A typically devious tale of warring clans and dubious alliances, David Guymer’s Age of Sigmar short story Death by a Thousand Gnaw-Bites continues to demonstrate his skill at writing skaven. Forced out of their own holdings by the deadly war machines of Clan Zappitch, Things-Master Krowl and the tattered remnants of Clan Grench seek refuge with Clan Fetter and Under-Clawlord Thiskrule, agreeing upon a cunning plan that will benefit them both. Though clans Grench and Fetter have long been allies, the line between ally and enemy is paper-thin, but for Krowl the plan’s risks are outweighed by its potential rewards.
Few things in Age of Sigmar are more entertaining than skaven fighting skaven, and this story features all the backstabbing, excuse-making and minion blaming (and, in fact, eating) that you can shake a jezzail at. Krowl’s Moulder-given strength and resilience make him a little unusual as skaven protagonists go, proving somewhat braver and more belligerent than many, but he’s in a tight spot that brute force won’t help him with. Set in desolate Realm of Shyish there are some interesting little elements of world-building which add to the story’s tone, even if the short word count precludes them from being fully explored, and while this is a great, entertaining little story in its own right it would be fantastic to see it expanded and built upon. Here’s hoping it’s a precursor to some longer skaven stories from Guymer.
Death by a Thousand Gnaw-Bites is currently only available in the Black Library Events Anthology 2019/20. Click here for a chance to win a copy of this anthology, in support of the mental health charity MIND.
See also: my review of The Unlamented Archpustulent of Clan Morbidus
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