The Dark Elves, or Druchii to give their name in Tar-Eltharin, were expelled from the Elven Kingdoms several millennia ago in a series of bloody civil wars. The ancestors of today's Druchii inhabited the northwestern part of the island of Ulthuan called Nagarythe (Shadowlands) and they were also known as the Malteeras (People of the Northern Reaches) and the Naggarothi (Folk of Nagarythe.)

Nagarythe had for long been known as a place of great learning and where great works of art were produced. A new order sprung from this renaissance called the Cult of Pleasure and the High Priestess was Lady Morathi. In fact the Nagarythe cult was dedicated to the worship of Slaanesh, the Lord of Pleasure. The cult proved very popular and it wasn't long before many High Elven nobles pursued their vices in the cover of this cult not knowing that they were sliding towards Chaos. Indeed, many of the Elves did not see the connection.

It wasn't long before the Phoenix King, Bel-Shanaar, worried by the increasing excesses of the Cult of Pleasure, which degenerated to the sacrifice of living beings, declared war on one of his own realms to rid its influences and this was the heart of the cult: Nagarythe.

It was Malekith, the son of Lady Morathi and the late Phoenix King Aenarion, who first sowed the seeds of doubt in the Ulthuan nobility by claiming that the agents of the Cult of Pleasure were everywhere, threatening the very moral standing of the entire Elven race. It was Malekith's agents, working at the behest of Bel-Shanaar, who took away anyone suspected of involvement with the Cult of Pleasure for interrogation.

But Malekith had long coveted the Phoenix Throne, because it was denied to him when the Eldar Council decreed that he was unworthy of the crown, and at the last he denounced Bel-Shanaar, the Phoenix King himself, as an exponent of the Cult of Pleasure. Rather than go through the indignity of interrogation Bel-Shanaar took poison and killed himself. Malekith seized his moment and declared himself the rightful heir to the Phoenix Throne, despite the protestations of the Eldar Council, who were themselves denounced as enemies of the Elven race and placed under arrest.

Malekith was revealed for what he was: an ally of the Cult of Pleasure and a usurper. The Phoenix Flame, the trial by fire ordeal as set down by the priesthood of Asuryan to choose a pure soul for the crown of Ulthuan, horribly burned Malekith's body and rejected his spirit, giving evidence to those assembled that he was totally unfit to rule. With his followers, Malekith escaped to Nagarythe and the Eldar Council was freed.

A period of war ensued: the Naggarothi, and their supporters, against the other realms of Ulthuan. With the support of the Eldar Council and the High Elf nobles, Caledor the First was hailed as Phoenix King and carried the war to Nagarythe. After Malekith's defeat at the Battle of Maldour the Naggarothi became ever more desperate and resorted to the black sorceries that previously they were forbidden to learn. At the dawn of the Battle of Maldour, Malekith was hailed as the Witch King by his supporters, largely because of his twisted and fell appearance after his form was ravaged by the Fire of Asuryan.

So it was that the Witch King caused the cataclysm that was to send much of Nagarythe under the Great Ocean, the southern realm of Tiranoc was to also suffer a similar fate although much of it still stands today. Malekith sort to unbind the vortex of the Isle of the Dead, which kept the Realm of Chaos out of the world, so that the daemonic forces of Chaos could aid the Naggarothi against the forces of Caledor. But the mages of the Isle, who are to chant their protective spells for eternity, countered the Witch King's magic causing a huge wave to rise from the ocean, sending the Shadowlands beneath the sea, drowning many of the Naggarothi in turn.

However, Malekith had known the possibility of failure and ordered that many ships be built, the largest of these were the huge floating fortresses called Black Arks. When the cataclysm came some of the Naggarothi managed to escape on these ships. It is written in some ancient chronicles that the Black Arks were in fact the palaces of the Naggarothi, torn away from the ruined land and kept afloat by powerful sorcery.

The naval battle of Deloth's Shoals completed the expulsion of the Naggarothi from Ulthuan. The High Elves allowed the survivors to escape to the frozen lands of the northwest, content that the Naggarothi would perish there. But they did not. Thus the Naggarothi were named the Druchii, the Dark Elves.

