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Berserk

2021-01-25T17:25:34Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Guts */

{{cleanup}} [[Image:Guts haet fatso.png|thumb|right|Not compensating for anything.]]'''Berserk''' is (probably) the most [[Grimdark]] of all [[manga]], written and illustrated by Miura Kentaro. It has seen two [[anime]] adaptations of the same name.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Guts, who does battle against the forces of darkness with a really, REALLY big sword. In fact, it's probably the only anime/manga in existence where the other characters actually notice that someone's sword is unrealistically large, often pointing out "Fuck me, that's a big swoOH GOD IT CUT ME IN HALF BLARGH". It is, in fact, so large that it cannot actually be used while mounted because swinging it makes the horse fall over. Guts himself can only use it by virtue of training with man-sized swords since he was a small child and scaling upwards as he grew, in combination with his titanic (and ''possibly'' supernatural) strength.

Chronologically, the story's beginnings are simple gritty medieval violence, following the exploits of a band of mercenaries as they make a name for themselves in the world and acquire power and glory. It swiftly descends into Oh-God-What-the-Fuck-Horror when [[Chaos|Eldritch Abominations]] [[Warp|from Hell]] and their monstrous "apostles" get in on the action, and via a roundabout series of events Guts ends up hunting down his old companion now ascended to godhood, determined to get revenge for his betrayal.

Just to add to the grimdarkness he has a waifu that got raped by his best friend who'd turned into a demon. His waifu then had a miscarriage from all the trauma and his kid's fetus comes back to haunt him every day. Later in the series his kid comes back looking about the age of 3-8 years old and saves him and his friends by using terrifyingly effective abilities on par with [[lofn]]. Then said kid disappears again leaving a puzzled Guts and a slightly distressed but still insane waifu.

The series has a massive following both in Japan and in the west and has been running for almost two decades. The author, Miura, is well known for taking extended breaks from production, and given his advancing age and his recent statement that he considers the series about two-thirds complete, has led to fears by many that he will kick the bucket long before he actually finishes the series.

According to some fa/tg/uys Guts is one of the lost [[Primarchs]]. Some actually speculate that Guts is Angron's son. Or even [[Angron]] himself back in the day or some shit.

/tg/ greatly enjoys it because it's essentially a fucked-up mix of [[Warhammer Fantasy]], [[WARMACHINE]], [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D 3.5]] and [[Exalted]]. Furthermore, Guts does display some vestige of humanity, despite all the traumatizing shit that's happened to him he still displays empathy for other people. Where thugs, corrupt guards, and thieves all get chopped to bits in seconds, Guts at least attempts to avoid killing innocents. Insofar as it wont hurt him. For the most part he is an amoral
badass/cuntbag, yet there's still a bit of a caring dude in there. Somewhere.

==CHARACTERS==

===Guts===

Our favorite protagonist. Fights with a FUCKHUGE sword, eat your heart out Cloud (Sephiroth's is still <s>Bigger</s> Longer?). He is as badass as [[Eliphas]] and as manly as [[Fist of the North Star|Kenshiro]]. Has an impossibly depressing past that began before his birth;
* Guts' past: Guts was born [[Grimdark|from the corpse of his lynched mother under a hanging tree, put there by bandits who decided to string up the pregnant woman after destroying her hometown. Guts himself only survived the fall because heavy rain had made the ground soft. He was soon found by a mercenary band led by Gambino, and was presumed dead until he cried. Gambino's girlfriend Shisu raised Guts, only to die of a plague before Guts' eyes when he was three. From there Gambino made him fight as a child soldier, with Guts making his first kill when he was nine... and getting raped by one of Gambino's men that same night. Gambino started abusing Guts even more as time went on, culminating in Gambino admitting that he'd always hated Guts, blamed Guts for everything bad in his life and that the rape occurred because he'd sold Guts as a sex slave. This made Guts snap and kill his asshole of an adopted father... only to be chased out of the group by Gambino's vengeful men]]. All while Guts was a child.
Wow... that's dark, even for us. Moving on, when Guts he first encounters Griffith, he loses to him in a sword battle (and his fuckhuge sword manages to lose to a ''rapier''. What.) (Happens Because Griffith is the first enemy to use actual tactics beyond "throw yourself against the FUCKHUGE sword-wielding sociopath and hope you win" also, it was a SABER)., and then goes on to fight with Griffith's band of mercenaries. Things happen, he gets the hots for Casca, then all his life went to shit with the Eclipse, [[Grimdark|where his waifu got raped by his former best friend while he was forced to watch]], and lost his left forearm and right eye. Then he gets new companions and things become a bit less grimdark.

===Griffith===

Token pretty boy. Very, very gay for Guts. Still a sword-fighting badass and a [[Creed]]-level general. Leads the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary group. His goal is ambition: then he manages to fuck it up (literally) by boning his king's daughter because Guts left him. The king (who also wants to fuck his daughter) goes to torture him horrifically, and he is broken. After that he goes to sacrifice the whole Band of the Hawk (except some kid, and Guts/Casca who manage to survive) to the local equivalent of the [[Chaos Gods]] and [[Daemon Prince|he becomes a god]]. By raping Casca. While making Guts watch. And it is shown in detail, eughhh. Then he goes all mary-sue by going to lead Midland, still under the appearance of Griffith and the local inhabitants fail to get anything. He then transforms the world into a [[Daemon world]] save for the FUCKHUGE city of bling he built himself, in which all of humanity (those who survived at least) are hidden away from the [[Daemons]] that roam the land; as any good inquisitor would say, this is highly fucking suspicious: could he be gathering victims for another more massive sacrifice? More like his trying to become the God Emperor of mankind everyone there is worshiping him as their god. Also, the guy who [[Meme|did nothing wrong]].

===Casca===

Chocolate skin short-haired tomboy warrior. What's not to love?

Guts's love interest and the greatest rape-bait in all the manga. Seriously, try to count how many times the girl got rape threats... Still, a pretty badass fighter before the Eclipse and Griffith's second in command. Pretty tsundere for Guts. Then the Eclipse (and rape) happens, and she becomes insane. After the Eclipse, she becomes Guts's protégé, as he really wants to fu- for her to love him again and Guts seeks a cure for her. UPDATE : He's done it. It only took more than an actual decade, no big deal. Still, she can't get close to guts, because if she does that the fucked-horrible memories of what had happened to her come back all together, making her scream in pure terror and despair... never a fucking joy in Guts's life.

===Zodd===

A Khornate [[Bloodthirster]], except oldschool and honorable. He sought to become an [[Daemon|Apostle]] because he wanted to continue to fight and kill. Still murders lots of people but doesn't have any fun unless they can fight back. He seems to like Guts as an enemy, and even Guts tolerates him more than the other apostles (even though they're trying to kill each other). Also is tsundere for the Skull Knight because they have fought for centuries. Equal of Guts in combat and generally pretty damn bad-ass. Doesn't even need weapons in Bloodthirster-mode, in fact both times he's used against Guts was because the fights broke his sword. Has only outright lost to the Skull Knight and Griffith.

===The Skull Knight===

A bad-ass [[Awesome|undead knight with a skeleton's head]]. He is actually a good guy, despite being just as evil looking as the monsters he fights, as he saved Guts and Casca from the Eclipse. Zodd's rival since a few hundred years. Has a pretty impressive sword, two of them in fact, though he is more sensible than Guts as his is not FUCKHUGE and he carries a shield and it is ''heavily'' implied throughout the manga that he is King Gaiseric. (Even though a longsword isn't the best weapon on horseback, who cares, he looks awesome anyway.) He is also the undead embodiment of Deus ex Machina, seeing how many times he shows up to save a character and then promptly disappear. Something which Griffith exploited to cause the world to become a shitfest, using the sword he forged from Behelits when he tried to cut him into pieces.

===Slan===

One of the God Hand, aka the local [[Chaos Gods]]. Not to be associated with the [[Slann|fat frog men from Warhammer Fantasy]]. A sick fuck who thrives on rape, [[Slaanesh|doesn't her name remind you of something anyways?]]

==/TG/'s RATING==
FIGHTING - 10: Actual varied fighting styles and the main character waving a fuckhuge sword around. Then you've got the monster fights.

GURO - 9001: As one youtuber put it, "GORE!!! GORE!!! BLOOD, TITS GORE!!! GIANT ASS SWORD!!! YOU SEE THAT DEMON? WELL NO YOU DON'T BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING DEAD!!! AGH BLOOD GORE!!! AAAAUUUGHHH!!!" To be more specific you get to see people and creatures get dismembered and mutilated in all kind of fun ways.

[[Gay]]ness - 9001: As is mandatory for all animu reviewed by /tg/. You've got gay rapists everywhere; Guts was even raped by one as a child, although he killed him later (charming). And then there's Griffith, who, while he isn't gay himself, appears so effeminate it's impossible not to think this. Also he fucks a rich old guy to fund his mercenary band, not to mention the movies have him thinking of Guts while he fucks a hot woman. So he's most likely bisexual.

Moraldickotry - 0.00001: Unbelievably Grimdark, and miraculously is not [[Edgy]]. Guts is shown almost without any form of moral compass, and it is glorious. Oh, a bunch of innocent little children got turned into monsters through no fault of their own? Don't care, kill 'em all and use their bodily fluids to make myself fireproof. An innocent man being beheaded to get me to come out of hiding? Watch and laugh while he dies. Wound an apostle, fill him full of crossbow bolts... slowly, and then drop a burning building on him and laugh while he burns to death? You bet! However, that's all only on the surface. Guts only acts like an asshole because the last people he cared about all got horribly killed, and most of those things are done out of pure pragmatism rather than maliciousness, since he doesn't murder people with no reason, the fairy children themselves bordered on eldritch abominations. Notably, at one point, after a girl loses her Apostle father thanks to him, he mocks her then gives her a dagger, telling her to one day come and kill him... but when he's walking away, he's shown crying, to the shock of Puck and readers. Later he gets some new friends and lightens up to place the morality more at a 5 or 8.

Lulz - 10: So many innocents die in this series, in truly hilarious manners, from completely unneeded torture by the [[Inquisition]] to mass-murder-orgy-fuckfest-massacres done by chaos-worshipping pagans. So do many villains. So do many random background people, as well as inanimate objects and plants. Even main characters aren't safe. This only begs the question: how many people still live in Midland?

[[Rape]] - 9999: Oh God, OH GOD with the rape! If there's one thing that Miura has drilled in our heads for damn sure, it's that nobody is safe from rape in this series. In fact, rape is so prevalent that you can even consider it a theme. Hell, Guts' waifu is such rape bait that three out of five guys are going to try to rape her. Most monsters will try to rape you, most people will try to rape you. In general, most things will try to rape most other things. Even Rape Horse? ''Especially'' Rape Horse (lovely).

Sickfuckery - 9001: The kingdom has a mercenary band of demonic men who march with impaled nude women as banners. You read that right. Also, remember the [[Daemonculaba]]? Guess what, someone in the Berserk Verse had a similar idea. Take a pregnant woman, dunk her inside the womb of a giant womb-demon, cue demon baby clawing its way out of her stomach so it can quickly grow into a shock trooper for the army. Repeat with entire city population.

[[category:weeaboo]]

== Grievances ==
[[File:Haters_gonna_hate_berserk.jpeg‎|200px|thumb|left|Haters gonna hate]]
The author, having realized it's too boring to continue the story with only Guts, his tinkle fairy and his mentally ill waifu, decided to "soften" up the manga a little bit by introducing a loli witch name Schierke and another tinkle fairy from Peter Pan. This causes rage among the fanbase, since they believe Berserk is no longer about [[Awesome|a manly, badass mercenary with his vengeance against his former comrade]], but instead adding side stories about the loli and the shota, even making Schierke naked in front of Guts for some fan service. But since we have seen mutated children rape each other to death with wasp stingers  and countless instances of rape and Casca tentacle porn, we can say the author is also a rule 34 fanboy. Besides, it's not like Guts lost his manliness anyway, since he's still the only one who gets shit done most of the time. And it's not like Schierke isn't a help, given she can stop from losing his mind when using the Berserk armor.

The manga is shifting its tone from low fantasy grim dark to high fantasy Nobledark over time. This is made obvious by the tone shift after Puck reintroduction, Peekaf shit, Tower of Doom and culminating in him acquiring the broken-as-shit Chaos-tainted Power Armor. He slowly opens his heart to his new comrades, possibly ending the story in DBZesque 6-volume fighting scene. Basically Miura is moving up from Riddle of Steel, to oWoD, DnD 3.5 and finally finished in Exalted (presumably so Guts can stand a chance in the penultimate fight against the Godhand). Please remember, of course, that in Berserk, just because things are Nobledark doesn't mean things still aren't screwed for everyone, as now the world is populated by magical monsters like giants who will destroy/rape everything in their path. Mainly humans. (Anyway, remember what happened when we got attached to guts's friends, only to see them being horribly teared apart. Never get attach on berserk, is the first rule.)

It should be noted that Miura is a long time fan of shoujo (manga and anime aimed for girls) and his writing and art often uses the shoujo style so this really isn't a surprise to anyone.

Berserk

2021-01-25T17:23:54Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Guts */

{{cleanup}} [[Image:Guts haet fatso.png|thumb|right|Not compensating for anything.]]'''Berserk''' is (probably) the most [[Grimdark]] of all [[manga]], written and illustrated by Miura Kentaro. It has seen two [[anime]] adaptations of the same name.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Guts, who does battle against the forces of darkness with a really, REALLY big sword. In fact, it's probably the only anime/manga in existence where the other characters actually notice that someone's sword is unrealistically large, often pointing out "Fuck me, that's a big swoOH GOD IT CUT ME IN HALF BLARGH". It is, in fact, so large that it cannot actually be used while mounted because swinging it makes the horse fall over. Guts himself can only use it by virtue of training with man-sized swords since he was a small child and scaling upwards as he grew, in combination with his titanic (and ''possibly'' supernatural) strength.

Chronologically, the story's beginnings are simple gritty medieval violence, following the exploits of a band of mercenaries as they make a name for themselves in the world and acquire power and glory. It swiftly descends into Oh-God-What-the-Fuck-Horror when [[Chaos|Eldritch Abominations]] [[Warp|from Hell]] and their monstrous "apostles" get in on the action, and via a roundabout series of events Guts ends up hunting down his old companion now ascended to godhood, determined to get revenge for his betrayal.

Just to add to the grimdarkness he has a waifu that got raped by his best friend who'd turned into a demon. His waifu then had a miscarriage from all the trauma and his kid's fetus comes back to haunt him every day. Later in the series his kid comes back looking about the age of 3-8 years old and saves him and his friends by using terrifyingly effective abilities on par with [[lofn]]. Then said kid disappears again leaving a puzzled Guts and a slightly distressed but still insane waifu.

The series has a massive following both in Japan and in the west and has been running for almost two decades. The author, Miura, is well known for taking extended breaks from production, and given his advancing age and his recent statement that he considers the series about two-thirds complete, has led to fears by many that he will kick the bucket long before he actually finishes the series.

According to some fa/tg/uys Guts is one of the lost [[Primarchs]]. Some actually speculate that Guts is Angron's son. Or even [[Angron]] himself back in the day or some shit.

/tg/ greatly enjoys it because it's essentially a fucked-up mix of [[Warhammer Fantasy]], [[WARMACHINE]], [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D 3.5]] and [[Exalted]]. Furthermore, Guts does display some vestige of humanity, despite all the traumatizing shit that's happened to him he still displays empathy for other people. Where thugs, corrupt guards, and thieves all get chopped to bits in seconds, Guts at least attempts to avoid killing innocents. Insofar as it wont hurt him. For the most part he is an amoral
badass/cuntbag, yet there's still a bit of a caring dude in there. Somewhere.

==CHARACTERS==

===Guts===

Our favorite protagonist. Fights with a FUCKHUGE sword, eat your heart out Cloud (Sephiroth's is still <s>Bigger</s> Longer?). He is as badass as [[Eliphas]] and as manly as [[Fist of the North Star|Kenshiro]]. Has an impossibly depressing past that began before his birth;
* Guts' past: Guts was born [[Grimdark|from the corpse of his lynched mother under a hanging tree, put there by bandits who decided to string up the pregnant woman after destroying her hometown. Guts himself only survived the fall because heavy rain had made the ground soft. He was soon found by a mercenary band led by Gambino, and was presumed until he cried after being thrown into a puddle. Gambino's girlfriend Shisu raised Guts, only to die of a plague before Guts' eyes when he was three. From there Gambino made him fight as a child soldier, with Guts making his first kill when he was nine... and getting raped by one of Gambino's men that same night. Gambino started abusing Guts even more as time went on, culminating in Gambino admitted that he'd always hated Guts, blamed Guts for everything bad in his life and admitted he'd sold Guts as a sex slave. This made Guts snap and kill his asshole of an adopted father... only to be chased out of the group by Gambino's vengeful men]]. All while Guts was a child.
Wow... that's dark, even for us. Moving on, when Guts he first encounters Griffith, he loses to him in a sword battle (and his fuckhuge sword manages to lose to a ''rapier''. What.) (Happens Because Griffith is the first enemy to use actual tactics beyond "throw yourself against the FUCKHUGE sword-wielding sociopath and hope you win" also, it was a SABER)., and then goes on to fight with Griffith's band of mercenaries. Things happen, he gets the hots for Casca, then all his life went to shit with the Eclipse, [[Grimdark|where his waifu got raped by his former best friend while he was forced to watch]], and lost his left forearm and right eye. Then he gets new companions and things become a bit less grimdark.

===Griffith===

Token pretty boy. Very, very gay for Guts. Still a sword-fighting badass and a [[Creed]]-level general. Leads the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary group. His goal is ambition: then he manages to fuck it up (literally) by boning his king's daughter because Guts left him. The king (who also wants to fuck his daughter) goes to torture him horrifically, and he is broken. After that he goes to sacrifice the whole Band of the Hawk (except some kid, and Guts/Casca who manage to survive) to the local equivalent of the [[Chaos Gods]] and [[Daemon Prince|he becomes a god]]. By raping Casca. While making Guts watch. And it is shown in detail, eughhh. Then he goes all mary-sue by going to lead Midland, still under the appearance of Griffith and the local inhabitants fail to get anything. He then transforms the world into a [[Daemon world]] save for the FUCKHUGE city of bling he built himself, in which all of humanity (those who survived at least) are hidden away from the [[Daemons]] that roam the land; as any good inquisitor would say, this is highly fucking suspicious: could he be gathering victims for another more massive sacrifice? More like his trying to become the God Emperor of mankind everyone there is worshiping him as their god. Also, the guy who [[Meme|did nothing wrong]].

===Casca===

Chocolate skin short-haired tomboy warrior. What's not to love?

Guts's love interest and the greatest rape-bait in all the manga. Seriously, try to count how many times the girl got rape threats... Still, a pretty badass fighter before the Eclipse and Griffith's second in command. Pretty tsundere for Guts. Then the Eclipse (and rape) happens, and she becomes insane. After the Eclipse, she becomes Guts's protégé, as he really wants to fu- for her to love him again and Guts seeks a cure for her. UPDATE : He's done it. It only took more than an actual decade, no big deal. Still, she can't get close to guts, because if she does that the fucked-horrible memories of what had happened to her come back all together, making her scream in pure terror and despair... never a fucking joy in Guts's life.

===Zodd===

A Khornate [[Bloodthirster]], except oldschool and honorable. He sought to become an [[Daemon|Apostle]] because he wanted to continue to fight and kill. Still murders lots of people but doesn't have any fun unless they can fight back. He seems to like Guts as an enemy, and even Guts tolerates him more than the other apostles (even though they're trying to kill each other). Also is tsundere for the Skull Knight because they have fought for centuries. Equal of Guts in combat and generally pretty damn bad-ass. Doesn't even need weapons in Bloodthirster-mode, in fact both times he's used against Guts was because the fights broke his sword. Has only outright lost to the Skull Knight and Griffith.

===The Skull Knight===

A bad-ass [[Awesome|undead knight with a skeleton's head]]. He is actually a good guy, despite being just as evil looking as the monsters he fights, as he saved Guts and Casca from the Eclipse. Zodd's rival since a few hundred years. Has a pretty impressive sword, two of them in fact, though he is more sensible than Guts as his is not FUCKHUGE and he carries a shield and it is ''heavily'' implied throughout the manga that he is King Gaiseric. (Even though a longsword isn't the best weapon on horseback, who cares, he looks awesome anyway.) He is also the undead embodiment of Deus ex Machina, seeing how many times he shows up to save a character and then promptly disappear. Something which Griffith exploited to cause the world to become a shitfest, using the sword he forged from Behelits when he tried to cut him into pieces.

===Slan===

One of the God Hand, aka the local [[Chaos Gods]]. Not to be associated with the [[Slann|fat frog men from Warhammer Fantasy]]. A sick fuck who thrives on rape, [[Slaanesh|doesn't her name remind you of something anyways?]]

==/TG/'s RATING==
FIGHTING - 10: Actual varied fighting styles and the main character waving a fuckhuge sword around. Then you've got the monster fights.

GURO - 9001: As one youtuber put it, "GORE!!! GORE!!! BLOOD, TITS GORE!!! GIANT ASS SWORD!!! YOU SEE THAT DEMON? WELL NO YOU DON'T BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING DEAD!!! AGH BLOOD GORE!!! AAAAUUUGHHH!!!" To be more specific you get to see people and creatures get dismembered and mutilated in all kind of fun ways.

[[Gay]]ness - 9001: As is mandatory for all animu reviewed by /tg/. You've got gay rapists everywhere; Guts was even raped by one as a child, although he killed him later (charming). And then there's Griffith, who, while he isn't gay himself, appears so effeminate it's impossible not to think this. Also he fucks a rich old guy to fund his mercenary band, not to mention the movies have him thinking of Guts while he fucks a hot woman. So he's most likely bisexual.

Moraldickotry - 0.00001: Unbelievably Grimdark, and miraculously is not [[Edgy]]. Guts is shown almost without any form of moral compass, and it is glorious. Oh, a bunch of innocent little children got turned into monsters through no fault of their own? Don't care, kill 'em all and use their bodily fluids to make myself fireproof. An innocent man being beheaded to get me to come out of hiding? Watch and laugh while he dies. Wound an apostle, fill him full of crossbow bolts... slowly, and then drop a burning building on him and laugh while he burns to death? You bet! However, that's all only on the surface. Guts only acts like an asshole because the last people he cared about all got horribly killed, and most of those things are done out of pure pragmatism rather than maliciousness, since he doesn't murder people with no reason, the fairy children themselves bordered on eldritch abominations. Notably, at one point, after a girl loses her Apostle father thanks to him, he mocks her then gives her a dagger, telling her to one day come and kill him... but when he's walking away, he's shown crying, to the shock of Puck and readers. Later he gets some new friends and lightens up to place the morality more at a 5 or 8.

Lulz - 10: So many innocents die in this series, in truly hilarious manners, from completely unneeded torture by the [[Inquisition]] to mass-murder-orgy-fuckfest-massacres done by chaos-worshipping pagans. So do many villains. So do many random background people, as well as inanimate objects and plants. Even main characters aren't safe. This only begs the question: how many people still live in Midland?

[[Rape]] - 9999: Oh God, OH GOD with the rape! If there's one thing that Miura has drilled in our heads for damn sure, it's that nobody is safe from rape in this series. In fact, rape is so prevalent that you can even consider it a theme. Hell, Guts' waifu is such rape bait that three out of five guys are going to try to rape her. Most monsters will try to rape you, most people will try to rape you. In general, most things will try to rape most other things. Even Rape Horse? ''Especially'' Rape Horse (lovely).

Sickfuckery - 9001: The kingdom has a mercenary band of demonic men who march with impaled nude women as banners. You read that right. Also, remember the [[Daemonculaba]]? Guess what, someone in the Berserk Verse had a similar idea. Take a pregnant woman, dunk her inside the womb of a giant womb-demon, cue demon baby clawing its way out of her stomach so it can quickly grow into a shock trooper for the army. Repeat with entire city population.

[[category:weeaboo]]

== Grievances ==
[[File:Haters_gonna_hate_berserk.jpeg‎|200px|thumb|left|Haters gonna hate]]
The author, having realized it's too boring to continue the story with only Guts, his tinkle fairy and his mentally ill waifu, decided to "soften" up the manga a little bit by introducing a loli witch name Schierke and another tinkle fairy from Peter Pan. This causes rage among the fanbase, since they believe Berserk is no longer about [[Awesome|a manly, badass mercenary with his vengeance against his former comrade]], but instead adding side stories about the loli and the shota, even making Schierke naked in front of Guts for some fan service. But since we have seen mutated children rape each other to death with wasp stingers  and countless instances of rape and Casca tentacle porn, we can say the author is also a rule 34 fanboy. Besides, it's not like Guts lost his manliness anyway, since he's still the only one who gets shit done most of the time. And it's not like Schierke isn't a help, given she can stop from losing his mind when using the Berserk armor.

The manga is shifting its tone from low fantasy grim dark to high fantasy Nobledark over time. This is made obvious by the tone shift after Puck reintroduction, Peekaf shit, Tower of Doom and culminating in him acquiring the broken-as-shit Chaos-tainted Power Armor. He slowly opens his heart to his new comrades, possibly ending the story in DBZesque 6-volume fighting scene. Basically Miura is moving up from Riddle of Steel, to oWoD, DnD 3.5 and finally finished in Exalted (presumably so Guts can stand a chance in the penultimate fight against the Godhand). Please remember, of course, that in Berserk, just because things are Nobledark doesn't mean things still aren't screwed for everyone, as now the world is populated by magical monsters like giants who will destroy/rape everything in their path. Mainly humans. (Anyway, remember what happened when we got attached to guts's friends, only to see them being horribly teared apart. Never get attach on berserk, is the first rule.)

