Flesh-eater Courts
The Flesh-eater Courts are a grotesque faction, composed of ghoulish, cannibalistic undead who suffer from a cursed delusion. They believe themselves to be noble and righteous warriors, fighting in the name of their revered liege, when in reality, they are degenerate scavengers ruled by vampiric monstrosities.
Origins and Curse
The Flesh-eater Courts descend from the cursed lineage of Ushoran, the Carrion King, an ancient vampire who once ruled a kingdom of undead with great ambition. However, he was afflicted with a madness that twisted his perception of reality, and his followers inherited this curse. Those who fall under the influence of a Flesh-eater ruler begin to share in this grand delusion, seeing themselves as gallant knights, proud soldiers, or devout retainers, while in truth, they are ravenous ghouls feasting on corpses.
Structure and Hierarchy
Each Flesh-eater Court is ruled by an Abhorrant Ghoul King, a powerful vampire enthralled by the same madness as his followers. These kings command vast hordes of Crypt Ghouls, bestial creatures that were once mortal but succumbed to their lord’s twisted charisma. The most favored among them may become Crypt Horrors or Crypt Flayers, gaining increased strength and monstrous mutations.
Supporting the Ghoul Kings are the Varghulf Courtiers, former nobles who have devolved into savage, bat-like horrors, and Courtiers, lieutenants who serve as commanders and enforcers. Among the Flesh-eater Courts ranks are sometimes the Royal Terrorgheists and Royal Zombie Dragons, enormous undead beasts bound to their master’s will.
Delusion and Warfare
What makes the Flesh-eater Courts truly terrifying is their perception of themselves. They march to war believing they are defending their lands, answering chivalric calls to arms, or embarking on grand crusades. In battle, they fight with reckless fervor, seeing their feasts as sacred banquets and their victims as honored guests at their twisted tables.
Their madness is infectious—those who linger too long in their presence or consume their tainted flesh may find themselves drawn into the same grand hallucination, transforming into one of their number.
Presence in the Mortal Realms
Flesh-eater Courts can be found across the Mortal Realms, lurking in ruined castles, hidden crypts, and battlefield graveyards. They are particularly numerous in regions of death and decay, such as Shyish, the Realm of Death, but also thrive in war-torn lands where they can scavenge fallen warriors. Their courts often clash with Stormcast Eternalsand rival undead factions such as the Soulblight Gravelords, who see them as little more than feral beasts unworthy of the true vampiric legacy.
Despite their monstrous nature, the Flesh-eater Courts endure, eternally bound to their nightmarish illusion, forever feasting in the name of their fallen king.