The Bastion Stair Oldhammer to the Lands of Khorne the Chaos God of Blood
The Bastion Stairs: A Monument to Khorne’s Wrath
This is one of those Oldhammer masterpieces of marvelous high quality.
The Bastion Stairs: A Monument to Khorne’s Wrath
The Bastion Stairs are an imposing and nightmarish structure associated with Khorne, the Chaos God of war, bloodshed, and unrelenting fury. In the Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 universes, the exact dimensions of this towering edifice are left deliberately vague, enhancing its mythic and overwhelming presence. It is not merely a fortress but a relentless ascent into madness, a stairway lined with the remains of the slain, where warriors prove their worth through ceaseless battle. The very air is thick with the scent of blood, and every stone in its foundation has been drenched in the lifeblood of the fallen. The structure exists as both a physical challenge and a spiritual test, a place where only the strongest, most bloodthirsty warriors can ascend.
The Bastion Stairs in Warhammer Fantasy
In the realm of Warhammer Fantasy, the Bastion Stairs serve as a harrowing gateway into Khorne’s domain, depicted most vividly in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. This dungeon-like fortress is a testament to the brutality of Chaos, where only the most fearless—or foolish—dare to enter. The stairs are said to stretch endlessly, each step carved from the skulls of those who have fallen in battle. It is a place where warriors fight not just to survive, but to earn Khorne’s favor, for those who falter are cast aside as unworthy. Whether it is the mortal champions seeking ascension or doomed souls bound to eternal combat, the Bastion Stairs are a crucible of violence, a proving ground where death is the only certainty.
The Scale and Symbolism of the Bastion Stairs
While the precise size of the Bastion Stairs is never explicitly defined, its presence in lore suggests it spans miles upon miles, an endless climb toward the heights of Khorne’s throne. Unlike conventional structures, Chaos fortifications are not bound by mortal architecture; they are shaped by the raw will of the gods themselves. The stairs do not merely lead upward—they lead deeper into Khorne’s realm, where reality bends under the weight of bloodshed. The concept of the Bastion Stairs is not about physical distance but about endurance and slaughter. To ascend is to prove one’s worth through combat, to be judged solely by the blood spilled in Khorne’s name.
The Bastion Stairs in the Warhammer 40,000 Universe
Though more prominently featured in Warhammer Fantasy, the themes of the Bastion Stairs carry over into the grim darkness of the far future. In Warhammer 40,000, Khorne’s domain within the Warp is often described as an unending battlefield, where rivers of blood flow through titanic arenas of war. The Bastion Stairs, in this interpretation, could be part of the Path of Skulls—a grueling journey where Khorne’s mortal and daemon warriors battle endlessly to prove their supremacy. It is a place beyond mortal understanding, where champions of Chaos fight for the Blood God’s amusement, each battle feeding the ever-growing mountain of skulls. Though the setting may change, the purpose remains the same—only the strongest, most savage warriors will ascend.
The Endless Battle and Khorne’s Domain
The Bastion Stairs are more than just a structure; they are a reflection of Khorne’s very essence. Whether in Warhammer Fantasy or Warhammer 40,000, they embody the unrelenting violence and merciless nature of the Blood God. To step upon them is to embrace endless war, to acknowledge that one’s only worth is measured in bloodshed. In both universes, the Bastion Stairs represent the price of power in Khorne’s eyes—a price paid in the slaughter of countless foes. For those who seek his favor, there is no peace, no rest—only battle, forever climbing toward an uncertain fate, where glory and damnation are one and the same.