It should be noted that Miura is a long time fan of shoujo (manga and anime aimed for girls) and his writing and art often uses the shoujo style so this really isn't a surprise to anyone.

Berserk

2021-01-25T17:06:44Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Guts */

{{cleanup}} [[Image:Guts haet fatso.png|thumb|right|Not compensating for anything.]]'''Berserk''' is (probably) the most [[Grimdark]] of all [[manga]], written and illustrated by Miura Kentaro. It has seen two [[anime]] adaptations of the same name.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Guts, who does battle against the forces of darkness with a really, REALLY big sword. In fact, it's probably the only anime/manga in existence where the other characters actually notice that someone's sword is unrealistically large, often pointing out "Fuck me, that's a big swoOH GOD IT CUT ME IN HALF BLARGH". It is, in fact, so large that it cannot actually be used while mounted because swinging it makes the horse fall over. Guts himself can only use it by virtue of training with man-sized swords since he was a small child and scaling upwards as he grew, in combination with his titanic (and ''possibly'' supernatural) strength.

Chronologically, the story's beginnings are simple gritty medieval violence, following the exploits of a band of mercenaries as they make a name for themselves in the world and acquire power and glory. It swiftly descends into Oh-God-What-the-Fuck-Horror when [[Chaos|Eldritch Abominations]] [[Warp|from Hell]] and their monstrous "apostles" get in on the action, and via a roundabout series of events Guts ends up hunting down his old companion now ascended to godhood, determined to get revenge for his betrayal.

Just to add to the grimdarkness he has a waifu that got raped by his best friend who'd turned into a demon. His waifu then had a miscarriage from all the trauma and his kid's fetus comes back to haunt him every day. Later in the series his kid comes back looking about the age of 3-8 years old and saves him and his friends by using terrifyingly effective abilities on par with [[lofn]]. Then said kid disappears again leaving a puzzled Guts and a slightly distressed but still insane waifu.

The series has a massive following both in Japan and in the west and has been running for almost two decades. The author, Miura, is well known for taking extended breaks from production, and given his advancing age and his recent statement that he considers the series about two-thirds complete, has led to fears by many that he will kick the bucket long before he actually finishes the series.

According to some fa/tg/uys Guts is one of the lost [[Primarchs]]. Some actually speculate that Guts is Angron's son. Or even [[Angron]] himself back in the day or some shit.

/tg/ greatly enjoys it because it's essentially a fucked-up mix of [[Warhammer Fantasy]], [[WARMACHINE]], [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D 3.5]] and [[Exalted]]. Furthermore, Guts does display some vestige of humanity, despite all the traumatizing shit that's happened to him he still displays empathy for other people. Where thugs, corrupt guards, and thieves all get chopped to bits in seconds, Guts at least attempts to avoid killing innocents. Insofar as it wont hurt him. For the most part he is an amoral
badass/cuntbag, yet there's still a bit of a caring dude in there. Somewhere.

==CHARACTERS==

===Guts===

Our favorite protagonist. Fights with a FUCKHUGE sword, eat your heart out Cloud (Sephiroth's is still <s>Bigger</s> Longer?). He is as badass as [[Eliphas]] and as manly as [[Fist of the North Star|Kenshiro]]. Has an impossibly depressing past that began before his birth;
* Guts' past: Guts was born [[Grimdark|falling from a hanged woman who the bandits that destroyed her hometown decided to string up as she was going into labor. Guts himself only survived the fall because heavy rain had made the ground beneath soft and muddy. He was soon found by a mercenary band, picked up from the mud by the leader's girlfriend, but would've been left for dead if he hadn't cried after their leader snatched him and threw him into a puddle. Said merc girlfriend raised Guts, only for her to die of a plague when Guts was three. From there his asshole of an adopted father made him fight as a child soldier, then sold him into sex slavery as a teenager where he got raped (like nearly everyone else in the story)]]. All this before he was 18.
That's dark, even for us. Moving on, when Guts he first encounters Griffith, he loses to him in a sword battle (and his fuckhuge sword manages to lose to a ''rapier''. What.) (Happens Because Griffith is the first enemy to use actual tactics beyond "throw yourself against the FUCKHUGE sword-wielding sociopath and hope you win" also, it was a SABER)., and then goes on to fight with Griffith's band of mercenaries. Things happen, he gets the hots for Casca, then all his life went to shit with the Eclipse, [[Grimdark|where his waifu got raped by his former best friend while he was forced to watch]], and lost his left forearm and right eye. Then he gets new companions and things become a bit less grimdark.

===Griffith===

Token pretty boy. Very, very gay for Guts. Still a sword-fighting badass and a [[Creed]]-level general. Leads the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary group. His goal is ambition: then he manages to fuck it up (literally) by boning his king's daughter because Guts left him. The king (who also wants to fuck his daughter) goes to torture him horrifically, and he is broken. After that he goes to sacrifice the whole Band of the Hawk (except some kid, and Guts/Casca who manage to survive) to the local equivalent of the [[Chaos Gods]] and [[Daemon Prince|he becomes a god]]. By raping Casca. While making Guts watch. And it is shown in detail, eughhh. Then he goes all mary-sue by going to lead Midland, still under the appearance of Griffith and the local inhabitants fail to get anything. He then transforms the world into a [[Daemon world]] save for the FUCKHUGE city of bling he built himself, in which all of humanity (those who survived at least) are hidden away from the [[Daemons]] that roam the land; as any good inquisitor would say, this is highly fucking suspicious: could he be gathering victims for another more massive sacrifice? More like his trying to become the God Emperor of mankind everyone there is worshiping him as their god. Also, the guy who [[Meme|did nothing wrong]].

===Casca===

Chocolate skin short-haired tomboy warrior. What's not to love?

Guts's love interest and the greatest rape-bait in all the manga. Seriously, try to count how many times the girl got rape threats... Still, a pretty badass fighter before the Eclipse and Griffith's second in command. Pretty tsundere for Guts. Then the Eclipse (and rape) happens, and she becomes insane. After the Eclipse, she becomes Guts's protégé, as he really wants to fu- for her to love him again and Guts seeks a cure for her. UPDATE : He's done it. It only took more than an actual decade, no big deal. Still, she can't get close to guts, because if she does that the fucked-horrible memories of what had happened to her come back all together, making her scream in pure terror and despair... never a fucking joy in Guts's life.

===Zodd===

A Khornate [[Bloodthirster]], except oldschool and honorable. He sought to become an [[Daemon|Apostle]] because he wanted to continue to fight and kill. Still murders lots of people but doesn't have any fun unless they can fight back. He seems to like Guts as an enemy, and even Guts tolerates him more than the other apostles (even though they're trying to kill each other). Also is tsundere for the Skull Knight because they have fought for centuries. Equal of Guts in combat and generally pretty damn bad-ass. Doesn't even need weapons in Bloodthirster-mode, in fact both times he's used against Guts was because the fights broke his sword. Has only outright lost to the Skull Knight and Griffith.

===The Skull Knight===

A bad-ass [[Awesome|undead knight with a skeleton's head]]. He is actually a good guy, despite being just as evil looking as the monsters he fights, as he saved Guts and Casca from the Eclipse. Zodd's rival since a few hundred years. Has a pretty impressive sword, two of them in fact, though he is more sensible than Guts as his is not FUCKHUGE and he carries a shield and it is ''heavily'' implied throughout the manga that he is King Gaiseric. (Even though a longsword isn't the best weapon on horseback, who cares, he looks awesome anyway.) He is also the undead embodiment of Deus ex Machina, seeing how many times he shows up to save a character and then promptly disappear. Something which Griffith exploited to cause the world to become a shitfest, using the sword he forged from Behelits when he tried to cut him into pieces.

===Slan===

One of the God Hand, aka the local [[Chaos Gods]]. Not to be associated with the [[Slann|fat frog men from Warhammer Fantasy]]. A sick fuck who thrives on rape, [[Slaanesh|doesn't her name remind you of something anyways?]]

==/TG/'s RATING==
FIGHTING - 10: Actual varied fighting styles and the main character waving a fuckhuge sword around. Then you've got the monster fights.

GURO - 9001: As one youtuber put it, "GORE!!! GORE!!! BLOOD, TITS GORE!!! GIANT ASS SWORD!!! YOU SEE THAT DEMON? WELL NO YOU DON'T BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING DEAD!!! AGH BLOOD GORE!!! AAAAUUUGHHH!!!" To be more specific you get to see people and creatures get dismembered and mutilated in all kind of fun ways.

[[Gay]]ness - 9001: As is mandatory for all animu reviewed by /tg/. You've got gay rapists everywhere; Guts was even raped by one as a child, although he killed him later (charming). And then there's Griffith, who, while he isn't gay himself, appears so effeminate it's impossible not to think this. Also he fucks a rich old guy to fund his mercenary band, not to mention the movies have him thinking of Guts while he fucks a hot woman. So he's most likely bisexual.

Moraldickotry - 0.00001: Unbelievably Grimdark, and miraculously is not [[Edgy]]. Guts is shown almost without any form of moral compass, and it is glorious. Oh, a bunch of innocent little children got turned into monsters through no fault of their own? Don't care, kill 'em all and use their bodily fluids to make myself fireproof. An innocent man being beheaded to get me to come out of hiding? Watch and laugh while he dies. Wound an apostle, fill him full of crossbow bolts... slowly, and then drop a burning building on him and laugh while he burns to death? You bet! However, that's all only on the surface. Guts only acts like an asshole because the last people he cared about all got horribly killed, and most of those things are done out of pure pragmatism rather than maliciousness, since he doesn't murder people with no reason, the fairy children themselves bordered on eldritch abominations. Notably, at one point, after a girl loses her Apostle father thanks to him, he mocks her then gives her a dagger, telling her to one day come and kill him... but when he's walking away, he's shown crying, to the shock of Puck and readers. Later he gets some new friends and lightens up to place the morality more at a 5 or 8.

Lulz - 10: So many innocents die in this series, in truly hilarious manners, from completely unneeded torture by the [[Inquisition]] to mass-murder-orgy-fuckfest-massacres done by chaos-worshipping pagans. So do many villains. So do many random background people, as well as inanimate objects and plants. Even main characters aren't safe. This only begs the question: how many people still live in Midland?

[[Rape]] - 9999: Oh God, OH GOD with the rape! If there's one thing that Miura has drilled in our heads for damn sure, it's that nobody is safe from rape in this series. In fact, rape is so prevalent that you can even consider it a theme. Hell, Guts' waifu is such rape bait that three out of five guys are going to try to rape her. Most monsters will try to rape you, most people will try to rape you. In general, most things will try to rape most other things. Even Rape Horse? ''Especially'' Rape Horse (lovely).

Sickfuckery - 9001: The kingdom has a mercenary band of demonic men who march with impaled nude women as banners. You read that right. Also, remember the [[Daemonculaba]]? Guess what, someone in the Berserk Verse had a similar idea. Take a pregnant woman, dunk her inside the womb of a giant womb-demon, cue demon baby clawing its way out of her stomach so it can quickly grow into a shock trooper for the army. Repeat with entire city population.

[[category:weeaboo]]

== Grievances ==
[[File:Haters_gonna_hate_berserk.jpeg‎|200px|thumb|left|Haters gonna hate]]
The author, having realized it's too boring to continue the story with only Guts, his tinkle fairy and his mentally ill waifu, decided to "soften" up the manga a little bit by introducing a loli witch name Schierke and another tinkle fairy from Peter Pan. This causes rage among the fanbase, since they believe Berserk is no longer about [[Awesome|a manly, badass mercenary with his vengeance against his former comrade]], but instead adding side stories about the loli and the shota, even making Schierke naked in front of Guts for some fan service. But since we have seen mutated children rape each other to death with wasp stingers  and countless instances of rape and Casca tentacle porn, we can say the author is also a rule 34 fanboy. Besides, it's not like Guts lost his manliness anyway, since he's still the only one who gets shit done most of the time. And it's not like Schierke isn't a help, given she can stop from losing his mind when using the Berserk armor.

The manga is shifting its tone from low fantasy grim dark to high fantasy Nobledark over time. This is made obvious by the tone shift after Puck reintroduction, Peekaf shit, Tower of Doom and culminating in him acquiring the broken-as-shit Chaos-tainted Power Armor. He slowly opens his heart to his new comrades, possibly ending the story in DBZesque 6-volume fighting scene. Basically Miura is moving up from Riddle of Steel, to oWoD, DnD 3.5 and finally finished in Exalted (presumably so Guts can stand a chance in the penultimate fight against the Godhand). Please remember, of course, that in Berserk, just because things are Nobledark doesn't mean things still aren't screwed for everyone, as now the world is populated by magical monsters like giants who will destroy/rape everything in their path. Mainly humans. (Anyway, remember what happened when we got attached to guts's friends, only to see them being horribly teared apart. Never get attach on berserk, is the first rule.)

It should be noted that Miura is a long time fan of shoujo (manga and anime aimed for girls) and his writing and art often uses the shoujo style so this really isn't a surprise to anyone.

Berserk

2021-01-25T17:04:18Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Guts */

{{cleanup}} [[Image:Guts haet fatso.png|thumb|right|Not compensating for anything.]]'''Berserk''' is (probably) the most [[Grimdark]] of all [[manga]], written and illustrated by Miura Kentaro. It has seen two [[anime]] adaptations of the same name.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Guts, who does battle against the forces of darkness with a really, REALLY big sword. In fact, it's probably the only anime/manga in existence where the other characters actually notice that someone's sword is unrealistically large, often pointing out "Fuck me, that's a big swoOH GOD IT CUT ME IN HALF BLARGH". It is, in fact, so large that it cannot actually be used while mounted because swinging it makes the horse fall over. Guts himself can only use it by virtue of training with man-sized swords since he was a small child and scaling upwards as he grew, in combination with his titanic (and ''possibly'' supernatural) strength.

Chronologically, the story's beginnings are simple gritty medieval violence, following the exploits of a band of mercenaries as they make a name for themselves in the world and acquire power and glory. It swiftly descends into Oh-God-What-the-Fuck-Horror when [[Chaos|Eldritch Abominations]] [[Warp|from Hell]] and their monstrous "apostles" get in on the action, and via a roundabout series of events Guts ends up hunting down his old companion now ascended to godhood, determined to get revenge for his betrayal.

Just to add to the grimdarkness he has a waifu that got raped by his best friend who'd turned into a demon. His waifu then had a miscarriage from all the trauma and his kid's fetus comes back to haunt him every day. Later in the series his kid comes back looking about the age of 3-8 years old and saves him and his friends by using terrifyingly effective abilities on par with [[lofn]]. Then said kid disappears again leaving a puzzled Guts and a slightly distressed but still insane waifu.

The series has a massive following both in Japan and in the west and has been running for almost two decades. The author, Miura, is well known for taking extended breaks from production, and given his advancing age and his recent statement that he considers the series about two-thirds complete, has led to fears by many that he will kick the bucket long before he actually finishes the series.

According to some fa/tg/uys Guts is one of the lost [[Primarchs]]. Some actually speculate that Guts is Angron's son. Or even [[Angron]] himself back in the day or some shit.

/tg/ greatly enjoys it because it's essentially a fucked-up mix of [[Warhammer Fantasy]], [[WARMACHINE]], [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D 3.5]] and [[Exalted]]. Furthermore, Guts does display some vestige of humanity, despite all the traumatizing shit that's happened to him he still displays empathy for other people. Where thugs, corrupt guards, and thieves all get chopped to bits in seconds, Guts at least attempts to avoid killing innocents. Insofar as it wont hurt him. For the most part he is an amoral
badass/cuntbag, yet there's still a bit of a caring dude in there. Somewhere.

==CHARACTERS==

===Guts===

Our favorite protagonist. Fights with a FUCKHUGE sword, eat your heart out Cloud (Sephiroth's is still <s>Bigger</s> Longer?). He is as badass as [[Eliphas]] and as manly as [[Fist of the North Star|Kenshiro]]. Has an impossibly depressing past that began before his birth;
* Guts' past: Guts was born [[Grimdark|falling from a hanged woman because the bandits who'd just destroyed her hometown wanted someone to string up and she was going into labor. Guts himself only survived the fall because heavy rain had made the ground soft and muddy. He was soon found by mercenaries, picked up from the mud by the leader's girlfriend, and would've been left for dead if he hadn't cried after their leader snatched him and threw him into a puddle. Said merc girlfriend raised Guts, only for her to die of a plague when Guts was three. From there his asshole of an adopted father made him fight as a child soldier, then sold him into sex slavery as a teenager where he got raped (like nearly everyone else in the story)]]. All this before he was 18.
Fuck, that's dark, even for us. Moving on, when Guts he first encounters Griffith, he loses to him in a sword battle (and his fuckhuge sword manages to lose to a ''rapier''. What.) (Happens Because Griffith is the first enemy to use actual tactics beyond "throw yourself against the FUCKHUGE sword-wielding sociopath and hope you win" also, it was a SABER)., and then goes on to fight with Griffith's band of mercenaries. Things happen, he gets the hots for Casca, then all his life went to shit with the Eclipse, [[Grimdark|where his waifu got raped by his former best friend while he was forced to watch]], and lost his left forearm and right eye. Then he gets new companions and things become a bit less grimdark.

===Griffith===

Token pretty boy. Very, very gay for Guts. Still a sword-fighting badass and a [[Creed]]-level general. Leads the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary group. His goal is ambition: then he manages to fuck it up (literally) by boning his king's daughter because Guts left him. The king (who also wants to fuck his daughter) goes to torture him horrifically, and he is broken. After that he goes to sacrifice the whole Band of the Hawk (except some kid, and Guts/Casca who manage to survive) to the local equivalent of the [[Chaos Gods]] and [[Daemon Prince|he becomes a god]]. By raping Casca. While making Guts watch. And it is shown in detail, eughhh. Then he goes all mary-sue by going to lead Midland, still under the appearance of Griffith and the local inhabitants fail to get anything. He then transforms the world into a [[Daemon world]] save for the FUCKHUGE city of bling he built himself, in which all of humanity (those who survived at least) are hidden away from the [[Daemons]] that roam the land; as any good inquisitor would say, this is highly fucking suspicious: could he be gathering victims for another more massive sacrifice? More like his trying to become the God Emperor of mankind everyone there is worshiping him as their god. Also, the guy who [[Meme|did nothing wrong]].

===Casca===

Chocolate skin short-haired tomboy warrior. What's not to love?

Guts's love interest and the greatest rape-bait in all the manga. Seriously, try to count how many times the girl got rape threats... Still, a pretty badass fighter before the Eclipse and Griffith's second in command. Pretty tsundere for Guts. Then the Eclipse (and rape) happens, and she becomes insane. After the Eclipse, she becomes Guts's protégé, as he really wants to fu- for her to love him again and Guts seeks a cure for her. UPDATE : He's done it. It only took more than an actual decade, no big deal. Still, she can't get close to guts, because if she does that the fucked-horrible memories of what had happened to her come back all together, making her scream in pure terror and despair... never a fucking joy in Guts's life.

===Zodd===

A Khornate [[Bloodthirster]], except oldschool and honorable. He sought to become an [[Daemon|Apostle]] because he wanted to continue to fight and kill. Still murders lots of people but doesn't have any fun unless they can fight back. He seems to like Guts as an enemy, and even Guts tolerates him more than the other apostles (even though they're trying to kill each other). Also is tsundere for the Skull Knight because they have fought for centuries. Equal of Guts in combat and generally pretty damn bad-ass. Doesn't even need weapons in Bloodthirster-mode, in fact both times he's used against Guts was because the fights broke his sword. Has only outright lost to the Skull Knight and Griffith.

===The Skull Knight===

A bad-ass [[Awesome|undead knight with a skeleton's head]]. He is actually a good guy, despite being just as evil looking as the monsters he fights, as he saved Guts and Casca from the Eclipse. Zodd's rival since a few hundred years. Has a pretty impressive sword, two of them in fact, though he is more sensible than Guts as his is not FUCKHUGE and he carries a shield and it is ''heavily'' implied throughout the manga that he is King Gaiseric. (Even though a longsword isn't the best weapon on horseback, who cares, he looks awesome anyway.) He is also the undead embodiment of Deus ex Machina, seeing how many times he shows up to save a character and then promptly disappear. Something which Griffith exploited to cause the world to become a shitfest, using the sword he forged from Behelits when he tried to cut him into pieces.

===Slan===

One of the God Hand, aka the local [[Chaos Gods]]. Not to be associated with the [[Slann|fat frog men from Warhammer Fantasy]]. A sick fuck who thrives on rape, [[Slaanesh|doesn't her name remind you of something anyways?]]

==/TG/'s RATING==
FIGHTING - 10: Actual varied fighting styles and the main character waving a fuckhuge sword around. Then you've got the monster fights.

GURO - 9001: As one youtuber put it, "GORE!!! GORE!!! BLOOD, TITS GORE!!! GIANT ASS SWORD!!! YOU SEE THAT DEMON? WELL NO YOU DON'T BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING DEAD!!! AGH BLOOD GORE!!! AAAAUUUGHHH!!!" To be more specific you get to see people and creatures get dismembered and mutilated in all kind of fun ways.

[[Gay]]ness - 9001: As is mandatory for all animu reviewed by /tg/. You've got gay rapists everywhere; Guts was even raped by one as a child, although he killed him later (charming). And then there's Griffith, who, while he isn't gay himself, appears so effeminate it's impossible not to think this. Also he fucks a rich old guy to fund his mercenary band, not to mention the movies have him thinking of Guts while he fucks a hot woman. So he's most likely bisexual.

Moraldickotry - 0.00001: Unbelievably Grimdark, and miraculously is not [[Edgy]]. Guts is shown almost without any form of moral compass, and it is glorious. Oh, a bunch of innocent little children got turned into monsters through no fault of their own? Don't care, kill 'em all and use their bodily fluids to make myself fireproof. An innocent man being beheaded to get me to come out of hiding? Watch and laugh while he dies. Wound an apostle, fill him full of crossbow bolts... slowly, and then drop a burning building on him and laugh while he burns to death? You bet! However, that's all only on the surface. Guts only acts like an asshole because the last people he cared about all got horribly killed, and most of those things are done out of pure pragmatism rather than maliciousness, since he doesn't murder people with no reason, the fairy children themselves bordered on eldritch abominations. Notably, at one point, after a girl loses her Apostle father thanks to him, he mocks her then gives her a dagger, telling her to one day come and kill him... but when he's walking away, he's shown crying, to the shock of Puck and readers. Later he gets some new friends and lightens up to place the morality more at a 5 or 8.

Lulz - 10: So many innocents die in this series, in truly hilarious manners, from completely unneeded torture by the [[Inquisition]] to mass-murder-orgy-fuckfest-massacres done by chaos-worshipping pagans. So do many villains. So do many random background people, as well as inanimate objects and plants. Even main characters aren't safe. This only begs the question: how many people still live in Midland?

[[Rape]] - 9999: Oh God, OH GOD with the rape! If there's one thing that Miura has drilled in our heads for damn sure, it's that nobody is safe from rape in this series. In fact, rape is so prevalent that you can even consider it a theme. Hell, Guts' waifu is such rape bait that three out of five guys are going to try to rape her. Most monsters will try to rape you, most people will try to rape you. In general, most things will try to rape most other things. Even Rape Horse? ''Especially'' Rape Horse (lovely).

Sickfuckery - 9001: The kingdom has a mercenary band of demonic men who march with impaled nude women as banners. You read that right. Also, remember the [[Daemonculaba]]? Guess what, someone in the Berserk Verse had a similar idea. Take a pregnant woman, dunk her inside the womb of a giant womb-demon, cue demon baby clawing its way out of her stomach so it can quickly grow into a shock trooper for the army. Repeat with entire city population.

[[category:weeaboo]]

== Grievances ==
[[File:Haters_gonna_hate_berserk.jpeg‎|200px|thumb|left|Haters gonna hate]]
The author, having realized it's too boring to continue the story with only Guts, his tinkle fairy and his mentally ill waifu, decided to "soften" up the manga a little bit by introducing a loli witch name Schierke and another tinkle fairy from Peter Pan. This causes rage among the fanbase, since they believe Berserk is no longer about [[Awesome|a manly, badass mercenary with his vengeance against his former comrade]], but instead adding side stories about the loli and the shota, even making Schierke naked in front of Guts for some fan service. But since we have seen mutated children rape each other to death with wasp stingers  and countless instances of rape and Casca tentacle porn, we can say the author is also a rule 34 fanboy. Besides, it's not like Guts lost his manliness anyway, since he's still the only one who gets shit done most of the time. And it's not like Schierke isn't a help, given she can stop from losing his mind when using the Berserk armor.

The manga is shifting its tone from low fantasy grim dark to high fantasy Nobledark over time. This is made obvious by the tone shift after Puck reintroduction, Peekaf shit, Tower of Doom and culminating in him acquiring the broken-as-shit Chaos-tainted Power Armor. He slowly opens his heart to his new comrades, possibly ending the story in DBZesque 6-volume fighting scene. Basically Miura is moving up from Riddle of Steel, to oWoD, DnD 3.5 and finally finished in Exalted (presumably so Guts can stand a chance in the penultimate fight against the Godhand). Please remember, of course, that in Berserk, just because things are Nobledark doesn't mean things still aren't screwed for everyone, as now the world is populated by magical monsters like giants who will destroy/rape everything in their path. Mainly humans. (Anyway, remember what happened when we got attached to guts's friends, only to see them being horribly teared apart. Never get attach on berserk, is the first rule.)

It should be noted that Miura is a long time fan of shoujo (manga and anime aimed for girls) and his writing and art often uses the shoujo style so this really isn't a surprise to anyone.

