Day 1

So this is the beginning of the End. Mordheim, my home, is in ruins. I wasn’t here to see the comet fall, nor was I here to see it fall into ruin. Law is nonexistent and anarchy reigns. I’ve just arrived from Nuln where I had spent the New Year's with my master. Sightings of a Twin-tailed Comet had been spreading, and the general belief was that it heralded Sigmar’s return. On the long way back, I found myself clutching my cloak tighter. Upon arrival, we were attacked by opportunistic mercenaries or other criminals. I doubt there’s much difference now between the two. Bjorn, my master, was killed, but I managed to grab myself a pair of hammers to protect myself. Sigmar knows I’ll need them here inside the walls.

Day 5

I feel like I’ll die any moment now. The green glow from the shards of the comet make me feel sick, and it doesn’t help that I’ve been lucky enough just to find enough food to survive. I’ll need to get out of these slums fast.

Day 7

Whether it’s dumb luck of the grace of Sigmar, I’ll never know. I’ve been taken in by the Sisters of Sigmar, and they’re caring for me. They found me starving in a ruined chapel in the slums. They were about to put me out of my misery until they saw my chest. The Twin-tailed Comet has always been on my chest as far as I can remember. I don’t know if it is a birthmark or a scar given to me by someone as a cruel joke when I was a child. All I know is that I am eternally grateful that it is there now. The sisters fed me well, and their Matriarch introduced herself to me as Theodora Von Hesenhof. Her three subordinates, known as Sister Superiors, are Samantha Maxim, Katherine Von Glebenswerth and Agneth Weiss. Theodora for one reason or another skipped introducing the seven other Sisters in her group.

Our journey to the cathedral where the Sisters of Sigmar were based was a long one, and on it I saw what Mordheim had truly become, and a glimpse of what I can only guess will from now on be my daily life. We traveled in a huddled group, Theodora and I in the middle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something move in the shadows a few blocks to our right. Moments later we were charged by a lone mercenary, frothing from the mouth. Theodora told me to stay behind the wall in cover with one of the Sisters who’d she had not introduced to me. Turns out her name was Maria. I peeked from the corner to see six Sisters, the Superiors and three others, pommelling the frenzied man with their hammers before moving on. After a few measly steps two of them were knocked down by arrows fired from a roof. The ones left standing charged at the archers, running up the steps in the wall. The clashing of steel and crushing of stone lasted for minutes but I did not dare to look. Instead I took the moment to see if we were alone. The answer was no. The reason we’d only encountered the berserker and the two archers the Sisters were fighting, was because their attention had been split. I saw two more archers fighting of Ratmen on a ruined rooftop. It happened so fast it was hard to tell which happened first, one of the archers falling after being stabbed by a rat, or a cloaked figure darting across the street with glowing green swords. Seconds later there were screams coming from where the figure had gone. I think one of them saw me as I turned back behind the corner. Theodora told me that the rats were called Skaven, human sized rodents and thrice as mean. She said we got lucky that they didn’t pursue us after the mercenaries fled. Turned out that three of ours were wounded. Samantha will need some time to recover and Katherine’s wound seems worrying. She says she’s fine, but that wound looks like it could come back and bite later.

On the way to the cathedral we managed to find some warpstone shards, the green rocks I mentioned, alongside one of the mercenaries. I have no doubt that the Sisters of Sigmar are good interrogators, but what worries me is their efficiency with those steel whips.

Theodora introduced me to the High Matriarch; Bertha Bestraufrung. She said that to prove myself to be Sigmar’s reincarnation, I’d have to purge Mordheim of Evil alongside the Sisters. She named our band the “Brides of Sigmar” I am not sure how to feel about that.

Day 9

We armed ourselves after some rest and left for the city once again. Though this time with lower numbers, but heavier gear. I hope Samantha will be fine soon.

Day 11

Moving through the city is slow at best, we search through houses and chapels. Even though it is tiring work and barely rewarding, I’ve taken some fulfilment from learning about each of our little group’s members.

