The Ubersreik Four

Lore & Background

The Ubersreik Four are not a formal military unit but a desperate alliance forged in the chaos of the Skaven invasion. Each member comes from a distinct background: Kruber is a hardened Empire soldier, Saltzpyre a fanatical Witch Hunter, Kerillian a Waywatcher from the forests of Athel Loren, and Bardin a Dwarf Ranger from Karak Izor. Their paths cross in the burning streets of Ubersreik, where they band together to escape the city and later become a thorn in the Skaven's side. Their dynamic is fraught with tension—Saltzpyre's zealotry clashes with Kerillian's aloofness, while Bardin's gruff humor and Kruber's pragmatism often mediate.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in sheets over the ruins of Ubersreik, turning cobblestones into slick mirrors of firelight. Bardin grunted as he hefted his axe, the blade dripping with Skaven blood. 'More of them coming, lads—smell the warpstone on the air.' Kerillian nocked an arrow, her eyes scanning the shadows. 'Always the same with you, dwarf. Stating the obvious.' Saltzpyre muttered a prayer to Sigmar, his pistol already smoking. 'Enough bickering. They come, we kill. That is the order.' Kruber wiped his brow, a grim smile on his face. 'Aye, and after this, I'm finding a tavern that's still standing.' The Skaven poured from the sewers, and the Four stood as one—a wall of steel, faith, and fury against the tide.

Reader's Guide

In the Vermintide games, the Ubersreik Four (later Five) are the player characters, not a faction in the traditional sense. They operate as a small, independent warband with no formal hierarchy, though Saltzpyre often assumes leadership due to his authority as a Witch Hunter. Their goals are brutally simple: survive, kill Skaven and Chaos, and protect the Empire's remnants. They interact with other factions like the Empire's military (e.g., the Red Moon Inn as a base) and the mysterious Lohner, their handler. In Vermintide 2, they become more proactive, venturing into the Chaos Wastes and Helmgart. Unlike broader Warhammer canon, where such groups are rare, the game emphasizes their personal grudges and camaraderie over grand politics. They are the central protagonists, facing waves of enemies with no permanent allies, only temporary truces.

Did You Know?

• The Ubersreik Four were originally conceived as a homage to the classic 'four heroes' trope common in cooperative games.
• Each member has a unique voice line set that reacts to specific events, like Bardin singing about ale or Kerillian mocking the others.
• The group's name is never officially used in the game's story; it's a fan and developer nickname.
• In Vermintide 2, the Four become the Five with the addition of Sienna Fuegonasus, a Bright Wizard.