Berserk

2021-01-25T17:00:06Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Guts */

{{cleanup}} [[Image:Guts haet fatso.png|thumb|right|Not compensating for anything.]]'''Berserk''' is (probably) the most [[Grimdark]] of all [[manga]], written and illustrated by Miura Kentaro. It has seen two [[anime]] adaptations of the same name.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Guts, who does battle against the forces of darkness with a really, REALLY big sword. In fact, it's probably the only anime/manga in existence where the other characters actually notice that someone's sword is unrealistically large, often pointing out "Fuck me, that's a big swoOH GOD IT CUT ME IN HALF BLARGH". It is, in fact, so large that it cannot actually be used while mounted because swinging it makes the horse fall over. Guts himself can only use it by virtue of training with man-sized swords since he was a small child and scaling upwards as he grew, in combination with his titanic (and ''possibly'' supernatural) strength.

Chronologically, the story's beginnings are simple gritty medieval violence, following the exploits of a band of mercenaries as they make a name for themselves in the world and acquire power and glory. It swiftly descends into Oh-God-What-the-Fuck-Horror when [[Chaos|Eldritch Abominations]] [[Warp|from Hell]] and their monstrous "apostles" get in on the action, and via a roundabout series of events Guts ends up hunting down his old companion now ascended to godhood, determined to get revenge for his betrayal.

Just to add to the grimdarkness he has a waifu that got raped by his best friend who'd turned into a demon. His waifu then had a miscarriage from all the trauma and his kid's fetus comes back to haunt him every day. Later in the series his kid comes back looking about the age of 3-8 years old and saves him and his friends by using terrifyingly effective abilities on par with [[lofn]]. Then said kid disappears again leaving a puzzled Guts and a slightly distressed but still insane waifu.

The series has a massive following both in Japan and in the west and has been running for almost two decades. The author, Miura, is well known for taking extended breaks from production, and given his advancing age and his recent statement that he considers the series about two-thirds complete, has led to fears by many that he will kick the bucket long before he actually finishes the series.

According to some fa/tg/uys Guts is one of the lost [[Primarchs]]. Some actually speculate that Guts is Angron's son. Or even [[Angron]] himself back in the day or some shit.

/tg/ greatly enjoys it because it's essentially a fucked-up mix of [[Warhammer Fantasy]], [[WARMACHINE]], [[Dungeons and Dragons|D&D 3.5]] and [[Exalted]]. Furthermore, Guts does display some vestige of humanity, despite all the traumatizing shit that's happened to him he still displays empathy for other people. Where thugs, corrupt guards, and thieves all get chopped to bits in seconds, Guts at least attempts to avoid killing innocents. Insofar as it wont hurt him. For the most part he is an amoral
badass/cuntbag, yet there's still a bit of a caring dude in there. Somewhere.

==CHARACTERS==

===Guts===

Our favorite protagonist. Fights with a FUCKHUGE sword, eat your heart out Cloud (Sephiroth's is still <s>Bigger</s> Longer?). He is as badass as [[Eliphas]] and as manly as [[Fist of the North Star|Kenshiro]]. Has an impossibly depressing past that began before his birth;
* Guts was born [[Grimdark|falling from a hanged woman because the bandits who'd just destroyed her hometown wanted someone to string up and she was going into labor. Guts himself only survived the fall because heavy rain had made the ground soft and muddy. He was soon found by mercenaries, picked up from the mud by the leader's girlfriend, and would've been left for dead if he hadn't cried after their leader snatched him and threw him into a puddle. Said merc girlfriend raised Guts, only for her to die of a plague when Guts was three. From there his asshole of an adopted father made him fight as a child soldier, then sold him into sex slavery as a teenager where he got raped (like nearly everyone else in the story)]]. All this before he was 18.
Fuck, that's dark, even for us. Moving on, when Guts he first encounters Griffith, he loses to him in a sword battle (and his fuckhuge sword manages to lose to a ''rapier''. What.) (Happens Because Griffith is the first enemy to use actual tactics beyond "throw yourself against the FUCKHUGE sword-wielding sociopath and hope you win" also, it was a SABER)., and then goes on to fight with Griffith's band of mercenaries. Things happen, he gets the hots for Casca, then all his life went to shit with the Eclipse, [[Grimdark|where his waifu got raped by his former best friend while he was forced to watch]], and lost his left forearm and right eye. Then he gets new companions and things become a bit less grimdark.

===Griffith===

Token pretty boy. Very, very gay for Guts. Still a sword-fighting badass and a [[Creed]]-level general. Leads the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary group. His goal is ambition: then he manages to fuck it up (literally) by boning his king's daughter because Guts left him. The king (who also wants to fuck his daughter) goes to torture him horrifically, and he is broken. After that he goes to sacrifice the whole Band of the Hawk (except some kid, and Guts/Casca who manage to survive) to the local equivalent of the [[Chaos Gods]] and [[Daemon Prince|he becomes a god]]. By raping Casca. While making Guts watch. And it is shown in detail, eughhh. Then he goes all mary-sue by going to lead Midland, still under the appearance of Griffith and the local inhabitants fail to get anything. He then transforms the world into a [[Daemon world]] save for the FUCKHUGE city of bling he built himself, in which all of humanity (those who survived at least) are hidden away from the [[Daemons]] that roam the land; as any good inquisitor would say, this is highly fucking suspicious: could he be gathering victims for another more massive sacrifice? More like his trying to become the God Emperor of mankind everyone there is worshiping him as their god. Also, the guy who [[Meme|did nothing wrong]].

===Casca===

Chocolate skin short-haired tomboy warrior. What's not to love?

Guts's love interest and the greatest rape-bait in all the manga. Seriously, try to count how many times the girl got rape threats... Still, a pretty badass fighter before the Eclipse and Griffith's second in command. Pretty tsundere for Guts. Then the Eclipse (and rape) happens, and she becomes insane. After the Eclipse, she becomes Guts's protégé, as he really wants to fu- for her to love him again and Guts seeks a cure for her. UPDATE : He's done it. It only took more than an actual decade, no big deal. Still, she can't get close to guts, because if she does that the fucked-horrible memories of what had happened to her come back all together, making her scream in pure terror and despair... never a fucking joy in Guts's life.

===Zodd===

A Khornate [[Bloodthirster]], except oldschool and honorable. He sought to become an [[Daemon|Apostle]] because he wanted to continue to fight and kill. Still murders lots of people but doesn't have any fun unless they can fight back. He seems to like Guts as an enemy, and even Guts tolerates him more than the other apostles (even though they're trying to kill each other). Also is tsundere for the Skull Knight because they have fought for centuries. Equal of Guts in combat and generally pretty damn bad-ass. Doesn't even need weapons in Bloodthirster-mode, in fact both times he's used against Guts was because the fights broke his sword. Has only outright lost to the Skull Knight and Griffith.

===The Skull Knight===

A bad-ass [[Awesome|undead knight with a skeleton's head]]. He is actually a good guy, despite being just as evil looking as the monsters he fights, as he saved Guts and Casca from the Eclipse. Zodd's rival since a few hundred years. Has a pretty impressive sword, two of them in fact, though he is more sensible than Guts as his is not FUCKHUGE and he carries a shield and it is ''heavily'' implied throughout the manga that he is King Gaiseric. (Even though a longsword isn't the best weapon on horseback, who cares, he looks awesome anyway.) He is also the undead embodiment of Deus ex Machina, seeing how many times he shows up to save a character and then promptly disappear. Something which Griffith exploited to cause the world to become a shitfest, using the sword he forged from Behelits when he tried to cut him into pieces.

===Slan===

One of the God Hand, aka the local [[Chaos Gods]]. Not to be associated with the [[Slann|fat frog men from Warhammer Fantasy]]. A sick fuck who thrives on rape, [[Slaanesh|doesn't her name remind you of something anyways?]]

==/TG/'s RATING==
FIGHTING - 10: Actual varied fighting styles and the main character waving a fuckhuge sword around. Then you've got the monster fights.

GURO - 9001: As one youtuber put it, "GORE!!! GORE!!! BLOOD, TITS GORE!!! GIANT ASS SWORD!!! YOU SEE THAT DEMON? WELL NO YOU DON'T BECAUSE IT'S FUCKING DEAD!!! AGH BLOOD GORE!!! AAAAUUUGHHH!!!" To be more specific you get to see people and creatures get dismembered and mutilated in all kind of fun ways.

[[Gay]]ness - 9001: As is mandatory for all animu reviewed by /tg/. You've got gay rapists everywhere; Guts was even raped by one as a child, although he killed him later (charming). And then there's Griffith, who, while he isn't gay himself, appears so effeminate it's impossible not to think this. Also he fucks a rich old guy to fund his mercenary band, not to mention the movies have him thinking of Guts while he fucks a hot woman. So he's most likely bisexual.

Moraldickotry - 0.00001: Unbelievably Grimdark, and miraculously is not [[Edgy]]. Guts is shown almost without any form of moral compass, and it is glorious. Oh, a bunch of innocent little children got turned into monsters through no fault of their own? Don't care, kill 'em all and use their bodily fluids to make myself fireproof. An innocent man being beheaded to get me to come out of hiding? Watch and laugh while he dies. Wound an apostle, fill him full of crossbow bolts... slowly, and then drop a burning building on him and laugh while he burns to death? You bet! However, that's all only on the surface. Guts only acts like an asshole because the last people he cared about all got horribly killed, and most of those things are done out of pure pragmatism rather than maliciousness, since he doesn't murder people with no reason, the fairy children themselves bordered on eldritch abominations. Notably, at one point, after a girl loses her Apostle father thanks to him, he mocks her then gives her a dagger, telling her to one day come and kill him... but when he's walking away, he's shown crying, to the shock of Puck and readers. Later he gets some new friends and lightens up to place the morality more at a 5 or 8.

Lulz - 10: So many innocents die in this series, in truly hilarious manners, from completely unneeded torture by the [[Inquisition]] to mass-murder-orgy-fuckfest-massacres done by chaos-worshipping pagans. So do many villains. So do many random background people, as well as inanimate objects and plants. Even main characters aren't safe. This only begs the question: how many people still live in Midland?

[[Rape]] - 9999: Oh God, OH GOD with the rape! If there's one thing that Miura has drilled in our heads for damn sure, it's that nobody is safe from rape in this series. In fact, rape is so prevalent that you can even consider it a theme. Hell, Guts' waifu is such rape bait that three out of five guys are going to try to rape her. Most monsters will try to rape you, most people will try to rape you. In general, most things will try to rape most other things. Even Rape Horse? ''Especially'' Rape Horse (lovely).

Sickfuckery - 9001: The kingdom has a mercenary band of demonic men who march with impaled nude women as banners. You read that right. Also, remember the [[Daemonculaba]]? Guess what, someone in the Berserk Verse had a similar idea. Take a pregnant woman, dunk her inside the womb of a giant womb-demon, cue demon baby clawing its way out of her stomach so it can quickly grow into a shock trooper for the army. Repeat with entire city population.

[[category:weeaboo]]

== Grievances ==
[[File:Haters_gonna_hate_berserk.jpeg‎|200px|thumb|left|Haters gonna hate]]
The author, having realized it's too boring to continue the story with only Guts, his tinkle fairy and his mentally ill waifu, decided to "soften" up the manga a little bit by introducing a loli witch name Schierke and another tinkle fairy from Peter Pan. This causes rage among the fanbase, since they believe Berserk is no longer about [[Awesome|a manly, badass mercenary with his vengeance against his former comrade]], but instead adding side stories about the loli and the shota, even making Schierke naked in front of Guts for some fan service. But since we have seen mutated children rape each other to death with wasp stingers  and countless instances of rape and Casca tentacle porn, we can say the author is also a rule 34 fanboy. Besides, it's not like Guts lost his manliness anyway, since he's still the only one who gets shit done most of the time. And it's not like Schierke isn't a help, given she can stop from losing his mind when using the Berserk armor.

The manga is shifting its tone from low fantasy grim dark to high fantasy Nobledark over time. This is made obvious by the tone shift after Puck reintroduction, Peekaf shit, Tower of Doom and culminating in him acquiring the broken-as-shit Chaos-tainted Power Armor. He slowly opens his heart to his new comrades, possibly ending the story in DBZesque 6-volume fighting scene. Basically Miura is moving up from Riddle of Steel, to oWoD, DnD 3.5 and finally finished in Exalted (presumably so Guts can stand a chance in the penultimate fight against the Godhand). Please remember, of course, that in Berserk, just because things are Nobledark doesn't mean things still aren't screwed for everyone, as now the world is populated by magical monsters like giants who will destroy/rape everything in their path. Mainly humans. (Anyway, remember what happened when we got attached to guts's friends, only to see them being horribly teared apart. Never get attach on berserk, is the first rule.)

It should be noted that Miura is a long time fan of shoujo (manga and anime aimed for girls) and his writing and art often uses the shoujo style so this really isn't a surprise to anyone.

Von Carstein

2021-01-25T16:34:19Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Age Of The Three Emperors (Second War of the Vampire Counts\Second Vampire War) */

[[File:Von Carstein Banners.jpg|thumb|right|700px|For only $20, you too can make one unit of your 100+ model army belong to the Von Carsteins! Nothing says "We're just as good as the Lahmians" like paying an extra 50% for kit!]]
{{Topquote|Noble life demands a noble architecture for noble uses of noble men. Lack of culture means what it has always meant: ignoble civilization and therefore imminent downfall.|Frank Llyod Wright}}

The Von Carsteins are a Bloodline (type of vampires related by a lineage of being turned leading back to the very first vampires) of [[Vampire Counts|Vampires]] from [[Warhammer Fantasy]]. They are the posterboy Bloodline of the faction, best summarized as the Dracula Bloodline (or the [[Tzimisce]] without Vicissitude for [[Vampire: The Masquerade]] fans).

==History==
===Vashanesh===
The original Von Carstein is not really named Von Carstein; [[Vlad von Carstein]] is the made up name of Vashanesh, ex-husband of the first vampire [[Queen Neferata]]. Neferata's idiot brother ruled their kingdom of Lahmia, although due to his ineffectual rule the real power behind the throne was his sister. He along with the rest of her royal court in Lahmia shared her Elixer which she and [[Arkhan the Black]] perfected using the Books of [[Nagash]]. After an..."accident" (probably involving blood loss, maybe a bit of mutilation and castration) Neferata took the throne; despite being the Pharaoh of a kingdom described as highly sexist (contrast with Neferata's [[High Queen Khalida|cousin's]] kingdom which was fine with a female monarch) Vashanesh is barely mentioned as even being important among the vampires themselves meaning he was most likely a relaxed political puppet for his wife. After some overly opulent living leading to some [[Fail|badly botched efforts to keep the secret of Vampirism under wraps]] the Vampires were attacked and defeated by other Nehekharans, forcing them to flee to the side of the guy who invented Necromancy, Nagash himself.

After the defeat of the Vampires and Nagash and during the death of [[Nehekhara]]/birth of the [[Tomb Kings]], Vlad and all but two of the other Vampires who had stood with Nagash's forces fought and blamed each other for the loss (Neferata had left before the battle occurred, and [[Abhorash]] had fought until defeat before leaving without a word to the others). Nagash's EXTREMELY angry spirit cursed all Vampires with the assorted mythological weaknesses like inability to cross running water and not having reflections (the latter because by nature Vampires are extremely vain) causing the embittered Vampires to flee his wrath by making their own ways through the apparently quite passable "impassible" mountains separating Nehekhara from the [[Old World]].
Vlad avoided the entanglements of [[Orcs & Goblins|greenskins]] that hindered the others and found his own way to [[The Empire (Warhammer Fantasy)|The Empire Of Sigmar]]. Vampires were still mostly an unknown to the humans of Warhammer Europe, despite [[Sigmar]] himself having fought them and there being a minor matter of the Empire marching to destroy Mourkain during the story of [[W'soran]] and [[Ushoran]]. Thanks to the status quo-enforcing policies of Neferata's web of international sexy spies the common folk knew little of Vampires and feared them only among the various other things that are probably lurking in the night.

According to a later retcon Vashanesh never existed. In the new version Vlad's old identity was a noble ally of Neferata's named Ankhat who mostly managed the day to day operations of the city, and Neferata never remarried after her brother was killed. As of The End Times the rulebook confirms he was Vashanesh... while the novel never mentions the name and says Neferata only ever loved Arkhan. At this point, pick a canon you like.

===Vlad and Isabella===
After spending some time gathering information Vashanesh found that he had come to a land called Sylvania. Sylvania was poor and ruled primarily by corrupt leaders who were hated and feared by the populace. The magic Wind Of Death blew strongly through Sylvania, causing madness in much of its inbred nobility and giving the land a cursed and barren landscape. He also discovered that the leader of the region, the mad count Otto Von Drak, had an inheritance crisis due to having no son to inherit and an intense hatred of his brother Leopold Von Drak. Vashanesh invented the name Vlad Von Carstein, obtained some nice clothes, and presented himself as the handsome nobleman to the court of Castle Drakenhof interested in joining the family. Otto, on his deathbed in the year of 1797, almost immediately gave "Vlad" his daughter [[Isabella von Carstein|Isabella]] as a wife and died soon after that. Leopold had an "accident" of falling off a tower (possibly involving blood loss, most likely due to Vlad literally tearing his heart out of his chest for Isabella) and the Sigmarite priest vanished (blood AND body loss!).

Vlad began a network operation of discovering who's who among Sylvanian nobility, greatly aided by Isabella. Although loyal in concept to the Von Drak line she had a great deal of hatred for her father and those of the court, and eagerly made herself more than just a pawn to her new husband. She accepted his Vampiric nature and fell in love, slowly creeping her way into his heart as well. With her guidance Vlad turned the most loyal (read: least batshit fucking insane) nobles into Vampires while making sure the rest met with various "accidents" (probably involving blood loss and the complete removal of their family name from all records and tombstones). While Vlad was prone to great bouts of rage at any slight (like all Nehekharans) Isabella was of a calm temperament, able to calm her husband and lead him back to reason which ensured that only those who truly deserved his anger received it (cruelly, in front of an assembled gathering of the nobility). The common folk of Sylvania, always oppressed and downtrodden, fearing at any moment that a new burst of the local lord's madness would lead to a fresh purge of their friends and family, actually benefited from Vlad's rule; excessive cruelty was not tolerated, and Vlad GREATLY encouraged acting as if they were still mortal which necessitated living servants and workers on the Sylvanian estates. Taxes were more fair and suddenly being killed by a lord was due to their need for sustenance rather than just because said nobleman found them annoying. Vlad eliminated the bandits and corrupt mercenaries, as well as Chaos worship (Sigmar worship suddenly and inexplicably dropped as well after). Most nobles who were turned gladly renamed themselves Von Carstein in Vlad and Isabella's honor (most were related already anyway).

Isabella wanted to remain with Vlad forever, but knew that soon she would start to fall to age, but Vlad refused to make her a Vampire. While Vlad was away she became deathly ill (AKA poisoned herself, which backfired when she got tuberculosis) and he rushed home to save her. Upon arriving home he found that she was dead, but after sending away the healers and mortician he spent three days alone in her room after which she was suddenly perfectly okay (the doctors may have been confused due to sudden inexplicable blood loss).

===Age Of The Three Emperors (First War of the Vampire Counts\First Vampire War)===
During the events of [[Mordheim]] in 1999 on the Imperial Calendar Vlad managed to woo one of his ex's servants, [[Baroness Katherina von Dernsbach]], and sent her to the city to lead Vampire forces in stealing as much [[Warpstone]] as possible.

Long before Vlad reached the Empire, the Age of Three Emperors started due to an election crisis following the [[Fail|assassination of Mandred Skavenslayer]] by [[Skaven]] in 1152. A successor was not appointed until 1359 when (through accused bribery) the Count of Stirland became Emperor leading to the Countess of Ottilia deciding SHE was Empress, causing a war which raged on and off until 1547 when the Count of Middenland declared himself Emperor due to a conflict with the Sigmar and Ulric churches. After the infant Countess of Marienburg won the election for Emperor, the Church of Sigmar rejected her rulership. By the time that Vlad had decided the time was right to fight to become Emperor, his rivals were the Countess of Talabecland, the Count of Reikland, and the Count of Marienburg and the Empire was a complete fucking mess.

In 2010, on Geheimnisnacht (AKA Halloween, when [[Morrslieb]] is closest to <strike>Mallus</strike> the Warhammer World) Vlad invited the nobility of Sylvania to a feast where the Vampire nobles fed on the remaining mortal nobility after which he consumed all of the gathered Warpstone and read an incantation of Nagash straight from one of the nine Books Of Nagash which caused the undead of Sylvania to rise and march.

Throughout the wars, Vlad was continually killed and to the amazement of all initially, and to his enemies afterwards (the first time one of his subordinates named Herman Posner tried to take over the faction), he returned every night (or within the hour if it was already night) as if nothing happened. This was due to his ring, the Von Carstein Ring, given to him by Nagash at some point which allowed him to return to life as long as he was still wearing it.

First he attacked Talabheim, killing Ottilia, followed by taking Stirland and Ostermark. To end the war in 2051 he laid siege to Altdorf in order to take Reikland and thus the Empire itself. The Grand Theogonist claimed to have received a vision from Sigmar revealing that Vlad's ring was the source of his resurrection in order to prevent the Empire from bowing to Vlad. The greatest thief of the time, Felix Mann (no, not THAT [[Gotrek & Felix|Felix]]) was sent to steal the ring which was easy due to <strike>rebellious Vampires</strike> Vlad's army believing they had nothing to fear; he ran off with it, and was later caught by Mannfred, who took the ring and his hands before leaving him in a cathedral to die whereupon he was saved by a Dwarf and...the writers forgot about him. Vlad attacked in a rage once he woke up the next night and found the ring gone and wound up in melee combat with the Grand Theogonist on the walls of Altdorf [[Fail|(because getting into a duel during a battle is the perfect reaction to finding out your get out of death free card is missing)]]. Vlad fatally stabbed the Sig-pope, who tackled him straight off the walls and onto the stakes below while Vlad's magic bloodsucking sword filled him with pope-blood (remember, holy burns undead). The combination, without the ring, killed him and prevented resurrection. Isabella, who was in the middle of claiming the Empire with the Reikland claimant at her mercy, killed herself instead in order to be with Vlad. The Vampires retreated to Sylvania and the Empire focused on ending the succession crisis...which didn't happen until 2145.

===Age Of The Three Emperors (Second War of the Vampire Counts\Second Vampire War)===
After the deaths of the Von Carstein patriarch and matriarch, the bulk of the invading undead army were destroyed by humans or loss of the magic animating them.

The primary contenders for rulership of the Von Carsteins were [[Mannfred von Carstein]], Fritz Von Carstein, Pieter Von Carstein, Hans Von Carstein, and [[Konrad von Carstein]]. Mannfred, being [[Magnus the Red|a non-confrontational nerd]], figured it was a good time for a world tour=. Before this he freed a vampire named Jon Skellan, and the two did the vampiric equivalent of going on a bender by (sensually) feeding on then killing the most beautiful women they could find across Stirland. After going on this (surprisingly rapey) killing spree, Mannfred charged Jon with undermining whichever brother rose to power, then left for parts unknown. During this time, Fritz attempted to restart Vlad's invasion of the Empire and was killed in Middenheim. Pieter attacked a town where he was killed by Helmut van Hal, one of the Witch Hunter descendants of [[Frederick van Hal]]. Hans and Konrad engaged each other in a duel over who was the strongest Vampire, which Konrad won by tearing Hans apart and burning the pieces. When the dust settled, Konrad was in charge.

This was unfortunate for the Von Carsteins. Konrad was one of the last Vampires turned by Vlad and for unknown reasons; he was ridiculously insane even by Sylvanian standards, having depopulated towns in mass executions on a whim (specifically, "they smelled bad") and executed his mother for giving birth to him without prior permission by him. He had no talent in magic, insulting and killing Necromancers assigned to him and anyone he thought was mocking his lack of magic ability.

Although inept at leadership, combat tactics, politics, and just about anything else not directly related to inflicting violence on people, he managed to intimidate a record number of Necromancers and Vampires into his service and put them into one giant army which steamrolled through the Empire with a record number of Undead. This slowly advancing wave was only capable of destruction, rather than establishing a chain of command and rulership like Vlad had done. Konrad was defeated in 2100 in the Battle of Four Armies (surprisingly not a reference to [[Tolkien]]) by the combined armies of Altdorf, Talabheim and Marienburg, but still "won" since the election crisis resulted in the Count of Altdorf and the Ottilia of Talabheim assassinating each other while the count of Marienburg was killed by Konrad, then sent as a Zombie to try and claim the Empire in Konrad's name (which canonically only failed because the Necromancers puppeting him had done a bad job of hiding his decomposition).

In 2121 Konrad was defeated by an army of the Empire and Dwarfs, but only due to Konrad's Necromancers all abandoning him at once after finally getting sick of his bullshit (this is canon). Most of the army crumbled, and after attempting to control them regardless Konrad's already scrambled brain was reheated and pitched out the window resulting in him wandering around in the woods until Thane Grufbad of the Dwarf army and the son of the Count of Marienburg wrestled him to the ground and beheaded him (to put this in context, Vampires can backhand a fucking Ogre or a Chaos Champion, but some random human and Dwarf managed to get him on his back).

===Age Of The Three Emperors (Third War of the Vampire Counts\Third Vampire War)===
During Konrad's bullshit crusade, Manny had managed to explore Nehekhara, reclaimed some of the Books of Nagash (there's a lore snarl where he apparently claimed all of them despite them all being in multiple places at once and being lost to the sands of time). He managed to commune with Nagash, swearing allegiance, learned from [[Arkhan the Black]], set up ties with the [[Necrarch]] Bloodline, and returned just in time to restore order after Konrad got a <strike>Game Of Thrones</strike> Walking Dead side character death.

