Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter XI: Flora, Fauna
and Foes of the Forest
Go r s
Source: Tome of Corruption, pg. 99
Ch i l d r e n o f Ch a o s
Many details about the true origins of Beastmen are shrouded
in the mists of time, but a few things are known. For instance,
their lineage can be traced back to the twisted lands of the
north. Dwarf mythology speaks of nomadic Human tribes
inhabiting the northlands at the time when the Gate of Heaven
collapsed. Ancient High Elf manuscripts also record Prince
Malekith’s discovery of a ruined city in the Wastes which housed
the skeletons of a previously undocumented humanoid species.
The most numerous species of Beastmen encountered are known
as Gors by the Dwarfs.
There are many varieties of Gors throughout the world. As Wild
Chaos leaks through magical fulcrums, it is coloured by regional
spirits and animals. Gors with the heads of tigers inhabit the
lands of Ind, while ape-like creatures populate the rainforests of
the Southlands and Lustria. Living amongst the Gors of southern
lands are some that worship specific Chaos gods, but most
do not. In the grand scheme of things, the Beastmen’s origins
are less important than the question of how to deal with them.
The forest of Loren is said to consciously open its hidden paths
in order to instigate conflict between Beastman warherds and
Wood Elves. As defenders of the forest, it is the Elves’ responsibility
to eliminate Beastmen quickly before they can cause
harm. Consequently, Wood Elf scouts are ever watchful for the
encroachment of warherds and warn their kin of potential invasion
at the earliest opportunity. Spites have also been known to
inform the Elves of Beastmen concealed among the trees waiting
in ambush.
Sites for pitched battles are often chosen by the Wood Elves
for tactical advantage. The Asrai use guerrilla tactics against
Beastman warherds, setting traps and ambushes in the hope of
weakening the enemy’s morale or killing their leader to create
disarray amongst the others.
Beastmen culture is based on survival of the fittest, and warherd
leaders are always wary of challenges to their leadership. In
battle, Beastlords seek to affirm their position within the warherd
by killing enemy leaders personally. The smartest Beastlords
take advantage of wounded enemy leaders, only moving in for
the kill when victory is certain. Should a Beastlord fall in battle,
its warherd can suddenly lose cohesion as the contenders for
leadership fight amongst themselves.
Ta c t i c s Ag a i n s t Be a s t m e n
Ce n t i g o r s
Source: Tome of Corruption, pg. 104
Be a s t s o f Le g e n d
The earliest records of Centigors are found on ancient pottery
fragments discovered in the Border Princes. Many of these fragments
have been recovered from the Blood River region, which
marks the boundary between the southern Old World and the
Badlands. Imperial scholars hypothesise that ancient horselords
of the southern lands must have fused with their mounts as a
result of the warping influence of Chaos. Other legends suggest
Centigors originated in the north, as evidenced by variations in
form, such as those with the hindquarters of an Ox. The majority
of Centigors today are encountered in the northeast Empire;
only occasionally are they sighted roaming the southern plains.
Centigors are usually encountered in groups and they are often
inebriated, which makes them bold and volatile. They are
nomadic by nature, but are occasionally drawn to join with
successful Beastlords for the promise of violence and plunder. In
martial formations, Centigors often serve as the shock-troops of
a Beastman warherd, charging into enemy flanks or disrupting
their ranks with brutal frontal assaults.
Bray-Shamans sometimes direct Centigors to pursue a secondary
goal, using the main battle as a distraction for them to slip into
the forest unnoticed. Numerous legends and folktales surround
these beasts, many of which involve Centigors stealing women
and children, only to end with a valiant hero saving them from
being eaten alive.
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