Shadowblade can be fielded in a Dark Elf army and counts as a Lord choice. He must be fielded exactly as described here and may not be given any additional equipment. Like all Assassins, he may not be the army's General.

hadowblade is still young in Dark Elf terms, being a mere 150 years old. His reputation, however, is already legendary. Stories of his grisly adventures are used as the basis of ballads sung by Dark Elf minstrels, or as bedtime stories for Dark Elf children. Possibly his most famous exploit was the murder of the entire crew of a High Elf Hawkship, one by one over a period of several days. Only the horribly mutilated captain was left alive, so that he could tell of the days and nights of mounting horror on the ship as the crew desperately attempted to corner Shadowblade, but without success.

Almost imperceptibly, the shadow slipped over the outer wall of the Dark Lord's residence and dropped silently to the ground on the other side. Shadowblade was frequently called upon by Hellebron to dispose of her political opponents or those who had wronged her in some way, however slight their indiscretion.

He had no opinions about the murders he committed for his mistress, only that he had been ordered to carry them out and that he enjoyed nothing more. He like the way a body went limp as a poisoned dagger was slipped between its ribs. He took pleasure in the contorted expressions of indescribable pain his victims exhibited under the effects of the agonising Black Venom.

Quite simply, he loved his work. And he was loyal. The only thing he valued more than being able to kill was loyalty, a quality indoctrinated into him from childhood during his harsh upbringing in the Temple of Khaine, ever since he was stolen from his parents' home on Death Night many, many years ago.

In the Temple he had learnt the deadly martial arts of the assassins of Khaine, studied the power of poisons, learnt how to move without making a sound and slip through shadows unseen, and that there was none more important than the Hag Queen, except the Witch King himself.

As Shadowblade sank his dagger up to its hilt into the back of the guard at the entrance to the tower he did not even think about his action. It was second nature to him and he did it automatically. The guards further into the tower likewise gave him no trouble, only becoming vaguely aware of his presence as he killed them.

Shadowblade, Master of Assassins

Points: 360

Weapons & Equipment: Two hand weapons coated with Dark Venom.

Master of Assassins:
Shadowblade is treated as an Assassin in all respects, with the exception of his Hidden rules. Shadowblade may be deployed in one of four ways: as normal; as a scout (with a unit of Shades if you desire); using the Hidden rules on page 11 of Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves; inside the enemy army. If he chooses to deploy in the enemy army, the following rules are used. After your opponent has deployed, secretly write down within which enemy unit Shadowblade has attempted to conceal himself. This must be a roughly man-sized infantry unit, or war machine crew (and includes Goblins, Dwarfs, Halflings and such, but nothing larger than man-sized – even Shadowblade cannot make himself look like an Ogre...).

At the start of each of the opposing army's turns, roll a D6. On a roll of a 2+, he is still undiscovered. On a roll of a 1, the enemy have seen through his disguise and he is placed on the table. Alternatively, at the start of any Dark Elf turn, Shadowblade can be revealed voluntarily. Regardless of how he is revealed, use the following method to place him on the table. Reveal to your opponent within which unit Shadowblade was hiding. Shadowblade replaces one of the models in the unit (he was killed before the battle), remove one ordinary unit member (not a Command model or Character). Place Shadowblade anywhere in contact with the unit. If he is revealed voluntarily, Shadowblade counts as charging that turn; if he was discovered then the enemy count as charging. Shadowblade may drink his Potion of Strength at the start of a turn in which he was voluntarily revealed.

Dark Venom: (see the Dark Elves Army book, page 22)
Dance of Doom: (see the Dark Elves Army book, page 23)
Touch of Death: (see the Dark Elves Army book, page 23)
Hand of Khaine: (see the Dark Elves Army book, page 23)
Cry of War: (see the Dark Elves Army book, page 23)

Heart of Woe:
The Heart of Woe is a large ruby that beats like a living heart. Should the bearer be slain, the crystal shatters into thousands of jagged shards, slaying those responsible for their death and leaving no remains to be identified. If Shadowblade is slain, centre the large Blast marker over his final position. Any model fully under is automatically hit, while models partially under are hit on a roll of 4+. Models hit by the exploding Heart of Woe take a Strength 3 hit.

Potion of Strength:
A potent magical brew created from Troll blood and the heart of a Griffon. Shadowblade may drink this at the start of any turn and it lasts until the start of the next player's turn. While it has an effect, the Potion gives Shadowblade +3 Strength.

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