Mannfred returned to Altdorf to lay siege, but the Church of Sigmar had learned how to effectively deal with Undead and Mannfred's army was crushed. He used ambushes and raiding to put pressure on the Empire until the Battle Of Hel Fen in 2145, where, despite dealing with disease and the sicknesses of the swamps resulting in a massive amount of casualties, Mannfred's largely Zombie-based army was destroyed and his lifeless body sunk into the muck. Thus ended the last Vampire War, and the succession crisis FINALLY ended after nearly going on longer than the Empire itself.

===Mannfred's Resurrection===
Felix (yes, THAT Felix) saw and wrote about the resurrection of Mannfred during his travels with the God Emperor Of Murderhobos Gotrek. In fact they unintentionally made it possible. Felix and Gotrek were staying at an inn, having been recruited to rescue the innkeeper's adult daughter, Elsa (not a reference to Frozen), who had been captured by a necromancer. They find the Necromancer trying to use her as a virgin sacrifice to resurrect a vampire. Gotrek cuts him in half and they rescue the woman. However the necromancer's blood leaked through the ground onto Mannfred's body and revived him (revealing the necromancer to have been a virgin, which provoked some amusement from Mannfred).

After nearly abusing the innkeeper's hospitality (Gotrek nearly drinking all the booze and Felix attempting to seduce Elsa), a servant of Mannfred's burns down the inn. Deprived of their vices (the booze is burned up and Elsa has too much of a revenge-boner to care about Felix's literal one) and mad at the wanton destruction, they track down the perpetrator. During this time Mannfred had commandeered a ship and put the crew under his thrall (through a mix of vampire charm and the threat of gruesome death) and sailed to a hidden base. Gotrek and Felix track him down to his lair twice. First time he flees after getting a small cut from Gotrek's axe. The second time Gotrek temporarily loses the axe and forced Mannfred to flee by beating him with a pair of silver candlesticks. Mannfred goes into hiding while Gotrek and Felix go to do their thing in later books.

===[[Blood Of Sigmar]]===
Despite the interference of Gotrek and Felix, Mannfred kept his resurrection under wraps in the same manner as the Skaven keep their existence. He actively recruited all Vampires from any Bloodline, assassinating or sabotaging any who didn't sign up with him while avoiding direct conflict with the other Bloodlines. Von Carsteins were bullied back into the chain of command, and Mannfred began his war by attacking the Dwarfs and kidnapping [[Everqueen|Aliathra]], Everqueen heir to the [[High Elves (Warhammer Fantasy)|High Elves]] using a prodded force of greenskins and [[Heinrich Kemmler]].

The sun stopped rising in Sylvania and Vampires became openly active again. Mannfred openly seceded Sylvania from the Empire in 2522 by sending a letter to Karl Franz - [[Grimdark|a letter written in blood on human skin, stuffed down the throat of a Witch Hunter's corpse which was dropped into parliament hall by a Terrorgheist]] - where he declared himself leader of Sylvania at the same time as he stole the Crown Of Sorcery AKA Nagash's favorite tiara. [[Volkmar The Grim]] attempted a crusade against Sylvania, but the force was defeated and he was taken captive. [[Balthasar Gelt]] created a giant magical wall trapping the Undead within Sylvania. Mannfred responded by using the blood of Volkmar, the [[Fey Enchantress]], and Aliathra to create a giant wall of bones inside Sylvania preventing the living from entering.

===[[The End Times]]===
(Fuck this shit, I'm not writing it.)

Short version: Arkhan and Mannfred broke through Gelt's wall and successfully brought Nagash back. Nagash brought Vlad back, which was awesome. Vlad took over Sylvania from Mannfred, which is even better. But then the world ended, everyone died and it was Mannfred's fault.

===[[Age of Sigmar]]===
Bloodlines no longer exist as of AoS since nobody is keeping track of lineage, just loyalty (so far, it is possible for GW to bring back the idea later since it has not been stated they have abandoned the idea). Some Vampires such as Neferata survived the end of the world and the ensuing new timeline, now being far more ancient than the rest of the ancient beings in the setting. Some such as Mannfred were resurrected by Nagash.

Technically speaking the Von Carsteins “exist” in the sense that Mannfred is still around, languishing in a place of torment in Nagash’s own version of hell. Its unlikely humans would survive there making it a Bloodline of one at the time, but he has since sided with anyone against Nagash and any mortals he turns are now part of the Von Carsteins. Since Games Workshop has not committed to which specific characters didn't survive the ET, any character can and sporadically has returned so Vlad, Isabella, Konrad, even the named redshirts from past obscure lore, could all be brought back into the story at any time. After getting out of his punishment Mannfred founded a realm called Carstinia which was similar to Sylvania. He was served by vampiric servants, turned in yes-men and made to look like all the other von Carsteins including Vlad, Isabella and Konrad. However Mannfred eventually accepted how hollow his fantasy was and rarely spends time in Carstinia anymore.

That being said, the rest of the Vampire Counts (thus far, since they seem to be making shit up as they go) are Nagash’s and serve under Neferata, with the exception of the “Flesh-eater Courts” which are Ushoran’s. While Ushoran turns his own Vampires which are as a result technically Strigoi, the rest of the Courts are made up of those who have been infected by his madness which spreads like psychic AIDS wherever he or his servants go; while any race, any Bloodline, can end up infected and among his Courts, it requires a willing act of eating food at one of their feasts to seal the deal.

==Relations==
* Chaos
** [[Beastmen]]
*** Vampire encounters with Beastmen in lore are rare, since both tend to serve the purpose as "guys attacking the Empire" although in [[Total War: WARHAMMER]] Isabella remarks that "They would be beautiful if they weren't so disgusting."
** [[Chaos Dwarfs]]
*** Chaos Dwarfs have no concern or interest in the Von Carsteins.
** [[Daemons]]
*** Daemons have virtually nothing to do with the Von Carsteins as Vampires are outside of the cycle of life and death, their souls never returning to the Warp.
** [[Warriors Of Chaos]]
*** The WoC have no concern or interest in the Von Carsteins prior to End Times, when they became rival forces.
* [[Dwarfs (Warhammer Fantasy)|Dwarfs]]
** Von Carsteins antagonize the Dwarfs a great deal, and the Dwarfs aid the Empire whenever they can. As a result the relationship is quite unfriendly and the Dwarfs are more likely to attack the VCs than the other VC Bloodlines.
* Elves
** [[High Elves (Warhammer Fantasy)|High Elves]]
*** Prior to the taking of the Everprincess by Mannfred, the Von Carsteins were not a concern of the Asur so long as the Empire was still a buffer against Chaos. Afterwards they are one of the worst enemies, second only to the Dark Elves.
** [[Dark Elves (Warhammer Fantasy)|Dark Elves]]
*** Dark Elves have no concern or interest in the Von Carsteins. Would probably mad enough to trade with them like any vampire pirate they encountered.
** [[Wood Elves (Warhammer Fantasy)|Wood Elves]]
*** Wood Elves have no concern or interest in the Von Carsteins, but will still kill them on sight like any undead since the taint of undeath kills their trees. Similar incident happened when Heinrich raised a bunch of wraith and killed a lot of trees and elves in the [[Athel Loren]].
* Humans
** [[Bretonnia]]
*** The Von Carsteins have almost no contact with Bretonnia, being geographically separated and having no reason to go after the Frenchies when the Germans are still putting up a fight. Still, they would disavow them if they ever met due to their decree against all undead as well as the similar experience they had with the mousillon undead.
** The Empire
*** The main enemy of the Von Carsteins, seen by the VCs as uppity livestock wandering the fields without masters.
* [[Lizardmen]]
** Lizardmen have no concern or interest in the Von Carsteins, but will probably still kill them on sight since they are not part of the old one's plan. Plus, lizardmen already had the similar experience with a vampire pirate known as Luthor Harkon, who set up a remote port base on their backyard.
* [[Ogre Kingdoms]]
** Ogre mercenaries in the Empire, as well as the population living in Ostland, would be concerned about the Vampire Counts but the Kingdoms themselves are likely to work alongside the Von Carsteins as they are to be against them.
* [[Orcs & Goblins]]
** Lack of fucks given. Just another enemy to fight. But their relationship were much better when Azhag had Nagash's crown and the
Von Carstein wants it for their master's resurrection.
* [[Skaven]]
** Skaven are generally concerned by the undeads due to their history with that particular frightened lich known as [[Nagash]]. Outside of Mordheim they would not acting directly against the Von Carsteins or any other undead in particular since they can't eat their corpses for food. That is unless they carry warp stones.
* [[Tomb Kings]]
The Tomb Kings see them like they do any other vampires, enemy number one (though some of the more unscrupulous Tomb Kings may work with Von Carsteins, [[Settra the Imperishable|Settra]] has [[Blam|a zero-tolerance policy on vampires and working with them]]). However, being geographically separated means their forays are usually limited to small expeditions. Prior to the End Times, their only interactions were Mannfred stealing some scrolls from their tombs to prepare for Konrad's inevitable downfall and a team-up of Khalida and Arkhan the Black to hunt down a Von Carstein vampire with one of Nagash's staffs.
* Vampire Counts
** [[Strigoi]]
*** While the Von Carsteins had nothing to do with their fall, they have still managed to become a hated enemy. Wandering Strigoi find themselves manipulated into being pawns or simply eliminated to prevent them from bringing unwanted attention from the Empire to the region. Or simply because the Strigoi doesn't know when to stop regarding feeding on the peasants, possibly getting a delicious maiden or elderly warrior that someone who could ''appreciate'' the meal could have had. Strigoi in return hate the rich fucks in their fancy castles while they're stuck shivering in cold damp caves.
** [[Lahmian]]
*** The second main enemy of the Von Carsteins after the Empire. While the Von Carsteins want to kick [[Karl Franz]] off the throne of the Empire, stick his head on a pike, and make the architecture look like Tim Burton's Dracula wet dream the Lahmians have already taken over the Empire. As well as Bretonnia, Cathay, some Dwarf Holds, part of Ulthuan, and just about everything else not affiliated with Chaos. The two are direct rivals for power, the Von Carsteins pretending to be vampire overlords in crumbling castles while Lahmians pretend to be human overlords in well-furnished and modern decorated castles. Much of the intrigue not related to ruling the world of both Bloodlines is against each other, with a small amount left for kicking Strigoi in the teeth for lulz.
** [[Blood Dragon]]
*** Despite the Dracula connection, Blood Dragons have almost no meaning to Von Carsteins. Neither factors into the plans of the other, neither are a nuisance to the other, and generally speaking there's no known conflict between the two.
** [[Necrarch]]
*** Necrarchs have the same relationship with the Von Carsteins that they do the other Bloodlines (Strigoi excluded). Necrarchs build monsters or discover new spells, they sell them to the Von Carsteins for gold or supplies. While in theory a rivalry with a resurrected Nagash (that the Necrarchs worship) would cause a conflict, in End Times the Necrarchs joined the Von Carstein bloodline but otherwise stayed in the background.

==Armies==
The Von Carsteins, as the posterboy faction, use every option available to the Vampire Counts. In particular they use Corpse Carts, Black Coaches, and Vargheists, all inventions of the Von Carsteins although later they were adopted by other Bloodlines. Even Bloodline-specific options like the Strigoi Ghoul Kings can be coerced into Vlad or Mannfred's armies (or just be among the more insane of the Sylvanians turned into the family).

{{Vampire-Counts-Bloodlines}}
[[Category:Warhammer Fantasy]]
[[Category:Vampire Counts]]

Queen Neferata

2021-01-25T16:26:32Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Age of Sigmar */

{{cleanup}}[[Image:Nef or nothing.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Although in [[Warhammer 40k]] she'd be a planetary governor with a skin condition, in [[Warhammer Fantasy]] she's one of the most powerful and evil beings outside the [[Warp]].]]
{{Topquote|A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.|Eleanor Roosevelt}}
{{Topquote|Behind every great man, there is a great woman. Behind those great women, there is me!|Neferata}}

The very first fucking vampire in a setting where vampires are still cool, which is a product of her own creation rather than a Biblical curse or demonic possession. She's something of a Cleopatra expy who's been in a lot of positions of leadership-no pun intended-then found she preferred to run things behind the scenes.

==The Legend==
During the war against [[Nagash]], there was a young princess of Lahmia in the Egypt analogue of the [[Warhammer Fantasy|Warhammer]] setting, [[Nehekhara]], named Neferatem (Neferata was the name she went by outside of Nehekhara, although later writers forgot about it and had her always called Neferata). While her [[Queen Khalida|cousin]] wore pants, rode horses, shot arrows, and prayed to the snake god, Neferata spent her time getting wasted on black lotus wine and forcing servants to make amateur porn for her. Her father was too busy waging war against Nagash and when he died she was put in charge of the kingdom. Her brother took command of the forces of Nehekhara and made a deal with [[Arkhan the Black]] to become necromancer bros by looting Nagash's house. Her brother Lamashizzar won the backstabbing competition and took Nagash's books home plus a crippled and (re)dying Arkhan to give cliffnotes along the way. Since Neferata, like pretty much every girl in her palace, has completed the training require of being priestess of Neru (reading incantation, making elixir), he threw the books at her and told her to get to work as he took over the job of ordering cooks to suck face with stablehands.

Now it's well known that in order to have a fictional culture based on Egypt, you have to be obsessed with immortality. While Lamashizzar is busy studying Nagash's power to become immortal, Neferata was tasked by her brother to maintain court affair and greet their trading partner from Cathay. During one of the conversation with one of the Celestial Emperor's son, ambassador Prince Xian Ha Feng, he announced outrageous news that the Cathayans had recently discovered a large resource of gold mine, attempting to force Lahmia to pay even more gold. What's more, it was a trade agreement signed by her father Lamasheptra out of desperation because his sister Neferem was held hostage by Nagash. Lamasheptra signed a trade agreement to pay Cathay a bunch of gold every year in exchange for getting his hands on Cathay's military secret: dragon staffs (guns) and dragon powder (gun powder with some Cathyan secret ingredient), and if he couldn't pay them, the land of Lahmia will belong to Cathay. Neferata realized her home city was in deep shit, and she had to deal with this alone because her brother was an incompetent necromancy obsessed nerd who did not gave a shit about their city. Having enough, she turned to her brother's secret tutor Arkhan for help. She wanted Arkhan to teach her as well, and used her charm to try and persuade him. To everyone's surprise, including her own, Neferata sympathized with the imprisoned lich and formed a genuine rapport with him that grew into something more. Instead of taking notes and translating shit for Lahmia to gain an army of Level 1 Mages, she started experimenting, and actually managed to improve on Nagash's techniques.

When Lamashizzar and his cabal members (Ushoran, W'soran, Ankhat, Abhorash, Zhuras, Adio, Khenti, Ubaid) found out, Nefereta convinced them to join her using Arkhan's knowledge of each cabal member as reference, combining with her charisma and a bit of demonstrating what her elixir could do (she knocked her brother far away with but a simple push using her new found inhuman strength). Most of the cabal immediately jumped from the sinking ship that is Lamashizzar and followed Nefereta, leaving the incompetent king with his vizier Ubaid, as well as the incompetent Adio and Khenti; your typical spoiled young nobles that do nothing but drink and gamble. Arkhan was set free afterwards at Neferata's command.

To prevent his sister from usurping his power, Lamashizzar ordered Ubaid to assassinate Neferata with the mythical sphinx venom. Arkhan (who had fought and killed Adio and Khenti sent by the king to kill him) desperately carried the unconscious Neferata to the female palace in order to save her. Arkhan's presence greatly uspset the female servants who chased him for a time, but one female servant name Aiyah, who just happened to be young Khalida's former female attendant, instead guided Arkhan to the queen's room and offered to help. Arkhan tried to save Neferata using several rituals and spells contained in the tome of Nagash which required Aiyah's assistance. After five days of dark magic Neferata seemed to die. Blinded by grief, Arkhan overlooked Aiyah, who fled to Lybaras, and went on kill Lamashizzar himself.

Neferata of course turned out to be alive, in a sense, and had become the first vampire after Arkhan's ritual. More importantly, Arkhan killing Lamashizzar made her the official ruler of Lahmia, which was the most important city at that time (thanks to Nagash for fucking up Khemri)! News of Lamashizzar's death caught the attention of the Nehekhara rulers and they attended Lamashizzar's funeral just so they could discuss politics. Good ol' cousin [[Khalida]] was there too, suspcious of Neferata as Aiyah had found her and spilled the beans about Arkhan and the dark magic.

Even though Khalida ruled Lybaras sometime ago, Neferata hoped she could use this chance to reconcile with Khalida and strengthen their relationship.

After a feast of Cathayan seafood Malatang (seafood boiled using various chili spices from Cathay, so close enough) at the Lahmian garden, Neferata tried to control her fellow Nehekharan kings and queens with the promise to rebuilt their destroyed cities and temples (thank you [[Nagash]]) by offering 10000 gold for them each year as well as offering the Rasetra King Shepret the ruined city of Khemri (because their bloodline has connection to Amenophis, a son of Settra whom was disowned by the later) with the gold needed to rebuilt it. While every other ruler was busy drooling over Neferata's wonderful promises, Khalida suddenly called her out for her bullshit and for embracing Nagash's dark power.

Neferata of course rejected such an outrageous accusation, and a challenge to a duel was issued. The challenge was accepted, and Neferata ended up killing Khalida with her surprising vampire strength during the duel. There is also a hilarious scene where Abhorash is concerning whether Neferata had any sword training at all, as well as telling her the importance of using a metal sword or bronze sword in a duel.

Although Khalida hated Neferata, Neferata did not hate her. Neferata was saddened by the sight of dying Khalida and tried to turn her into a vampire using the blood on her lips, but Khalida was either too far gone to turned into one or saved from that fate by the goddess Asaph.

After the people around her used the rare skill of common sense and realized she wasn't aging and was going through more servants than most, she realized she'd need some meatshields that weren't mooks. She picked the captain of the guard and all around badass [[Abhorash]] (whom Neferata tricked to becoming a vampire because he was too honorbound and stubborn to accept it; he self exiled in shame after a killing spree brought on by his transformation), former vizier Ubaid (whom is now royal to Neferata after she had "tamed" him with her new found [[Toreador| vampire seduction power]]) her high priest [[W'soran/Melkhior and Zacharias the Everliving|W'soran]], her younger brother [[Ushoran]], Maatmeses (unknown, went to Ind or retcon?), Naamia (a former Cathay noble courtesan given to her by Ha Feng), [[Cathay|Prince Xian Ha Feng himself]] and Ankhat (Neferata's husband Vashanesh or her political assistant). She educated them on their new strengths and one minor recurring habit of only being able to feed on blood. She also planted puppet rulers in the Lahmia court named King Sothis and Queen Ammanura in order to rule behind the scene.

[[Vlad von Carstein]] hinted in his own novels that Vashanesh is the father of his Bloodline but all other Bloodlines said such a person never existed. Later it turned out they were full of it, as Vlad was revealed to be Vashanesh himself. (There is a canon conflict here, since the novels set in and shortly after this period never mention him.) Neferata also selected another seven.

[[Cathay|Prince Xian Ha Feng]] took some vials of the Elixir to [[Cathay]] as payment ([[fail|then rebelled against his dragon father and probably died]]). [[Jade-Blooded|The vampire bloodline in Cathay remain alive still]].

Neferata later founded the Lahmian cult under W'soran's suggestion. It is a clever way to not only acquire more blood unnoticed, as well as recruiting more vampire underling (especially female), whom were indoctrinate into believing Neferata is the incarnation of the goddess Asaph. The cult even serves a good purpose as a political tool that made the Lahmia ruler look divine, in an age where the Nehekhara kings are no longer protect by the god's blessing.

Such a cult attracted the attention of Queen of Rasetra, who came to the temple to pray for her difficult pregnancy. Neferata agreed to save the queen's child, to the shock of her vampire cabal. Her plan was giving the queen a vial of elixir distilled from her own blood, saving the child and letting every priest kings know the greatness of Nefereta's miracle that is ''totally'' unlike Nagash's dark magic. By using her fame and some taxation deductions as a bribe, she opened an academy in Lahmia for all the priest king's children (think of it as junior Harvard or Yale in Egypt) and having them staying there (aka kept as political hostage) until adulthood.

Such an outrageous plan made the cabal believe Neferata lost her mind after Khalida died, but they had no power to oppose her. The other kings initially disapproved, but they were under heavy taxation by Lahmia at that time and would to do anything to decrease their tax, especially after they heard how the Lahmian cult saved the Queen of Rasetra's child.

When the child turned out to be male, knowing he will be the next king of Khemri, Neferata claimed him as her own saying he would stay in Lahmia until he came of age and took his throne. This child was named Alcadizaar.

Because of Khalida's death, Neferata grew to believe that Alcadizaar would become her partner, eventually becoming a vampire and joining with her to rule all Nehekahra from Khemri, so she started practicing wife husbandry on him (some hardcore vampire pedophilia action here...), training him in every aspect of war and statehood (while also making sure he didn't get with any other woman). Even though Alcadizaar was sick of doing the preparation past the age of 18 years old (his other classmate/prince friend had already left Lahmia and began their ruling), Neferata insisted him to stay for further training at the Lahmian cult.

By the time Alcadizzar is 30 years old (at -1320 Imperial Reckoning), his uncle Khenti, a powerful yet pissed off Rasetran noble came to Lahmia and demanded Neferata to hand over Alcadizzar.

According to Ushoran's spies, Neferata's action to hold back Alcadizzar's release ticked off the Rasetran King. The king had been sending letters to other priest kings not only for this matter, but also because the amount of tax they had to pay Lahmia every year. Zandri has begun testing Lahmia's resolve by not paying them. If things got worse, a coalition army of priest kings could form and destroy Lahmia, and Lahmia's military was still weak with inexperienced soldiers, not to mention they no longer had their famed dragon staff force since the dragon powder had been all used up and the bluff of its existence was the only thing keeping the the priest kings from attacking Lahmia.

Despite objections from many powerful rulers, Neferata didn't give a shit and simply lied, saying Alcadizzar was not ready yet and suggested another DECADE of training session at her temple to truly unite Lahmia and Khemri in spirit (in other words, vampirize Alcadizzar and claim his vampiric D for herself). Brilliant and wicked, Neferata had Alcadizzar decide if he wanted follow this insane suggestion or go fuck off rule his Khemri just as he always wanted.

Despite Khenti's suggestion for Alcadizzar to leave, he remained clueless to the schemes Neferata had up her sleeves and accept her training course, believing it was ultimately for the good of Khemri and that the city can survive another decade without him.

And so for the next 25 fucking years, Alcadizzar became the high priest of the blood temple and unknowingly drank more of Neferata's elixir (making him incredibly strong and youthful) and playing with live snakes in fake devotion services to Asaph AKA show Neferata his devotion.

During a romantic stroll through the garden of the temple's inner sanctum, Naaima appeared out of the blue and delivered a dreadful message to Alcadizzar; his father, the king of Rasetra, had died (yes, Neferata kept Alcadizzar for 55 fucking years and father and son never got to meet... seriously).

Angered by Naaima's sudden interruption from her sweet time with Alcadizzar (as well as for Naaima's many years of absence since her transformation), Neferata told Alcadizzar to go pray at the snek goddess shrine for his father's passing. When he was gone, Neferata angrily snarled at Naaima, calling her a "eastern slut" (actual quote). Even though Naaima was trying to help Neferata's plans, get her through the trauma of losing Khalida and even playing matchmaker for Neferata and Alcadizzar despite Naamia herself falling in love with Neferata, all Naamia got back was Neferata's seething and cursing, telling her to fuck off.

5 years later, Alcadizzar met with the final trial where he had to endure the pain of whips and survive a stab in the heart (which only rendered him unconscious). When Alcadizaar woke up, Neferata was waiting for him without her mask on, revealing her vampiric nature, then tried to force feed the terrified Alcadizaar her final elixir to become a vampire. But Ubaid, the former vizier (whom Neferata has entrusted to assist Alcadizzar many years ago) sacrificed himself to save Alcadizzar, allowing him to flee into the wild, where he hid in the desert and was welcomed into a nomadic desert tribe after performing a heroic action to win their trust.

After Alcadizaar's escape, Neferata turned towards vengeance and finding her would-be boy toy. She sent Ushoran and his spies to find him and filled her court with torturers that were used to interrogate civilians to spit out Alcadizzar's location. Lahmia suffered greatly under her wrath. Kidnappings became common, everyone who used to party in Lahmia's nightlife decided to stay at home, traders came in less often, the street and building went uncared for longer, armies weren't properly trained, equipped or motivated (for an army captain, having their men dying to the enemies is punishable) and Lahmia was now truly the shadow of its former self.

Her Cabal members got sick of her behavior, of course, and started to do their own thing. W'soran tried to summon [[Nagash]] and found out he is still alive, but got staked and locked in a barrel for it so Naggy couldn't steal Neffy't thunder. Ushoran planned to defect to Nagash after W'soran revealed bone daddy's location. Zhuras had been living in depression since he couldn't prove useful for Lamashizzar when he was alive, but was encouraged by Ushoran to form an alliance with him and Nagash. Aborhash was still nowhere to be found since his exile, wandering the desert to prey on nomads and hone his combat skills. Every vampire in the cabal wanted to jump out of the sinking ship... all but [[Vlad von Carstein|Ankhat]] who was still loyal.