THE FOUNDING OF NAGGAROTH

With their High Elven knowledge of magic and the art of war, the Druchii easily conquered the land known as the New World. The human savages who inhabited those lands were enslaved and forced to help the Druchii construct their cities. Six were constructed in all over the following first few centuries of the Druchii's exile. The founders of the cities were later to form the Dark Elf council called the Dru Perim (Black Pilgrims.) The Dru Perim were originally a council of wise Druchii lords who kept the remnants of the old Naggarothi in check lest they foolishly wage war again and suffer almost certain annihilation at the hands of the High Elves, even Malekith followed their sage advice and he knew that there would be considerable re-building to be done.

Naggarond (Tower of Cold) was to be the capital of the new Dark Elf land called Naggaroth (Land of Chill) built on the very slopes of Mount Naggaroth and this was where Malekith, the Witch King, would hold court, seated in the tallest tower of the city. The severed heads of those sacrificed to Khaine are displayed on spikes along the city's battlements. Much of Naggarond is shrouded in smoke (as are the other Dark Elf cities), a product from the burning of sacrificial victims from the temple of Khaine.

Other cities of Naggaroth include: Har Ganeth (City of Executioners), also known as the Cursed Place by the Elves of Ulthuan, is dedicated to the aspect of Khaine as the executioner; Ghrond (The North Tower) is a fortress rather than a city and lies to the far north of Naggarond and serves as a watch tower to guard against Chaos invaders from the shifting Realm of Chaos; Hag Graef (Dark Crag) is a mining city where thousands of slaves are forced to hack at the rock in order to find the iron and stone that the Druchii need to maintain their civilisation; Clar Karond (Tower of Doom) are the principal dockyards of Naggaroth where thousands of slaves are forced to work the surrounding pine forests for the wood necessary to build the Druchii ships; Karond Kar (City of Despair) is a bastion of beastmasters where the monstrosities of the world are brought to and trained by the Druchii, not to mention where thousands of slaves go for distribution to other Dark Elf cities.

DRUCHII SOCIETY

Dark Elf society is quite often harsh and brutal, as one would expect from a people driven by the reverence of Khaela Mensha Khaine (The Bloody Handed God) and in no small part to the worship of the Chaos Gods, especially Slaanesh (a driving force behind the still thriving Cult of Pleasure within Naggaroth.) Most Druchii worship both Khaine and Slaanesh in the same way that Old Worlders will revere many gods according to their desires.

From an early age Dark Elf children are taught that upon their death they will join Khaela Mensha Khaine in his kingdom and that His way is the way of all things; all blood belongs to the Lord of Murder and the more blood is spilt the greater their rewards will be when they die and their souls depart for the kingdom of Khaine. This is the main reason in which many thousands of captives are ritually sacrificed upon the alters of Khaine throughout the year, each one is an offering to the Bloody-Handed God.

The six cities of Naggaroth are dominated by noble families, much like the kingdoms of men are. In fact the only differences between mannish civilisations and that of Naggaroth is that the Druchii rely almost entirely on slave labour and openly worship the Dark Gods and actively promote debauchery in whatever shape or form. Slaves are bought from the slavers of Karond Kar by wealthy families so that they maybe used for such purposes. Dark Elf corsairs have restricted the areas in which they raid for slaves over the past centuries mostly due to the continued ascendancy of the human race, which the Dark Elves are loath to admit. The most popular places are the more fragmented regions of the Old World, such as Estalia and Tilea, and places closer to home such as the New World and coastal regions of Ulthuan. However, the Old World is rarely the target of open raids any more and such events can only be found in peasant folklore these days.

Some of the festivals which the Druchii enjoy are detailed below.

The Harvest of Souls: One of the most popular times of year is the Harvest of Souls. Each noble family must try to outdo each other in the number of slaves they sacrifice to Khaine (a Dark Elf family may own from one hundred to as many as a thousand slaves.) The more slaves a family sacrifices the less chance that they will feel the knife of the Witch Elves' blade on Death Night (see below.) Once the slaves have been sacrificed, excited Dark Elf children wait at the doors of the Temple of Khaine for the priestess to hand them the severed heads of those sacrificed. The children would then race each other to the spikes that dot the city walls where they would plant their gruesome trophies. Inside the temple the victims are disembowelled and their entrails and hearts placed on sacrificial pyres. The Witch Elves then remove the skin of the victims and sow it together to make one large sheet. A family's status could then be measured by the size of these macabre decorations as they are draped along the city walls.

