The Grey Order is somehow the most obvious and the most mysterious of the Colleges of Magic in The Old World. The shadowy grey color scheme is enough for most fantasy aficionados to get it in one: these are the tricksy, wandering type of mages. Like Gandalf before them, they are in touch with the weather, prone to wandering, and not averse to scheme-work if it makes the dream work.
The Grey College, or College of Shadow, uses the symbol of Ulgu as its banner. The Sword of Judgment is represented as arrow...because mystery. The motif is so consistent, that even when Mallus got killed and formed the Mortal Realms, an entire world of Shadow was birthed from the forces of grey magic invading the aether.
The Shadowmancers' main "campus" is in the Hexxerbezrik district of Altdorf. It's a shabby, rather small building which (as you might expect) is rumoured to be riddle with secret entrances and myriad tunnels and spaces below ground. From here, the college plot, execute contracts, and...not really teach. For, being suspicious by nature, the Shadowmancers very rarely take on apprentices.
As such, the Grey Order is full of assassins and tricksters and stormcrows. So is their Dungeon Bowl team.
Fast Facts
- Star Team: Umbral Blades
- Team Colours: Dark Grey & Purple
- Featured Players: Dark Elves, Skaven, Goblins
- Team Honours: Dungeon Bowl Champs 2478, 2480, 2488, 2499
Shadows in the Dungeon
The College of Shadow Dungeon Bowl roster has made some adjustments over the years. The first edition Grey teams were composed of Humans, Snotlings, and Ogres. Humans make sense as they tend to be the blanket characters for most settings, so why shouldn't the ybe sneaky? My beloved Snotties also seem appropriate since teeny tiny idiots are good at sticking to the shadows. But Ogres? Unless shadows are edible, I can't see an Ogre vibing with the Grey ones.
With the 2021 revamp, the Shadow College was one of teams featured in the core box. The Umbral Blades were composed using a sprue each of Skaven and Dark Elf players. It's a far swifter, stabbier team than their opponents in the Blazing Axes. Gutter Runners and Druchii assassins naturally outpace stuty dwarfs, but they are countered by the number of gnoblars ready to swarm the opposition and the ogres who love to throw them.
As such, the Umbral Blades do better when they utilize their speed and relatively low Agility tests to dodge around a flaming opponent.
Beyond the core box, a Shadow College team can recruit goblins, hobgoblins, and gnomes. At first, gnomes may seem at odds with the darker, more sinister peoples of Warhammer, but these little buddies thrive on trickery and illusion.
And happy delving.
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