seems to move and coil as if possessed. [1a]
Gallery
Rakarth
Rakarth
Miniatures
4th Ed Rakarth
Notes
- In 4th Edition the original Bracchus is a Dark Steed, in 6th Edition it is a Black Dragon. [2a]
- In Total War Warhammer II his voice is provided by Iwan Rheon
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (4th Edition)
- 1a: Dark Elf Army List, pg. 58
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (6th Edition)
- 2a: Masters of Evil, pg. 49
- 3: Warhammer: The Last Charge
- 4: Warhammer Chronicles (2003), Rakarth, pg. 115
- 5: White Dwarf 260 (UK): The War Hydras of Naggaroth, pg. 78-81