The War Host of Charn

Charn had been at peace for too long. Jadis had no doubt about that. The rebellion of her sister was a timely event, for it provided the opportunity to purge Charn of those who were weak and unworthy, not to mention those unloyal enough to side with her wretched sibling. Jadis loved war. She loved to hear the anguished cries of her enemies and the roaring hatred of her own troops. War was music to her ears.

The Queen-Emperor of Charn was dressed for battle. Upon her head was the Imperial War Crown, crested with horns and dragon wings. Over her short tunic she wore a brilliant breastplate of shining brass. A purple cloak fell from her shoulders.

Jadis moved gracefully across the field on her huge bare feet. She needed no boots, for her feet would be washed in the blood of her enemies, just like the naked feet of a peasant girl trod the winepress.

She surveyed her troops. Before her were mustered the entire war host of Charn. Countless spearmen of the Imperial Army stood assembled. With them were her very own Life Guard in their shining armor and red cloaks.

Jadis smiled upon the troops who would give up their lives for her.

She heard the beating of wings and watched as her wyvern riders came to land. Their air support would be highly useful in dealing with the war machines that her sister utilized.

There were many exotic units in the army of Jadis. Savages from the southern jungles with their poisoned arrows, the Lizard Folk of Sen-Kree, their tongues hissing with anticipation, and pure-blooded giants from the northern realms.

The tribesmen of Ras'thee roared with joy as their queen walked before them. Each was clad in the pelt of a lion and their axes had tasted the blood of many a monster.

The Faceless Knights remained motionless before her. None had ever been seen without their armor. Some said beneath those suits of steel were only skeletons. Others said that they were walking suits of armour, animated by magic.

The Blood Host of Lokrissa were a fearsome sight. Their bare chests were criss-crossed with scars. Such was their frenzied blood lust that when they were not shedding the blood of their enemies, they would cut their own skin.

The Beetle riders of Jus'tak'tak were perhaps the strangest of all her regiments. Each beetle was as large as a wyvern and armoured with the blackest of chitin. They made a hideous clacking sound as they moved. Their riders were almost as terrible, clad in thick armor made from giant spiders.


Jadis knew her forces were formidable. Her sister would tremble and beg for mercy when she set eyes on her war host.


It was time to mount her own charger. A beast master held the reigns of her mount. It was a terrible monster with massive bat-like wings and a scorpion tail. From a huge lion-like face, it breathed sulphorous smoke.

Jadis laid an affectionate hand on the head of her manticore. She then carefully placed her bare feet into the stirrups and took the reigns.

With a loud beating of wings, the great beast flew into the air above the army. The soldiers below cheered to see their queen taking to the sky.

Landing the manticore, Jadis raised her voice to address her war host.

"My soldiers! Warriors of Charn! This day we go to battle to purge this world of the faithless. Today you shall unleash the horrors of darkness on those that do not own my supremacy. Fight and die for the glory of Charn and the honour of your queen!"

"For the glory of Queen Jadis!" cried the war host in unison. "For the glory of Queen Jadis!"