Death Night: One of the nights when the Witch Elves (Druchii: Tulluch) are unleashed upon the citizens of the cities of Naggaroth. Be they a highborn noble or a child, no one is safe on the streets when it is Death Night because on this night everyone is equal just as death can come to anyone be he noble or beggar. When Death Night comes all the citizens of a city bar themselves in their homes for ten nights (the duration of Death Night). However, the Witch Elves do break into the houses and drag away their victims to the temple of Khaine where they are ritually sacrificed to the Bloody-Handed God. Newborn babies, however, are offered to the Lord of Murder in the Cauldron of Blood. Most perish this ordeal but those who survive are taken by the temples where they are inducted as assassins. The morning after Death Night, the survivors celebrate their escape by sacrificing one of their own household to Khaine - usually a slave or an elderly relative - as thanks for sparing their lives and those of their children.

Hunting: This isn't so much a festival but a regular pastime for most Druchii families. All families have slaves, the more a family has the greater their status, and from time to time they will release one or two into the wilds of Naggaroth and hunt them for sport. The Dark Elf huntsmen usually ride on horses and use strange mutated beasts to track and find their quarry for them, so that it is virtually impossible for any slave to stay free for long and even then the freezing temperatures at nighttime is enough to kill anyone as well as the mysterious Shades who lurk in the mountain passes. Dark Elf children, or those approaching adulthood, accompany the hunts, eager to prove themselves, and once a slave is found their fathers blood them as a sign of their maturity and bravery. But the Druchii don't only hunt slaves, they also hunt the beasts of the forests and mountains. Being so close to the Realm of Chaos means that there are many warped and, frequently, dangerous monstrosities lurking in the wilderness for the Dark Elves to either capture or slay for sport. The bones of particularly mighty beasts are used to decorate Dark Elf houses and are even used as eating tools.

The language spoken by Dark Elves is Druchii. When the exiles first came to Naggaroth in ancient times they spoke the High Elven tongue (Tar-Elthárin). Now the language has degenerated slightly, although Druchii still shares many similarities with Tar-Elthárin, so that it sounds like the words are forced out and it lacks the pattern and fluency. However, most Dark Elves can speak the classical Tar-Elthárin language, such was spoken in Nagarythe of old, and it is normally used for formal occasions.

ARMS AND ARMOUR

Dark Elves of noble birth are permitted to wear two swords at the waist, a testament to their higher status. Moreover they never dress themselves. This is the task of two squires who ritually attire the noble in his armour. The noble's chest is anointed with the symbol of Khaine in purified blood. Then a long flowing robe, called a khaiton, made from rich silk patterned with spells and charms, is put on next. This is a symbol of war and martial prowess which the noble also wears out of armour too. Over the tunic is worn a padded aketon with mail sleeves and long mail skirt, called a dalakoi (strength against death), and to keep the mail in place it is lined with a soft leather made from human or doeskin.

Next, a back and breastplate is worn to protect the torso. Especially wealthy or influential nobles will have this armour forged from galvorn metal. A short gorget is also added to give extra protection for the upper torso. Wealthy nobles will wear a pair of pauldrons (shoulder guards) although this tends to be more for aesthetic purposes rather than affording great protection. However, some nobles hold great stall for their pauldrons and wear pieces of amazing design and beauty. The pauldrons are laced directly to the breastplate through the gorget. Sometimes they are one piece but are typically two or three connected plates. The laces are left visible at the front and are decorated with flesh hooks at the ends.

Laced to the forearm are long gloves with armoured hands. Vambraces, typically with war spines (a skilful warrior can use them for trapping and breaking weapons), are then fitted to the arms. Nobles often wear a helmet of composite parts: an open-faced tall helm, a visor and bevor. The visor is laced onto rings on the helmet and the bevor is laced directly to the breastplate and offers a very good protection for the vulnerable neck area.

Daggers and swords are slung on narrow crossbelts. The status of a warrior at the court of the Witch King is dependent on how many weapons he wears, but two blades are most common, which is a symbol of nobility. Shields are typically curved at the base allowing them to be used as offensive weapons. Fluttering from a lance tip a cavalryman carries are usually long ribbons or pennants. Runic script, in varying languages from Druchii and Tar-Elthárin to Arcane Elf and Dark Tongue, is embroidered on the pennants, proclaiming a knight's dedication to the Witch King and his deeds and the history of his family for all to see. Other notable weapons include the draich (great sword or two-handed blade), uraithen (repeating crossbow), and drannach (heavy spear).