Alcadizzar's tribe eventually killed Zhuras on one of his trips as an envoy to Nagashizzar. His head and his letter was bought as proof to the other kings (note: the god damned twin tailed comet was there when Alcadizzar killed the vampire, so even Tzeentch knew what's up). After this, the Nehekharans realized how dangerously close things were to becoming [[Twilight]], so they gathered their forces into a vast army and laid siege to Lahmia.

Despite being outnumbered, Neferata did her best of defend her city. She gathered every vampire she knew: from the loyal [[Vlad von Carstein|Lord Ankhat]], the treacherous [[Ushoran]] (whom Neferata and Ankhat had caught right just before he was about to escape), W'soran (whom Neferata had freed to serve them with his undead summoning in battle) and her female vampire cultists including her returned lovelorn Naamia.

In battle, Neferata and her cultists demonstrated their ability of seduction upon the Nekheharan invaders, charming them with their beauty and gazes to the point of all but paralyzing them, then slew them. Every Nekheharan who met with their gaze were controlled instantly, turning them into meat shield who would take arrows for them or fight their closest comrades in fits of false jealousy. Despite facing such a supernatural enemy, Alcadizzar's tribal desert horse archers were able to down some cultists with arrow shots (since vampire can't move if staked in the heart, shooting a mass number of arrows will surely have high chances for them to stuck in their heart, and at that distance their seduction powers don't work). Neferata then faced Alcadizaar in a duel. Alcadizaar, despite being strong and well trained was none the less effected by Neferata's seduction, and she was able to regenerate every wound he struck. Eventually Neferata struck him down with her inhuman strength, then proceed to suck the blood from his neck as a way to recover every "gift" she has given to Alcadizzar. Unfortunately for her, Alcadizaar had hidden a dagger which he used to stab Neferata's heart.

As soon as Neferata fell, Ankhat desperately went to her rescue, ordering the royal guards to her aid. Despite doing everything he could, the Nekheharan's cavalry and soldiers kept pouring into Neferata's position. Just as they are about to catch up, [[Abhorash]] appeared, wielding a pair of huge, dripping khopeshes and wearing nothing but ragged clothing while slaughtering the shit out of any enemy Nekheharan who stood in his way.

After every vampire escaped to the palace, with Abhorash and four loyal vampire warrior sired by him acting as a rearguard, Neferata resolved to die with Lahmia until Ankhat reminded her that they are fucking immortals and should've started taking over the entire world instead of wasting time in Lahmia. Interested in Ankhat's suggestion, Neferata had a change of mind and decided to board the ship at the harbor where Naamia awaited, and sailed to the east.

The entire city fell, reduced to rubble, and most of its vampiric aristocracy were destroyed despite major losses on the side of Nekeharans.

==Exile==

Of Neferata's Eleven, only seven survived. Abhorash and Neferata separately took their minions and headed north, both finding passes through the supposedly impassible mountains and reaching the Badlands, [[Orcs & Goblins|greenskin]]-infested no man's land. Due to this she avoided the final war between Nagash and Alcadizaar that saw the rest of Nehekhara join Lahmia in becoming a lifeless ruin. She did however experience it's consequences when the newly risen Tomb Kings began to hunt down vampires. In particular her cousin Khalida, returned from the dead and filled with rage, chased her across the world.

In the absence of their leaders the vampires were left in a panic. They went their own ways along the same route Nef and Ab had taken, founding different bloodlines. When Nagash cursed the vampires with weaknesses to the sun, running water (like all old people), garlic, and other random things. Neferata and her minions caught the curse too despite not being there (although there's also the suggestion this was Sigmar's doing).

Then a fuckton of time passed while Neferata traveled the world. During that time she became a misandrist, espousing the belief that men are blood farms without worthwhile thoughts or emotions unless they kowtow to women (being effeminate, watching Sex and the City, be unthinking Sugar Daddies, that sort of thing). Eventually Neferata found herself compelled to come to the capital of the Strigoi empire, Mourkain. Here she found a kingdom that was a pale reflection of her long lost Lahmia, ruled once again by a vampiric aristocracy. It's king was her former Lord of Masks Ushoran and his vizier W'soran, who together she blamed for the destruction of her home. She had been drawn by the Crown of Nagash which was buried at the heart of the capital as had most of the others of her kind.

==Queen of Mysteries==

A group of [[Dwarfs (Warhammer Fantasy)|Dorfs]] investigating the douchebaggery of the other vampire bloodlines eventually uncovered her <strike>lesbian love den</strike> SERIOUS GROUP OF VAMPIRE LADIES DOING NOTHING WRONG. In response she had her minions slaughter the Dawi and turn them into zombies before gathering an invasion force and making their [[Dwarf Fortress]] her new <strike>love-den</strike> MANLY BASTION OF BADASSERY. The undead Dwarfs rebuilt the mines, crafted with Granite and menacing with spikes of Onyx, into an Egyptian-style palace.

Nowadays the zombies are soaked in perfume and drum while skeletons do the skeleton dance ([[Meme|''2spooky!'']]) to entertain her court. Eventually Ghouls showed up to serve her, which she spent several generations trying to exterminate before confining them to the sewers when she realized they would be great for garbage disposal. She bathes in blood (because nobody has ever made vampires do that before!) of young men, then heads off to the war room an organizes her femvamps and shotavamps (all vouched for by femvamps as their subordinates) to spy on the civilizations of the world and manipulate them into getting into wars with each other ([[Skaven]] also do this, but more capably), or rooting out rival bloodlines and wiping them out (the VonCarsteins also do this, but less capably).

Queen Neferata had one goal: make the <s>women</s> worthy mortals of the world into Lahmian vampires and the <s>men</s> unworthy mortals cattle or pampered pets. Meanwhile, her cousin Khalida (who's such a badass not even [[Settra the Imperishable|Settra]] wants to fuck with her) was a [[Tomb King|Tomb <strike>King</strike> Queen]] and wanted to purge the world of vampires and their homoerotic heresy, with Neferata at the top of her list.

Neferata's cat is her Cathayan concubine shape shifter Naamia who is in love with her (at least in the novel [[Neferata (Black Library)|Neferata]] by [[Josh Reynolds]], in all other sources the cat is simply an undead ghost cat named Bastet).

==End times==

Neferata was recruited to rejoin [[Arkhan the Black]] (who was still in love with her after thousands of years) and [[Mannfred von Carstein]] in their plans to resurrect Nagash. Nef followed the plan, sending one of her minions (who may be fan favourite the Vampire Genevieve) to [[Balthazar Gelt]] to manipulate him into building an anti-Chaos wall protecting the humans of the [[Old World]] (in theory so Nagash could have them all to himself). Realizing that Nagash's return meant either her servitude or destruction, Neferata sent no further aid at first. However, Neferata grew concerned that if she didn't have something to offer Nagash might destroy her out of spite. She was also antsy due to lack of knowledge about Nagash's other servants, because her spies on them were dead or trapped in Sylvania and Arkhan rarely called.

After daemons attacked her fortress Neferata decided to try and get shit done, massing the forces of the Silver Pinnacle to get a re-birthday present for Nagash; the magic power of the Dwarf gods themselves (which Neferata had accidentally discovered while backpacking across the world). Fighting her way through various greenskin tribes at Skull Chasm, she led her army to the Lost Pass of the dwarfs, a long lost treasure trove of the ancestor gods. There at the Battle of Valaya's Gate her army, supported by the Wight King Krell (who had been sent by Arkhan as a precaution), their forces defeated the throng of Karak Azul leading to the deaths of both the venerable runelord Thorek Ironbrow and the mighty King Kazador. Having secured a source of power for the returned but weakened Nagash she was inducted into the ranks of his Mortarchs, becoming the Mortarch of Blood.

Once Nagash fed on [[Valaya|Valaya's]] magic, he used the power to shroud Nehekhara in darkness so the vampires wouldn't burn in the sun (no such thing as sunblock in the Warhammer world). The assembled Mortarchs then waged war on the Tomb Kings. When Nagash led his forces south into Nehekhara Neferata was given permission to lead a force to the ruins of her long lost Lahmia. There she was once more met by Khalida and the army of Lybaras. As the two armies clashed the two undead queens dueled in the Temple of Blood in the heart of the city itself. Once more Neferata was forced to flee before her vengeful cousin. Though she failed to secure the city Neferata's expedition had performed all Nagash required of it which was to lure troops away from his main target- Khemri and his Black Pyramid there. In the end defeated the Nehekharans, bringing their skulls under Nagash's boot. In a spectacular twist of irony, Neferata and Khalida were charged to work together. As a result, they basically dropped out of End Times until the very end when Mannfred managed to completely fuck up the last chance at stopping Chaos and the world was slowly drawn into the Warp as a third Warpgate was activated in the Empire despite every non-Chaos group from Orcs to Wood Elves all working together (yeah, ET was a complete fucking mess).

Neferata and Arkhan were present at the end of the final battle, with the latter promising to fight to the last to give the former a chance to outrun the encroaching wall of solid Daemonic blackness despite her Abyssal being injured. After a parting kiss with Arkhan (who she still had some feelings for) Neferata only just made it back to the fortress in the [[Moot (Warhammer Fantasy)|Moot]] that she and Khalida had established offscreen. The Halflings and remaining humans of the Empire fled there for protection, and the undead under Khalida's command allowed them in. Neferata arrived and immediately shouted to make preparations to repel Chaos, before Khalida told her there was no point; Chaos won. Neferata instead convinced her to fight together, as Nehekharan Queens, and their assembled forces readied their weapons as the Warp overtook them.

==Age of Sigmar==

... Then [[Age of Sigmar]] happened. Nagash is an immortal god of the afterlife and gets all souls Chaos doesn't, barring the [[Stormcast Eternals]]. Since Games Workhop undid their complete reboot with identical factions reappearing, Vampires came back too. Neferata was shown alongside the other Mortarchs meaning that the entire End Times story meant jack. But since Khalida hasn't been shown and the Tomb Kings were revealed to have been Squatted, Nef at least outlived her. Neferata got her own part of the realm of death and "creatively" named it Nulahmia while also basing it's fashion and architecture off of Nehekhara's. She built an even bigger spy network and ensured that she was the top vampire. Mannfred, Ushoran, and possibly Vhordai (and definitely Abhorash if he is still alive or "alive" at any rate), are the only ones who don't pay homage to her, and Neferata and Mannfred have clashed several times. She's also gotten over her misandry, as she employs male and female vampires depending on their abilities.

Later, Nulahmia came under attack from an army of mortal followers of Chaos of Slaanesh, because a Slaaneshi Chaos Lord wants her for himself, not caring that she's undead. Quite a thing to sneak past the kiddies, Geedubs! (In the novel Lords of Death, the same lord kills a beastman who tried to stop him raping it). Her forces are aided by the Stormcast Eternals and together they defeat the forces of Slaanesh. Neferata later tries to make a secret alliance with the Stormcast right under Nagash's nasal bones. After the battle (where Neferata's obsessed fan Chaos Lord falls into a pit of skeletons), Neferata is disappointed that Nagash was just dicking with the Stormcast but had to go along with it. During Malign Portents, Neferata used her manipulations and spy network to keep Tzeentch's forces occupied, undermine Sigmar's forces and spread Nagash's influence across the realms.

Not too long after, Neferata's double dealing causes Nagash to punish her by putting half her city under Arkhan's rulership; Arkhan himself doesn't really want the city, but "when Nagash says 'jump'..." so Arkhan left a vampiric vassal of his to rule in his stead. She also has to contend with rebellious nobles who want to kill her rallying under a noble she turned into a vampire and an invading Khornate army led by the Chaos Lord Ruhok. Neferata uses her powers and schemes to play them all against each other, and ends up destroying the Khornates, rebels and much of her realm by temporarily releasing the black hole in the center of Shyish (and a clever ploy involving said noble being a Manchurian Agent). As a result Nagash gives full rule of Nulahmia back to Neferata and she rebuilds it.

Fast forward a few centuries and Neferata begins to wage war against the Khornate forces of Angaria (a name that rivals [[Angron]] in creativity) and its daemon prince ruler Graunos. The prince is oddly cunning for a daemon of Khorne, and is aided by the nearly-as-cunning deathbringer Kathag - one of the few survivors from Lord Ruhok's forces. They refuse to play Neferata’s game of manipulations and spying, [[Just As Planned|unknowingly playing right into the Mortarch of Blood’s hands]]. Through a series of infiltrations and convoluted schemes that’d make Tzeentch orgasm with joy, she managed to wipe out the entirety of Angaria by [[Awesome|dropping an entire underworld on top of the city, wiping them out just like the Skaven did to the Lizardmen]]. She followed up by duelling Graunos, and defeated the Daemon Prince by slashing his eyes, triggering the scotomaphobia (fear of blindness) Graunos still had from his mortal origins, which made him destroy himself when he desperately tried to use purging fire be brought from Hysh to restore his sight.

One interesting part of her character hasn't been extrapolated upon yet; whether or not she still has a thing for [[Arkhan the Black]]. Some parts hints that Arkhan isn't the same as he was in the [[Warhammer Fantasy|World-That-Was]] and may not remember Nef at all, but we don't know how Nef herself feels about this - if she cares at all, that is. They clearly have a thing in the Josh Reynolds novels, but that's it. Maybe the [[The End Times|coming apocalypse]] brought her inner sweetheart out for a short while.

==Lahmians==
Main article: [[Lahmian]].

Neferata's Bloodline, mostly female and in varying degrees of control of most of the factions of the world.

==Nagadron The Adevore==
The [[Dread Abyssal]] given to Neferata by Nagash in End Times. In the times of the Nehekharan gods, Nagadron resided with the other Dread Abyssals in the afterlife of men. Nagadron's job was to punish the gluttonous, ambushing selfish souls and chewing on them for all eternity. In Neferata's service, Nagadron now consumes the souls he eats, vomiting them up in smaller and smaller chunks as he gorges himself on flesh and spirit alike and eating them again (so yeah, Neferata's giant undead dragon demon is predictably a giant cat on the inside).

According to the team that produced the model, the hooded eyes are supposed to resemble a predatory [[snek]].

Nagadron was last seen in End Times re-dying from mortal wounds with its last act being carrying Neferata and the unconscious Isabella back to the fortress of Nef and Khalida, but was resurrected alongside his (apparently its a he despite always being an undead skeleton monster) master in Age of Sigmar.

==On the Tabletop==
===Old Editions===
Queen Neferata used to have a model in the game, but she suffered from [[Everqueen|Alarielle the Everqueen]] syndrome and had a badass model you wanted to use for fluff reasons, but it was pretty crap on the field and thus was unlikely to ever be used. So GW removed it, leaving the von Carsteins as the only models in Vampire Counts until the latter part of 8th edition. The original model came with a cat, who was originally a ghost cat named Bastet, referencing the aforementioned story about [[felinid]] vampires.

===The End Times===
With the addition of Nagash's campaign, Neferata makes a triumphant return to the field as a mounted model with an on-foot option (although GW makes her share a kit with [[Mannfred von Carstein]] and Arkhan the Black, the thrill of her return far outshines the insult).

Since bloodlines are gone, Lahmians are represented by gearing out your Lord and Hero vampires with Beguile and similar abilities as well as ample spellcasting. Use skeletons, ghosts, and similar minions that can be handwaved as unwanted hauntings or the bones of ancestors when the Witch Hunters come calling. Feel free to use proxies of living models from any faction you want as servants to a mortal lover/manipulated army but statted as zombies, ghouls, skeletons, or whatever. Finally, Coven Thrones. The only two bloodlines that should be using Coven Thrones are von Carsteins and Lahmians, and you better not let those lower class fuckers put more on the tabletop then you or Neferata will want to have a private chat with you...

Lahmian armies will do very well against low LD armies, and poorly against armies like High Elves with 9's across the board in Leadership.

As for the Queen of Mysteries herself, her latest incarnation hits hard and can debuff the enemy ten ways from town. She has eight Strength 5 attacks that Always Strike First at Inititative 9. Eight Strength 5 attacks are rough but always striking first takes it to another level, then you have Thunderstomp. With a combined profile with her mount, that's D6 Strength 5 hits at Initiative 9 since ASF and ASL cancel each other out. As for the Debuffs, Neferata can debuff to a level that even [[Nagash|her boss]] can't. Her Dagger of Jetl minuses 1- to the Strength, Initiative and Attack of a model that suffers an unsaved wound for the rest of the game. There's also Twilight Allure making all shooting and close combat attacks are at -1 to hit, so even a Chaos Lord will be hitting her on 5's. She also has a fun little trick of being able to, once per game, turn a character she slays in a challenge into a Vampire. If they get to keep all their gear (come on FAQ!) imagine turning Korhil or, even better, Kurt Helborg, into a Vampire.

===Age Of Sigmar===
As with the rest of the Mortarchs with fancy new models, Neferata was also reincarnated in the Mortal Realms, complete with her giant ghost-thingy mount. This leads her to a total of 11 wounds with a 4+ save and a respectable 16" flying move, though this decays as she suffers damage. She's very much at home in close combat, as all of her attacks are in 1" range. First off is Akmet-har, the Dagger of Jet, a fairly unremarkable but fast weapon that has the chance to outright murder her opponent if she deals damage (but not enough to kill them) and you roll a d6 higher than their remaining wounds. Second is Aken-Seth, a staff with considerably fewer attacks, but each one deals 2 damage with -2 Rend. Her steed can lash out with its own melee attacks, each as dangerous as the staff and with a good quantity (declining as she suffers wounds). The last weapon to be displayed is the weaponry of the various ghosts surrounding Neffy, all piddly compared to the rest, but if they roll a 6+ to hit, they deal a Mortal Wound.The rest of her rules all supplement this preference in melee - the ability to heal 2 wounds when she kills a model with her weapons, a command ability that forces enemies to rake a penalty to hit her, and a spell that lets its target ignore the rend of any weapons that hit them. As a bonus, if she kills a hero, she can also raise them as a Vampire Lord and then make them eat their former associates.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Neferata_2.jpg|Neferata's original model, looking like Elvira.
Image:Neferata Returns.jpg|Neferata's new model. Note that the [[Hat]] principle is still in effect.
Image:Neferata 3.jpg|This is what she looks like while casting.
Image:Neferata 4.jpg|This is what she looks like a minute later in melee.
Image:Neferata Book.jpg|What Neferata wears on weekends. (and when with Arkhan)
Image:Neferata-Warhammer-Age.png|Even after an apocalypse she's still got it.
Image:Nef+Ark.jpg| And Iiiiii will always love youuuuuuu...
Image:Neferata.jpg
Image:Nef Lite.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Warhammer Fantasy]]
[[Category:Vampire Counts]]
[[Category:Undead Legion]]
[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Queen Neferata

2021-01-25T16:20:51Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Queen of Mysteries */

{{cleanup}}[[Image:Nef or nothing.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Although in [[Warhammer 40k]] she'd be a planetary governor with a skin condition, in [[Warhammer Fantasy]] she's one of the most powerful and evil beings outside the [[Warp]].]]
{{Topquote|A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.|Eleanor Roosevelt}}
{{Topquote|Behind every great man, there is a great woman. Behind those great women, there is me!|Neferata}}

The very first fucking vampire in a setting where vampires are still cool, which is a product of her own creation rather than a Biblical curse or demonic possession. She's something of a Cleopatra expy who's been in a lot of positions of leadership-no pun intended-then found she preferred to run things behind the scenes.

==The Legend==
During the war against [[Nagash]], there was a young princess of Lahmia in the Egypt analogue of the [[Warhammer Fantasy|Warhammer]] setting, [[Nehekhara]], named Neferatem (Neferata was the name she went by outside of Nehekhara, although later writers forgot about it and had her always called Neferata). While her [[Queen Khalida|cousin]] wore pants, rode horses, shot arrows, and prayed to the snake god, Neferata spent her time getting wasted on black lotus wine and forcing servants to make amateur porn for her. Her father was too busy waging war against Nagash and when he died she was put in charge of the kingdom. Her brother took command of the forces of Nehekhara and made a deal with [[Arkhan the Black]] to become necromancer bros by looting Nagash's house. Her brother Lamashizzar won the backstabbing competition and took Nagash's books home plus a crippled and (re)dying Arkhan to give cliffnotes along the way. Since Neferata, like pretty much every girl in her palace, has completed the training require of being priestess of Neru (reading incantation, making elixir), he threw the books at her and told her to get to work as he took over the job of ordering cooks to suck face with stablehands.

Now it's well known that in order to have a fictional culture based on Egypt, you have to be obsessed with immortality. While Lamashizzar is busy studying Nagash's power to become immortal, Neferata was tasked by her brother to maintain court affair and greet their trading partner from Cathay. During one of the conversation with one of the Celestial Emperor's son, ambassador Prince Xian Ha Feng, he announced outrageous news that the Cathayans had recently discovered a large resource of gold mine, attempting to force Lahmia to pay even more gold. What's more, it was a trade agreement signed by her father Lamasheptra out of desperation because his sister Neferem was held hostage by Nagash. Lamasheptra signed a trade agreement to pay Cathay a bunch of gold every year in exchange for getting his hands on Cathay's military secret: dragon staffs (guns) and dragon powder (gun powder with some Cathyan secret ingredient), and if he couldn't pay them, the land of Lahmia will belong to Cathay. Neferata realized her home city was in deep shit, and she had to deal with this alone because her brother was an incompetent necromancy obsessed nerd who did not gave a shit about their city. Having enough, she turned to her brother's secret tutor Arkhan for help. She wanted Arkhan to teach her as well, and used her charm to try and persuade him. To everyone's surprise, including her own, Neferata sympathized with the imprisoned lich and formed a genuine rapport with him that grew into something more. Instead of taking notes and translating shit for Lahmia to gain an army of Level 1 Mages, she started experimenting, and actually managed to improve on Nagash's techniques.

When Lamashizzar and his cabal members (Ushoran, W'soran, Ankhat, Abhorash, Zhuras, Adio, Khenti, Ubaid) found out, Nefereta convinced them to join her using Arkhan's knowledge of each cabal member as reference, combining with her charisma and a bit of demonstrating what her elixir could do (she knocked her brother far away with but a simple push using her new found inhuman strength). Most of the cabal immediately jumped from the sinking ship that is Lamashizzar and followed Nefereta, leaving the incompetent king with his vizier Ubaid, as well as the incompetent Adio and Khenti; your typical spoiled young nobles that do nothing but drink and gamble. Arkhan was set free afterwards at Neferata's command.

To prevent his sister from usurping his power, Lamashizzar ordered Ubaid to assassinate Neferata with the mythical sphinx venom. Arkhan (who had fought and killed Adio and Khenti sent by the king to kill him) desperately carried the unconscious Neferata to the female palace in order to save her. Arkhan's presence greatly uspset the female servants who chased him for a time, but one female servant name Aiyah, who just happened to be young Khalida's former female attendant, instead guided Arkhan to the queen's room and offered to help. Arkhan tried to save Neferata using several rituals and spells contained in the tome of Nagash which required Aiyah's assistance. After five days of dark magic Neferata seemed to die. Blinded by grief, Arkhan overlooked Aiyah, who fled to Lybaras, and went on kill Lamashizzar himself.

Neferata of course turned out to be alive, in a sense, and had become the first vampire after Arkhan's ritual. More importantly, Arkhan killing Lamashizzar made her the official ruler of Lahmia, which was the most important city at that time (thanks to Nagash for fucking up Khemri)! News of Lamashizzar's death caught the attention of the Nehekhara rulers and they attended Lamashizzar's funeral just so they could discuss politics. Good ol' cousin [[Khalida]] was there too, suspcious of Neferata as Aiyah had found her and spilled the beans about Arkhan and the dark magic.

Even though Khalida ruled Lybaras sometime ago, Neferata hoped she could use this chance to reconcile with Khalida and strengthen their relationship.

After a feast of Cathayan seafood Malatang (seafood boiled using various chili spices from Cathay, so close enough) at the Lahmian garden, Neferata tried to control her fellow Nehekharan kings and queens with the promise to rebuilt their destroyed cities and temples (thank you [[Nagash]]) by offering 10000 gold for them each year as well as offering the Rasetra King Shepret the ruined city of Khemri (because their bloodline has connection to Amenophis, a son of Settra whom was disowned by the later) with the gold needed to rebuilt it. While every other ruler was busy drooling over Neferata's wonderful promises, Khalida suddenly called her out for her bullshit and for embracing Nagash's dark power.

Neferata of course rejected such an outrageous accusation, and a challenge to a duel was issued. The challenge was accepted, and Neferata ended up killing Khalida with her surprising vampire strength during the duel. There is also a hilarious scene where Abhorash is concerning whether Neferata had any sword training at all, as well as telling her the importance of using a metal sword or bronze sword in a duel.

Although Khalida hated Neferata, Neferata did not hate her. Neferata was saddened by the sight of dying Khalida and tried to turn her into a vampire using the blood on her lips, but Khalida was either too far gone to turned into one or saved from that fate by the goddess Asaph.

After the people around her used the rare skill of common sense and realized she wasn't aging and was going through more servants than most, she realized she'd need some meatshields that weren't mooks. She picked the captain of the guard and all around badass [[Abhorash]] (whom Neferata tricked to becoming a vampire because he was too honorbound and stubborn to accept it; he self exiled in shame after a killing spree brought on by his transformation), former vizier Ubaid (whom is now royal to Neferata after she had "tamed" him with her new found [[Toreador| vampire seduction power]]) her high priest [[W'soran/Melkhior and Zacharias the Everliving|W'soran]], her younger brother [[Ushoran]], Maatmeses (unknown, went to Ind or retcon?), Naamia (a former Cathay noble courtesan given to her by Ha Feng), [[Cathay|Prince Xian Ha Feng himself]] and Ankhat (Neferata's husband Vashanesh or her political assistant). She educated them on their new strengths and one minor recurring habit of only being able to feed on blood. She also planted puppet rulers in the Lahmia court named King Sothis and Queen Ammanura in order to rule behind the scene.

