So I’ve been mulling ideas over recently for how things could develop, both for my army and my view of chaos dwarfs in AoS.
It’s got me thinking of three ideas. Which in principle could exist seperately, but would compliment together Imo.
The first (as I eluded to a while back in a different thread) was the idea that as their race has gone down the highly pragmatic evil sorcery mechanical route, over time they would be adapted physically to one specific role.
Just as an example a gunner being “hard wired” / mechanically attached to his cannon.
Perfect for a never ending war. Not so great for raising beardlings lol.
The second idea is that they have been forsaken as a whole by hashut, and have mutated beyond simply tusks.
The third, inspired by reading the ahriman novels, amongst others, is the idea of individual chaos dwarfs being elevated far, far beyond what they were before. Just as an example, maybe a remote traveller called The Shadow or the terror who is a whirling shadow of death and despair. Obviously with a physical body there somewhere, but far more terrifying than in 8th Ed. So imagining them as being almost extinct as a species, but individually far more powerful than before.
Wild ideas, as befits a brave new setting. Although I’ve never been a fan of dying race themes, it’s still a potent concept, and I look forward to see sketches or conversions depicting any or all of these fresh ideas, Grimstonefire.
I had some thoughts do what you wish with them. Here goes:
How about the Dawi Zharr are survivors of greater DZ empire fractured in Storm of Sigmar. One group retreats to realm of metal. There they start again with new city state. However this realm has been under Tzeentch for a while. New non Hashut like mutations arise. Confusion in the populace, civil strife and two new contrasting ideologies arise:
One sees non-Hashut like mutation as a curse, punishment for their failure and a sign they are �?~forsaken�?T. Response is surgical removal of the mutations and cybernetic replacement (realm of metal influencing races). Removal of mutations also driven by pre-genetic ideas of heritability. If mutations removed before breeding less likely to be passed on. Thus drive for Dawi Zharr racial purity. Furthermore cybernetic body alteration determines caste/profession not other way round.
Second ideology embraces new mutation as blessings of chaos (could stick with Hashut or convert to different power how you like ?Mala?)
Result civil war and establishment of new city state/empire.
Your third idea could arise out of extreme mutation both in physical form and special abilities. These could be leaders or feared exiles of/from the second group.
Really had too much time on my hands this evening. Hope these ideas help and don�?Tt offend.
Cool concepts, IMO AoS is over a place for growth. Most races aren’t really on the brink of destruction anymore but more like clawing their way back/out. Sure there have been many civilizations that’s fallen during the history, but the setting could be one of wealth and expansion as well.
If we assume Hashut is still there, most gods have got their smaller “kingdoms” ex all the variants of Death in Shyish. My take would be even more on the halfbreeds and classical elements. More and lesser mutations being more common, given the Necroquake maybe even living ston sorcerers coming “back” to life etc.
Maybe even existing in our own small place within the realm of Chaos? On constant raids for slaves and labour through the realms and realm stone of Chamon among the most priced material for our demonic creations?
Another concept, much like the sigmarines, is that each time one if them dies they are simply brought back to life but changed by hashut a little each time.
Depending on his whims or his view of the future for that DZ
That would work well with either of the first two ideas. The DZ could be brought back with cybernetic implants/prosthetics or using mutations to repair replace bits. The oldest most respected DZ therefore would be the most er modified.