Flesh hooks, shaped in Druchii runes, are hung from a Dark Elf to proclaim his allegiances, battle honours and family. Along with flesh hooks are also hung keikalla (spirit bells), which serve to ward off, it is claimed, the malevolent spirits that haunt the barren areas of Naggaroth, and to proudly announce their presence.

A note on ceremonial weapons

Dark Elves enjoy duelling and ritual combat and with this come many weapons. Often it is the case that duelling weapons used to be used by the ancient Naggarothi but have since outlived their purpose so that few exist or are only forged for the purpose of duelling. Two such weapons are the ghlaith (spineblade) and the lakelui (soultaker). Both weapons were forged during the height of the Cult of Pleasure some five millennia ago. The Elves then, made many weapons designed for ritual combat to impress onlookers with their skill at wielding them. They were also used for warfare in those days too (only traditionalists use them these days). The ghlaith is a sickle-shaped weapon used to deliver a paralysing blow to the lower back or limbs. The lakelui is a much longer weapon, and was used to dispatch an opponent once they have been immobilised. As it was in the past, if an opponent wasn't immobilised before the killing blow was dealt the knight would be met with howls of derision, which often led to the execution of the knight himself.

THE SIX CONVENTS

In an ancient prophecy it is said that the Witch King Malekith will finally perish at the hands of a sorcerer. Because of this prophecy, said to be a vision sent to Caledor when Aenarion drew the Sword of Khaine, Malekith is mightily distrustful of any Druchii sorcerer as any one of them is a potential assassin in his eyes. When Naggaroth was finally established he had all of the Druchii sorcerers murdered one by one, which even included some of the Dru Perim. However, even though there appear to be no male practitioners of Dark Magic in Naggaroth there are inevitably some who lie in hiding throughout the cold lands.

To this end, Malekith (who is the only person in Naggaroth who can give permission for the teaching of Dark Magic), and his mother Lady Morathi, set up the Six Convents, also known as the Six Convents of the Sorceresses, where aspiring female Druchii go to learn Dark Magic. Naturally, as befitting the sadistic and masochistic nature of this Elven race, there are many trials a Druchii woman must go through before she can learn the secrets of the Dark Arts and many of them are very dramatic as suits the nature of some of the jealous High Sorceresses of the Convents. The one trial which is constant throughout is that an aspiring sorceress must control the Winds of Chaos in the Realm of Chaos itself (located on the borders of Ghrond). Any aspirant who fails a test will serve the Witch King in a myriad of menial ways. However, those who succeed are taken as brides for the Witch King; they now belong to him and must not take any other husband.

Because many within the Six Convents worship Slaanesh (an influence of the Cult of Pleasure founded by Lady Morathi) there is inevitably some friction and discontent between them and the Temple of Khaine; the Witch Elves of Khaine prefer slaughter by sword and knife and do not believe in using spells to destroy a foe, even though Khaine is a magical god. But through the formidable influence of Malekith conflict between the two factions is kept to a minimum.

THE TEMPLE OF KHAELA MENSHA KHAINE

In ancient times of Naggaroth it was the Cult of Pleasure and reverence to the Chaos God Slaanesh which was the be all and end all of Druchii society. But with the influence of the Dru Perim finished, though their titles exist only as ceremonial tradition, the worship of Khaine has thrived, in no small part due to the powerful Tulluch. In a bloody coup the fanatics of Khaine, known as the Kryrnaa (today an order of assassins), wrestled control from the Slaanesh-dominated Dru Perim to the Temple of Khaine. Malekith did not interfere because he did not want to see Naggaroth torn apart in a civil war; better for the factions to fight it out than cause the destruction of the Dark Elf race (he was also quite glad to see their power reduced.)

Khaine is worshipped by the Elves of Ulthuan, but only as a way of harnessing their violent nature, before a battle for example. But for the Druchii, Khaine is everything and it is the way they live their lives. Where the citizens of the Empire live as dictated by the diocese of Sigmar, the Druchii are the same with the scriptures of Khaine. Indeed, one of the scriptures dictates that one slave in ten brought to Naggaroth must be sacrificed to the Temple of Khaine, where their chests are opened with knives purified with dark venom, by the Tulluch. Each of the six cities of Naggaroth has a temple of Khaine, each one headed by a Hag Queen and assisted by the Tulluch and Kryrnaa.