Theodora Von Hesenhof, our Matriarch and the de facto leader. She’s a stubborn lady, barely older than I, and takes her duties seriously. She’s made sure that during fights and travels that I’m well protected and taken care of. I told her that I don’t need someone looking after me all the time, especially now that we’re lower in numbers and we need every available fighter we have. It took some convincing but she finally agreed to it. For some reason she feels like an overprotective sister; sister as in family. If you can get over the constant mentions of my supposed divinity that is. I’ve taken to calling her Ted. It clearly annoys her but she doesn’t speak up about it.

Then there’s Katherine Von Glebenswerth. A sister superior wielding a two handed hammer is a scary sight, but there’s more to her. Glebenswerth is half Kislevite, and you can see that on her face. Stern, cold and quiet. When she does speak, it seems like she’s using the least words as possible. Although I wouldn’t want to attend a sermon she’s holding, I think she’d go on forever. Every time I’m near her there’s a quiet litany floating in the air dedicated to the God King.

Agneth Weiss traded one of her Sigmarite warhammers to Samantha before we left, so now she carries two steel whips. She wears a hood, so I cannot be too sure but I think I’ve caught glimpses of scars around the edges of her face. Weiss has a good sense of humour, but when she’s serious those whips can be heard a few good city blocks away. I try not to stare at her face in case she notices me looking.

I haven’t had the pleasure to get to know Samantha yet, as she’s at the cathedral healing, but I’ve heard that she’s close friends with Agneth.

Then there are the Sisters, four of them in fact. Laura, Maria, Alexa and Hilda. They tend to go around in pairs for safety and support. Alexa and Hilda got their hands on some armour and shields before we left, while Laura and Maria just have their single hammers. They’re all pleasant people, the get along with themselves perfectly, so I assume they’ve known eachother for a long time. They’re a bit awkward around me for obvious reasons, but I’ve told them to treat me like their equal, seeing as we’re all equal in the heat of battle. I assumed that’s what Sigmar would’ve said, and it seemed to work. I just hope they don’t think too hard about that, as I haven’t fought anything since joining up with them.

I better stop now, it’s late and Ted doesn’t sleep anywhere but next to me. I’m not sure if I should be happy about that.

Day 12

We’d arrived on the border of the city, and by the looks of the buildings I assume we were in some sort of a wizards district. Less buildings around and more magical glyphs. Also an old wizard’s tower. We were there to gather some warpstone, and so were others. A band of Skaven got the drop on us after Ted managed to secure a shard from a small house.

Few of them were running down from the tower by the time I saw them, so I assume they’d managed to scavenge it already. There was a small circle of standing stones surrounding a larger chunk, but they managed to beat us there too. Ted was moving with Alexa and Hilda, while Gebenswerth and Weiss were grouping with Laura and Maria. Weiss’ group managed to take out a few of the rats, though Laura and Maria were knocked out, I helped carry them out of there even though Ted insisted I shouldn’t. Something about dirtying my divine hands or something.

I was scavenging through some houses away from the fighting while this happened, apparently Gebenswerth took out two of the rats before Ted finished off the last as a mercy kill. They scurried off after that, probably figured the single shard Ted had picked up earlier from a ruin wasn’t worth the trouble. I would’ve thought that too, after all Gebenswerth did such a good job with the two that you couldn’t even recognise the bloody pulps as Skaven.

What confuses me however is that the last rat didn’t run away after Gebenswerth had killed its friends, even though there were four other Sisters of Sigmar about to join the fray, must’ve been an exceptionally brave one. It matters not, it died like all rodents should. At least that’s Weiss told me before she laughed that “The only good rat-rat is a dead rat-rat.”

I only arrived on the scene as the rest of the Skaven were running away, one of them was looking at me from a rooftop. I recognised it. They were the same group we’d passed by a few days ago when we were fighting the mercenaries, and I got the distinct feeling this was the same one who’d glanced at me before. What worries me is its gaze however. It wasn’t bloodthirsty or hostile in any way, it felt like it was evaluating me.

I doubt that they are as primal and unruly as Ted tells me. Something’s off.

Day 15

After the fight we made a beeline to the cathedral without incidents, so haven’t bothered to write much. Samatha got better after a bit of rest, though she seems a bit jaded. When I look art her eyes I only see determination, I get the feeling she’ll be the last one to leave battle once we set out again. Agneth told me she’s always been a bit like that, but it seems that her injuries from the fight against the mercenaries have reinforced that part of her. Though the reason I’m writing now is not to tell how we’re doing. It’s about what happened today.

