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"You can't fight them, and it's a struggle not to flee in horror from them. You just have to hope your commander and his champions really are the holy knights they aspire to be, and that maybe they'll be able to hurt the creatures."

—Alphonse, Bretonnian man-at-arms[2a]
Hexwraith

A spectral Hexwraith hunts its prey in the mortal world.

Hexwraiths, also known as Reaper Knights, are a type of Undead wraith, ethereal spirits of the dead in the form of spectral horsemen born from the depths of the Underworld of Morr's Realm, sent forth into the mortal world of the living to hunt down those evil individuals who have cheated their rightful fate.[1a]

Role[]

The first sightings of the Hexwraiths are shrouded in mystery, but it is said that they are created on the cursed night of Hexensnacht, the first day of the new year in the Imperial Calendar, tearing their way into the mortal realm from the bowels of the Underworld of Morr's Realm. The Hexwraith's shade-like existence leaves it with a hunger that only the succour of a damned soul can sate.[1a]

Once the curse of the Hexwraiths has been laid upon their prey, there can be no escape -- the spectral horsemen can hurtle across rivers and pass through mountainsides on their incorporeal steeds without slowing down their headlong charge.[1a]

Wh main vmp hexwraiths1

A Hexwraith as depicted in Total War: Warhammer.

Often, the quarry will hide in a brightly lit tavern or well-defended fortress, hoping to escape the robed figures that gallop through their dreams and maybe drown their sorrows in the bargain. This is no defence; sooner or later, the Hexwraiths will charge straight through the thickest walls with a ripple of cruel laughter, cutting the soul from their prey and riding out through the other side in one terrifying instant. The only proof that the cloaked and burning apparitions were not figments of the imagination is the rapidly cooling corpse left in their wake, and perhaps a patch of sulphurous soot where the creatures passed through the walls.[1a]

Hexwraiths are able to move from the realm of spirits to the mortal world and back again at will. They share many similarities with Cairn Wraiths, though they are not bound to places of death and grief, but instead are able to roam the material plane freely. The scythe-like weapons they use to slay their prey would be lethal enough in the material realm, but because the Hexwraiths shimmer between worlds, their spirit scythes are able to pass through even gromril armour or scaled Dragon-hide without hindrance.[1a]

A single blow from a spirit scythe can snatch away a mortal's essence whilst leaving their physical form completely unharmed. It is these strange weapons that earn the Hexwraiths their nickname of "Reaper Knights," for they harvest the souls of the living just as a farmer reaps his crop. A soul taken by a Hexwraith does not dissipate altogether, but is instead absorbed by the spectre that took it. These dread reapers hence burn with flickering flame; all that is left of the horrified spirits they have stolen from the mortal realm.[1a]

The arcane Vampiric bloodline of the Necrarchs were the first to bind Hexwraiths into their unliving armies. Some say they learned the art of the summoning of Hexwraiths from the stolen Book of Arkhan, while others say that the legendary Melkhior was the first to master their control. In recent years, however, Hexwraiths have been seen in Undead armies from all across the Known World. When bound into a Vampire's service and commanded by their leaders known as "Hellwraiths" to ride into battle, whole packs of these apparitions hurtle across the field, plunging headlong through the swiftly dwindling ranks of the foe.[1a]

In recent years, the Vampires of Sylvania have learnt to bind these creatures of shadow to their service, using them as weapons of war. The sight of a pack of cackling Hexwraiths approaching fast, spirit scythes held high and unnatural soulfires flickering from their eye sockets, is enough to chill the blood of even the most seasoned warrior and send them fleeing.[1a]

Able to glide through all physical obstacles, whether they be stone, fire or flesh, Hexwraiths can not be defeated by simple mortal weapons. It is only with faith and the use of magical spells and items that one would have any chance of harming a Hexwraith in combat. It is small wonder that these deathly riders are amongst the most feared of all the minions of the Vampire Counts.[1a]

Notable Regiments[]

  • The Chillgheists - The Chillgheists are an elite unit of Hexwraiths that emit a fatal, chilling aura in combat.[3]

Hellwraiths[]

Hellwraiths are particularly powerful Hexwraiths that command a squadron of Hexwraith cavalry and essentially serve as the champions of Hexwraith forces.[1a]

Miniatures[]

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (8th Edition)
    • 1a: pg. 47
  • 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Beastiary (RPG)
    • 2a: pg. 68
  • 3: Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)

Gallery[]

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