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Vipers Bite.
Many years ago an incredible evil strode upon the hunting grounds of the Pride of scars. The beastmen that met with this creature were slain without even hurting the creature. Joran, the pride’s leader, knew that his shaman’s could craft a great weapon and this might be able to kill this creature. The weapon took two days and nights for the shamans to craft. It was a truly impressive weapon and the beast that wielded it could feel the power flow through them. Joran feeling confident that he could defeat the beast now called the greatest warriors to him and called for a hunt of this creature, that they named the Savage. Before they left Kar, Joran’s mate stopped him and said to him “Do not throw your life away, if the weapon does not work flee back to us and we shall try again.” “Do not worry. This weapon is great and powerful and no creature will be able to resist it.” The following morning nothing had been heard of the hunting party, and the shamans called a meeting of the Pride, they claimed that the hunting parties spirits were no longer on this plane. Kar was so furious when she heard about what her mate had done, that she screamed with anger. One of the shamans attempted to calm her but she struck him to the ground. She drew her weapons and just before striking she stopped. Her eyes glazed over and she fled into the undergrowth. After a while Kar slumped against a tree, as she tried to catch her breath. She felt the burning hatred burn in side her, now not for Joran but for the creature that had slain him, she understood that he would have tried to flee. As she sat she saw a figure in the blackness of the shadows. “Who is there?” she questioned. “I am here but I am not. I come to you about this creature.” Came the cryptic reply. “Why me?” “Because you have the courage and the anger to kill it.” “Ha! If only it were that simple.” “You cannot kill this creature, however I could give you the power to do so.” “How? And what would you want for this?” came the reply. “Do you know who I am? I am Viper. What I offer is an axe that would destroy this creature and feed you with great power in the coming fight, I offer you the strength of the snakes bite. In return I ask for the blood that this axe spills.” “Is that all? The blood that falls from this axe?” “The axe will stay with your people, and it will be a weapon that will carry past your day. There is no hidden agenda to this. You are brave creatures and you future will be bloody, it is within my best interest to befriend you and remain in your memory. Do you understand?” “I do… or at least I believe I do. Your offer is welcome Spirit. If this weapon works as you say then our deal will be considered sound. Tell me why do you come to us at this time?” “Before now I had nothing that I could offer in exchange for the blood that you could spill. I did not wish to trick your people. I saw this as an opportunity, that is all.” “Then I shall hunt this creature. I thank you and I will tell the Pride of your offer, and they will know your name.” “Then take this axe, The axe of Khorne! It shall slay this creature, and bring you luck in future battles. But never let it run dry for to long.” Kar nodded and turned and ran back into the forest.
As she neared the meeting place she heard screams start, she knew that the beast had found them, she quickened her pace. She looked at the Axe and saw the metal glimmer and she heard it scream to her. As she broke out of the undergrowth she saw the beast, she heard the axe tell her to draw the blood of this creature so it could drink. As she charged towards the massive creature, almost 8 feet tall and muscular beyond belief, she noticed that the weapons of her comrades merely bounced off it. She slid bellow it’s striking arms and swung the axe into its back. It screamed with anguish as the axe buried deep into the creatures flesh. The blood spray caught Kar, as she tasted the sweet red blood she felt a burning rage develop within her. She jumped up and started to hack into the creature, the other beastmen saw this and pounced upon the creature and pulled it to the ground. The beastmen tore into the creature with fangs, claws and took it apart piece by piece. As the beastmen stood back Kar held the axe up high and buried it into the creatures heart. “VIPER I THANK YOU! WE SHALL REMEMBER THIS FAVOUR!”
To this day we still remember the story. The axe, or as it is no known Vipers bite, still carries with us and is carried by the war leader as a mark of respect. However the magic within the weapon has never been useful again it is still carried into battle so that it can drink and keep the deal alive. Prior to a great battle the Pride will drink upon blood to incite the bestial rage and favour of Viper. |