[[Vlad von Carstein]] hinted in his own novels that Vashanesh is the father of his Bloodline but all other Bloodlines said such a person never existed. Later it turned out they were full of it, as Vlad was revealed to be Vashanesh himself. (There is a canon conflict here, since the novels set in and shortly after this period never mention him.) Neferata also selected another seven.

[[Cathay|Prince Xian Ha Feng]] took some vials of the Elixir to [[Cathay]] as payment ([[fail|then rebelled against his dragon father and probably died]]). [[Jade-Blooded|The vampire bloodline in Cathay remain alive still]].

Neferata later founded the Lahmian cult under W'soran's suggestion. It is a clever way to not only acquire more blood unnoticed, as well as recruiting more vampire underling (especially female), whom were indoctrinate into believing Neferata is the incarnation of the goddess Asaph. The cult even serves a good purpose as a political tool that made the Lahmia ruler look divine, in an age where the Nehekhara kings are no longer protect by the god's blessing.

Such a cult attracted the attention of Queen of Rasetra, who came to the temple to pray for her difficult pregnancy. Neferata agreed to save the queen's child, to the shock of her vampire cabal. Her plan was giving the queen a vial of elixir distilled from her own blood, saving the child and letting every priest kings know the greatness of Nefereta's miracle that is ''totally'' unlike Nagash's dark magic. By using her fame and some taxation deductions as a bribe, she opened an academy in Lahmia for all the priest king's children (think of it as junior Harvard or Yale in Egypt) and having them staying there (aka kept as political hostage) until adulthood.

Such an outrageous plan made the cabal believe Neferata lost her mind after Khalida died, but they had no power to oppose her. The other kings initially disapproved, but they were under heavy taxation by Lahmia at that time and would to do anything to decrease their tax, especially after they heard how the Lahmian cult saved the Queen of Rasetra's child.

When the child turned out to be male, knowing he will be the next king of Khemri, Neferata claimed him as her own saying he would stay in Lahmia until he came of age and took his throne. This child was named Alcadizaar.

Because of Khalida's death, Neferata grew to believe that Alcadizaar would become her partner, eventually becoming a vampire and joining with her to rule all Nehekahra from Khemri, so she started practicing wife husbandry on him (some hardcore vampire pedophilia action here...), training him in every aspect of war and statehood (while also making sure he didn't get with any other woman). Even though Alcadizaar was sick of doing the preparation past the age of 18 years old (his other classmate/prince friend had already left Lahmia and began their ruling), Neferata insisted him to stay for further training at the Lahmian cult.

By the time Alcadizzar is 30 years old (at -1320 Imperial Reckoning), his uncle Khenti, a powerful yet pissed off Rasetran noble came to Lahmia and demanded Neferata to hand over Alcadizzar.

According to Ushoran's spies, Neferata's action to hold back Alcadizzar's release ticked off the Rasetran King. The king had been sending letters to other priest kings not only for this matter, but also because the amount of tax they had to pay Lahmia every year. Zandri has begun testing Lahmia's resolve by not paying them. If things got worse, a coalition army of priest kings could form and destroy Lahmia, and Lahmia's military was still weak with inexperienced soldiers, not to mention they no longer had their famed dragon staff force since the dragon powder had been all used up and the bluff of its existence was the only thing keeping the the priest kings from attacking Lahmia.

Despite objections from many powerful rulers, Neferata didn't give a shit and simply lied, saying Alcadizzar was not ready yet and suggested another DECADE of training session at her temple to truly unite Lahmia and Khemri in spirit (in other words, vampirize Alcadizzar and claim his vampiric D for herself). Brilliant and wicked, Neferata had Alcadizzar decide if he wanted follow this insane suggestion or go fuck off rule his Khemri just as he always wanted.

Despite Khenti's suggestion for Alcadizzar to leave, he remained clueless to the schemes Neferata had up her sleeves and accept her training course, believing it was ultimately for the good of Khemri and that the city can survive another decade without him.

And so for the next 25 fucking years, Alcadizzar became the high priest of the blood temple and unknowingly drank more of Neferata's elixir (making him incredibly strong and youthful) and playing with live snakes in fake devotion services to Asaph AKA show Neferata his devotion.

During a romantic stroll through the garden of the temple's inner sanctum, Naaima appeared out of the blue and delivered a dreadful message to Alcadizzar; his father, the king of Rasetra, had died (yes, Neferata kept Alcadizzar for 55 fucking years and father and son never got to meet... seriously).

Angered by Naaima's sudden interruption from her sweet time with Alcadizzar (as well as for Naaima's many years of absence since her transformation), Neferata told Alcadizzar to go pray at the snek goddess shrine for his father's passing. When he was gone, Neferata angrily snarled at Naaima, calling her a "eastern slut" (actual quote). Even though Naaima was trying to help Neferata's plans, get her through the trauma of losing Khalida and even playing matchmaker for Neferata and Alcadizzar despite Naamia herself falling in love with Neferata, all Naamia got back was Neferata's seething and cursing, telling her to fuck off.

5 years later, Alcadizzar met with the final trial where he had to endure the pain of whips and survive a stab in the heart (which only rendered him unconscious). When Alcadizaar woke up, Neferata was waiting for him without her mask on, revealing her vampiric nature, then tried to force feed the terrified Alcadizaar her final elixir to become a vampire. But Ubaid, the former vizier (whom Neferata has entrusted to assist Alcadizzar many years ago) sacrificed himself to save Alcadizzar, allowing him to flee into the wild, where he hid in the desert and was welcomed into a nomadic desert tribe after performing a heroic action to win their trust.

After Alcadizaar's escape, Neferata turned towards vengeance and finding her would-be boy toy. She sent Ushoran and his spies to find him and filled her court with torturers that were used to interrogate civilians to spit out Alcadizzar's location. Lahmia suffered greatly under her wrath. Kidnappings became common, everyone who used to party in Lahmia's nightlife decided to stay at home, traders came in less often, the street and building went uncared for longer, armies weren't properly trained, equipped or motivated (for an army captain, having their men dying to the enemies is punishable) and Lahmia was now truly the shadow of its former self.

Her Cabal members got sick of her behavior, of course, and started to do their own thing. W'soran tried to summon [[Nagash]] and found out he is still alive, but got staked and locked in a barrel for it so Naggy couldn't steal Neffy't thunder. Ushoran planned to defect to Nagash after W'soran revealed bone daddy's location. Zhuras had been living in depression since he couldn't prove useful for Lamashizzar when he was alive, but was encouraged by Ushoran to form an alliance with him and Nagash. Aborhash was still nowhere to be found since his exile, wandering the desert to prey on nomads and hone his combat skills. Every vampire in the cabal wanted to jump out of the sinking ship... all but [[Vlad von Carstein|Ankhat]] who was still loyal.

Alcadizzar's tribe eventually killed Zhuras on one of his trips as an envoy to Nagashizzar. His head and his letter was bought as proof to the other kings (note: the god damned twin tailed comet was there when Alcadizzar killed the vampire, so even Tzeentch knew what's up). After this, the Nehekharans realized how dangerously close things were to becoming [[Twilight]], so they gathered their forces into a vast army and laid siege to Lahmia.

Despite being outnumbered, Neferata did her best of defend her city. She gathered every vampire she knew: from the loyal [[Vlad von Carstein|Lord Ankhat]], the treacherous [[Ushoran]] (whom Neferata and Ankhat had caught right just before he was about to escape), W'soran (whom Neferata had freed to serve them with his undead summoning in battle) and her female vampire cultists including her returned lovelorn Naamia.

In battle, Neferata and her cultists demonstrated their ability of seduction upon the Nekheharan invaders, charming them with their beauty and gazes to the point of all but paralyzing them, then slew them. Every Nekheharan who met with their gaze were controlled instantly, turning them into meat shield who would take arrows for them or fight their closest comrades in fits of false jealousy. Despite facing such a supernatural enemy, Alcadizzar's tribal desert horse archers were able to down some cultists with arrow shots (since vampire can't move if staked in the heart, shooting a mass number of arrows will surely have high chances for them to stuck in their heart, and at that distance their seduction powers don't work). Neferata then faced Alcadizaar in a duel. Alcadizaar, despite being strong and well trained was none the less effected by Neferata's seduction, and she was able to regenerate every wound he struck. Eventually Neferata struck him down with her inhuman strength, then proceed to suck the blood from his neck as a way to recover every "gift" she has given to Alcadizzar. Unfortunately for her, Alcadizaar had hidden a dagger which he used to stab Neferata's heart.

As soon as Neferata fell, Ankhat desperately went to her rescue, ordering the royal guards to her aid. Despite doing everything he could, the Nekheharan's cavalry and soldiers kept pouring into Neferata's position. Just as they are about to catch up, [[Abhorash]] appeared, wielding a pair of huge, dripping khopeshes and wearing nothing but ragged clothing while slaughtering the shit out of any enemy Nekheharan who stood in his way.

After every vampire escaped to the palace, with Abhorash and four loyal vampire warrior sired by him acting as a rearguard, Neferata resolved to die with Lahmia until Ankhat reminded her that they are fucking immortals and should've started taking over the entire world instead of wasting time in Lahmia. Interested in Ankhat's suggestion, Neferata had a change of mind and decided to board the ship at the harbor where Naamia awaited, and sailed to the east.

The entire city fell, reduced to rubble, and most of its vampiric aristocracy were destroyed despite major losses on the side of Nekeharans.

==Exile==

Of Neferata's Eleven, only seven survived. Abhorash and Neferata separately took their minions and headed north, both finding passes through the supposedly impassible mountains and reaching the Badlands, [[Orcs & Goblins|greenskin]]-infested no man's land. Due to this she avoided the final war between Nagash and Alcadizaar that saw the rest of Nehekhara join Lahmia in becoming a lifeless ruin. She did however experience it's consequences when the newly risen Tomb Kings began to hunt down vampires. In particular her cousin Khalida, returned from the dead and filled with rage, chased her across the world.

In the absence of their leaders the vampires were left in a panic. They went their own ways along the same route Nef and Ab had taken, founding different bloodlines. When Nagash cursed the vampires with weaknesses to the sun, running water (like all old people), garlic, and other random things. Neferata and her minions caught the curse too despite not being there (although there's also the suggestion this was Sigmar's doing).

Then a fuckton of time passed while Neferata traveled the world. During that time she became a misandrist, espousing the belief that men are blood farms without worthwhile thoughts or emotions unless they kowtow to women (being effeminate, watching Sex and the City, be unthinking Sugar Daddies, that sort of thing). Eventually Neferata found herself compelled to come to the capital of the Strigoi empire, Mourkain. Here she found a kingdom that was a pale reflection of her long lost Lahmia, ruled once again by a vampiric aristocracy. It's king was her former Lord of Masks Ushoran and his vizier W'soran, who together she blamed for the destruction of her home. She had been drawn by the Crown of Nagash which was buried at the heart of the capital as had most of the others of her kind.

==Queen of Mysteries==

A group of [[Dwarfs (Warhammer Fantasy)|Dorfs]] investigating the douchebaggery of the other vampire bloodlines eventually uncovered her <strike>lesbian love den</strike> SERIOUS GROUP OF VAMPIRE LADIES DOING NOTHING WRONG. In response she had her minions slaughter the Dawi and turn them into zombies before gathering an invasion force and making their [[Dwarf Fortress]] her new <strike>love-den</strike> MANLY BASTION OF BADASSERY. The undead Dwarfs rebuilt the mines, crafted with Granite and menacing with spikes of Onyx, into an Egyptian-style palace.

Nowadays the zombies are soaked in perfume and drum while skeletons do the skeleton dance ([[Meme|''2spooky!'']]) to entertain her court. Eventually Ghouls showed up to serve her, which she spent several generations trying to exterminate before confining them to the sewers when she realized they would be great for garbage disposal. She bathes in blood (because nobody has ever made vampires do that before!) of young men, then heads off to the war room an organizes her femvamps and shotavamps (all vouched for by femvamps as their subordinates) to spy on the civilizations of the world and manipulate them into getting into wars with each other ([[Skaven]] also do this, but more capably), or rooting out rival bloodlines and wiping them out (the VonCarsteins also do this, but less capably).

Queen Neferata had one goal: make the <s>women</s> worthy mortals of the world into Lahmian vampires and the <s>men</s> unworthy mortals cattle or pampered pets. Meanwhile, her cousin Khalida (who's such a badass not even [[Settra the Imperishable|Settra]] wants to fuck with her) was a [[Tomb King|Tomb <strike>King</strike> Queen]] and wanted to purge the world of vampires and their homoerotic heresy, with Neferata at the top of her list.

Neferata's cat is her Cathayan concubine shape shifter Naamia who is in love with her (at least in the novel [[Neferata (Black Library)|Neferata]] by [[Josh Reynolds]], in all other sources the cat is simply an undead ghost cat named Bastet).

==End times==

Neferata was recruited to rejoin [[Arkhan the Black]] (who was still in love with her after thousands of years) and [[Mannfred von Carstein]] in their plans to resurrect Nagash. Nef followed the plan, sending one of her minions (who may be fan favourite the Vampire Genevieve) to [[Balthazar Gelt]] to manipulate him into building an anti-Chaos wall protecting the humans of the [[Old World]] (in theory so Nagash could have them all to himself). Realizing that Nagash's return meant either her servitude or destruction, Neferata sent no further aid at first. However, Neferata grew concerned that if she didn't have something to offer Nagash might destroy her out of spite. She was also antsy due to lack of knowledge about Nagash's other servants, because her spies on them were dead or trapped in Sylvania and Arkhan rarely called.

After daemons attacked her fortress Neferata decided to try and get shit done, massing the forces of the Silver Pinnacle to get a re-birthday present for Nagash; the magic power of the Dwarf gods themselves (which Neferata had accidentally discovered while backpacking across the world). Fighting her way through various greenskin tribes at Skull Chasm, she led her army to the Lost Pass of the dwarfs, a long lost treasure trove of the ancestor gods. There at the Battle of Valaya's Gate her army, supported by the Wight King Krell (who had been sent by Arkhan as a precaution), their forces defeated the throng of Karak Azul leading to the deaths of both the venerable runelord Thorek Ironbrow and the mighty King Kazador. Having secured a source of power for the returned but weakened Nagash she was inducted into the ranks of his Mortarchs, becoming the Mortarch of Blood.

Once Nagash fed on [[Valaya|Valaya's]] magic, he used the power to shroud Nehekhara in darkness so the vampires wouldn't burn in the sun (no such thing as sunblock in the Warhammer world). The assembled Mortarchs then waged war on the Tomb Kings. When Nagash led his forces south into Nehekhara Neferata was given permission to lead a force to the ruins of her long lost Lahmia. There she was once more met by Khalida and the army of Lybaras. As the two armies clashed the two undead queens dueled in the Temple of Blood in the heart of the city itself. Once more Neferata was forced to flee before her vengeful cousin. Though she failed to secure the city Neferata's expedition had performed all Nagash required of it which was to lure troops away from his main target- Khemri and his Black Pyramid there. In the end defeated the Nehekharans, bringing their skulls under Nagash's boot. In a spectacular twist of irony, Neferata and Khalida were charged to work together. As a result, they basically dropped out of End Times until the very end when Mannfred managed to completely fuck up the last chance at stopping Chaos and the world was slowly drawn into the Warp as a third Warpgate was activated in the Empire despite every non-Chaos group from Orcs to Wood Elves all working together (yeah, ET was a complete fucking mess).

Neferata and Arkhan were present at the end of the final battle, with the latter promising to fight to the last to give the former a chance to outrun the encroaching wall of solid Daemonic blackness despite her Abyssal being injured. After a parting kiss with Arkhan (who she still had some feelings for) Neferata only just made it back to the fortress in the [[Moot (Warhammer Fantasy)|Moot]] that she and Khalida had established offscreen. The Halflings and remaining humans of the Empire fled there for protection, and the undead under Khalida's command allowed them in. Neferata arrived and immediately shouted to make preparations to repel Chaos, before Khalida told her there was no point; Chaos won. Neferata instead convinced her to fight together, as Nehekharan Queens, and their assembled forces readied their weapons as the Warp overtook them.

==Age of Sigmar==

... Then [[Age of Sigmar]] happened. Nagash is an immortal god of the afterlife and gets all souls Chaos doesn't, barring the [[Stormcast Eternals]]. Since Games Workhop undid their complete reboot with identical factions reappearing, Vampires came back too. Neferata was shown alongside the other Mortarchs meaning that the entire End Times story meant jack. But since Khalida hasn't been shown and the Tomb Kings were revealed to have been Squatted, Nef at least outlived her. Neferata got her own part of the realm of death and "creatively" named it Nulahmia while also basing it's fashion and architecture off of Nehekhara's. She built an even bigger spy network and ensured that she was the top vampire. Mannfred, Ushoran, and possibly Vhordai (and definitely Abhorash if he is still alive or "alive" at any rate), are the only ones who don't pay homage to her, and Neferata and Mannfred have clashed several times. She's also gotten over her misandry, as she employs male and female vampires depending on their abilities.

Later, Nulahmia came under attack from an army of mortal followers of Chaos of Slaanesh, because a Slaaneshi Chaos Lord wants her for himself, not caring that she's undead. Quite a thing to sneak past the kiddies, Geedubs! (In the novel Lords of Death, the same lord kills a beastman who tried to stop him raping it). Her forces are aided by the Stormcast Eternals and together they defeat the forces of Slaanesh. Neferata later tries to make a secret alliance with the Stormcast right under Nagash's nasal bones. After the battle (where Neferata's obsessed fan Chaos Lord falls into a pit of skeletons), Neferata is disappointed that Nagash was just dicking with the Stormcast but had to go along with it. During Malign Portents, Neferata used her manipulations and spy network to keep Tzeentch's forces occupied, undermine Sigmar's forces and spread Nagash's influence across the realms.

Not too long after, Neferata's double dealing causes Nagash to punish her by putting half her city under Arkhan's rulership; Arkhan himself doesn't really want the city, but "when Nagash says 'jump'..." so Arkhan left a vampiric vassal of his to rule in his stead. She also has to contend with rebellious nobles who want to kill her rallying under a noble she turned into a vampire and an invading Khornate army led by the Chaos Lord Ruhok. Neferata uses her powers and schemes to play them all against each other, and ends up destroying the Khornates, rebels and much of her realm by temporarily releasing the black hole in the center of Shyish (and a clever ploy involving said noble being a Manchurian Agent). As a result Nagash gives full rule of Nulahmia back to Neferata and she rebuilds it.

Fast forward a few centuries and Neferata begins to wage war against the Khornate forces of Angaria (a name that rivals [[Angron]] in creativity) and its daemon prince ruler Graunos. The prince is oddly cunning for a daemon of Khorne, and is aided by the nearly-as-cunning deathbringer Kathag - one of the few survivors from Lord Ruhok's forces. They refuse to play Neferata’s game of manipulations and spying, [[Just As Planned|unknowingly playing right into the Mortarch of Blood’s hands]]. Through a series of infiltrations and convoluted schemes that’d make Tzeentch orgasm with joy, she managed to wipe out the entirety of Angaria by [[Awesome|dropping an entire underworld on top of the city, wiping them out just like the Skaven did to the Lizardmen]]. She followed up by duelling Graunos, and defeated the Daemon Prince by slashing his eyes, triggering the scotomaphobia Graunos still had from his mortal origins, which made him destroy himself when he desperately tried to use purging fire to restore his sight.

One interesting part of her character hasn't been extrapolated upon yet; whether or not she still has a thing for [[Arkhan the Black]]. Some parts hints that Arkhan isn't the same as he was in the [[Warhammer Fantasy|World-That-Was]] and may not remember Nef at all, but we don't know how Nef herself feels about this - if she cares at all, that is. Maybe the [[The End Times|coming apocalypse]] brought the sweetheart out of her for a short while.

==Lahmians==
Main article: [[Lahmian]].

Neferata's Bloodline, mostly female and in varying degrees of control of most of the factions of the world.

==Nagadron The Adevore==
The [[Dread Abyssal]] given to Neferata by Nagash in End Times. In the times of the Nehekharan gods, Nagadron resided with the other Dread Abyssals in the afterlife of men. Nagadron's job was to punish the gluttonous, ambushing selfish souls and chewing on them for all eternity. In Neferata's service, Nagadron now consumes the souls he eats, vomiting them up in smaller and smaller chunks as he gorges himself on flesh and spirit alike and eating them again (so yeah, Neferata's giant undead dragon demon is predictably a giant cat on the inside).

According to the team that produced the model, the hooded eyes are supposed to resemble a predatory [[snek]].

Nagadron was last seen in End Times re-dying from mortal wounds with its last act being carrying Neferata and the unconscious Isabella back to the fortress of Nef and Khalida, but was resurrected alongside his (apparently its a he despite always being an undead skeleton monster) master in Age of Sigmar.

==On the Tabletop==
===Old Editions===
Queen Neferata used to have a model in the game, but she suffered from [[Everqueen|Alarielle the Everqueen]] syndrome and had a badass model you wanted to use for fluff reasons, but it was pretty crap on the field and thus was unlikely to ever be used. So GW removed it, leaving the von Carsteins as the only models in Vampire Counts until the latter part of 8th edition. The original model came with a cat, who was originally a ghost cat named Bastet, referencing the aforementioned story about [[felinid]] vampires.

===The End Times===
With the addition of Nagash's campaign, Neferata makes a triumphant return to the field as a mounted model with an on-foot option (although GW makes her share a kit with [[Mannfred von Carstein]] and Arkhan the Black, the thrill of her return far outshines the insult).

Since bloodlines are gone, Lahmians are represented by gearing out your Lord and Hero vampires with Beguile and similar abilities as well as ample spellcasting. Use skeletons, ghosts, and similar minions that can be handwaved as unwanted hauntings or the bones of ancestors when the Witch Hunters come calling. Feel free to use proxies of living models from any faction you want as servants to a mortal lover/manipulated army but statted as zombies, ghouls, skeletons, or whatever. Finally, Coven Thrones. The only two bloodlines that should be using Coven Thrones are von Carsteins and Lahmians, and you better not let those lower class fuckers put more on the tabletop then you or Neferata will want to have a private chat with you...

Lahmian armies will do very well against low LD armies, and poorly against armies like High Elves with 9's across the board in Leadership.

As for the Queen of Mysteries herself, her latest incarnation hits hard and can debuff the enemy ten ways from town. She has eight Strength 5 attacks that Always Strike First at Inititative 9. Eight Strength 5 attacks are rough but always striking first takes it to another level, then you have Thunderstomp. With a combined profile with her mount, that's D6 Strength 5 hits at Initiative 9 since ASF and ASL cancel each other out. As for the Debuffs, Neferata can debuff to a level that even [[Nagash|her boss]] can't. Her Dagger of Jetl minuses 1- to the Strength, Initiative and Attack of a model that suffers an unsaved wound for the rest of the game. There's also Twilight Allure making all shooting and close combat attacks are at -1 to hit, so even a Chaos Lord will be hitting her on 5's. She also has a fun little trick of being able to, once per game, turn a character she slays in a challenge into a Vampire. If they get to keep all their gear (come on FAQ!) imagine turning Korhil or, even better, Kurt Helborg, into a Vampire.

===Age Of Sigmar===
As with the rest of the Mortarchs with fancy new models, Neferata was also reincarnated in the Mortal Realms, complete with her giant ghost-thingy mount. This leads her to a total of 11 wounds with a 4+ save and a respectable 16" flying move, though this decays as she suffers damage. She's very much at home in close combat, as all of her attacks are in 1" range. First off is Akmet-har, the Dagger of Jet, a fairly unremarkable but fast weapon that has the chance to outright murder her opponent if she deals damage (but not enough to kill them) and you roll a d6 higher than their remaining wounds. Second is Aken-Seth, a staff with considerably fewer attacks, but each one deals 2 damage with -2 Rend. Her steed can lash out with its own melee attacks, each as dangerous as the staff and with a good quantity (declining as she suffers wounds). The last weapon to be displayed is the weaponry of the various ghosts surrounding Neffy, all piddly compared to the rest, but if they roll a 6+ to hit, they deal a Mortal Wound.The rest of her rules all supplement this preference in melee - the ability to heal 2 wounds when she kills a model with her weapons, a command ability that forces enemies to rake a penalty to hit her, and a spell that lets its target ignore the rend of any weapons that hit them. As a bonus, if she kills a hero, she can also raise them as a Vampire Lord and then make them eat their former associates.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Neferata_2.jpg|Neferata's original model, looking like Elvira.
Image:Neferata Returns.jpg|Neferata's new model. Note that the [[Hat]] principle is still in effect.
Image:Neferata 3.jpg|This is what she looks like while casting.
Image:Neferata 4.jpg|This is what she looks like a minute later in melee.
Image:Neferata Book.jpg|What Neferata wears on weekends. (and when with Arkhan)
Image:Neferata-Warhammer-Age.png|Even after an apocalypse she's still got it.
Image:Nef+Ark.jpg| And Iiiiii will always love youuuuuuu...
Image:Neferata.jpg
Image:Nef Lite.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Warhammer Fantasy]]
[[Category:Vampire Counts]]
[[Category:Undead Legion]]
[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Queen Neferata

2021-01-25T16:19:07Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* The Legend */

{{cleanup}}[[Image:Nef or nothing.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Although in [[Warhammer 40k]] she'd be a planetary governor with a skin condition, in [[Warhammer Fantasy]] she's one of the most powerful and evil beings outside the [[Warp]].]]
{{Topquote|A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.|Eleanor Roosevelt}}
{{Topquote|Behind every great man, there is a great woman. Behind those great women, there is me!|Neferata}}

The very first fucking vampire in a setting where vampires are still cool, which is a product of her own creation rather than a Biblical curse or demonic possession. She's something of a Cleopatra expy who's been in a lot of positions of leadership-no pun intended-then found she preferred to run things behind the scenes.

