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The Skaven are a race of anthro rat-men, who inhabit the caves, tunnels, mines, and sewers of the Warhammer Fantasy world. They control a vast Under-Empire which reaches from the Southlands to Kislev and from Estalia to the Far East.

The god of the Skaven is the Horned Rat, whose high priests form the Council of Thirteen. The direct agents of the Council are an order called the Grey Seers. Most of Skaven society is organised into innumerable clans, all of which are ruled by the Council. The four Great clans mercilessly dominate the weaker Warlord clans.

Skaven are usually around four to five feet tall when they stand up straight, although the largest can reach six feet tall. Fur covers their bodies except for their ears, muzzles, hands and fleshy rat tails. Female Skaven are rare and, at most, semi-intelligent but are capable of giving birth to huge litters very frequently.

Fur colour indicates a Skaven's role in society. Most Skaven are brown or piebald. White or grey is rare and indicates leadership, intelligence and especially sorcerous ability. Those with black or dark brown fur tend to be the largest and the colour is considered the mark of a born killer, and most dark furred Skaven become elite warriors or assassins.

From Lexicanum Maximus Imperialis.