The Bloodtide
The Bloodtide
The Bloodtide raiders first appeared in the interstice years ago, when their warband and fortress was almost swallowed up in its entirety by a gaping hole that opened beneath their feet. A vast majority of them perished in the fall but those that survived awoke to find themselves washed up against the shores of the rusted coast. Completely lost, they quickly rallied together when local denizens came to investigate their sudden arrival; the genocide of these people marked the very first footfall of the Bloodtide raiders.
They marched without direction but found their way to the burning mountains far to the west. Any semblance of civilization they passed were consumed, leaving another bloody stain in their wake and sating their bloodlust if only but a little. Feeling quite at home within the Pyrelands, their conquest lead them to the forboding peaks of the thorned mountains, claiming the spired fortress at the top as their own. From here, they began raiding in every direction, revelling in the ease at which they wrought destruction upon any who did not pay the blood tithe demanded of them.
The Tributary Tribes
Across the Pyrelands, many city states exist in tribal or feudal systems. Many of these continue to exist under the watchful gaze of Lord Aichmos and the Bloodtide hordes. These cities would otherwise be quashed and conquered long ago by the thirsting campaigns of the Bloodtide, but from their submission, they've created an uneasy existence. They serve as tributes to the Bloodtide; offering up weapons, slaves and fresh warriors to the horde. Their precarious contract the only thing keeping them from utter annihilation. Over time, the cities have become twisted into a form more pleasing to Aichmos and Khorne.
The Tithe Cities
Calorag the City of Pain
A torturous city with screams that echo across its neighbouring valleys and even as far as the Sulcus of Vadulus. The tribes that dwell in this city have developed a strong belief that strength and prowess is only earned through pain and go to extreme lengths to pursue this belief. Self flagellation and mutilation is common practice. Even more common is the infliction of pain upon new warriors that wish to (or are forced to) join their ranks. Those that are destined to be tithed to the Bloodtide will endure relentless pain and suffering in order to just survive, but those that do will emerge changed forever in body and mind as their conversion to this faith is complete. Their fervour in combat is terrifying, as their faith in this core belief forces them to fight even harder despite near fatal wounds, entranced in the mantra that pain is their strength.
Scarra the City of the Flayed
Slabs of skin are hung throughout the city as an constant reminder of their oath towards Khorne, for skin is the only thing that separates blood and skulls from being offered to their god. The flayed banners proudly display their skills in separating their (sometimes still living) victims of their precious life fluids. Warriors will drape themselves in the skins of their victims, patched together like a hellish quilt, proudly displaying both their devotion and battle prowess. With these adornments of valour, they walk into battle fearless knowing that Khorne will favour them for continuing to tribute Khorne by removing the skins of their enemies.
Haemos the City of Blood
Before the coming of the Bloodtide, Haemos was an anomalous city in the Pyrelands. Built around a healing wellspring, the people that settled here enjoyed a relatively safe life, as the purifying waters offered revitalizing powers which could heal and restore grievous wounds and injuries. Rumoured to be a spring tapped from the Ghyran Lush or even connected to the realm of life itself, the city prospered... until Aichmos desecrated it. Though the life-giving springs continue to flow, the once soothing sounds of flowing water are now replaced by screams, moans and cries for death in the vaulted ceilings of the Haemos temples. Victims are brutally injured to the point of haemorrhaging and exsanguinating but then given a small continuous trickle of the life-preserving waters of Haemos; enough to sustain their life but not enough to completely heal their wounds. Thus, they will live in a horrifying limbo of constantly dying and living but always, bleeding.
Icthyria the City of Scales
Like the denizens of Calorag, the Khorne worshippers of Icthyria indulge in heinous acts of mutilation both upon themselves and upon others. But their end goal is not simply for the pursuit of pain or a belief in strength. The Icthyrians are more pragmatic in the damage they inflict upon themselves, doing so to condition and toughen their flesh to the point of being like scales. Through years of practice, the warriors of Icthyria can charge into battle without bearing armour at all, their skin able to deflect and stop some of the strongest of weapons. Eschewing the need for heavy armour and having bold confidence in their naturally toughened flesh, the warriors are terrifying as they dart around the battlefield quickly, seemingly impervious to physical harm.
Type
Expedition, Military
Capital
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
- Aichmos - Mighty Lord of Khorne, The Barbed King
- Gorechain - The Bloodstorm
- Junius - Deathbringer, 8 Blessed Champion
- Kazgrim Bloodspawn - Slaughterpriest, The Unyielding
- Kron Goretooth - Slaughterpriest, Master of the Crucible
- Lash - Blood Stoker, The Stampede
- Verzes Mezaros - Skullgrinder, The Smoldering Smith
- Xandur Ventamillio - Bloodsecrator, The Skullkeeper
Related Plots
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments