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Trollslayer

Trollslayer is a fantasy by British author William King, published by as the first volume in the Gotrek and Felix series within the Warhammer Fantasy role-playing game universe. The book is an episodic collection of short stories that introduce the central characters: Gotrek Gurnisson, a grim Trollslayer driven by a vow to seek a heroic death in battle to redeem his past shame, and Jaeger, a human poet and swordsman who reluctantly accompanies him to chronicle his exploits. The narrative begins in the city of Altdorf, where swears a drunken to Gotrek, binding him to the Slayer's doomed quest across the —a medieval-inspired plagued by , monsters, and endless war. Key adventures in the collection include battles against trolls in mountain passes, mutant conspiracies in urban underbellies, beastmen hordes, and skaven ratmen, all framed through 's first-person accounts that provide a lens on the dwarf's unyielding . Trollslayer establishes the series' signature blend of high-stakes action, dark humor, and grimdark tone, with stories such as "Geheimnisnacht," "Wolf Riders," "The Mutant Master," and "The Dark Beneath the World" showcasing the duo's contrasting personalities—Gotrek's berserker rage and Felix's wit—as they confront sorcery, curses, and betrayal. The novel's structure as a compilation of interconnected tales, originally published in White Dwarf magazine, has made it a foundational work in Warhammer literature, spawning over a dozen sequels and influencing the franchise's portrayal of Slayers and heroic companionship.

Background

Gotrek and Felix series

The Gotrek and Felix series originated as a collection of short stories published in White Dwarf magazine during the late 1980s, created by author William King to explore the adventures of a death-seeking Dwarf Slayer and his human companion in the Warhammer Fantasy universe. King drew inspiration from the Slayer cult in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, developing the characters without an initial long-term plan, allowing their tales to evolve organically through episodic encounters. These early stories, such as those appearing in issues of White Dwarf and the anthology Ignorant Armies in 1989, laid the foundation for the duo's dynamic, with Felix Jaeger serving as the narrative viewpoint to humanize Gotrek Gurnisson's grim mindset. The series expanded into full novels under Black Library starting in 1999, with King authoring the first seven core installments: Trollslayer, Skavenslayer, Daemonslayer, Dragonslayer, Beastslayer, Vampireslayer, and Giantslayer. Subsequent volumes were written by other authors, including Nathan Long, who contributed five more novels to extend the primary arc, bringing the initial main novel count to twelve, with further novels by authors such as David Guymer, Josh Reynolds, and Nate Crowley expanding the series to over 20 main novels and numerous additional stories as of 2025. The full series encompasses over twenty volumes when including omnibus editions—such as the six official Black Library compilations that bundle novels and short stories—along with additional audio dramas and anthology contributions. This structure reflects the series' growth from magazine fiction to a cornerstone of Warhammer tie-in literature, with Trollslayer marking the inaugural Black Library novel release. Central to the series' enduring appeal is its portrayal of the unlikely dwarf-human companionship between Gotrek and , who navigate the perils of the while Gotrek pursues a heroic as per his oath. Recurring themes include the quest for through mortal combat, the clash of cultural perspectives in their partnership, and repeated confrontations with forces, monsters, and other existential threats that test their bond. These elements blend grimdark fantasy's relentless peril with moments of , establishing the duo as iconic figures whose exploits have shaped lore by integrating traditions and incursions into broader narratives.

Warhammer Fantasy setting

Warhammer Fantasy is a tabletop miniature wargame setting created by Games Workshop in 1983, blending historical wargaming principles with mythic fantasy elements to depict epic battles in a richly detailed world. The setting was revived in 2024 with the release of Warhammer: The Old World, a new edition of the tabletop game. The core of this universe is the Old World, a grimdark analogue to medieval Europe characterized by feudal kingdoms, ancient empires, and perilous wildernesses where magic and technology coexist amid constant threats of invasion and corruption. This setting emphasizes a perilous existence, with societies clinging to survival against monstrous hordes, undead legions, and otherworldly incursions, fostering a tone of unrelenting war, horror, and dark humor that satirizes traditional fantasy tropes without simplistic dichotomies of good versus evil. At the heart of the lies the , a sprawling human confederation of provinces unified under the divine founder Sigmar, serving as the cultural and military bulwark against encroaching darkness, equipped with advanced artillery, steam-powered war machines, and state-sanctioned wizards who harness the unpredictable Winds of Magic. To the south and east, the realms of Karaz Ankor form a network of impregnable mountain strongholds, including the grand capital Karaz-a-Karak, inhabited by stoic, grudge-holding artisans and warriors who value honor, craftsmanship, and unyielding resilience forged through millennia of conflict. Dwarfs embody a of ancestral oaths and engineering prowess, with elite units like Trollslayers—death-seeking berserkers who shave their heads, tattoo their bodies, and charge into suicidal combats against trolls and other beasts to reclaim lost honor. Looming from the frozen north, the Chaos Wastes represent the corrupting influence of the Ruinous Powers, four malevolent : Khorne, the lord of blood and martial fury; Tzeentch, the architect of change and sorcery; Nurgle, the harbinger of plague and endurance; and Slaanesh, the patron of excess and sensation. These entities spawn Warriors of Chaos—barbarian hordes bolstered by mutants, trolls, and daemonic allies—who raid southward, twisting flesh and minds into grotesque parodies of life. Complementing this are diverse races and factions: elegant yet aloof High Elves and reclusive Wood Elves guarding ancient realms with masterful archery and spellcraft; brutish Orcs and sly Goblins forming massive, rampaging Waaagh! tribes driven by instinctive violence; and feral Beastmen, goat-headed mutants who despise civilization and lurk in shadowed forests as harbingers of . The setting's themes revolve around moral ambiguity and satirical , where fragile alliances between races like humans and —exemplified in tales of unlikely partnerships—offer rare glimmers of unity amid betrayal, fanaticism, and the ever-present specter of and damnation, underscoring a world where heroism is as perilous as villainy.

Characters

Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger

Gotrek Gurnisson is a Trollslayer hailing from the Slayer Keep of Karak Kadrin, driven by a profound shame stemming from past crimes, the exact nature of which is not revealed in this volume. As a member of the Slayer , he has dedicated his life to seeking a glorious doom in battle against the most formidable foes, embodying the dwarven tradition of atonement through heroic death. Gotrek is depicted as a tattooed , his body marked with traditional Slayer tattoos that symbolize his vows, while he wields a massive rune-axe forged by ancient , which grants him enhanced resilience and combat prowess through its embedded dwarven runes. His dour, fatalistic personality often borders on madness, fueled by an unyielding thirst for a worthy end that eludes him despite countless battles. Felix Jaeger, a human from the imperial city of Altdorf, is the son of a prosperous merchant and initially leads a life as a university student, aspiring , and minor political agitator critical of the Empire's establishment. After becoming entangled with authorities due to his subversive activities, Felix flees Altdorf and finds himself bound to Gotrek through a rash, alcohol-fueled oath sworn during a night of revelry. As an unwilling companion, he evolves into a skilled swordsman, eventually claiming the enchanted blade Karaghul from a fallen templar killed by a mutated , which bolsters his abilities in combat. Felix serves as the series' narrator and moral counterpoint, his reflective and pragmatic nature often highlighting the absurdities of their perilous journeys while he chronicles Gotrek's exploits. The dynamic between Gotrek and Felix is forged by this unbreakable oath, compelling Felix to accompany the Slayer until Gotrek meets his anticipated doom, creating a companionship rooted in dwarven and alliance against the forces of in the Warhammer Fantasy world. Gotrek's grim and reckless pursuit of death starkly contrast with Felix's for and occasional bursts of humor, generating ongoing , reluctant , and comedic interplay as they navigate dangers together. Their bond originates amid the Empire's Geheimnisnacht , where Felix's cements their partnership, propelling them into a life of unending adventure.

Supporting characters

In Trollslayer, supporting characters consist largely of one-off figures who embody the grim perils of the Warhammer Fantasy setting, serving as temporary allies, victims, or foes to highlight themes of corruption, betrayal, and survival. These include ordinary humans and dwarfs caught in Chaos's grasp, as well as monstrous antagonists tied to specific Chaos gods, without any truly recurring minor roles across the collection. The first story, "Geheimnisnacht (Night of Secrets)," features the innkeeper's family at the Standing Stones Inn, comprising the unnamed innkeeper, his wife , and their son Gunter, who represent typical folk providing initial refuge and local knowledge to travelers like Gotrek and . Accompanying peddlers share tales of regional threats, underscoring the vulnerability of border communities to supernatural dangers. Additionally, appears as a young woman linked to village , illustrating the human cost of incursions. In "Wolf Riders," Kirsten emerges as a resilient frontier woman who forms a bond with , exemplifying hardy settlers on the 's edges, while von Diehl serves as a temporary companion aiding their journey through perilous territories. These figures emphasize alliances forged in isolation against nomadic threats like wolf riders. "The Dark Beneath the World" introduces a band of templars— knights inspired by miniatures—who join Gotrek and in subterranean , symbolizing chivalric duty amid ancient horrors and ghostly apparitions tied to dwarven lore. Key among them are Aldred Keppler and Zauberlich. In "The Mark of Slaanesh," Gotrek suffers from a , and Felix leads efforts against Slaaneshi cultists; the Kryptblut provides aid in restoring Gotrek's . "Blood and Darkness" spotlights , a champion leading a beastman raid on a village, and , an orphaned girl who survives the attack and aids in Justine's defeat, symbolizing innocence confronting 's brutality. In the mutant-focused "The Mutant Master," the Albericht Kruger acts as a scholarly ally from of Blutdorf, using his knowledge to combat a hidden of afflicted humans, highlighting betrayal within isolated communities. "Ulric's Children" involves Magdalena, a young girl captured by Tzeentchian ists as bait for her father, Count , representing the blurred line between victim and beast; antagonists include the cult leader Voorman wielding warp-tainted artifacts. Antagonist archetypes recur thematically: trolls and goblins as brutish foes in early adventures, Khorne berserkers driven by bloodlust, Slaanesh priests promoting hedonistic corruption, and mutant hordes led by champions of Nurgle or Tzeentch, each reinforcing the Chaos gods' distinct corruptions while Gotrek and Felix interact with them as slayers of monstrosities. Human and dwarf victims or reluctant allies, such as soldiers or kinfolk, frequently underscore the setting's atmosphere of inevitable decay and fragile loyalties.

Publication history

Development and origins

William King, a British fantasy author born in , , drew upon his experiences with wargaming and games to create the foundational story for Trollslayer. He wrote "Geheimnisnacht" in 1988 as a one-off , inspired by the popularity of Slayer characters—dwarves seeking honorable death in battle—during his campaigns with friends in . In the initial draft, the dwarf protagonist Gotrek was intended to perish in combat against mutants, but King revised the ending upon recognizing the potential for ongoing adventures with his human companion , who served as the narrative viewpoint to humanize the dwarf's mindset. The story first appeared in print in 1989 within the Games Workshop anthology Ignorant Armies, marking the debut of Gotrek and in the Fantasy universe. Encouraged by positive reception from , where King had joined as a writer in 1989 after contributing to projects like Codex Titanicus, he expanded the concept into a series of short stories and novellas written primarily between 1989 and the early 1990s. The stories' original publications include "Geheimnisnacht" in #119 (1989), "Wolf Riders" in #121 (1989), "The Dark Beneath the World" in Red Thirst anthology (1990), "The Mark of Slaanesh" in #132 (1990), "Blood and Darkness" in #144 (1991), "The Mutant Master" in Inferno! #1 (1997), and "Ulric's Children" in Inferno! #13 (1999). Some early tales, such as "Wolf Riders" and "The Dark Beneath the World," were published in anthologies, while later ones like "The Mutant Master" appeared in Inferno! magazine starting with its inaugural issue in 1997. An attempt to compile these into a full novel in the early 1990s faltered when Books was restructured and its fiction line temporarily canceled amid company shifts, delaying the project for several years. King's inspirations for the characters and structure blended classic fantasy tropes with the grimdark tone of . Gotrek embodied the berserker fury of Viking warriors from sagas, adapted into the suicidal cult, while Felix echoed reluctant heroes like from J.R.R. Tolkien's works, a cultured poet thrust into perilous quests. The episodic format drew from pulp sword-and-sorcery tales, such as Robert E. Howard's stories and Fritz Leiber's duo, emphasizing violent action, humor, and subversion of heroic clichés within a world of inevitable corruption by . Through these narratives, King aimed to delve into themes of moral decay and the encroaching influence of , reflecting the bleak realism of the setting that first captivated him via influences like and .

Editions and adaptations

Trollslayer was first published by in August 1999 as a edition collecting seven short stories originally appearing in various publications, including White Dwarf magazine, anthologies, and Inferno! magazine. A version followed later that year. In 2003, it was included in Gotrek & : The First , a compilation also featuring Skavenslayer and Daemonslayer. A reprint of the standalone appeared in 2006. Subsequent releases include a ebook edition offered on the website in October 2010. The was republished in 2013 as part of the Classics series in paperback format. The 20th Anniversary Edition, released in November 2019, features a new foreword by author William King and is available in both ebook and hardcover formats with enhanced artwork. Audio adaptations include an unabridged released by on November 29, 2019, narrated by Jonathan Keeble and running approximately 9 hours and 56 minutes. As of 2025, no or television adaptations of Trollslayer have been produced. International editions include translations in (Trolltöter, 2000), (Tueur de Trolls, 2001), and (Exterminador de Trolls, 2004), often bundled in Gotrek & Felix collections for those markets.

Plot summary

Overall narrative

Trollslayer is an comprising seven linked short stories that the early adventures of the dwarf Slayer Gotrek Gurnisson and his human companion Felix Jaeger in the Fantasy universe. The narrative is presented in the first person from Felix's perspective, as he records their exploits following a fateful sworn during a chaotic festival in Altdorf, the Imperial capital. This structure allows each tale to stand alone while forming a chronological sequence that traces the duo's perilous wanderings across the , from urban intrigue to remote mountain wilds. The overall arc builds from the pair's unlikely formation to increasingly dire confrontations with the forces of , emphasizing their evolving partnership amid a grimdark setting where survival often clashes with oaths of heroic doom. Themes of inescapable , the tension between and , and the bonds of companionship in a brutal world permeate the collection, laying foundational lore for the broader Gotrek and Felix series. The duo's dynamic—Gotrek's relentless pursuit of a glorious contrasting Felix's reluctant chronicles—drives the episodic progression without a singular overarching plot. Pacing is brisk, blending high-stakes action with horror-infused encounters, as the self-contained stories escalate in intensity while maintaining sequential continuity in the characters' journey.

Geheimnisnacht (Night of Secrets)

"Geheimnisnacht," the opening story in William King's Trollslayer, introduces the protagonists Gotrek Gurnisson and Jaeger as they embark on their inaugural adventure amid the perils of the Warhammer Fantasy world. The narrative begins with the duo's recent formation of a blood-brothership in Altdorf, where , a disgraced and son of a , swears a drunken oath to accompany the dwarf Trollslayer Gotrek and chronicle his quest for a heroic death in epic verse. This bond, forged in the chaos of a city riot during which Gotrek rescues from imperial cavalry, sets the stage for their reluctant partnership, with serving as both companion and reluctant bard. As they travel away from Altdorf on a during the ominous Geheimnisnacht —a festival night steeped in superstition and evil omens—the pair is ejected from the vehicle following a confrontation over Gotrek's distinctive tattoo. Stranded in the foreboding Reikwald forest, they encounter a mysterious black coach that nearly runs them down, heightening the atmosphere of dread. Seeking shelter at the nearby Standing Stones Inn, and Gotrek learn from the locals about recent disappearances, including those of villagers Gunter and , amid whispers of ancient curses tied to the nearby Darkstone Ring—a circle of six obscene standing stones said to harbor dark powers. Drawn by Gotrek's unyielding drive for combat and Felix's growing sense of obligation, the duo investigates the vanishings, uncovering a sinister Slaaneshi cult orchestrating human sacrifices to summon daemonic entities. The cult, composed of corrupted humans and beastmen, conducts depraved rituals at the Darkstone Ring, where the black coach delivers victims, including a terrified , for offering to the God of excess and . In a climactic confrontation, Gotrek and Felix disrupt the ceremony: Gotrek charges into battle with his rune-axe, felling mutants and cultists, while Felix, armed with a , slays the cult leader and prevents the daemon's manifestation. This marks Felix's harrowing first direct exposure to , confronting the visceral allure and horror of its corrupting influence, which tempts with forbidden sensations even as it twists flesh and soul. The story delves into core themes, prominently introducing the Slayer oath that compels Gotrek to seek an honorable doom as atonement for an unspecified past shame, embodying dwarven fatalism and warrior honor. Parallel to this, the narrative explores the seductive peril of corruption through the Slaaneshi cult's rituals, illustrating how the forces of disorder prey on human weaknesses during vulnerable nights like Geheimnisnacht. The resolution proves bittersweet: although the ritual is thwarted and the surviving child is rescued and delivered to a , the search reveals the mutilated remains of Gunter and , underscoring the tragic cost of the cult's atrocities on the innocent families of the . This grim outcome reinforces the duo's perilous path, solidifying their alliance as they press onward into further dangers.

Wolf Riders

In "Wolf Riders," the second tale in Trollslayer, Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger join a caravan led by Baron Gottfried von Diehl, who is fleeing a devastating from his home province in the Empire's eastern reaches, seeking new lands in the Border Princes. The group travels through the perilous Grey Mountains and into the haunted Cursed Hills, where the ancient curse afflicting the von Diehl family begins to manifest, first through eerie attacks that rise from the graves of fallen , signaling the supernatural doom tied to their bloodline. As the caravan presses on, becomes entangled in a budding romance with Kirsten, the Baron's strong-willed daughter, whom he first defends in a brawl against lecherous trappers named Hef, Kell, and , one of whom perishes amid the ensuing of an assault. The journey escalates into repeated ambushes by ferocious wolf riders, a horde of greenskin raiders mounted on snarling beasts, who harry the settlers relentlessly under the command of a cunning shaman, forcing the group to hole up in a dilapidated fort for a desperate . Gotrek, ever eager for glorious , revels in the fray, single-handedly slaying scores of the attackers and losing an eye to a goblin arrow in the process, while grapples with his growing affection for Kirsten amid the encroaching horror of the family's curse. Tensions within the caravan peak with the betrayal of , the 's ambitious nephew, who reveals himself as the key to "breaking" —not through , but by systematically murdering his kin to sever the tainted lineage, including slaying the wounded himself. In a climactic confrontation, discovers Kirsten's dying form after she succumbs to the curse's mutative effects and Manfred's treachery, spurring him to and kill the traitor in vengeful combat. Gotrek holds the fort's gate alone against the onslaught long enough for the survivors to be rescued by a local Prince's forces, shattering the immediate curse through bloodshed and revelation, though is left heartbroken by Kirsten's loss. The story underscores themes of inescapable familial doom and fleeting love in a world beset by monstrous perils, with the duo departing once more in search of Gotrek's fated end.

The Dark Beneath the World

In "The Dark Beneath the World," Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger embark on a perilous journey to the ruined hold of Karak Eight Peaks in the World's Edge Mountains, drawn by tales of lost treasure and ancient evils lurking below. Accompanying them is Aldred Keppler, a templar of the Order of the Fiery Heart, who seeks the legendary rune sword Karaghul, a blade forged to combat but long lost in the depths of the fallen stronghold. Gotrek, bound by his Slayer oath and deep ties to , views the expedition as an opportunity to honor his ancestral heritage while pursuing a glorious death in battle. As the group delves into the subterranean ruins, they face relentless goblin ambushes orchestrated by the greenskin hordes that infest the tunnels, forcing desperate skirmishes amid crumbling galleries and trap-laden corridors. The perils escalate when they confront a massive, -mutated troll—its form twisted with warpstone corruption, sprouting extra limbs and grotesque features—that guards the sword's resting place after slaying Keppler. In the ensuing , spectral dwarfs, remnants of the hold's long-dead defenders trapped by the desecration, provide ethereal aid to the intruders, guiding them through the darkness and aiding in the beast's defeat. The narrative explores themes of dwarf heritage, emphasizing Gotrek's unyielding connection to his people's storied past and the reverence for ancestral holds like Karak Eight Peaks, while underscoring the inherent dangers of Chaos-tainted artifacts such as Karaghul, which promise power at the risk of corruption. Ultimately, Felix claims the sword after the troll's demise, earning the title of "Dwarf Friend" for his role in cleansing and freeing the dwarf spirits from their torment, allowing the survivors to escape the ruins' encroaching horrors.

The Mark of Slaanesh

In "The Mark of Slaanesh," Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger arrive at a remote village plagued by the insidious corruption of Slaanesh, the Chaos God embodying excess and sensation, where the inhabitants indulge in hedonistic rituals that erode their morals and foster a hidden . The duo's journey is interrupted when Gotrek sustains a severe head in a skirmish, leading to profound that leaves him enthralled by the village's temptations; stripped of his Slayer rage and memories, he adopts a docile, pleasure-seeking demeanor, wandering aimlessly and rejecting violence. Felix, separated from his companion, goes undercover among the villagers to investigate the cult's grip and orchestrate Gotrek's rescue, navigating a web of seductive deceptions and moral dilemmas posed by the Slaaneshi influence. He allies with a local alchemist to perform a requiring a rare ingredient sourced from dangerous mountain terrain, a quest that tests Felix's resolve and highlights the theme of pleasure as a subtle form of corruption, luring even the stoutest hearts toward . The ultimately restores Gotrek's memories and identity, reigniting his Slayer fury and breaking the enthrallment. Reunited, Gotrek and Felix launch a ruthless purge of the cultists, slaughtering the Slaaneshi devotees and shattering the village's corruption in a climactic confrontation that reaffirms their bond. The story delves into themes of and , portraying not merely as loss but as a vulnerability exploited by , forcing Felix to confront his own reliance on Gotrek's unyielding purpose amid a setting where sensory indulgence masks deeper spiritual decay. With the village freed, the pair presses onward, their exploits continuing in the grim world of the .

Blood and Darkness

In "Blood and Darkness," Gotrek and Felix traverse the perilous Drakwald Forest, where they encounter the remnants of a village devastated by brutal beastmen raids. Amid the carnage, they discover a young girl named , the sole survivor, who has been separated from her family during the attack. Compelled by a sense of duty, the duo agrees to escort Kat to safety, unaware that she is being hunted by a warband of beastmen led by , a formidable Chaos champion devoted to Khorne. Justine, revealed to be Kat's own mother, has fallen deep into the corrupting influence of Khorne's , transforming her into a merciless warrior who views her daughter as a sacrificial offering in profane blood rituals designed to summon greater daemonic forces. This familial betrayal forms the story's horrifying core, as Justine's obsession with slaughter overrides any , driving her to lead relentless pursuits through the shadowed woods. The beastmen's raids escalate, marked by savage ambushes and ritualistic desecrations that emphasize the theme of 's insidious corruption, turning once-human figures into vessels of unending violence. As Gotrek and navigate the forest's dangers, they confront waves of beastmen in ferocious battles, with Gotrek's fury particularly suited to the close-quarters carnage against the horned horrors. The narrative delves into maternal horror through Justine's tragic descent, portraying her not merely as a but as a of Chaos's perversion, culminating in a climactic showdown where Gotrek and disrupt the impending and defeat the horde, while Kat intervenes to kill Justine, ending the threat and allowing her own rescue and return to relative safety, though the emotional scars of betrayal and loss linger, underscoring the story's exploration of irreversible corruption.