==The Legend==
During the war against [[Nagash]], there was a young princess of Lahmia in the Egypt analogue of the [[Warhammer Fantasy|Warhammer]] setting, [[Nehekhara]], named Neferatem (Neferata was the name she went by outside of Nehekhara, although later writers forgot about it and had her always called Neferata). While her [[Queen Khalida|cousin]] wore pants, rode horses, shot arrows, and prayed to the snake god, Neferata spent her time getting wasted on black lotus wine and forcing servants to make amateur porn for her. Her father was too busy waging war against Nagash and when he died she was put in charge of the kingdom. Her brother took command of the forces of Nehekhara and made a deal with [[Arkhan the Black]] to become necromancer bros by looting Nagash's house. Her brother Lamashizzar won the backstabbing competition and took Nagash's books home plus a crippled and (re)dying Arkhan to give cliffnotes along the way. Since Neferata, like pretty much every girl in her palace, has completed the training require of being priestess of Neru (reading incantation, making elixir), he threw the books at her and told her to get to work as he took over the job of ordering cooks to suck face with stablehands.

Now it's well known that in order to have a fictional culture based on Egypt, you have to be obsessed with immortality. While Lamashizzar is busy studying Nagash's power to become immortal, Neferata was tasked by her brother to maintain court affair and greet their trading partner from Cathay. During one of the conversation with one of the Celestial Emperor's son, ambassador Prince Xian Ha Feng, he announced outrageous news that the Cathayans had recently discovered a large resource of gold mine, attempting to force Lahmia to pay even more gold. What's more, it was a trade agreement signed by her father Lamasheptra out of desperation because his sister Neferem was held hostage by Nagash. Lamasheptra signed a trade agreement to pay Cathay a bunch of gold every year in exchange for getting his hands on Cathay's military secret: dragon staffs (guns) and dragon powder (gun powder with some Cathyan secret ingredient), and if he couldn't pay them, the land of Lahmia will belong to Cathay. Neferata realized her home city was in deep shit, and she had to deal with this alone because her brother was an incompetent necromancy obsessed nerd who did not gave a shit about their city. Having enough, she turned to her brother's secret tutor Arkhan for help. She wanted Arkhan to teach her as well, and used her charm to try and persuade him. To everyone's surprise, including her own, Neferata sympathized with the imprisoned lich and formed a genuine rapport with him that grew into something more. Instead of taking notes and translating shit for Lahmia to gain an army of Level 1 Mages, she started experimenting, and actually managed to improve on Nagash's techniques.

When Lamashizzar and his cabal members (Ushoran, W'soran, Ankhat, Abhorash, Zhuras, Adio, Khenti, Ubaid) found out, Nefereta convinced them to join her using Arkhan's knowledge of each cabal member as reference, combining with her charisma and a bit of demonstrating what her elixir could do (she knocked her brother far away with but a simple push using her new found inhuman strength). Most of the cabal immediately jumped from the sinking ship that is Lamashizzar and followed Nefereta, leaving the incompetent king with his vizier Ubaid, as well as the incompetent Adio and Khenti; your typical spoiled young nobles that do nothing but drink and gamble. Arkhan was set free afterwards at Neferata's command.

To prevent his sister from usurping his power, Lamashizzar ordered Ubaid to assassinate Neferata with the mythical sphinx venom. Arkhan (who had fought and killed Adio and Khenti sent by the king to kill him) desperately carried the unconscious Neferata to the female palace in order to save her. Arkhan's presence greatly uspset the female servants who chased him for a time, but one female servant name Aiyah, who just happened to be young Khalida's former female attendant, instead guided Arkhan to the queen's room and offered to help. Arkhan tried to save Neferata using several rituals and spells contained in the tome of Nagash which required Aiyah's assistance. After five days of dark magic Neferata seemed to die. Blinded by grief, Arkhan overlooked Aiyah, who fled to Lybaras, and went on kill Lamashizzar himself.

Neferata of course turned out to be alive, in a sense, and had become the first vampire after Arkhan's ritual. More importantly, Arkhan killing Lamashizzar made her the official ruler of Lahmia, which was the most important city at that time (thanks to Nagash for fucking up Khemri)! News of Lamashizzar's death caught the attention of the Nehekhara rulers and they attended Lamashizzar's funeral just so they could discuss politics. Good ol' cousin [[Khalida]] was there too, suspcious of Neferata as Aiyah had found her and spilled the beans about Arkhan and the dark magic.

Even though Khalida ruled Lybaras sometime ago, Neferata hoped she could use this chance to reconcile with Khalida and strengthen their relationship.

After a feast of Cathayan seafood Malatang (seafood boiled using various chili spices from Cathay, so close enough) at the Lahmian garden, Neferata tried to control her fellow Nehekharan kings and queens with the promise to rebuilt their destroyed cities and temples (thank you [[Nagash]]) by offering 10000 gold for them each year as well as offering the Rasetra King Shepret the ruined city of Khemri (because their bloodline has connection to Amenophis, a son of Settra whom was disowned by the later) with the gold needed to rebuilt it. While every other ruler was busy drooling over Neferata's wonderful promises, Khalida suddenly called her out for her bullshit and for embracing Nagash's dark power.

Neferata of course rejected such an outrageous accusation, and a challenge to a duel was issued. The challenge was accepted, and Neferata ended up killing Khalida with her surprising vampire strength during the duel. There is also a hilarious scene where Abhorash is concerning whether Neferata had any sword training at all, as well as telling her the importance of using a metal sword or bronze sword in a duel.

Although Khalida hated Neferata, Neferata did not hate her. Neferata was saddened by the sight of dying Khalida and tried to turn her into a vampire using the blood on her lips, but Khalida was either too far gone to turned into one or saved from that fate by the goddess Asaph.

After the people around her used the rare skill of common sense and realized she wasn't aging and was going through more servants than most, she realized she'd need some meatshields that weren't mooks. She picked the captain of the guard and all around badass [[Abhorash]] (whom Neferata tricked to becoming a vampire because he was too honorbound and stubborn to accept it; he self exiled in shame after a killing spree brought on by his transformation), former vizier Ubaid (whom is now royal to Neferata after she had "tamed" him with her new found [[Toreador| vampire seduction power]]) her high priest [[W'soran/Melkhior and Zacharias the Everliving|W'soran]], her younger brother [[Ushoran]], Maatmeses (unknown, went to Ind or retcon?), Naamia (a former Cathay noble courtesan given to her by Ha Feng), [[Cathay|Prince Xian Ha Feng himself]] and Ankhat (Neferata's husband Vashanesh or her political assistant). She educated them on their new strengths and one minor recurring habit of only being able to feed on blood. She also planted puppet rulers in the Lahmia court named King Sothis and Queen Ammanura in order to rule behind the scene.

[[Vlad von Carstein]] hinted in his own novels that Vashanesh is the father of his Bloodline but all other Bloodlines said such a person never existed. Later it turned out they were full of it, as Vlad was revealed to be Vashanesh himself. (There is a canon conflict here, since the novels set in and shortly after this period never mention him.) Neferata also selected another seven.

[[Cathay|Prince Xian Ha Feng]] took some vials of the Elixir to [[Cathay]] as payment ([[fail|then rebelled against his dragon father and probably died]]). [[Jade-Blooded|The vampire bloodline in Cathay remain alive still]].

Neferata later founded the Lahmian cult under W'soran's suggestion. It is a clever way to not only acquire more blood unnoticed, as well as recruiting more vampire underling (especially female), whom were indoctrinate into believing Neferata is the incarnation of the goddess Asaph. The cult even serves a good purpose as a political tool that made the Lahmia ruler look divine, in an age where the Nehekhara kings are no longer protect by the god's blessing.

Such a cult attracted the attention of Queen of Rasetra, who came to the temple to pray for her difficult pregnancy. Neferata agreed to save the queen's child, to the shock of her vampire cabal. Her plan was giving the queen a vial of elixir distilled from her own blood, saving the child and letting every priest kings know the greatness of Nefereta's miracle that is ''totally'' unlike Nagash's dark magic. By using her fame and some taxation deductions as a bribe, she opened an academy in Lahmia for all the priest king's children (think of it as junior Harvard or Yale in Egypt) and having them staying there (aka kept as political hostage) until adulthood.

Such an outrageous plan made the cabal believe Neferata lost her mind after Khalida died, but they had no power to oppose her. The other kings initially disapproved, but they were under heavy taxation by Lahmia at that time and would to do anything to decrease their tax, especially after they heard how the Lahmian cult saved the Queen of Rasetra's child.

When the child turned out to be male, knowing he will be the next king of Khemri, Neferata claimed him as her own saying he would stay in Lahmia until he came of age and took his throne. This child was named Alcadizaar.

Because of Khalida's death, Neferata grew to believe that Alcadizaar would become her partner, eventually becoming a vampire and joining with her to rule all Nehekahra from Khemri, so she started practicing wife husbandry on him (some hardcore vampire pedophilia action here...), training him in every aspect of war and statehood (while also making sure he didn't get with any other woman). Even though Alcadizaar was sick of doing the preparation past the age of 18 years old (his other classmate/prince friend had already left Lahmia and began their ruling), Neferata insisted him to stay for further training at the Lahmian cult.

By the time Alcadizzar is 30 years old (at -1320 Imperial Reckoning), his uncle Khenti, a powerful yet pissed off Rasetran noble came to Lahmia and demanded Neferata to hand over Alcadizzar.

According to Ushoran's spies, Neferata's action to hold back Alcadizzar's release ticked off the Rasetran King. The king had been sending letters to other priest kings not only for this matter, but also because the amount of tax they had to pay Lahmia every year. Zandri has begun testing Lahmia's resolve by not paying them. If things got worse, a coalition army of priest kings could form and destroy Lahmia, and Lahmia's military was still weak with inexperienced soldiers, not to mention they no longer had their famed dragon staff force since the dragon powder had been all used up and the bluff of its existence was the only thing keeping the the priest kings from attacking Lahmia.

Despite objections from many powerful rulers, Neferata didn't give a shit and simply lied, saying Alcadizzar was not ready yet and suggested another DECADE of training session at her temple to truly unite Lahmia and Khemri in spirit (in other words, vampirize Alcadizzar and claim his vampiric D for herself). Brilliant and wicked, Neferata had Alcadizzar decide if he wanted follow this insane suggestion or go fuck off rule his Khemri just as he always wanted.

Despite Khenti's suggestion for Alcadizzar to leave, he remained clueless to the schemes Neferata had up her sleeves and accept her training course, believing it was ultimately for the good of Khemri and that the city can survive another decade without him.

And so for the next 25 fucking years, Alcadizzar became the high priest of the blood temple and unknowingly drank more of Neferata's elixir (making him incredibly strong and youthful) and playing with live snakes in fake devotion services to Asaph AKA show Neferata his devotion.

During a romantic stroll through the garden of the temple's inner sanctum, Naaima appeared out of the blue and delivered a dreadful message to Alcadizzar; his father, the king of Rasetra, had died (yes, Neferata kept Alcadizzar for 55 fucking years and father and son never got to meet... seriously).

Angered by Naaima's sudden interruption from her sweet time with Alcadizzar (as well as for Naaima's many years of absence since her transformation), Neferata told Alcadizzar to go pray at the snek goddess shrine for his father's passing. When he was gone, Neferata angrily snarled at Naaima, calling her a "eastern slut" (actual quote). Even though Naaima was trying to help Neferata's plans, get her through the trauma of losing Khalida and even playing matchmaker for Neferata and Alcadizzar despite Naamia herself falling in love with Neferata, all Naamia got back was Neferata's seething and cursing, telling her to fuck off.

5 years later, Alcadizzar met with the final trial where he had to endure the pain of whips and survive a stab in the heart (which only rendered him unconscious). When Alcadizaar woke up, Neferata was waiting for him without her mask on, revealing her vampiric nature, then tried to force feed the terrified Alcadizaar her final elixir to become a vampire. But Ubaid, the former vizier (whom Neferata has entrusted to assist Alcadizzar many years ago) sacrificed himself to save Alcadizzar, allowing him to flee into the wild, where he hid in the desert and was welcomed into a nomadic desert tribe after performing a heroic action to win their trust.

After Alcadizaar's escape, Neferata turned towards vengeance and finding her would-be boy toy. She sent Ushoran and his spies to find him and filled her court with torturers that were used to interrogate civilians to spit out Alcadizzar's location. Lahmia suffered greatly under her wrath. Kidnappings became common, everyone who used to party in Lahmia's nightlife decided to stay at home, traders came in less often, the street and building went uncared for longer, armies weren't properly trained, equipped or motivated (for an army captain, having their men dying to the enemies is punishable) and Lahmia was now truly the shadow of its former self.

Her Cabal members got sick of her behavior, of course, and started to do their own thing. W'soran tried to summon [[Nagash]] and found out he is still alive, but got staked and locked in a barrel for it so Naggy couldn't steal Neffy't thunder. Ushoran planned to defect to Nagash after W'soran revealed bone daddy's location. Zhuras had been living in depression since he couldn't prove useful for Lamashizzar when he was alive, but was encouraged by Ushoran to form an alliance with him and Nagash. Aborhash was still nowhere to be found since his exile, wandering the desert to prey on nomads and hone his combat skills. Every vampire in the cabal wanted to jump out of the sinking ship... all but [[Vlad von Carstein|Ankhat]] who was still loyal.

Alcadizzar's tribe eventually killed Zhuras on one of his trips as an envoy to Nagashizzar. His head and his letter was bought as proof to the other kings (note: the god damned twin tailed comet was there when Alcadizzar killed the vampire, so even Tzeentch knew what's up). After this, the Nehekharans realized how dangerously close things were to becoming [[Twilight]], so they gathered their forces into a vast army and laid siege to Lahmia.

Despite being outnumbered, Neferata did her best of defend her city. She gathered every vampire she knew: from the loyal [[Vlad von Carstein|Lord Ankhat]], the treacherous [[Ushoran]] (whom Neferata and Ankhat had caught right just before he was about to escape), W'soran (whom Neferata had freed to serve them with his undead summoning in battle) and her female vampire cultists including her returned lovelorn Naamia.

In battle, Neferata and her cultists demonstrated their ability of seduction upon the Nekheharan invaders, charming them with their beauty and gazes to the point of all but paralyzing them, then slew them. Every Nekheharan who met with their gaze were controlled instantly, turning them into meat shield who would take arrows for them or fight their closest comrades in fits of false jealousy. Despite facing such a supernatural enemy, Alcadizzar's tribal desert horse archers were able to down some cultists with arrow shots (since vampire can't move if staked in the heart, shooting a mass number of arrows will surely have high chances for them to stuck in their heart, and at that distance their seduction powers don't work). Neferata then faced Alcadizaar in a duel. Alcadizaar, despite being strong and well trained was none the less effected by Neferata's seduction, and she was able to regenerate every wound he struck. Eventually Neferata struck him down with her inhuman strength, then proceed to suck the blood from his neck as a way to recover every "gift" she has given to Alcadizzar. Unfortunately for her, Alcadizaar had hidden a dagger which he used to stab Neferata's heart.

As soon as Neferata fell, Ankhat desperately went to her rescue, ordering the royal guards to her aid. Despite doing everything he could, the Nekheharan's cavalry and soldiers kept pouring into Neferata's position. Just as they are about to catch up, [[Abhorash]] appeared, wielding a pair of huge, dripping khopeshes and wearing nothing but ragged clothing while slaughtering the shit out of any enemy Nekheharan who stood in his way.

After every vampire escaped to the palace, with Abhorash and four loyal vampire warrior sired by him acting as a rearguard, Neferata resolved to die with Lahmia until Ankhat reminded her that they are fucking immortals and should've started taking over the entire world instead of wasting time in Lahmia. Interested in Ankhat's suggestion, Neferata had a change of mind and decided to board the ship at the harbor where Naamia awaited, and sailed to the east.

The entire city fell, reduced to rubble, and most of its vampiric aristocracy were destroyed despite major losses on the side of Nekeharans.

==Exile==

Of Neferata's Eleven, only seven survived. Abhorash and Neferata separately took their minions and headed north, both finding passes through the supposedly impassible mountains and reaching the Badlands, [[Orcs & Goblins|greenskin]]-infested no man's land. Due to this she avoided the final war between Nagash and Alcadizaar that saw the rest of Nehekhara join Lahmia in becoming a lifeless ruin. She did however experience it's consequences when the newly risen Tomb Kings began to hunt down vampires. In particular her cousin Khalida, returned from the dead and filled with rage, chased her across the world.

In the absence of their leaders the vampires were left in a panic. They went their own ways along the same route Nef and Ab had taken, founding different bloodlines. When Nagash cursed the vampires with weaknesses to the sun, running water (like all old people), garlic, and other random things. Neferata and her minions caught the curse too despite not being there (although there's also the suggestion this was Sigmar's doing).

Then a fuckton of time passed while Neferata traveled the world. During that time she became a misandrist, espousing the belief that men are blood farms without worthwhile thoughts or emotions unless they kowtow to women (being effeminate, watching Sex and the City, be unthinking Sugar Daddies, that sort of thing). Eventually Neferata found herself compelled to come to the capital of the Strigoi empire, Mourkain. Here she found a kingdom that was a pale reflection of her long lost Lahmia, ruled once again by a vampiric aristocracy. It's king was her former Lord of Masks Ushoran and his vizier W'soran, who together she blamed for the destruction of her home. She had been drawn by the Crown of Nagash which was buried at the heart of the capital as had most of the others of her kind.

==Queen of Mysteries==

A group of [[Dwarfs (Warhammer Fantasy)|Dorfs]] investigating the douchebaggery of the other vampire bloodlines eventually uncovered her <strike>lesbian love den</strike> SERIOUS GROUP OF VAMPIRE LADIES DOING NOTHING WRONG. In response she had her minions slaughter the Dawi and turn them into zombies before gathering an invasion force and making their [[Dwarf Fortress]] her new <strike>love-den</strike> MANLY BASTION OF BADASSERY. The undead Dwarfs rebuilt the mines, crafted with Granite and menacing with spikes of Onyx, into an Egyptian-style palace.

Nowadays the zombies are soaked in perfume and drum while skeletons do the skeleton dance ([[Meme|''2spooky!'']]) to entertain her court. Eventually Ghouls showed up to serve her, which she spent several generations trying to exterminate before confining them to the sewers when she realized they would be great for garbage disposal. She bathes in blood (because nobody has ever made vampires do that before!) of young men, then heads off to the war room an organizes her femvamps and shotavamps (all vouched for by femvamps as their subordinates) to spy on the civilizations of the world and manipulate them into getting into wars with each other ([[Skaven]] also do this, but more capably), or rooting out rival bloodlines and wiping them out (the VonCarsteins also do this, but less capably).

Queen Neferata had one goal: make the <s>women</s> worthy mortals of the world into Lahmian vampires and the <s>men</s> unworthy mortals cattle or pampered pets. Meanwhile, her cousin Khalida (who's such a badass not even [[Settra the Imperishable|Settra]] wants to fuck with her) was a [[Tomb King|Tomb <strike>King</strike> Queen]] and wanted to purge the world of vampires and their homoerotic heresy, with Neferata at the top of her list.

Neferata's cat is her Cathayan concubine shape shifter Naamia who is in love with her (at least in the novel [[Neferata (Black Library)|Neferata]] by [[Josh Reynolds]], in all other sources the cat is simply an undead familiar named Bastet).

==End times==

Neferata was recruited to rejoin [[Arkhan the Black]] (who was still in love with her after thousands of years) and [[Mannfred von Carstein]] in their plans to resurrect Nagash. Nef followed the plan, sending one of her minions (who may be fan favourite the Vampire Genevieve) to [[Balthazar Gelt]] to manipulate him into building an anti-Chaos wall protecting the humans of the [[Old World]] (in theory so Nagash could have them all to himself). Realizing that Nagash's return meant either her servitude or destruction, Neferata sent no further aid at first. However, Neferata grew concerned that if she didn't have something to offer Nagash might destroy her out of spite. She was also antsy due to lack of knowledge about Nagash's other servants, because her spies on them were dead or trapped in Sylvania and Arkhan rarely called.

After daemons attacked her fortress Neferata decided to try and get shit done, massing the forces of the Silver Pinnacle to get a re-birthday present for Nagash; the magic power of the Dwarf gods themselves (which Neferata had accidentally discovered while backpacking across the world). Fighting her way through various greenskin tribes at Skull Chasm, she led her army to the Lost Pass of the dwarfs, a long lost treasure trove of the ancestor gods. There at the Battle of Valaya's Gate her army, supported by the Wight King Krell (who had been sent by Arkhan as a precaution), their forces defeated the throng of Karak Azul leading to the deaths of both the venerable runelord Thorek Ironbrow and the mighty King Kazador. Having secured a source of power for the returned but weakened Nagash she was inducted into the ranks of his Mortarchs, becoming the Mortarch of Blood.

Once Nagash fed on [[Valaya|Valaya's]] magic, he used the power to shroud Nehekhara in darkness so the vampires wouldn't burn in the sun (no such thing as sunblock in the Warhammer world). The assembled Mortarchs then waged war on the Tomb Kings. When Nagash led his forces south into Nehekhara Neferata was given permission to lead a force to the ruins of her long lost Lahmia. There she was once more met by Khalida and the army of Lybaras. As the two armies clashed the two undead queens dueled in the Temple of Blood in the heart of the city itself. Once more Neferata was forced to flee before her vengeful cousin. Though she failed to secure the city Neferata's expedition had performed all Nagash required of it which was to lure troops away from his main target- Khemri and his Black Pyramid there. In the end defeated the Nehekharans, bringing their skulls under Nagash's boot. In a spectacular twist of irony, Neferata and Khalida were charged to work together. As a result, they basically dropped out of End Times until the very end when Mannfred managed to completely fuck up the last chance at stopping Chaos and the world was slowly drawn into the Warp as a third Warpgate was activated in the Empire despite every non-Chaos group from Orcs to Wood Elves all working together (yeah, ET was a complete fucking mess).

Neferata and Arkhan were present at the end of the final battle, with the latter promising to fight to the last to give the former a chance to outrun the encroaching wall of solid Daemonic blackness despite her Abyssal being injured. After a parting kiss with Arkhan (who she still had some feelings for) Neferata only just made it back to the fortress in the [[Moot (Warhammer Fantasy)|Moot]] that she and Khalida had established offscreen. The Halflings and remaining humans of the Empire fled there for protection, and the undead under Khalida's command allowed them in. Neferata arrived and immediately shouted to make preparations to repel Chaos, before Khalida told her there was no point; Chaos won. Neferata instead convinced her to fight together, as Nehekharan Queens, and their assembled forces readied their weapons as the Warp overtook them.

==Age of Sigmar==

... Then [[Age of Sigmar]] happened. Nagash is an immortal god of the afterlife and gets all souls Chaos doesn't, barring the [[Stormcast Eternals]]. Since Games Workhop undid their complete reboot with identical factions reappearing, Vampires came back too. Neferata was shown alongside the other Mortarchs meaning that the entire End Times story meant jack. But since Khalida hasn't been shown and the Tomb Kings were revealed to have been Squatted, Nef at least outlived her. Neferata got her own part of the realm of death and "creatively" named it Nulahmia while also basing it's fashion and architecture off of Nehekhara's. She built an even bigger spy network and ensured that she was the top vampire. Mannfred, Ushoran, and possibly Vhordai (and definitely Abhorash if he is still alive or "alive" at any rate), are the only ones who don't pay homage to her, and Neferata and Mannfred have clashed several times. She's also gotten over her misandry, as she employs male and female vampires depending on their abilities.

Later, Nulahmia came under attack from an army of mortal followers of Chaos of Slaanesh, because a Slaaneshi Chaos Lord wants her for himself, not caring that she's undead. Quite a thing to sneak past the kiddies, Geedubs! (In the novel Lords of Death, the same lord kills a beastman who tried to stop him raping it). Her forces are aided by the Stormcast Eternals and together they defeat the forces of Slaanesh. Neferata later tries to make a secret alliance with the Stormcast right under Nagash's nasal bones. After the battle (where Neferata's obsessed fan Chaos Lord falls into a pit of skeletons), Neferata is disappointed that Nagash was just dicking with the Stormcast but had to go along with it. During Malign Portents, Neferata used her manipulations and spy network to keep Tzeentch's forces occupied, undermine Sigmar's forces and spread Nagash's influence across the realms.

Not too long after, Neferata's double dealing causes Nagash to punish her by putting half her city under Arkhan's rulership; Arkhan himself doesn't really want the city, but "when Nagash says 'jump'..." so Arkhan left a vampiric vassal of his to rule in his stead. She also has to contend with rebellious nobles who want to kill her rallying under a noble she turned into a vampire and an invading Khornate army led by the Chaos Lord Ruhok. Neferata uses her powers and schemes to play them all against each other, and ends up destroying the Khornates, rebels and much of her realm by temporarily releasing the black hole in the center of Shyish (and a clever ploy involving said noble being a Manchurian Agent). As a result Nagash gives full rule of Nulahmia back to Neferata and she rebuilds it.

