Assassin (Dark Elves)
Assassins are perhaps the most feared adepts of Khaine, Lord of Murder, and an essential feature of Dark Elf society.
The Witch Elves, priestesses of the cult of Khaine, sacrifice some Dark Elves during Death Night, taking their victim's children. They are then offered up to Khaine, submerged in a Cauldron of Blood with the few that survive considered chosen by the god. [4a] These children are indoctrinated (i.e.: brain-washed) by the Witch Elves and ruthlessly trained, with the males becoming Assassins, the females Witch Elves. [3a] [1a][5a]
Contents
Culture
Anyone wealthy enough may hire an assassin to eliminate a rival or an enemy in Naggaroth. The authorities will not punish someone merely because he hired an assassin; assassination is an accepted fact of life in Dark Elf society and a means of weeding out the weak and foolish. Malekith himself uses them to dispose of those lords and ladies who dare question his authority. [1a]
Some Admirals also hire them to cause terror in advance of their raids or to train their Corsairs whilst a Dreadlord might enlist them to ensure loyalty to him or her in their regiments. Assassins are often skilled torturers and interrogators, able to keep a captive alive for many days and extract information more effectively than the renowned dark elf torturers. [6a]
Notable
- Shadowblade: The best assassin of Nagaroth is the mysterious Shadowblade[1]. He (or she) is a master of disguise and kills anyone unfortunate enough to anger his mistress Hellebron. Shadowblade also protects the secret of his identity without mercy. [3a]
History
Morathi dispatched seven Khainite Assassins to kill Prince Imrik at the beginning of the Sundering - when asked how they would find him in the Annulii Mountains she cast a spell that gave them pain that would only lesson as they drew closer to their prey. [7a]
Religion
They follow a single aspect of the thousand-faced god of murder, always striving to be more like their deity. [1a]
Training
Young assassins spend their first ten years training in the bloodfields of the Temples of Khaine, those that survive graduating to the major temples in Har Ganeth or Naggarond and are taught by a particular master, each with their own skills and techniques. [5a]
Warfare
They operate mostly alone, but are quite able to conceal themselves inside a regular Dark Elf infantry unit, just waiting for the right opportunity to kill an enemy champion amidst the confusion of battle. [3a]
Weapons and Equipment
Dark Elf Assassins favour the use of Black Venom[3a],Black Lotus, Dark Venom and Manbane Poison with which they often coat their weapons. [6a]
- 2nd Edition: Sword. May have Additional Hand Weapon, Crossbow, Poison, Repeating crossbow, Shield. [2a]
- 4th Edition: Chaimail, Hand Weapons, May have Additional Hand Weapon, Doubled Handed Weapon, Halberd, Heavy Armour, Lance, Light Armour, Poison, Repeating crossbow, Shield, Spear. May have one Magic Item. [3a]
- 6th Edition: Hand Weapon, May have Magic Items or upgrades from the temple of Khaine. [1b]
See also
Gallery
A Assassin
A Assassin
Assassin
Miniatures
Assassins
Assassin
Assassin.
Notes
In the 2nd Edition, Assassins were the children of Witch Elves who if they survived being immersed in a cauldron of Khaine would become an adept of the Temple, trained in the arts of disguise and murder. [2a]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (6th Edition)
- 2: Ravening Hordes (2nd Edition)
- 2a: Dark Elves, pg. 26-27
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (4th Edition)
- 3a: Dark Elf Bestiary, pg. 40
- 4: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (5th Edition)
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (7th Edition)
- 5a: Dark Elf Bestiary, pg. 61
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (8th Edition)
- 6a: Khainite Assassins, pg. 36
- 7: The Sundering (anthology) (Time of Legends edition): Caledor (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
- 7a: Six: the Hunters Set Forth, pg. 788-789