I was feeling a bit down due to my lack of contributions to our group. I felt as if I needed to prove myself to them, to Bertha Bestraufrung. I left the cathedral with hammers in my hands and a warm pelt on my back as I didn’t plan to be away for longer than a few hours. I grew up on these streets, so I wasn’t worried about running into anyone, after all it’s easy to sneak by most warbands when you’re alone. Though to be honest, I think I just needed some time to think about what’s been going on these past two weeks.

I managed to make my way to an abandoned pub without anyone seeing me, but the moment I took my first step in the pub after closing the door there was a pair of blades pressing against my throat. Sickly green blades to be exact. I towered over the eerily familiar rat wielding the blades but we both knew who was the real threat. This was the same one I’d seen twice before. After a moment of glaring at me with those infernal red eyes he pulled his weapons away, allowing me to let go a breath of air I didn’t notice I was holding. He took a few steps back and I tightened my grip on my hammers, all I received in response was a snicker. He could kill me in seconds if he wanted to. So why didn’t he?

“Who are you?” I asked, not sure whether he’d understand me or even care to answer. Suffice to say I was surprised when he civilly introduced himself as Skrik Tornesh, an assassin adept of Clan Eshin. I scanned the room we were in, noticing we seemed to be alone in the pub. Skrik told me he had an interest in me and asked who I was.

“Siegmar Lügnir, former smith’s apprentice.” I answered in a careful tone, not wanting to give too much away. Skrik walked to a boarded up window and peeked out between the planks, probably looking out for any possible hostiles, seeing as I’m still alive. At the time my heart jumped to my throat assuming he had signaled his warband that I had arrived. I moved to the bar counter and leaned over it, finding an unopened bottle of wine to my joy. I picked it up and turned back around to see Skrik standing a few feet away from me, looking straight into my eyes.

“So, why am I still alive?” I had to ask him, he had the perfect opportunity after all. I grabbed a glass and poured some of the wine in it as Skrik told me about a great place in the trades district he’d found and how there were ideal places there to gather warpstone. He was willing to share some with my group if we helped him with something. Apparently there were rumours in the underworld of Mordheim about a new Skaven assassin who’d come here just to look for him, and he needed some help in dealing with this problem.

Skrik handed me a rolled up piece of paper and said that it was a map of the area he’d talked about, along with instructions how to find him once we’d arrive there. Before I managed to say another word he grabbed the bottle from my hand and offered a toast. My glass touched the bottle with a chime and we drank. In hindsight that glass could have been poisoned, so not a very smart move on my part. Skrik walked out the door after a few words and I was left alone.

I wouldn’t tell this to him, but I found the way Skrik walked a bit funny; it seemed as he tried to stand up higher than the rest of his kind, as if to distinguish himself, not unlike nobles would. I returned to the cathedral once I had sat down and emptied my glass and grabbed a bottle of mead along with me for later. I can’t tell about this to anyone, and common sense tells me that Skrik is trying to lure the Sisters into a trap, but something tells me that’s not true.

Mordheim journal

The story of Skrik Tornesh Whether or not shall I be alive when someone reads this, matters not. These pages must show, since I, Skrik Tornesh, the Exiled, Assassin Adept of Clan Eshin of the Skaven, have lived to fill them. My full intent is to return to Skavenblight after my mission here in Mordheim is done, and then to travel East, back to my clan's stronghold, from which I was exiled nearly a full year ago. My crime was to satisfy the ever-gnawing Black Hunger in myself by devouring a slave that belonged to an elite Assassin. To whom it might be of concern, why I write like this I do not know. Perhaps the large amount of Warpstone in the city has already begun affecting me. It calls to me and whispers in the night. I know, that in this city lies my chance of survival, because the Under-Empire no longer is safe for me. I must gather enough Warpstone to bring to the Supreme Nightlord for him to deem my competence and for me to buy protection against the still-grudging Assassin. The Great Horned One watch over me.

My warband

I have gathered some warriors of my people to aid me. They are suspicious at the least, but I do not think they will betray me, at least not just yet.

