Listen up ‘oomies to da tale of Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, the Prophet of the Waaagh!
Source: Our Friends at Lexicanum
Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the Waaagh!, known in the Imperium as The Beast of Armageddon, is the Ork Warlord of Waaagh! Ghazghkull and currently the most notorious Warboss of the 41st Millenium. He is infamous for his actions during both the Second and Third Armageddon Wars. Ghazghkull is a particularly megalomaniacal Ork, convinced he is blessed by the Ork gods Gork and Mork. He possesses a considerable measure of cunning, and in battle he tends to focus more on commanding his troops compared to other Warbosses, only engaging in combat himself at critical moments.
History
2nd edition illustration
In late M41, the Eldar of Ulthwe prevented a Waaagh! from endangering Craftworld Idharae. In the process, this act raised Ghazghkull Thraka to prominence.
The earliest records of Ghazghkull since that time were recorded nine years before theSecond War for Armageddon. At this time, Ghazghkull was a lowly Ork Boy in the armies on the planet of Urk (possibly where part of his name came from). A Space Marineforce of an unknown chapter raided the planet in the hopes of disrupting the Ork forces building up there. During the battle, a bolter round tore into Ghazghkull’s skull, destroying 30 percent of his skull and pulping a good portion of his brain. He was found by the notorious Painboy known as Mad Dok Grotsnik, who rebuilt his skull with adamantium. Somehow this enabled Ghazghkull’s latent psychic powers, convincing Ghazghkull that he had been somehow blessed by the Ork Gods and from here on in he claimed to be in communication with Gork and Mork. Convinced he was marked for great things, within six years he had risen to the rank of Warboss of his tribe.
A year later two events occurred, giving Ghazghkull the opportunity to further his dominance and begin a great Waaagh!. Firstly, Urk’s sun had begun to die. Severe solar flares caused many deaths from radiation. Secondly, a massive space hulk appeared in orbit around the planet, offering escape from certain death. Ghazghkull managed to subjugate the other tribes on Urk, who combined to form the genesis of a Waaagh!. Ghazghkull’s first base of operations was a deserted Fortress of Redemption, later renamed as Da Forktress. It has been vastly ‘upgraded’ by Orks. On the Urk Ghazghkull rode to battle on the “Da Killblasta” – big Battlewagon. After arriving of the Hulk, Ghazghkull renamed it asWurld Killa and set sail. While en-route through the warp, power systems on Ghazghkull’s hulk failed several times and the Warboss and his new Ork charges had to fight off continuous Daemonic attacks, providing them with plenty of battle experience.
The hulk found its way to the Armageddon system. Once sighted by the Imperium, the hulk was code-named Alveus Alpha Alpha Sextus by Imperial Administrators. Its weapons demolished the defences of the Armageddon system, including obsolete orbital satellites and small attack craft. Desperate messages were sent in the hope of acquiring aid. Three Space Marine Chapters began to organise themselves but would not be able to get there before the Orks landed. A month later the Orks disembarked, beginning the Second War for Armageddon in earnest on the day of the Feast of the Emperor’s Ascension in 941.M41.
Ghazhkull’s attempted conquest of Armageddon would be foiled by his arch-rival Commissar Yarrick, but the Warboss would later capture his hated enemy during the Battle of Golgotha. After a few weeks of torture, Ghazghkull decided Yarrick was too much fun for the “new” fight he was already planning and released the Commissar.
Fifty-seven years to the day after launching the Second Armageddon war, Ghazghkull once more invaded Armageddon, this time with an even larger Waaagh! at his disposal. Though initially conquering half the planet’s surface in extremely bloody fighting, Ghazghkull became bored with the stalemate that was developing on Armageddon. Leaving the settlement of the conflict to his Nobz, Ghazghkull left Armageddon in search of a new more exciting fight. His old enemy, Commissar Yarrick, followed him and vowed to slay the Warboss at all cost.
However after the Battle of Haunted Gulf Ghazghkull escaped Yarrick yet again and instead moved through the Warp to the Octarius Sector. There, he launched his new Great Waaagh!. However Ghazghkull continues to psychically visit his comrades on Armageddon occasionally, checking the situation and giving them tactical advice.
Learn more about the Battles for Armageddon
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
