The Vyrkos Dynasty - Soulblight Lore

[@D34DM4NW47K1N6]

"So... do you like vampires or werewolves?" "Yes."

[@Zand3rParkour]

"Can you feed my family too?" No "Please?" No "Pweeeease???" Fine you're all wolves now Love it. Mythology surrounding characters is always a super interesting approach to the lore.

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

It is grimdark in a gratifying, sinister fairy tale kind of way. Very appropriate for the Soulblight Gravelords.

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

The more I hear of the lore surrounding Belladama Volga, the more she strikes me as being influenced by Baba Yaga, the witch from Eastern European mythology. The story of her turning the child's family into wolves so that they are fed by devouring their neighbours really does sound like the sort of dark folktale that could be found in many corners of Europe, and it is a great little bit of lore for the character.

[@Zand3rParkour]

1000%, especially with the blatant slavic inspiration suround her and Radukar

[@lavierretraineralex5548]

Yeah i think her wolf like legs are also a nod to the like the house with legs but i love how they represent Slavic and Romanian characteristics

[@Norseraider84]

Yes very much so. The entire Vyrkos dynasty, has a fantastic old Slavic folklore theme with them - it’s a great take on an ‘undead’ army

[@juandougnac8826]

"Please, help me feed my family!" "Turn them into feral wolves? You got it, young lady!"

[@joshuaturnquist5538]

Fun design thing about Lady Annika, her appearance is reminiscent on an old piece of vampire art from 7th. She has a similar pose, dress, and mask on a stick to the art of the Silver Princess, and the alternate arm of a wing hiding her form is like the Silver Princess's fan. I think it's a really cool callback.

[@lavierretraineralex5548]

do you know why she has a mask? is it to like hide her fakeness or something?

[@lordhogwash8393]

I’ve always been more a werewolf fan over a vampire fan, so if I were to get into soulblight it would be Vyrkos.

[@AkyJave]

I agree AoS Gangrels are the best

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

Interestingly, you get Slavic werewolf myths surrounding a creature called a vlkolak or vołkodlȃk , which is essentially a half way house between a vampire and a werewolf, possessing attributes of both. Those myths have a strong Eastern European influence, with more classical werewolf mythology being stronger in Western regions of Europe such as France and Germany, and the vlkolak/vołkodlȃk appearing more in Hungary, Romania and the Balkans . I strongly suspect that the Vyrkos were heavily influenced by this Eastern European mythology of the werewolf/vampire revenant.

[@tylerwilliams417]

I think that the meaning of the story with Volga is" No means no, don't ask again."

[@j.bat.8235]

Which is, to be fair, a pretty hardcore (though effective, I guess) way of introducing kids to consent.

[@doominator4072]

I love the idea of the beast guy you were talking about. Plus I have a really good idea of a army that could be built around these guys. Finally a death army worthy of my time.

[@LordOmnissiah]

If they are connected to one of the legions it’s probably Mannfred’s. Vlad von Carstein was noted to like wolves in the vampire wars books. Also I wonder how the rat prince is seen by the Skaven and vice versa.

[@Never_heart]

The Rat Prince proves they are from Mannfred. He takes after grand-dad with the unnecessary backstabbing

[@hades_deathgod9496]

I think the thing that draws me most to this bloodline is that they seem to be completely independent and seperate from nagash, they don’t serve him nor are they controlled by him, he did not give them their powers

[@rubengerritsen6868]

Well he did, just indirectly. They are decendants of one of the mortarch which nagash resurrected I thought. The story about the godbeast is probably just an in universe myth

[@gwell2118]

@@rubengerritsen6868 Not necessarily, it is said that the wolfen godbeast that might have given them their curse was of death. So if it was a being of death it is possible that others beside Nagash can bestow the soulblight curse since its a form of undeath. It would explain why they mutate so much more if it was given from a wolfen death god.

[@lavierretraineralex5548]

Radukar the Wolf is Heavily inspired by the Base of Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, it literally talks about him and soemthing to do with impaling

[@joshuamiller8259]

I think after your explaination these fit very well into a Balkin/Carpathian type setting like Draculas castle. Where the forests have their own power and the traveling people and gypsy stories co mingle.

[@lavierretraineralex5548]

Yeah i think it's very clever, and I thank you for mentioning that it's Romanian

[@nicofolkersma2535]

In one of the old Vampire Count books, there was a shortstory of a count who's new girlfriend always walked around with a silver mask before her face. She turned out to be a vampire. Lady Annika's model strongly reminded me of her.

[@Lukelea13]

Good timing just finished your last video straight onto the next lol

[@adamjackson260]

Nice video. I have started reading the Cursed City novel and there are already extra bits of lore about the Vyrkos. Will not spoil here. But the extra lore it brings I think is the real highlight in the shambles of the release of the boxed game. Available on IBooks too.