The Mutant Master

In "The Mutant Master," the sixth story in William King's Trollslayer anthology, Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger encounter a sinister threat after surviving a mutant ambush on the road between Altdorf and Middenheim. Seeking shelter at a remote village inn called The Hanged Man, the duo learns from fearful locals that children from nearby settlements have been vanishing, kidnapped by a reclusive named who dwells in a foreboding tower and conducts horrific experiments to create monstrous hybrids. Drawn by the promise of battle, Gotrek insists on investigating, leading them to the tower where , a former associate of from his days in Nuln, imprisons the pair upon their arrival. The , driven by intellectual ambition to master through alchemical and sorcerous means, has been twisting the stolen children into grotesque, animal-human abominations influenced by the corrupting forces of . Betrayed by the duplicitous villagers who lured the heroes into the trap for their own survival, Gotrek and are subjected to Kruger's , a of laboratories filled with failed experiments and a horde of malformed mutants. The narrative builds tension through Felix's tense reunion with Kruger, marked by wry dialogue that underscores the sorcerer's hubris in playing god with forbidden knowledge, while highlighting the tragic dehumanization of his young victims. As the duo plots their escape amid the chaos of Kruger's unstable creations, a climactic battle erupts against the mutant horde, with Gotrek reveling in the fray and Felix fighting for survival. The story culminates in the sorcerer's downfall during the confrontation, as his overreaching experiments backfire, allowing the heroes to destroy the tower and avenge the afflicted children by razing the site of their torment. Thematically, "The Mutant Master" explores scientific , portraying Kruger's pursuit of mutational mastery as a perilous folly that invites Chaos's taint, and depicts not merely as but as a profound stripping innocence from the vulnerable. This installment balances violence with the series' signature dry humor, particularly in Gotrek's stoic grumbling and Felix's evolving cynicism, marking a key step in the latter's transformation from naive scholar to battle-hardened companion.

Ulric's Children

"Ulric's Children" serves as the seventh and final tale in William King's Trollslayer collection, shifting the focus to themes of transformation, insanity, and the erosion of purity amid the encroaching influence of . As the duo ventures deeper into the escalating array of manifestations across the stories, this installment introduces the machinations of Tzeentch worshippers, emphasizing and over previous encounters with other dark forces. The narrative opens with Jaeger separated from Gotrek Gurnisson during a fierce in the Drakwald Forest, where they stumble upon a besieged under assault by a pack of enormous wolves. Captured by the defenders—soldiers led by a fanatical of Ulric hunting what they deem abominations— is imprisoned as potential bait, suspected of lycanthropic taint due to his unexpected arrival. His rescuer proves to be a enigmatic young woman, revealed as the daughter of a of Ulric, afflicted with the curse of transformation that marks her as one of "Ulric's Children," a rare lineage blending divine wolf-aspect with tragic monstrosity. Unbeknownst to the hunters, the true antagonists are a covert of Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change and sorcery, who orchestrate the wolf attacks to isolate and ensnare the for their nefarious designs. , now entangled in their scheme, witnesses the cult's possession ritual, a horrifying ceremony intended to corrupt the girl's innate power into a vessel for daemonic madness, amplifying Tzeentch's themes of inevitable alteration and psychological unraveling. The story builds to a visceral confrontation with the beast form of the , forcing into a profound quandary: whether to the of Chaos's touch or align with the persecutors, underscoring the loss of innocence as purity succumbs to the gods' whims. In the , Gotrek arrives to aid in vanquishing the , but is forced to slay the transformed to thwart their plan, with victory coming at a steep emotional cost, leaving haunted by the irreversible consequences of the night's events and the blurred lines between hunter and hunted. This grim coda reinforces the collection's exploration of Chaos's pervasive corruption, with the madness of change lingering as an indelible scar on the survivors.