Verlak Black-Claw

A Black Skaven of my Clan. He almost got eaten by an Ogre mercenary, but I released him while the brute was preparing his fire to roast my kinsman upon. He has a pair of Fighting Claws he has painted black, and he is therefore called "Black-Claw." I believe he will try to usurp my position, but so far he needs me to lead this group. He has no sufficient influence or tactical eye to keep them in check and successfully lead them in battle.

Likr Narshek

Likr is an Eshin Sorcerer, a rat-mage who wields some useful Magic in battle. I have no comprehension of the art, at least not yet. His last warband got shattered and he was left alone to skulk the ruins in the city. I found him and he eagerly offered his services, but no doubt because he wouldn't survive an encounter with an enemy by himself. He has proven a valuable ally so far. I have equipped him with a spear, and he has shown moderate proficiency with it.

Serdnik the Initiate

Serdnik is a somewhat curious acquaintance. He clearly respects me for I am, or at least was, on the way to become a full-fledged Assassin, but at the same time I can almost smell his wish to replace me and lead this group. He is indeed an energetic one, but not particularly skilled. He joined my warband just recently, which is positive since I lost one warrior already and another one left. After the fifth day he bought a crossbow and has been practicing to use it ever since, actually becoming a moderate shot.

Unit Krarnak

Krarnak consists of three Verminkin of my Clan. They never gave their individual names, just as most of their caste. They're armed with spears and shields, and so far have proved their worth in battle. They seem inexperienced, but are actually stronger than they look.

Unit Vasrik

These three Verminkin carry slings and shields in battle. They are not particularly good shots, but maybe that will change after a few skirmishes. Four of them entered the battle, and after it one left. Don't know why. Unfortunately during the fifth day they were killed in a skirmish against a group of Sisters of Sigmar.

Unit Noldar

I recruited these three Verminkin to replace the destroyed unit Vasrik. They are equipped in a similar fashion to their successors, but are not as experienced. They have yet to prove their worth.

Battle journal

I shall keep track of the battles fought here. The Great Horned One watch over me.

First day

My warband entered the city with me on point. We carefully scouted the surrounding area, and found two other groups nearby. To our left was a group of Sisters of Sigmar, fanatical female warrior-nuns of the Man-God. To our right was a detachment of Reikland mercenaries, good shots and brave fighters. We set in position to take hold of the nearby three-story ruin for unit Vasrik to use as a vantage point for shooting, and I led unit Krarnak along with Likr to the right. Verlak remained for a while with Vasrik, until they followed us, since no foe entered their range. Krarnak charged a mercenary warrior that held them for a while, and I sprinted to take out a wolf the mercenaries had trained as a war-beast. We were soon victorius and advanced to position out of sight of the Reiklanders who had set up into a ruin for a better field of view over the battlefield. Vasrik and Likr set to prepare an attack against the Sisters who now fought fiercely hand-to-hand with other members of the mercenary group, while I, Verlak and Krarnak assaulted an enemy Marksman and Warrior. They fought back with skill, and Krarnak suffered one casualty. Verlak dispatched of the enemy Marksman and I rushed to thrust my Weeping Blades into an enemy hired beggar hiding in a corner of a ruined house. Meanwhile the Sisters took heavy casualties in the fight against the Reiklanders, but remained resolute. The Warrior atop the ruin fell down but suffered no real injuries, after which the mercenaries broke free of the battle and fled. I was able to quickly glance at the Sisters' leader, and I believe she saw me as well. As she went to regroup and patch her warband, I was left wondering when we would meet again. And when we would clash steel against steel. After the mercenaries ran, I gathered my men to search for Warpstone. We found two shards.

Second day

After the first engagement I used some of the Warpstone to replace the dead Verminkin of unit Krarnak. Also a young Night Runner, Serdnik, joined the group. He of course demanded payment of twenty Warptokens, and it took me little more to equip him, but I hope he will prove to be of at least some use. Only one Warptoken left afterwards. I must find many more...