In a temple of Khaine the Tulluch and Kryrnaa perfect the arts of death. When not preparing for battle, the Tulluch wear plain robes and torture their captives. On the eve of battle, or when there is to be a sacrifice, the Tulluch cast off their robes to reveal their athletic, lithe and beautiful figures. The blood of those tortured is ritually sprinkled on their bodies, then a sacrifice may take place. Before a major battle one of the Cauldrons of Blood is taken from the temple of Khaine at Ghrond where the blood of those sacrificed is poured into it. Then the Witch Elves, in turn, bathe in it believing that Khaine will look upon them and bless them.

A temple of Khaine, like in all the cities of Naggaroth, attracts those evil creatures called harpies who roost in the highest towers and spires of the building. They are seen as the creatures of Khaine and a blessing, some even see them as the souls of slain Witch Elves given form.

WFRP PROFILES

Typical Dark Elf Warrior

Like the Elves of Ulthuan, the Dark Elves can mobilise entire populations for war, male and female. Warfare is a way of life and when not fighting, Dark Elves enjoy many physical pursuits and almost all of them martial. Most Dark Elves have an abiding hatred for High Elves and Sea Elves and are subject to hatred of such creatures as a result. They find Wood Elves uncouth savages not befitting of true Elves, goblinoids as disgustingly repulsive, and Dwarfs as vulgar.

*Dark Elf Crossbowmen have WS -5 and have BS 60.

Skills: Concealment Urban; Disarm; Dodge Blow; Ride; Secret Language - Battle Tongue; Speak Additional Language - Tar-Elthárin; Specialist Weapons - Polearm, Repeating Crossbow; Silent Move Urban; Street Fighting; Strike Mighty Blow; Strike to Injure; Strike to Stun; Torture; 75% chance of Theology - Khaine or Slaanesh; 25% chance of Marksmanship (auto Crossbowmen); 10% chance of Speak Additional Language - Dark Tongue; 10% chance of Speak Additional Language - Old Worlder (any dialect).

Trappings: Mail coat; Shield; helm; Spear or sword; Repeating Crossbow or Crossbow (Crossbowmen only) and ammunition.

Sample Elites

The Black Guard of Naggarond

The Witch King Malekith's personal bodyguard are widely known as the finest and most zealously loyal of all warriors in the realm. They are trained to the highest possible standards and are formidable fighters, which makes them feared throughout Naggaroth and this reputation carries as far as Ulthuan. The Black Guard are only answerable to their captain, Kouran, and Malekith himself. If they judge that a noble, of whatever rank or birth, has acted rashly in battle they are permitted to carry out an immediate summary execution.

All the noble martial traditions are upheld by the Black Guard and almost all can trace their routes back to the courts of ancient Nagarythe. It is typical for only the elder sons of the Black Guard, or the sons of very noble families, to be accepted into the order, as they believe that 'pure Khainite blood' runs in the veins of these Dark Elves and only such Druchii can be accepted by Khaine (the order is very much dedicated to the reverence of the War God). When a son is accepted into the Black Guard it is traditional that all of his siblings are sacrificed to Khaine in the initiation.

When not on duty members of the Black Guard meditate at the Shrines of Khaine in Malekith's tower. Some also fast for a period until the next battle dawns. Because of their way of life, members of the Black Guard are subject to the heroic idiocy disorder, subject to hatred of any hand-to-hand combat opponent, have animal aversion (stage 3 - only applies when outside Naggaroth), cadaverous appearance (stage 1). Some Black Guard might also have the nocturnal lifestyle magical disability too (stage 1).

Skills: Concealment Urban; Demon Lore; Disarm; Dodge Blow; Heraldry; Prepare Poisons; Ride; Read/Write; Secret Language - Battle Tongue; Secret Signs - Black Guard; Silent Move Urban; Speak Additional Language - Dark Tongue, Old Worlder, Tar-Elthárin; Specialist Weapons - Flail, Parrying Weapon, Polearm, Repeating Crossbow, Two-handed Weapon; Strike Mighty Blow; Strike to Injure; Strike to Stun; Theology - Khaine; Torture.

Trappings: Sleeved mail coat and khaiton; Pauldrons; Breastplate and backplate; Gorget; Mail Coif; Knight's helm and visor; Halberd; Sword; Flesh hook and spirit bell accessories; D3 random magic artefacts.

