Clan Pestilens: The Vile Plague-Bringer Skaven
Clan Pestilens is one of the four Great Clans of the Skaven, renowned and feared throughout the Under-Empire for their mastery and deployment of vile diseases and plagues. These ratmen are not merely carriers of sickness; they are its deliberate architects, cultivating and unleashing devastating contagions upon the mortal world. Their existence revolves around the propagation of pestilence, making them a constant and horrific threat to all races of the Warhammer world. They are the undisputed plague Skaven clan.
The Nature of Clan Pestilens
Origin and Devotion
Clan Pestilens is not simply a band of infected Skaven; they are a twisted religious cult dedicated to the spreading of disease. Their origins are shrouded in plague, with their rise coinciding with the discovery of potent diseases. Driven by a perverse faith, they see sickness as a sacred gift, a means to weaken their enemies, and a test of their own resilience. Unlike other Skaven clans, who primarily serve the Horned Rat, Clan Pestilens maintains a darker, more secretive devotion that often leans towards the Chaos God Nurgle. This has created a somewhat separate identity, though they remain a component of the overall Skaven society.
Methods and Arsenal
The arsenal of Clan Pestilens is gruesome and terrifying. They employ a vast array of biological weaponry, including:
- Plague Censer Bearers: Skaven who carry incense burners filled with festering, disease-ridden concoctions. They unleash clouds of toxic fumes into battle, debilitating and killing all those unfortunate enough to inhale it.
- Plague Monks: Zealots who are fanatical in their worship of pestilence. They engage in melee combat with their disease-laden blades, spreading corruption with every blow. They are often in an unnatural state of sickness, immune to its effects and spreading it among those they fight.
- Plagueclaw Catapults: Siege engines that fling putrid projectiles, raining down upon enemy formations with a hail of toxic substances and bloated corpses.
- Plague Priests: The leaders and scientists of Clan Pestilens. They dedicate themselves to developing new and more virulent strains of disease, often experimenting upon captured victims. These are among the most twisted and disturbing members of the Skaven species.
Appearance and Demeanor
Skaven of Clan Pestilens are often distinguished by their ravaged and sickly appearance. Their fur is matted and often covered in sores and pustules. They frequently wear tattered robes and masks designed to contain, rather than prevent, the spread of disease. They often sport symbols of rot and corruption, further showcasing their morbid devotion. Their eyes burn with a manic zeal, and they speak in a hoarse, raspy tone. They’re far from the furtive, greedy nature of other Skaven, instead consumed with the obsession of spreading their “gifts.”
FAQs about Clan Pestilens
1. What is the primary purpose of Clan Pestilens?
The primary purpose of Clan Pestilens is to spread disease and plagues. They see sickness as a holy weapon and strive to unleash it upon the world.
2. How is Clan Pestilens different from other Skaven clans?
While all Skaven are treacherous and self-serving, Clan Pestilens is uniquely devoted to the creation and propagation of diseases. Other clans focus on technological advancements (Clan Skryre), stealth and assassination (Clan Eshin), or beast breeding (Clan Moulder). Pestilens serves plagues before self-interest.
3. Do Clan Pestilens Skaven worship Nurgle?
While they primarily worship the Horned Rat, Clan Pestilens holds a strong affinity for Nurgle, the Chaos God of pestilence. Some Skaven of the clan worship him exclusively, secretly rejecting the Horned Rat. They see in Nurgle a kindred spirit.
4. How are the diseases of Clan Pestilens created?
The diseases of Clan Pestilens are created through a combination of dark magic, experimentation, and putrid concoctions. They often involve the use of warpstone, a form of chaotic energy, and vile, festering ingredients. They have some of the most powerful ‘magical’ diseases in the world.
5. What kind of weapons does Clan Pestilens use?
They use plague-ridden weapons and technology. This includes Plague Censer Bearers, Plague Monks with infected blades, Plagueclaw Catapults that fling toxic projectiles, and numerous other items designed to spread disease.
6. How do Clan Pestilens Skaven protect themselves from their own diseases?
Clan Pestilens Skaven are often resistant to the diseases they spread. They cultivate immunity over time through constant exposure. However, many still suffer the physical effects, being weakened even in their immunity. Their twisted devotion to their faith also drives them on, despite the constant pain.
7. Are Clan Pestilens Skaven more powerful than other Skaven?
Their strength lies in their ability to inflict disease rather than in direct combat ability. However, their access to diseases and their utter dedication to their faith and goals, makes them a dangerous adversary.
8. Why are they considered one of the four Great Clans?
They are considered one of the four Great Clans because their ability to propagate disease makes them a significant threat to all factions. Their influence permeates all the Under-Empire.
9. What role does the plague play in Skaven society?
The plague is viewed by Clan Pestilens as a tool of power, a means to gain favor, and a sign of devotion. They often use it to manipulate or weaken their rivals among the Skaven. The spreading of plague earns the clan a form of respect within Skavendom, as well as power.
10. Are there heroes associated with Clan Pestilens?
Yes, notable heroes of Clan Pestilens include Plague Lords and powerful Plague Priests. These figures are typically skilled in combat but also possess terrifying control over disease. They are also responsible for creating the worst plagues, and thus their names become infamous.
11. Can Clan Pestilens be trusted within the Skaven society?
Like all Skaven, Clan Pestilens is treacherous and self-serving. They can form alliances when it suits them but are just as quick to betray others for personal gain, or the spread of plague.
12. How does the obsession with plague affect the psychology of Clan Pestilens Skaven?
The obsession with disease drives them to madness and fanaticism. They view suffering as a blessing and are willing to endure any agony to propagate their faith. They are among the most twisted, and disturbing members of a twisted race.
13. Is Clan Pestilens feared by other Skaven clans?
Yes, other Skaven clans fear Clan Pestilens due to the power of their diseases. They know that disease can weaken even the most powerful armies. They are feared for the devastation they can cause, both to enemies, and to other Skaven alike.
14. What is the long-term impact of Clan Pestilens on the world of Warhammer?
Clan Pestilens is a perpetual threat, responsible for devastating plagues that can wipe out entire populations. Their existence perpetuates suffering and chaos throughout the Warhammer world. They are one of the major threats to civilization, on a global scale.
15. How can one fight against Clan Pestilens effectively?
Fighting against Clan Pestilens requires a combination of strong physical forces and sanitation measures. Isolating and burning infected areas, as well as using magical countermeasures, is crucial. Fighting their armies is much more complicated, as many of their attacks involve direct infection, meaning that those wounded in battle are often more dangerous than those who die. One must be cautious in any engagement against them.