[@TomSenseii007]

I wasn't crazy on Kritza or Anikka when they were first revealed but they've really grown on me

[@MidnightMovieClub]

Well I just found my dynasty, awesome video once again!

[@Chrysamer77]

That does it. I'm painting my Soulblight warband as Vyrkos.

[@hades_deathgod9496]

It is said that the vyrkos do not descend from nagash or his mortarchs, but rather from an ancient godbeast. These are my favourite because I love werewolves and I’m waiting fro GW to bring out the vyrkos foot troops so I can get into SBG

[@alastircrowe2300]

What foot troops?

[@hades_deathgod9496]

@@alastircrowe2300 you know the 3 vyrkos guys in cursed city and those 2 on Radukar the beasts base? Those

[@emilymcpherson6564]

@@alastircrowe2300 i think they’re talking about the Kosargi Nightguard

[@heathenpride7931]

So dire wolves? Anyways I bet there’s gonna be a “part 2” within the next 18 months so who knows

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

@@alastircrowe2300 Vyrkos Bloodborn - the vampires on foot with the long hair, reverse jointed lupine legs, and straight bladed swords.

[@gabrielwalton4097]

It's cool they mentioned the hound of the cairn as a potential origin, he features on the short story Pantheon, which I definitely recommend 👍

[@OnlyRoke]

Two things I love about the dynasty are Volga herself being this nomadic, universally known legend who seemingly just wanders the world. She's less like a leader of a massive army and more like the mother of all vampires, who strolls the earth, visiting every court and being welcomed with honours and sometimes she presides over battles. The other part is the vampiric transformation being tied to animalistic traits, because I think that allows for a fun kitbash bonanza when you build a custom vampire lord. I made one from the upper half of the VL on Zombie Dragon and then I greenstuffed a Melusai snake body as his lower half and now I can easily just claim he's a Vyrkos vampire who fed on snakes or something.

[@nofuxgivens2797]

1st off great video 2nd Due to me liking this dynasty and zero luck getting blood knights. I ended up getting a start collecting slaves to darkness box. I am invisioning for my kit bashing some cossack themed calvary. Being a Son of Russ i got all kinds of fur, bearded, luscious manes and fanged face bits to make them fit into this dynasty. I even have a couple spare thunderwolf mounts perfect for some characters. As much as I was pissed I couldn't get those new sexy models I'm glad I didn't because it made me get creative

[@doomguy9049]

The rat guy’s origins kinda reminds me of the beginning of the movie Ravenous and how dude became a Wendigo

[@honestkyn718]

the greatest and most noble dynasty

[@naus6081]

I actually really like Kritzas story. It’s a lot more interesting than a lot of others.

[@frontal87]

Rothabak: Oh baby, I love it when you ride me. Belladamma Volga: What a great coincidence, dear.

[@Raven_Leblanc]

Really liking the "feral" aspect of this dynasty. Feels like "werewolves" but then even more... deadly I guess? Very nice.

[@j.bat.8235]

They're undead, so I guess they were-wolves. I'll see myself out now.

[@Malisteen]

Given the bestial, animalistic nature of their curse, and the way it makes them look & feel almost like the FEC mordants & abhorrents, my personal pet theory is that 'Hrunspuul' is another name for Ushoran, from the time after his transformation into a monstrous beast but before his imprisonment in the Shroudcage that broke his mind and converted him fully into the Carrion King.

[@lavierretraineralex5548]

It definitel would not be German folk tales, as vampires are Romanian and for Radukar the Wolf and Belladamma they are heavily Slavic and Romanian, however the footwear for Radukar the Wolf isn't what they'd have worn but very cool miniatures none the less

[@ZombieJeff]

So they’re the Gangrel from VtM but playing at nobility? Love it 10/10

[@AkyJave]

Me as a Space Wolves player: Alright, that was all I need to know to buy it

[@johnlong8952]

Make a custom vampire lord from a wulfen

[@SuperEagle112]

THE BEAST! I thought we got a new flesh eater court mode for a second. Sad but still cool!

[@jonathancampbell7798]

I thought most vampires can shape shift. The Crimson Court from Underworlds don't look Vyrkos but they can turn into wolves

[@doomguy9049]

And the one dude has bat wings on his back like a demon

[@thomastakesatollforthedark2231]

Yeah but its more about a spiritual connection and that they mutate more often to resemble the beasts. Its not simple shallow shape changing

[@subzero47pl]

Vyrkos is cool but for me I like the e Avengorii more so I'm starting to read the book "A Dynasty of Monsters" to see how well are there characters writen. Something tells me it won't end well for the city :P

[@quentindubus9538]

"BRUSH YOUR TEETH" Best. Phrase. Ever.