Witch Elves (Tulluch)

Of all the legends and myths about the Dark Elves, the tales of the Witch Elves are probably some of the most well known; they are also known as the Brides of Khaine or Khaine's Handmaidens. Of all the Druchii, the Tulluch are probably most beautiful and certainly most insane. To them the way of Khaela Mensha Khaine the Bloody-Handed God is the only way and before a battle they drink blood laced with poisonous herbs which sends them into a crazed bloodlust.

Some Witch Elves are many centuries old thanks to the effects of the rites of Khaine, which involves dark sorceries and much consumption of purified blood. The most ancient Witch Elves are the High Priestesses of Khaine, called Hag Queens. There are six Hag Queens in Naggaroth, one for each temple of Khaine, and each one is millennia old (the oldest being Hellebron the Hag Queen of Ghrond and the first Witch Elf) thanks to the Cauldron of Blood.

The Cauldron of Blood was said to be a wedding gift from Khaine to his brides the Witch Elves and its origins have been lost in the mists of time. Whether it is from the Lord of Murder himself or whether it was forged by mortal hands no one knows for sure, except for perhaps the Witch King or Morathi. The Cauldron of Blood is heavy with magic and must always be filled with many gallons of blood in order for its enchantments to be sustained. No matter how much blood is poured into it the level of blood always remains the same, as if it were a bottomless pit. To the Witch Elves the Cauldron of Blood is quite literally the fountain of youth. When it is time for the rites of Khaine the Hag Queens, and some of their most favoured retainers, bathe in the blood of the Cauldron and become young and rejuvenated again, sowing their dark pact with Khaine who it is said gives them eternal life.

Skills: Ambidextrous; Dance; Disarm; Dodge Blow; Frenzied Attack; Herb Lore; Identify Plants; Prepare Poisons; Read/Write; Secret Language - Battle Tongue; Secret Signs - Witch Elf;  Speak Additional Language - Dark Tongue; Specialist Weapons - Flail, Parrying Weapon, Two-handed Weapon; Strike Mighty Blow; Strike to Injure; Strike to Stun; Theology - Khaine; Torture.

Trappings: Mail shirt; 2 hand weapons; D6+6 doses of assorted poisons.

Creatures of Naggaroth

Dark Sprites

Born from the chaotic energies of Dark Magic are many malevolent spirits or Dark Sprites. They feed off the energies that are given off by wielders of Dark Magic and as a result can be found lurking around such people. Dark Sprites are also petty thieves, stealing away any small objects that take their fancy. But their most sinister act is their stealing away of babies or small children. To what purpose this serves no one knows.

Physique: Dark Sprites are typically tiny humanoids of either sex, being from one centimetre in height to six inches. Most possess wings and even those who don't can still fly. Most Dark Sprites are very ugly creatures and do not posses much intelligence.

Special Rules: Dark Sprites can only be harmed by magical weapons and because of their small size all to-hit rolls against them are resolved at -40. In small groups (usually a dozen) Dark Sprites can cast spells together.

Harpies

These evil creatures originate from the Mountains of Mourn several hundred miles west of Cathay. In the early days of Naggaroth's founding a Dark Elf explorer met these creatures during an expedition to the Dragon Isles west of the Ind subcontinent. A harpy attacked and tore apart one of his warriors but rather than have the creature put to death he took it, together with others they found, back to Karond Kar. Since that time the harpies have bred with slaves so that they are now a different species. The direct descendents of the first colony of harpies now roost in the highest towers of Karond Kar and it is claimed that should they leave, the city would fall to its enemies in ninety days. Other colonies have spread further afield throughout Naggaroth and occupy all of the cities, especially the temples of Khaine usually over the burning ritual pyres.

Physique: The harpies of Naggaroth are unlike those of their cousins from the Mountains of Mourn. Indeed they are more Elven-like thanks to many generations of breeding with slaves as desired by the beastmasters of Karond Kar. They typically have a feminine form but sport sharp talons and arms ending in claws. Their wings have lost their feathers so that they are now bat-like and leathery.

Special Rules: Harpies fly as swoopers.

Manticore

Manticore are held in high esteem by the Druchii for they are said to represent one of the thousand aspects of Khaela Mensha Khaine. They are sacred beasts which are sometimes captured and reared by beastmasters as steeds for Dark Elf nobles. They are also quite intelligent creatures and some are capable of speaking rudimentary Dark Tongue and even Druchii (perhaps mimicking their masters like a parrot).