Waaagh! Gorbad
Waaagh! Gorbad was a legendary invasion of the Empire by Orc Warboss Gorbad Ironclaw. Between 1707-1712 IC, He led a massive invasion that almost crushed the Empire, already weakened by the civil strife known as Age of Three Emperors. His armies succeeded in slaying Emperor Sigismund IV and wiping the Imperial province of Solland off the map. [1a][3a][4b]
History
In c. 1705 IC at the Iron Rock fortress Gorbad defeated Crusher Zogoth and united Ironclaw Tribe and Broken Tooth Tribes, forming the beginning of his Waaagh!.[4b]
In 1707 IC He led his truly massive Waaagh! horde through Black Fire Pass and into the Empire, which was already weakened due to civil strife of Age of Three Emperors.[2] Crushing Brutus Leitdorf and his forces of Averland at the Battle of Aver Down, Gorbad successfully rampaged through Averland the Moot, levelled Averheim and sacked Nuln. [1a] [4b]
In 1707 IC at Battle of Solland's Crown he slew Eldred, last Elector Count of Solland, and took his Runefang.[2][4b]
Elected Emperor Sigismund IV sent an Empire army sent to defeat him: At the Battle of Grunberg Erich Aldolphus the Elector Count of Wissenland was defeated on the banks of the River Reik but Gorbad Ironclaw was wounded by his Runefang. [4a]
In 1712 IC the Orc then marched on Altdorf itself which he besieged. During the year long siege, the Emperor Sigismund IV himself was killed by Wyverns but the city held out. [1a][4b]
His old wound pestering Gorbad, his Waaagh began to break up into smaller hordes. He led those still loyal to him back towards the World's Edge Mountains. The Dawi of Karak Varn brought him to battle in the shadow of a mountain now named Blood Peak in the memory of the slaughter. It is not known if he died there or not. [1a][4a]
Outcome
Gorbad had ravaged the southern corner of Empire into a burnt and blackened wasteland. Once prosperous province of Solland was no more and its lands were absorbed by its neighboring Wissenland.[2][4a]
Several splinter groups moved through Axe Bite Pass and raided Bretonnia before they were destroyed by local Knights.
To this day Orc Shamans boast about the glorious deeds of Gorbad Ironclaw.[4a]
Battles
- Battle of Aver Down [4a]
- Siege of Averheim (Gorbad Ironclaw) [4a]
- Siege of Nuln (Gorbad Ironclaw) [4a]
- Battle of Solland's Crown [4a]
- Battle of Grunberg [4a]
- First Siege of Altdorf / Siege of Altdorf (Gorbad Ironclaw) [4a]
- Battle of Blood Peak [4a]
Notes
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The exact dates of the invasion differ slightly between editions. 1707 is marked as the beginning of the invasion of the Empire, but the end date is more vague.
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 153 (UK)
- 1a: Night Goblins, pg. 37
- 2:Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook, pg. 43
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (7th Edition)
- 3a: Timeline, pg. 14-15
- 4: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (8th Edition)