[@RotaFury]

As someone who loves werewolves and likes vampires this side or the faction speak to me greatly if I ever collected it I'd totally do them.

[@chalkdemon8019]

The Vrykos would be like the Gangrel in Vampire the Masquerade.

[@Unholycrumpet]

Was there ever an intention for the rat prince to be an expansion for the cursed city game?

[@Zand3rParkour]

No one knows

[@heathenpride7931]

Most likely because his lore is basically he survived being attack by radukuar but was infected and became a vampire that way

[@Motard.Actual]

I feel like it would be fun having Dire Wolves and Blood Knights to hunt prey haha.

[@Mithlinthar]

Gangrel vibes. Love it.

[@johnevans5706]

I can't help but thinking all the characters were originally meant to be part of a cursed city expansion

[@Waywardpaladin]

Obviously not, Cursed City was meant to be a one and done, nevermind these community posts....

[@Andrew-yl7lm]

@@Waywardpaladin well the other stand alone games all had expansions. Silver tower, Blackstone fortress etc

[@Waywardpaladin]

@@Andrew-yl7lm Right, I was being sarcastic. The release of the Cursed City figures as stand alones certainly implies it was the paper printed components and not the figures v that was the issue.

[@josephzipprich775]

kritza is a total starscream

[@ashleysandford5096]

Just preordered belladamma, love this lore

[@leviwatson8926]

I read somewhere that it was actually a wolf godbeast that created this bloodline

[@atragonx7939]

I was rather hoping GW would take the concept of "Soulblight" as more than just a synonym for vampire. I didn't get GW werewolves, but this is at least a first step in that direction. They spent most of the release updating older models, so maybe they'll expand more on that later.

[@heathenpride7931]

I’d rather them update older models than make new ones tbh, if it’s not a brand new army. They can always add more later.

[@TomSenseii007]

I really hope it gets se type of second big release like the Lumineth. I'd love more Vyrkos and Avengorii

[@heathenpride7931]

@@TomSenseii007 it almost certainly will imo. This seems like it’s begging for a second release and given the recent track record I wager it will be 18-24 months until a second wave comes.

[@billdavis2590]

"Blood is for closers" lol

[@eldenwarden9673]

I like the faction as a whole. And I was thinking of investing in some models before they came out. But tbh I'm not sold on the wolf aesthetic. I prefer the "regal, knightly" type. Idk. Just sayin.

[@anotherperson2627]

I disagree but it's definently valid

[@CrusadiaIX]

In that case, the Kastelai are all about the regal, knightly type

[@Madbamlooted]

I wish they would do something for the children of Ulric if they are going to go the wolf route, that would just be awesome

[@alexeivoncarstein8286]

They’re trying to get away from old fantasy

[@D34DM4NW47K1N6]

I wonder how the Skaven feel about the Rat Prince :o

[@lordkroak8457]

They remind me of michael corvin from underworld and it's strange how they might be descended from a god beast and I bet you kritza goes round hunting down skaven and drinking there blood because that cloak looks like skaven head

[@duncancross2291]

100% agree, give me my wolf army

[@coldshoulder8550]

The army I am planning is going to be Lets say a mix of Vykros and Avengorii . Vykros whom have almost fully givin' into their inner animal so that they may be closer to that of the patron god beast . Raddukar the beast being represented by my limited edition skinwolf and shamanistic necromancers and mortal followers trying to earn the blood kiss made using models from the untamed beasts . not to mention vampire lords converted from 40k space wolf wulfen models. Since I have seven skin wolves the other 6 will be my vargheists . as for belladamma ... She is going to be her good old self as the mother of the vykros line she is perfect as is.

[@Breakfst4dinner]

If wulfhart from fantasy battles ever got the blood kiss

[@auroralee]

Really not a fan of "Russian Grandmother on Wolf" but the Vyrkos is still a cool bloodline. Cant wait to see the Avengorii

[@ryanong3517]

Very Gangrel.

[@oscarknutsson8843]

Yeeeeeeeeeees!

[@varanaut1308]

Are there skinwolves in AoS

[@АрвигБадмаев-и1э]

They had rules in Forgeworld AoS compendium, and in Scourge of Fate book main character spent some teenage years living with skinwolves in chaos wastelands (this is veeery brief mention). That's all I knew

[@lockkey1980]

Spoiler warning for cursed city ending would be appreciated

[@jamesgorman5241]

Hound of the Cairns? Scottish vamps?

[@Dreadnautilus]

Like Space Wolves if they were actually cool.

[@RemnentsPasts]

I wont lie it bugs me the way you pronounce Radukar. You: Raj - eh - car Correct: Ra - doo - car