Reception

Critical response

Trollslayer has received generally positive reviews from fantasy literature critics, who praise its fast-paced action and episodic structure within the grimdark Warhammer Fantasy setting. A 2020 review in Grimdark Magazine described it as "fast-paced grimdark fun," likening it to "the grimdark version of popcorn fiction" with an "easygoing and entertaining style" that features strong character dynamics between the dwarf Slayer Gotrek and his human companion Felix, and no weak entries among its short stories. Similarly, a 2006 SFFWorld review highlighted the novel's breakdown into standalone chapters that function as short stories, noting that this format "breaks the book up nicely" and imparts a personal, memoir-like quality through Felix's prefaces. The book holds an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 on Goodreads, based on over 5,900 user ratings, reflecting broad appreciation for its adventurous tone. Critics have also pointed to some shortcomings, particularly in its and resolutions. A 2025 review on Hammer Blow Reviews characterized Trollslayer as a "rocky start" for the Gotrek and series, citing dated 1980s-style with "strange repetition" and overreliance on tropes like the "threat of " to build tension, especially in weaker later stories. The same analysis noted anticlimactic endings in the final tales, such as "The Mutant Master" and "Ulric's Children," where threats resolve abruptly without fanfare, with Gotrek's returns feeling unceremonious. From a literary , Trollslayer draws clear influences from fantasy traditions, as acknowledged by author William King, who cited classics like , Elric, and as inspirations for the Gotrek and Felix duo's sword-and-sorcery adventures. King's skillful blending of humor—often through Felix's wry narration—and visceral elements, such as brutal combats and chaotic horrors, has been lauded in discussions of tie-in fiction for elevating the series beyond typical game-based novels. In November 2025, Trollslayer was inducted into the Black Library Readers' Hall of Fame (Class of 1989-1998), recognizing its foundational role in literature. While the book has not received major literary awards or nominations, it is regarded as foundational to Black Library's success in Fantasy publishing, establishing the enduring Gotrek and Felix series that has spanned multiple authors and omnibus editions.

Fan reception

Fans in online communities, such as discussions, have debated the dated elements of Trollslayer, including its episodic format and stylistic choices from the late , yet consistently affirm it as an essential entry point for Fantasy newcomers due to its vivid world-building and character introductions. Reviewers often praise the high in audio formats, noting how the immersive narration enhances the fast-paced action and makes repeated listens enjoyable for exploring the duo's dynamic. helping launch the Gotrek and series as a of fiction with over 5,900 Goodreads ratings averaging 4.0 out of 5 as of 2025. Its lasting appeal is demonstrated by the 2019 20th anniversary edition, which included a new foreword by author William King and glossy internal art to attract both longtime fans and new readers. The 2024 release of Warhammer: The Old World further revived interest in Fantasy, contributing to renewed engagement with classic lore such as Gotrek and . The novel is particularly beloved by fans for the sharp banter between the gruff Gotrek and the reluctant poet , as well as the diverse array of foes that showcase the setting's variety, often cited as highlights in reader feedback. Criticisms commonly focus on pacing issues in the short stories, which some find repetitive or less cohesive compared to the more novel-length entries in the series. Trollslayer has inspired a vibrant cultural footprint, with fans creating memes centered on Gotrek's profane rants and prolific depicting the duo's exploits across platforms like . Its popularity received a significant boost from the 2019 audiobook edition, narrated by Keeble, which earned a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Audible from over 3,000 reviews, lauded for capturing the characters' voices and the story's intensity.

References

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    Trollslayer eBook - Black Library
    In stock 30-day returnsTrollslayer (20th Anniversary Edition). A Gotrek Gurnisson novel. When Felix Jaeger, a student, poet and minor political agitator, swears a drunken oath to a ...
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    Trollslayer (Gotrek & Felix, #1) by William King - Goodreads
    Rating 4.0 (5,971) Adventure awaits, as Felix records the mighty deeds of Gotrek Gurnisson, Trollslayer. ... A surly, doom-seeking dwarf and a young human poet with no experience of ...
  3. [3]
    REVIEW: Trollslayer by William King - Grimdark Magazine
    Feb 28, 2020 · Trollslayer is a collection of several stories that follow the pair as they deal with the dark and violent world surrounding them.Missing: short | Show results with:short
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