Harald Hammerstorm
Harald Hammerstorm is a Chaos Champion who spent years roaming the Chaos Wastes slaughtering any enemies he could find.
He is known as the eternal nemesis of the Undead. Harald is absolutely fearless, and his hammer is a powerful artifact that can kill supernatural opponents with a single blow. The aura of Chaos that surrounds him is so strong that his usually fearless undead opponents are known to flee and suffer the mortal emotion of fear. [1a]
History
He is a legend among the Norse and Kurgan, known as one of the greatest fighters in the northern lands, he became famous when he killed the Daemon Mathrag Brainmangler during the Battle of Khorsvold, striking its head from its shoulders with a single blow of his war hammer. [1a]
Tales are told of how, on a freezing Midwinter day, he arrived with his tribe of warriors at the ruins of Vorshgar in the Chaos Wastes seeking treasure. As they descended into its depths, ancient undead warriors were awoken and fell upon the invaders. [1a]
Although they fought their way clear, the dead followed, the snow melting as the ruins glowed with magical energy. Harald turned and faced the advancing skeletons and as he began to smash them asunder, he was empowered by the gods. For the next day and night he and his men fought on until only piles of bones remained of the undead. [1a]
Since that day, he has had a particular hatred for the living dead.[1a]
End Times
During the End Times, Harald finally met an undead enemy he could not best: the Vampire Lord Vlad von Carstein was able to slay the warrior after a fearsome duel. [2]
Weapons and Equipment
- 7th Edition: Armour of Damnation, Bane Shield, Hammer of Harry. [1a]
- Hammer of Harry: Those who he strikes with the hammer have their souls banished and even the spirits of the undead are banished. Non-magical armour is no protection for its blows. [1a]
Gallery
Original Harry on the cover of Warhammer Rulebook (1st Edition) boxed set
Fighting Grombrindal, the incarnation of the White Dwarf magazine
Miniatures
Notes
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He was originally named "Harry the Hammer" among Games Workshop authors and Warhammer players, depicted on the covers of the rulebooks. Harald is the latest incarnation of this character, created during the Seventh Edition to celebrate 25 years of Warhammer Fantasy[1]. Interestingly, his barbaric depiction on the cover of second edition might have inspired the creation of Sigmar according to author Graeme Davis. [3]
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 340 (UK)
- 1a: Harry the Hammer, pg. 93
- 2: Warhammer: The End Times Needs Citation
- 3: Blog of Graeme Davis: When Harry Met Sigmar, last accessed 22.1.2025
2. White Dwarf #148 (April 2008)
