Wyvern
Wyverns are cannibalistic predators that are known to be a distant offshoot of the Dragon race but Dragons look down them as the lesser creatures that they are. [3a]
Contents
Appearance
Wyverns closely resemble dragons, but a number of traits distinguish the two creatures. They have only four limbs, two legs and two wings, instead of a dragon's six. They also have less sinuous bodies, and are more heavily muscled for their size.[2a][2b] Pot-bellied, they have both thick hide and layers of fat to protect them. [5]
Ecology
Wyverns are opportunistic predators, able to eat just about anything from rotting carcasses to bloated bodies amongst other filthy habits, making them some of the most foul-smelling creatures in the World's Edge Mountains. They are known to swoop down from their bone-filled lairs high up in the mountains to devastate Empire towns and farms for easy prey.[1][2a] Wyverns are particularly fond of mutton.[2a] They will not attack humans unless starved, as they have learned that humans have too little meat and are too likely to be armed or to wield magic to make preying on them worthwhile.[2b] They care little about territory and will only attack intruders that seem easily overcome, but have terrible eyesight and often attack much stronger creatures than they should. [3a]
Habitat
Wyverns lair in dank caves in high, barren mountains across the world. The largest populations are in the World's Edge Mountains, but they can be found as far as Cathay and Naggaroth. [3a]
Orcs & Goblins
When they see these creatures circling above, Orcs have been known to greet it with raucous cheers, for the flying creature represents both might and brutality, traits that are highly respected within Orc society. Perhaps the only way for an Orc to ride a Wyvern is to steal a Wyverm egg and hand-rear it to maturity. These beast are the most highly prized mounts within a Greenskin army, where only the most powerful Orc Warbosses or Great Shamans have the ability and unnatural bond to bind these cruel beast to his will. In battle, Wyverns are voracious beast that always hunger for fresh meat, and would sometimes land right in the middle of an enemy unit and feast upon their flesh in the droves while its rider hacks at the enemy that are still left.[1][2a]
Night Goblins prize their eggs greatly as the hatched young can be reared to act as mounts for Night Goblin Shamans. [4]
Weapons and Equipment
Although they can not breathe fire like true Dragons, they often have envenomed tails. [4]
- 8th Edition: May have Impaling Horns, Manbane Claws, Spike Tail, Venomous Breath. [3a]
- W:TOW: Scaly Skin (Heavy Armour), Venomous Tail, Wicked Claws (Hand Weapon). [5]
Gallery
Wyvern
A Wyvern
A Wyvern
Wyvern
Miniatures
Orc Warboss on Wyvern.
Orc General on Wyvern for Warmaster
Orc Wyvern Riders for Man o' War
Quotes
| Even if you raised it yerself, never turn yer back on a Wyvern. It'll bite off a bit as soon as look at yer, and it'll be a bit you're gonna miss.
~ Orc Warboss Grod da One-legged.[3a] |
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (8th Edition)
- 2: Old World Bestiary
- 2a: Wyvern, pg. 57-58
- 3: Storm of Magic
- 3a: Wyvern, pg. 101
- 4: White Dwarf 247 (UK), Enter the Dragon, pg. 47
- 5: Ravening Hordes (TOW), Wyverns, pg. 35
