As the Twin-tailed Crusade strikes out across the plains of Aqshy and Ghyran, a new generation of commanders lead from the front – among them First Marshal Tahlia Vedra. The Dawnbringer Crusades are a new front in Sigmar’s war of reclamation, possessed of fiery zeal and unshakeable will, and dedicated to shepherding their charges across the unimaginably dangerous wilds outside Hammerhal.
It won’t be long before you’re shipping out with your own Castelite formation, so before you go, it’s worth getting to know the legendary firebrand who’ll be leading one fork of the crusade.
Tahila Vedra – also known as the Lioness of the Parch – is the stern face of the Dawnbringer Crusades and architect of its military reforms, beloved by her men and feared by her foes. It was her experiences that led to the development of the Castelite formation, reasoning that a better-protected infantry could make steady, constant progress where other crusades burned out.*
So meteoric was her rise to power that many within Hammerhal Aqsha schemed against her, only to find out that the intensely pragmatic Vedra was more than a match for their political manoeuvring. On the Eve of Four Killings, she uncovered a quartet of conspiracies against her, and in typical ruthless style beheaded the plotters before mounting their skulls on the back of her saddle.**
The military reforms that brought the Freeguilds into a new, sustainable age of warfare are all a result of her experience in battle. The unbreakable shield walls of the Castelite formations were developed in less than a week during the Battle of Cursemarsh, and the innovative Gunners siege defence that followed shortly after – two developments that revolutionised the way regular human warriors could tackle much larger and fiercer armies.
As it turns out, prioritising the safety of your troops breeds fondness in the ranks, and stylised images of Tahlia have come to cover Hammerhal Aqsha.
In battle, the Lioness is as formidable a warrior as she is a leader, casting the enemies of Order into the dirt from her terrifying manticore mount Infernadine. Getting within a few feet of a manticore is usually hazardous in the extreme, but Vedra’s radiant authority and sheer belligerence have bent her companion into a mutually respectful partnership, each knowing just how dangerous the other is. Infernadine has a real sting in its tail – the Paralysing Venom will cow other beasts in combat.
Needless to say Thalia and her mount have many other vicious tricks up their collective sleeve – you can discover them when the Cities of Sigmar come imminently to pre-order. Tomorrow we’ll be taking stock of the other commanders leading the war effort, and taking a closer look at the Freeguild cavalry.
* She’d be the first to tell you that it shouldn’t be used everywhere, but her fellow generals are a mite enthusiastic about it for now.
** The four weapons she can choose from in battle were also liberated from their now-headless owners.