Fourth day

During my long journeys scouting the city I found a suitable place to use for my warbands' base of operations. An old, run down tower, that looks like no one would inhabit it, except rats. A perfect place. I climbed inside by the outer wall and checked the place. We could make a fire inside without it to be seen, and the smoke would disperse through the small cracks in the roof. I also found a hatch leading to a cellar full of rotten bread and cheese. The putrid food won't do me and my warriors much good, but at least we can hide there if necessary. As I ascended to the top of the tower to take a quick look before returning to my warbands' current location, I caught a glimpse of four impressively armed groups of warriors in the distance, hunting and killing vicious-looking beasts. They were too far away to see me, and I kept to the shadows, but I remained cautious on my journey back. My warriors eagerly followed me to the hideout, and once we were all inside, Likr used his arts to shield our presence in the tower, from scryers and most other beings, with shadow and a feeling of hollowness that bled a little to us too. That night we slept in warmth and feeling something, that might be mistaken for a feeling of security.

Sixth day

As I led my troupe to a location I had discovered held three shards of Warpstone, I and Likr sighted a group of fighters nearby. They were the same band of Sisters of Sigmar that I saw upon my first arrival in Mordheim. They soon caught sight of us as well and I hastened to give orders to my Warriors. The three shards in the area had been scattered around, one to our left in a stone-circle, one to our right on the roof of a sinister-looking tower unscathed by the destruction that had ravaged most of the buildings, and one directly forward of us, atop a small ruined building. Vasrik darted towards the lefternmost shard with Likr as support, while Krarnak and Serdnik rushed to secure the shard on top of the tower. I and Verlak snuck to the shadows cast by a larger building, ready to help take the lefternmost shard. As the Sisters closed in on Likr and Vasrik, the sorcerer grabbed the shard and the Verminkin counter-charged. Vasrik's warriors stopped the attacking four Sisters and Verlak struck against them too. Krarnak and Serdnik secured the rightmost shard and now advanced to our support. I lunged at one of the four Sisters, taking her down with my Weeping Blades. Verlak incapacitated another with the help of one of Vasrik. The other two had difficulties dealing with the third Sister, and the fourth one lashed at Verlak after he was done. When Likr successfully hauled the Warpstone to the second floor of a large ruined building, I saw the Matriarch of the enemy host bearing down on us. Krarnak was too far to be of much help and her skills were superior over any of my Warriors. I charged at her, Weeping Blades slashing, but she held firm. I only needed to buy enough time for Likr to move the Warpstone far enough, and for Krarnak to arrive to our aid. Then I saw the shard of Warpstone she was carrying. We clashed again, and this time I was able to knock her out of balance. Two of Vasrik got hammered by the Sisters, and I heard two more closing in on me and the Matriarch. For a fraction of a moment I stared into her eyes and saw her stare back at me furiously. I quickly gave her a nod with a respecting look, turned, and ran, leaving her climbing back on her feet. Verlak also darted away, to cover Likr and the shard. The last of Vasrik was killed moments after, at the same time as Krarnak and Serdnik arrived to the ruined building Likr had taken cover in, and I gave the order to retreat. Last I looked to the direction the enemy had first emerged from, and saw someone. A man among the Sisters, which I believe is unusual. He seemed not like a threat, but something in him forced my eyes to linger. He had a feeling of Fate around him, I felt. Then we ran to disappear to the shadows of the city as dusk settled down, and I heard the cheering of the female warriors behind me. They had fought well indeed. We had scavenged more shards than our enemies had, but the cost had been high. The next night we scoured the area and found three more shards, which I, Likr and Verlak carried to the hideout. On this journey I also found an overturned cart, which, after we rummaged through it, contained a beautiful sword and a similarly decorated dagger.

Seventh day

My group, now reduced to only seven of my Clan in total, headed to aquire some goods and supplies for our next encounter with an enemy, and for our hideout. The five shards were of 90 Warptokens' value, which allowed me to equip my Warriors better and replace my losses from yesterday. Serdnik, because he is eager but not very skilled in close quarters, I armed with a crossbow, which he learned to use. I hope he becomes a viable threat on long range in battle, but only time will tell. To enhance Likr's chances of survival, should he get caught in melee, I bought him a spear, which he easily familiarised himself with. Most of the money left after I sold the sword and dagger we had found yesterday, went to recruit and equip a replacement unit for Vasrik. They were three in number and called Noldar. As we were again in a considerable strength, we returned to the hideout to practice with our newly acquired armaments and to plan the next journey in the quest for Warpstone.