Bloodhunt is the next boxed expansion for Warcry. It’s a decidedly gory affair as the Askurgan Trueblades face off against the Claws of Karanak to see who can spill the most blood.
Most Soulblight Vampires put on an air of nobility, ruling as the aristocracy of the night and indulging their ravenous appetite for mortal blood. The Askurgan Trueblades reject this. They are ascetics, an austere order of warrior monks who practise self-denial and live in seclusion in the mountains of Ghur.
The Trueblades follow the teachings of a mysterious and long-dead order known as the Renkai, pushing themselves to new heights of martial prowess, and hunting and devouring the blood of the mightiest beasts they can find.
To imbibe the blood of mere mortals is below them, and when they are drawn into combat with such pathetic creatures, they show Lofty Disdain, often fighting with one hand behind their back or with their eyes closed.
They have entered the Gnarlwood both to tackle the inhuman beasts within, and to seek out an elder of the Renkai last seen on pilgrimage in the Ravening Ruin.
At the head of each sect is an Askurgan Exemplar, a supernatural master of combat who meditates to guard against his bestial nature.
Not all Trueblades, however, can resist the feral urges they repress. The Cursebloods are vampires who have lost the battle against their baser instincts, transforming into beasts which transfix enemies with a Terrifying Howl.
The rest of a Warband comprises high-ranking Ascetics, freshly turned Acolytes, and Pariahs who have, through intense focus, reversed the macabre transformation and now fight with animal strength and mortal cunning.
Each warrior fights with spartan precision, pledged to dispatch foes with minimal blows as dictated by their martial kata. When they engage with Worthy Foes this mask slips, and their inhuman strength and speed are unleashed.
They’ll need more than a few chants of self-restraint to overcome the frenzied Claws of Karanak and conquer the Gnarlwood. Warcry: Bloodhunt is available for pre-order this weekend. We’ll be checking out the much less restrained Claws of Karanak later in the week.