The Tale of the Voidtalon – A Champion’s Story

Here follows the recovered written account of Bretta Becken, scout of Blackridge (missing, presumed dead).

I truly hope someone finds this note and uses it to avoid whatever fate befalls me. The firelight is dying and I've run out of kindling so I'm writing this as quickly as I can before I'm plunged into the all-consuming darkness. A darkness that will swallow even me.

Since the Alliance drove off the invaders at Chill, I had resumed my patrols around the Blackridge region. Most of the greenskins had left the city but we would occasionally find the odd troll or orc roaming the mountainsides, desperate for a meal. And nothing is more dangerous than a hungry troll.

It was on one of these patrols that I spotted an overturned coach on the side of the path that wound around Blackridge and toward Chill. With a nudge, I led my frostfang mount to the accident. The first thing I noticed was the stench, then I saw the pony or, more accurately, what remained of the pony. Its innards were spilled across the snow, staining it a vivid red. The pony appeared to have been ravaged by some kind of beast. I dismounted and cautiously approached the cart - keeping my eye out for the creature that could have done this.

I nearly jumped from my furs wen a voice cried out.

'Get away! Get away, whatever you are!'

Following the sound of the voice, while trying to ignore the rotten smell of the pony's corpse, I lifted smashed cases of vegetables and the remnants of the coach until I eventually found a man. As he attempted to push me away, while still shouting, I noticed his eyes were gone. All that remained were two bloody sockets gazing forever in wide-eyed panic.

I tried to soothe the man but it was hopeless. He just kept raving about a giant bird. Whenever I asked him to describe this monster, his body would erupt into spasms. Eventually, during one of these spasms, he fell still.

Despite my thick furs, I felt a chill travel up my spine. This wasn't the first report we had heard of a monstrous bird on the Blackridge Pass. A handful of merchants had said they had seen the shadow of a gigantic bird rippling up the side of the mountains, or the silhouette of something passing the moon at night. But there had been nothing like this.

As I prepare to bury the merchant, I was disturbed by a loud, ear-splitting shriek. It echoed between the peaks, seemingly coming from everywhere all at once. Then nothing - leaving only a ghostly whisper of wind. I glanced over to my frostfang and saw it was pawing the ground nervously. Another shriek shattered the eerie quiet and before I could grab my frostfang's reins, it bolted back down the trail. I was alone.

I scanned the sky, looking for whatever was creating tis awful sound but could see nothing. Then, out the corner of m eye, something darted between the peaks before disappearing. Not wanting to end up like the merchant, I pulled my sword from its scabbard and prepared to face whatever the creature was.

I was not prepared for what I saw.

Suddenly the shadow of a large bird fell across the path. I looked up and, at first, it appeared to be a frostclaw - the giant ravens favoured by those Free Dwarfs brave enough to ride them. I waved for help but quickly realised this was no noble frostclaw.

Its wings ended in spectral blue fire that twisted and writhed in unnatural ways as it soared. Instead of claws, it appear to have arms...in a mockery of human form. But it was the face that scared me most. The beak was made from bone, with flesh pulled tight across its gruesome visage. I had seen its kind before: a Nightstalker.

I'm not ashamed to say that when presented with such a hideous sight, I ran.

I knew of a small mountain hut nearby and while I stumbled through the thick snow I could hear the beat of wings above me. The beast was tracking me! I tripped and clawed my way up the mountainside until I eventually reached the ramshackle hut and threw myself inside. A screech above hinted at my follower's frustration.

Gathering my breath I though I may be safe but I was quickly proven wrong. There was a loud thump on the roof before I heard the bird scrabbling at the wood. A piece was ripped away and the creature's horrible, bone-formed beak burst through. I swung my sword as hard as I could at the monster, causing it to shriek and pull away from the gap, followed by the clap of wings.

I waited for a moment, prepared for another attack, but none came. Grabbing my sword I flung open the door and prepared to run but quickly stopped. Perched on a dead tree was the bird. Watching and waiting. 

Now darkness is falling and with it my hopes of salvation grow bleaker with each dying moment...

Written by Rob Burman

Now...Bring It To Life on Tabletop

The beating of deathly wings, the clacking of a giant beak, and the scratching of nailed claws.,.are you ready to become fear itself? The terror of northern Pannithor?

We thought so, and we've got the perfect Champions faction for you!

Brought to life in stunning MasterCraft Resin, the Voidtalon is a (very) intimidating new Nightstalkers miniature for your games of Kings of War Champions. Easy to build, a joy to paint, and a nightmare for your opponent!

Shipping from the 16th June 2025, you can find the Voidtalon's Company Box (a whole faction for the game in one set!) right HERE or by clicking below.

Want to Know More About Champions?

Kings of War Champions is fantasy rank-and-flank gaming - just faster to play, easier to learn, and playable on everyday tables! Factions come in one-and-done boxes with fixed lists: they're perfect-sized hobby projects that you could build or paint in a weekend, and be gaming in no time!

We think it's a perfect game for introducing the hobby to newcomers and family members, plus an ideal way for the rest of us to play exciting fantasy battles even when there isn't time or space for a full-on tabletop war.

If you missed our introductory month to Kings of War Champions, let's get you all caught up with an intro video:

You can also find the rest of our ongoing Champions blog series right here on the news page, or by using the below shortcuts:

• What is Kings of War Champions?
• Learn to Play Kings of War Champions
• Introducing The Bloody Cardinal - the Abyssal Champion
• Introducing Alanis Sallustis - the Basilean Champion
• Introducing La'theal Voidheart - the Twilight Kin Champion
• Introducing Jorden Talensen - the Northern Alliance Champion
• Introducing Grunk Blackclaw - the Goblin Champion
• Introducing the Voidtalon - the Nightstalker Champion

So come and join us in Pannithor - where Legends are Forged in Battle...