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Skitter-leap man-things, the Great Horned One watches and in theAge of Sigmarthis new god of Skavendom has his warp-fired eyes on all of the realms. After the End Times royally wrecked things for pretty much everyone and recast the universe into a new role, it looks like the Gods of Chaos got a new playmate.
Just as the Old World was being torn asunder by the Chaos Gates in the Poles, the Great Horned Rat, the chaotic warp manifestation of the Ratmen came to save the day. Though it seems like Age of Sigmar brought him in, he’s been active for quite a while. Whether you’re new to Warhammer or an old fan catching up on content, here’s what you need to know about the Great Horned Rat.
Who Is The Great Horned Rat?
Whilst not a massive Chaotic entity like the four main gods of Chaos likeNurgle, Khorne, Slaanesh, and Tzeentch. The Great Horned Rat, Lord Of The World Below or Under Father, is aminor god of Chaos. There have been others like him before, but none as strong or prolific in his presence.
In general, it’s thought by manyImperial Scholarsthat the Great Horned One is theembodiment of ruin and decay, pestilence, ambition, and hunger. All aspects that are central to the culture of Skaven, so it’s very fitting their deity is just like them.
The biggest temple to the Great Horned Rat in the Old World was known asthe Shattered Tower at Skavenblight. A place rumored to bethe source of the Skavenfirst appearing in the Old World.
He also resides not directly insidethe Realms of Chaoslike the other Chaos deities, but outside of it in his own pocket dimension known asthe Realm Of Ruin. An area that’s hell for humans, but home for Skaven.
When Did The Great Horned Rat Appear?
Far from the Age Of Sigmar introducing a new character, even thoughthe pantheon is already pretty crowded, the Great Horned Rat has been around for quite a while. Arguably since the Skaven took their first steps. Back in the days of the Old World he’dwatch, torment and guide his skittering childrenfrom the dark burrows below to the burning light above. But he was mostly passive.
It took theSecond Great Skaven Civil Warfor the Great Horned Rat to decide that his kids couldn’t get their act together themselves. And that heneeded to be a bit more proactive. So throughcommunion with the Grey Seershe created the Black Pillar of Commandments.
A gigantic black monolith thatcontained the 13 rules of the Skavenand acted as a filter for those seeking to join the Council of Thirteen.
Skaven attempting to join the council would have to performa ritual involving the monolith. If they were successful they receivedunnatural longevity and dark powers, if they failed, they died. Horribly.
During the last moment of the End Times, asthe fires of Chaos were ravaging the Old Worldand tearing great tectonic plates of the planet apart. The Great Horned Rat appeared through a schism in reality.
Ancient scrolls stolen from the stashes of the Greey Seers say he grabbed a clutch of his Ratlingsthat were amongstthe screaming billions feasting on the corpses of the Old World, and carried them off as reality collapsed. Running through the void beforescattering them amongst the shadowsof the newly formed mortal realms where they would multiply and spread once more.
The Great Horned Rat In Age Of Sigmar
Just like the Old World that came before it, the Age Of Sigmar is equally tumultuous.Wars rage across numerous planesbetween factions that are familiar yet ever so different. Sigmar survives with some of his old cohorts, but he’s far too busy withArchaon starting his comeback tourwith his Chaos Crew.
Seeing an opportunity to get his boys in on the mix, the Great Horned Rat has also been making his ownmoves against the other godsin the mortal and Chaotic pantheons. His children, the Skaven, have beenburrowing through realitywith special burrows known as Gnaw Holes.
There arelimits to the places reachedthrough Gnaw Holes. Also, like the Vermin of old, ifa burrow is compromisedit can destroy a network.
Lethal to pass through toanyone other than a Skaven, they use these to emerge as a Vermintide in almost any realm. Just as their ancestors did tocities far across the Old World.
The Great Horned Rat is equallynot taking a backseatlike before, instead weaving great plans and opportunities for his children to rise to power once more through the machinations of the Council of Thirteen.
Or, if one of his kids lets their gigantic evil god dad down, then they getpunished in the most gruesome waysthe Horned Rat can imagine.
For example, if two Skaven on the Council are causing problems, their deity might decide topick them up, mush them together, and create a completely new beingwith the worst traits of both.
Or,The Horned Rat will just eat them. Which is a fate worse than death.
In general, he’sa big dark godyou really, really do not want to let down. He always takes delight inwatching his offspring squabbleor create new chaotic plans and schemes. Plus, if a Skaven pleases him they’ll usually getrewarded with a Dark Giftor other beneficial mutation.
Demon Princes Of The Horned Rat
Ifa Skaven is a very good boy. And does a lot ofgreat work for the Great Horned Rat, then just like the mortal followers of Chaos, there’s a chance to get “Promoted”.
It happens very rarely an usually only withabsolutely astoundingly successful, cruel, and cunningly evilmembers of the Council of Thirteen. But there is a chance forimmaterium-born immortalityfor Skaven.
Known as Verminlords, these arethe most dangerous types of Skavento encounter. On thesame power level as a Demon Prince of Chaos, Vermin Lords possess all the same durabilities, plus a few added extras.
Like their Chaotic cousins, they come in arange of shapes, sizes and castes. For example, there’sCorruptors, Deceivers, and Warbringersand so on. Also, they’re incredibly strong andsupremely arrogant, often to their own detriment.
Not all Vermin Lords are originally Skaven, the majority are manifestations of the Great Horned Rats will. Or afragment that gained sentience. Just like Chaos Demons.
They dwell within the Realm of Ruin, haveno allegiances save to their Deityand themselves. And can only besummoned by The Great Horned Rat, or a Grey Seer channeling an unhealthy amount of Warp Stone.
Should they enter the fray, any army with justone Vermin Lordat its stead will be borderline unstoppable. Their number is uncountable, but there area noteworthy thirteenthat are consideredthe most powerfulin the realm of Ruin.
The only thing a Vermin Lord fears isthe Great Horned Rat. Because if they displease him they can easily end up on the dinner plate next.
The Realm Of Ruin
So obviouslya physically gigantic-sized yet still minor deity of Chaosin the shape of a horned Devil Rat is going to need anequally evil and massiveplace to live. May we present the Realm of Ruin.
A lovely little spot thatlies betweenthe major realms of Chaos.
Just like the Chaotic planes,the laws of physics and realitydo not apply here. It’s anExpress Train to Nonsense Townas mountains of filth, lost knowledge, trinkets and baubles litter planes filled with screeching Ratmen, Vermin Lords, and worse.
Purple clouds wreathed in warp lightningswirl above a fetid and stinking sky as the Skaven in the number of literalbillions upon billionsskitter below. The most notable location in this realm isthe Verminhallwhere the Vermin Lords gather in a Shadow Council that mirrors the one in the mortal realm.
There are12 members of the Shadow Council, with the 13th being the Horned Rat himself.
The Skaven In Age Of Sigmar
The Skavenhaven’t changed muchfrom how they used to be in the Old World. They’re still the mostvicious little backstabbersin any world, and it continues to be theirbiggest strength and weaknessat times.
Currently, Skavendom isaggressively invading every realmthey can get their sharp little claws into withhordes of Ratmen. Establishing vastBlight City’s underneath the Capitals of major empires, seeding chaos, claiming new land for their own and being just anothermajor blight for the mortal realmsto deal with.
Fun fact;Greyseer Thanquol from the Old Worldis still kicking around. But this time he’s giving Gotrek an extremely wide berth.
