Marshal’s Log, Entry 10:
Today we have made first contact with the Skaventide. It is an experience that was thankfully short, yet one I would not wish upon most of my foes.
We received a message from a patrol on the coast. Strange seismic tremors were felt as the scout’s horses reared in utter fear. I did not hesitate, and sallied forth to investigate the occurrence.
A great ash storm was approaching when we arrived at the grey coastline. Barely had we arrived before we all felt it. The sand seemed to sigh and heave like a gargant grasping for air. Then, the ground gave way, revealing multiple portals, crackling with unstable bolts of green energy. Out of the holes they emerged; a horde of ratmen, screaming as they trampled over one another to get to us. From atop a ruined tower, a single figure could be hear, laughing maniacally as the swarm of rats seemed to stretch as far as the horizon. They even brought forth their hellish doombells. The sound of the infernal thing rang into my very bones.
As we braced for the upcoming onslaught, I saw how the earth not far from us was being torn open. From out of a pit, six creatures resembling rats came forth, only they were larger than an ogre, and each had been mutilated into an engine of warfare. One screeched deliriously as he unleashed a hail of bullets from machine guns attached to the stumps where it’s claws had been removed, and even from it’s chest, for what good is a heart in the body of such a creature. Others sprayed the Yndrinien Watch with warpfire, coocking them in their armour. The Order of the White Wolf charged heroically into the fray while me, Volgi, and the Howler fired our shots. I saw how my shot went straight through one of the monster’s throat, screeching awfully as a biting smoke came from the wound. Yet, while we were killing a few, we were unable to halt their advance as the creatures ripped men apart with a frothing frenzy.
I saw that the only way to relief us from this onslaught was to join it with the same determination. While Volgi held the rear, I went alongside my entourage and Kallervan into the swarm of skaven that approached us. Fighting one of these creatures is truly another experience; they fight with a blind frenzy, striking with blinding speed. Yet it is clear that they have no training except their own killing experiences, for their strikes are awkward and open for counter attacks. We went through them like an ogor through a banquet. Yet the most terrifying thing was it wasn’t enough, for with every skaven we killed, one retreated away from our sharp blades.
It was here that both us and our enemy were hit by the marine storm. Fighting became impossible for you barely see and hear what was happening. I called a retreat, and thank Sigmar that the Skaven did the same.
Yet while the fight was not conclusive, I have to report my grave concern with this situation; the Skaven have made a move towards the western part of the peninsula. If we, as in the coalition of order, do not act fast, I dread we will be surrounded, and picked off. For our own forces, I regret to say that our cavaliers have not returned unscathed. Many of them have been hit by warpfire; a weapon so destructive that it might smoulder for as long as the victim is alive. Our situation is becoming more dire by the hour.