Fast forward a few centuries and Neferata begins to wage war against the Khornate forces of Angaria (a name that rivals [[Angron]] in creativity) and its daemon prince ruler Graunos. The prince is oddly cunning for a daemon of Khorne, and is aided by the nearly-as-cunning deathbringer Kathag - one of the few survivors from Lord Ruhok's forces. They refuse to play Neferata’s game of manipulations and spying, [[Just As Planned|unknowingly playing right into the Mortarch of Blood’s hands]]. Through a series of infiltrations and convoluted schemes that’d make Tzeentch orgasm with joy, she managed to wipe out the entirety of Angaria by [[Awesome|dropping an entire underworld on top of the city, wiping them out just like the Skaven did to the Lizardmen]]. She followed up by duelling Graunos, and defeated the Daemon Prince by slashing his eyes, triggering the scotomaphobia Graunos still had from his mortal origins, which made him destroy himself when he desperately tried to use purging fire to restore his sight.

One interesting part of her character hasn't been extrapolated upon yet; whether or not she still has a thing for [[Arkhan the Black]]. Some parts hints that Arkhan isn't the same as he was in the [[Warhammer Fantasy|World-That-Was]] and may not remember Nef at all, but we don't know how Nef herself feels about this - if she cares at all, that is. Maybe the [[The End Times|coming apocalypse]] brought the sweetheart out of her for a short while.

==Lahmians==
Main article: [[Lahmian]].

Neferata's Bloodline, mostly female and in varying degrees of control of most of the factions of the world.

==Nagadron The Adevore==
The [[Dread Abyssal]] given to Neferata by Nagash in End Times. In the times of the Nehekharan gods, Nagadron resided with the other Dread Abyssals in the afterlife of men. Nagadron's job was to punish the gluttonous, ambushing selfish souls and chewing on them for all eternity. In Neferata's service, Nagadron now consumes the souls he eats, vomiting them up in smaller and smaller chunks as he gorges himself on flesh and spirit alike and eating them again (so yeah, Neferata's giant undead dragon demon is predictably a giant cat on the inside).

According to the team that produced the model, the hooded eyes are supposed to resemble a predatory [[snek]].

Nagadron was last seen in End Times re-dying from mortal wounds with its last act being carrying Neferata and the unconscious Isabella back to the fortress of Nef and Khalida, but was resurrected alongside his (apparently its a he despite always being an undead skeleton monster) master in Age of Sigmar.

==On the Tabletop==
===Old Editions===
Queen Neferata used to have a model in the game, but she suffered from [[Everqueen|Alarielle the Everqueen]] syndrome and had a badass model you wanted to use for fluff reasons, but it was pretty crap on the field and thus was unlikely to ever be used. So GW removed it, leaving the von Carsteins as the only models in Vampire Counts until the latter part of 8th edition. The original model came with a cat, who was originally a ghost cat named Bastet, referencing the aforementioned story about [[felinid]] vampires.

===The End Times===
With the addition of Nagash's campaign, Neferata makes a triumphant return to the field as a mounted model with an on-foot option (although GW makes her share a kit with [[Mannfred von Carstein]] and Arkhan the Black, the thrill of her return far outshines the insult).

Since bloodlines are gone, Lahmians are represented by gearing out your Lord and Hero vampires with Beguile and similar abilities as well as ample spellcasting. Use skeletons, ghosts, and similar minions that can be handwaved as unwanted hauntings or the bones of ancestors when the Witch Hunters come calling. Feel free to use proxies of living models from any faction you want as servants to a mortal lover/manipulated army but statted as zombies, ghouls, skeletons, or whatever. Finally, Coven Thrones. The only two bloodlines that should be using Coven Thrones are von Carsteins and Lahmians, and you better not let those lower class fuckers put more on the tabletop then you or Neferata will want to have a private chat with you...

Lahmian armies will do very well against low LD armies, and poorly against armies like High Elves with 9's across the board in Leadership.

As for the Queen of Mysteries herself, her latest incarnation hits hard and can debuff the enemy ten ways from town. She has eight Strength 5 attacks that Always Strike First at Inititative 9. Eight Strength 5 attacks are rough but always striking first takes it to another level, then you have Thunderstomp. With a combined profile with her mount, that's D6 Strength 5 hits at Initiative 9 since ASF and ASL cancel each other out. As for the Debuffs, Neferata can debuff to a level that even [[Nagash|her boss]] can't. Her Dagger of Jetl minuses 1- to the Strength, Initiative and Attack of a model that suffers an unsaved wound for the rest of the game. There's also Twilight Allure making all shooting and close combat attacks are at -1 to hit, so even a Chaos Lord will be hitting her on 5's. She also has a fun little trick of being able to, once per game, turn a character she slays in a challenge into a Vampire. If they get to keep all their gear (come on FAQ!) imagine turning Korhil or, even better, Kurt Helborg, into a Vampire.

===Age Of Sigmar===
As with the rest of the Mortarchs with fancy new models, Neferata was also reincarnated in the Mortal Realms, complete with her giant ghost-thingy mount. This leads her to a total of 11 wounds with a 4+ save and a respectable 16" flying move, though this decays as she suffers damage. She's very much at home in close combat, as all of her attacks are in 1" range. First off is Akmet-har, the Dagger of Jet, a fairly unremarkable but fast weapon that has the chance to outright murder her opponent if she deals damage (but not enough to kill them) and you roll a d6 higher than their remaining wounds. Second is Aken-Seth, a staff with considerably fewer attacks, but each one deals 2 damage with -2 Rend. Her steed can lash out with its own melee attacks, each as dangerous as the staff and with a good quantity (declining as she suffers wounds). The last weapon to be displayed is the weaponry of the various ghosts surrounding Neffy, all piddly compared to the rest, but if they roll a 6+ to hit, they deal a Mortal Wound.The rest of her rules all supplement this preference in melee - the ability to heal 2 wounds when she kills a model with her weapons, a command ability that forces enemies to rake a penalty to hit her, and a spell that lets its target ignore the rend of any weapons that hit them. As a bonus, if she kills a hero, she can also raise them as a Vampire Lord and then make them eat their former associates.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Neferata_2.jpg|Neferata's original model, looking like Elvira.
Image:Neferata Returns.jpg|Neferata's new model. Note that the [[Hat]] principle is still in effect.
Image:Neferata 3.jpg|This is what she looks like while casting.
Image:Neferata 4.jpg|This is what she looks like a minute later in melee.
Image:Neferata Book.jpg|What Neferata wears on weekends. (and when with Arkhan)
Image:Neferata-Warhammer-Age.png|Even after an apocalypse she's still got it.
Image:Nef+Ark.jpg| And Iiiiii will always love youuuuuuu...
Image:Neferata.jpg
Image:Nef Lite.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Warhammer Fantasy]]
[[Category:Vampire Counts]]
[[Category:Undead Legion]]
[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Settra the Imperishable

2021-01-25T15:19:27Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Life */

[[Image:Badass Settra.png|400px|thumb|right|Doctor Doom bends to one knee when a depiction of Settra is in his presence.]]

{{Topquote|There are great deeds that remain undone, enemies yet to conquer and raptures yet to rejoice in. So as it is written, so shall it be done. I, Settra, have proclaimed it - let none dare oppose my will.|Settra the Imperishable}}

{{Topquote|The last enemy to be destroyed is death.|1 Corinthians 15:26}}

{{Topquote|If there's anything more important than my ego on this ship, I want it caught and shot right now!|Zaphod Beeblebrox}}

The one who made Nehekhara a unified kingdom, first king of the first dynasty, greatest badass of the [[Tomb Kings]] and he with the most magnificent beard outside Dwarfs.

Though he was a tyrannical ruler, '''Settra the Imperishable''' is regarded as Nehekhara's best king. This is because he united the cities of Nehekhara into one kingdom and rebuilt the realm after it had been devastated by civil war, plague and drought. While he was ruthless dealing with dissenters, he was generous when his people came through, doing things such as praising the peasants and slaves when they did well and giving lots of rewards

In essence, he had mastered one of the most famous [and the most widely misunderstood] of Machiavelli's ideas - a ruler should be both feared and loved, only choose fear if they can't have both, and always avoid being hated. In practice, Settra is Warhammer's answer to Qin Shi Huang - the man who united China and became its first Emperor and even searched for immortality before he died, Alexander the Great - being a guy who tried to rule the world and was mad when he couldn't, and a bit of Seti I. He's probably best friends with Zod (Terrence Stamp Zod obviously)

==Personality==
{{Topquote|Think your arrogance can match mine, Elf? I am Settra!|[[Total War: Warhammer II]]}}

Originally Settra was a powerful king, but a vain and egotistical tyrant as well. He actually renamed Nehekhara Khemri in his vanity. He was the founder of the city of Khemri and the first Priest King to have his body buried in a pyramid. When Settra died, the people rejoiced but preserved his body out of tradition. When Nagash's magic inundated the land, Settra rose and rallied armies of undead to make an anti-Nagash resistance, the other kings joining him due to their shared hatred of Nagash. But after Nagash and Arkhan were driven out, the other kings refused to obey Settra. Furious, Settra led his armies to war waged war against them, but the other kings united against Settra and he was forced to retreat and turtle up in Khemri, vowing revenge. Settra then sent his army to raid other lands and bring back living captives to be killed in horrible rituals to bolster his army, with the goal of bringing all Nehekhara under his iron-fisted rule.

In later editions, some of this is still true with several major changes. Settra became a very skilled - albeit tyrannical - ruler who, while hard on dissenters and failures, was generous with people who succeeded which is unlike most Nehekharan monarchs. He also founded the Mortuary Cult as a way for him to achieve immortality because he didn't want to die. Newer lore also made Settra the king who successfully unified Nehekhara through cleverness, strength and the blessings of their gods.

He was ruthless towards anyone who challenged or even questioned his rule, from bandits to leaders of other kingdoms who thought they were "equal", having them [[blam|dealt with]] [[Inquisition|loudly and publicly]]. In undeath, he became strong enough that he can tear anyone who invites his wrath limb from limb, [[Fist of the North Star|with his bare hands]]. The combination of brutal efficiency and effective rule brought about an unequaled golden age for Nehekhara that trumped everything humans (and came close to the height of elves) that had ever been before or after. He also considered ruling the world to be his destiny, to the point not even his own sons were considered worthy to take up the mantle of all that he has wrought.

He is also a textbook example of the Knight Templar trope (doing terrible things to get his point across for a greater goal, seeking the best for people, self-righteous, bonus points for being religious too). The man sacrificed his own children without a second thought to the gods to prove his devotion to them (whether this makes him a dedicated ruler or an evil zealot is [[Skub|a matter of debate]]).

In all fluff, Settra wound up with more titles than an [[Ogre Kingdoms|Ogre Tyrant]] and had servants whose entire job was reciting them (punishment for those who fucked up) all day, every day. It took his heralds nearly two hours to say them all. Unlike many people with a ton of titles, [[Awesome|he earned most of them]]. They include:

* Khemrikhara
* Mighty Lion Of The Infinite Desert
* Emperor Of The Shifting Sands
* He Who Holds The Sceptre
* Great Hawk Of The Heavens
*King of Kings
*Monarch of the Sky
*Majestic Emperor of the Shifting Sands
*High King of Nehekara
*Ruler of the Four Horizons
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/totalwar/comments/7sjs6l/for_your_copypastin_pleasure_setttras_titles/ and many, many, more...]

==The Legend==
===Life===
Of all the kings of Nehekhara, none could match the splendor, cruelty and arrogance of Settra, first King of Khemri (<s>Except Nagash</s> Usurpers don't count, and Settra made Nehekhara a splendid unified kingdom while Nagash fucked it over). Before he became king Settra saw a lot of shit as Nehekhara was a desolate place torn apart by wars between cities. Wanting his subjects to love him, Settra listened to the advice of his priest who stated only a king with the gods on their side could command the respect of their people. So, alone amongst the kings, Settra rebuilt the gods temples, made statues of them, attended sermons, prayed to them nightly all that stuff. On the first anniversary of his coronation, Settra organized a huge ceremony where he prayed for an end to the drought and asked them to bless the kingdom [[Grimdark|sacrificing his own children to show his dedication to the gods]]. The next day there was a huge rainstorm, the Nile-equivalent river flooded, washing away plague and the farmer's harvest was the best in history (at the time), proof that the gods favoured Settra.

Settra had fought alongside his father's legion for many years before ascending to Khemri's throne. As a result, he had the skill of a ruthless warlord, and his keen tactical and strategic sense was matched only by his courage and martial skill. From there he started reunifying Nehekhara under his rule, [[Blam|giving a beatdown]] to anyone who even slightly challenged his authority. He sent envoys and armies across the world, promoting trade or taking plunder, making Nehekhara a rich kingdom in material wealth, intellectual drive and faith, Nehekhara became the pinnacle of human civilization that has rarely been equaled (maybe Cathay) and only surpassed by the Elder races, such as the High Elves, at the height of their power. At some point he got his herald, Nekaph, a man (implied to be of [[Warriors of Chaos|Norsii]] descent) strong enough to crush a person's skull with his fists but smart enough to remember everything important about Settra. Nekaph may have been like a replacement son to him, as Setty gave Nekaph an awesome hand-me-down, his old weapon the Flail of Skulls.

When he was forty (or in the fortieth year of his reign; thank you very much vaguely-worded fluff), he grew vexed with the idea that he would grow mortal and die, as there would be lands left unruled by him. Even worse, death would rob him of all of his achievements in life. He gathered the priesthood and demanded they find a way to stop him dying. While their views on the matter were unknown, the priest agreed searching far and wide across the world. Various methods, including so-called immortality elixirs, rejuvenating treatments and even skin creams, were tried. Those attempts did slow down the king's ageing, but were ultimately unsuccessful at granting him the true immortality he craved. As time went on the Priests discovered a lot and extended their own lives as well. There were limits but they didn't tell Settra that [[Blam|for obvious reasons]].

According to the Nagash novel, at some point in life he could no longer offer his sons to the gods in order to honor their pact (<s>infertility at old age? or he has gone soft?</s>Seriously? This ''is'' Settra the <s>Chad</s> Thad we're talking), so he married a high priestess of Ptra named Hatsushepra instead. Since Hatsushepra was of royalty from Lahmia, Settra's act of marriage had started a tradition where the priest king of Khemri must marry the princess of Lahmia in order to fulfill their pact with their gods. Despite sacrificing many of his sons to the gods, his bloodline continued with his fifth son '''Amenophis''', who was exiled by Settra for the suspicion of murdering Settra's other son Djoser. Amenophis eventually found his way to Rasetra and continued his bloodline, which eventually lead to Alcadizzar the Conqueror, who killed Nagash at the cost of his life and his kingdom.

After living for several hundred years beyond a human's natural span (even among the long-lived Nehekharans), Settra became frail enough to be said to be on his deathbed. During this time the priests came forth and told Settra that while they could not prevent his death ''right now'', they could find a way for him to return to life later and then reign for eternity (sweetening the deal with the mention of an immortal, immaculate gold body). Pissed off that he was going to die but, for once up against an enemy he couldn't defeat, Settra agreed to their plan. He ordered a HEUG pyramid tomb complex built for himself and his army and gave a last speech to the Khemrians. After that, Settra died with a curse on his lips that would do an [[Angry Marine]] proud.

A boss to the end.

===Death (and all the bullshit that happened when he wasn't around to keep the peace)===
After his death and burial (including the customary ritual suicide of his army to serve him in the afterlife; <s>by the way, Nehekhara must have been full of carefree sex if they can afford to keep the population up despite sacrificing an army every time the reigning king dies</s> remember "there are as many elves as the plot requires." [[Derp|Consistency and logic can take a back seat to rule of cool, it's all good]]), another king took the throne. This continued for generations, bringing the kingdom of Nehekhara further into contact with the outside world. Each king built a grand tomb for when they died, but none of them (except the Usurper mentioned below) dared make one bigger or better than Settra's. In the first version of Settra's lore, back in 4th edition when Vampire Counts and Tomb Kings were just Warhammer: Undead, Settra was a tyrant and his death was met with much rejoicing throughout the land. Suffice it to say the newer lore has been better received.

The Mortuary Cult went on to become more powerful, even harnessing magic. Despite various types of kings Nehekhara remained strong until the reign of king Thutep. While his older brother was given to the Priesthood as is traditional, Thutep was a diplomatic but overly accommodating king, leading to the kings of other cities trying to get one over on Khemri. Despite that, the worst-case scenario would have been a change in Khermi's socio-political position; Nehekhara would likely still have thrived.

Unfortunately for Nehekhara and much of the world, that aforementioned older brother of Thutep was [[Nagash|a certain someone we all know and love to hate]]. You can read what he did on his page, but tl;dr Nagash’s dying dick move was to flood the land with necromantic energies, spreading the curse of undeath over all Nehekharan lands.

After the fall of Nehekhara, the now-undead Kings had regained their will they realised that the Mortuary Cult's preservation methods were not 100% perfect; they had succeeded in keeping their souls in their corpses but their bodies had nonetheless shrivelled up and decayed somewhat, with the most decayed being almost mindless. Naturally, one can imagine that this was a depressing situation for them. Many generations of kings from each city had to decide who got to hold the throne they all had at some point. Weaker kings who had sat on the laurels of stronger kings now had to contend with those stronger kings. Countless generations of dynasties took one look at having to spend the rest of eternity alongside each other and started beating the shit out of each other, trying to figure out who could be top dog. Throughout it all Settra and his forces were still resting in the peace of death, the wards on Settra's pyramid protecting the occupants from the necromantic magic that had inundated the land.

===Return===
The Liche Priests eventually despaired that the incessant fighting between the returned dynasties was Not Good. In fact, there was a very real chance that the Tomb Kings would destroy each other out of sheer pride. Finally, the head of the Mortuary Cult, Grand Hierophant [[Khatep]], decided he would get shit done. He broke the seals on Settra's pyramid, scurried inside, and deliberately awoke Settra, who promptly rode out like a sandstorm from nowhere and smashed heads together until all of the other lesser Tomb Kings agreed to sit down and shut up. Even [[Arkhan the Black]] was driven back, although his sorcerous powers are mighty enough that even Settra can't beat him permanently and he has to give Arkhan the occasional pimp-slapping to make him keep his nose out of Settra's business. Unfortunately the question of why he didn't order the other Tomb Kings to join in the war so that he could permanently kill Arkhan is never answered, aside from author favouritism for Arkhan.

After he finally had a chance to sit down and hear what happened during the two thousand years he was dead, Settra was pissed. Seriously pissed. In his rage, he declared Khatep an exile, forbidden to ever set foot in any of the great cities until such a time that he can fulfill the Mortuary Cult's ancient promise and reinstate the golden age of Nehekhara. At first he declared the kings return to their sleep and await his call; he vowed never to sleep again lest his kingdom fall to ruin. Ever since, Settra focused on trying to restore his former empire, rebuilding damaged structures, taking back stolen treasures and driving out occupying enemy forces and bandits. Throughout he kept a particular watch for the inevitable return of [[Nagash]], determined to kill the Liche Lord and ensure only one undying monarch would rule over Nehekhara; he also had the side project of trying to destroy Nagash's Black Pyramid in older lore but every attempt, be it by war-machine or magic, failed.

Along the way, Settra had many legendary exploits that undoubtedly earned him new titles. At one point, a mad liche priest accidentally opened a rift to the realm of chaos, allowing a vast daemon legion to spill right into the heart of Khemri. Settra returned from campaign, furious that the daemons DARED set foot in his city, and went on to solo a [[Great Unclean One]] (who was likely bummed that the dead can't be made to sicken) that was leading the invasion. He then grabbed the idiot liche priest that caused this in the first place and threw him into the rift, sealing the breach forever. Another daemonic invasion occurred elsewhere later which was defeated when Settra, in a generous mood, accepted the help of a nearby group of High Elves led by Prince Althran, who were allowed to leave with their dignity afterwards.

One of his shining moments came after an army of Chaos Warriors, led by Valgar the Butcher, invaded Nehekhara to loot it. Settra led an army against and fought Valgar, but it ended up being a mutual kill. The Tomb Kings army was defeated but there were only the twelve survivors from the Norsii. Those survivors had rallied under Valgar's lieutenant, Khagul Bloodfist, and fled with as much Nhekharan treasure as they could carry, including Settra's crown which Khagul himself took. When he came back a decade later, Settra was filled with RAGE over the whole thing (most of all them taking his crown), and swore that he wouldn't return to Khemri until he'd killed the survivors and reclaimed all the stolen treasures right down to the last coin. [[Awesome|He proceeded to do just that. He mustered the mightiest of Nehekhara's troops into a massive army and tracked down the twelve survivors via magic and his spy network]] (since they'd become stinking rich from the loot, each one had become powerful and well-known and thus easy to find). Using Zandri's fleet as transport, [[Awesome|Settra and his army traveled to the Northern Wastes and wiped the twelve men out along with their tribes and mutated monsters in a long campaign of battles that ended with Settra retaking his crown and Khagul killed by Prince Apophas]] (High Elves wanting the Phoenix Crown back, takes notes).

Many years passed, then Settra woke all of the other kings up. He declared an age of expansion and massed the armies to expand Nehekhara beyond its previous boundaries and make the name of Settra once again feared (but not hated) across the world.

==The End Times==
[[File:Settra Rules.jpg|thumb|right|400px|"He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king."]]
Before Settra can begin his expansion, he finds out that Nagash has returned. Death magic runs rife through Nehekhara, and many Tomb Kings hear whispers in it; the voice of Nagash entreating them to serve. Undaunted, Settra commands the Tomb Kings to make the most of it. The forces he was going to use to spread his rule instead were mobilized to defend Nehekhara. He commissioned all the best troops from various cities to defend Khemri, knowing Nagash would seek his Black Pyramid, and ordered Nehekhara's best architect, Rahmotep, to get some skeletal work crews and build walls around the city. When Nagash used magic to shroud the land of Nehekhara in darkness the Tomb Kings did not despair, they just worked harder.

During the final battle for Khemri, Khatep broke his exile to tell Settra about the Destroyer of Eternities, a weapon that may be able to permanently stop Nagash. Settra listened then executed him for breaking his exile. He didn't find the blade in its place, as unknown to him Apophas stole it (at the behest of a Skaven assassin) to kill Nagash and claim his soul for Usirian. He later fought Arkhan and, sick of his nonsense, chased Arkhan down and bifurcated the snarky lich. Chaining Arkhan's halves to his chariot, Settra took his remains to priests who had a ritual to stop Arkhan from being reanimated. But one of the priests was a traitor who paralyzed the others with a spell, and Nagash emerged from inside Arkhan's ribcage. It turned out Arkhan's capture was a plan to smuggle Nagash into Khemri without him having to wear himself down fighting.

Settra and his forces were on the verge of defeating the forces of the Vampire Counts when Nagash emerged from his Black Pyramid. Nagash, super powered after nomming Nehekhara's death god Usirian and taking over the underworld, turns the tables. Eventually the two face off, trading blows before Settra loses his chariot and charges Nagash. The two engage in a battle of wills with Nagash discovering that Settra's willpower is still equal to his own, despite Nagash's divine supercharge. So Nagash decides to cheat and Settra doesn't even land a hit before Nagash sends swarms of spirits to restrain Settra and lift him into the air. Nagash complimented Settra and offered him a place as one of his Mortarchs, threatening destruction if he refused. In response Settra looked Nagash in the eye and said:

'''"SETTRA DOES NOT SERVE" he shouted, trembling with rage, "SETTRA RULES!"''' [[Awesome|Utterly badass]].

This doesn't phase Nagash, who just says "fuck it" and casually blows up Settra and scatters his bones across the sands of Khemri before claiming leadership of the Tomb Kings from Settra. As a final insult, Nagash destroys Khemri, forcing Settra's still-animate head to watch helplessly from the sand, and makes everyone leave Settra stuck there with the ruins of his city. After fuck knows how long, and getting tired of yelling to scare off hungry vultures, Settra reached his lowest point, and started to wish he were mortal just so he could truly die. Then, four unknown beings (revealed to be the Chaos Gods, though it's obvious in hindsight) put his body back together and fill him with new power, to Settra's surprise. Speaking as one they tell him his battle with Nagash doesn't have to end this way and that he can be a king again. Settra doesn't answer.

While there isn't a peep about him in the subsequent End Times armybooks, not even the last one "End Times:Archaon", Josh Reynolds comes to the rescue. According to Reynolds; After being put back together and having a moment of introspection Settra '''walked all the way from Khemri to Middenheim''' and approached Archaon as an ally (before he started digging for the Old Ones artifact beneath the city). To test his worth, Archaon ordered Settra to kill Kholek Suneater as Kholek was so arrogant as to be uncontrollable, and thus no use to Archaon. Settra and Kholek battled for four days, leveling much of the forest around Middenheim. But Settra was victorious, decapitating Kholek and dragging the head back to Archaon's throne room. He encountered Mannfred at Middenheim after the latter betrayed Nagash but gave no acknowledgement of this. At some point before the Incarnates arrived, Settra went his own way unbeknownst to anyone. When the Incarnates attacked Middenheim, Settra confronted Nagash during the final battle. He pointed his khopesh (his awesome sword) at Nagash, and calls him a usurper then explains the Chaos Gods (Settra refers to them as the "howling jackals" here) resurrected him to kill him. (There was a scene where Settra saw the Troll King [[Throgg]]'s dead body near Nagash, which foreshadows the fate of all chaos worshippers, as well as his fate if he were to kill Nagash) Settra then performs a flip and beheads a [[Dragon Ogres|Shaggoth]] that was about to attack Nagash, points his khopesh at him again informs him that '''"NOBODY COMMANDS SETTRA!"''' Settra called Nagash a "prince of Khemri" as if Nagash serves him, then told tell Nagash that he will temporarily forgive his past actions if he were to make the Chaos Gods suffer for DARING to offer him immortality and the chance to conquer all realities in exchange for ''servitude''. He finishes by saying that after he's done killing the Chaos Gods, Nagash is next with a promise to take Nagash's skull and retake rulership of the Nehekharans, right before charging into battle against the Chaos monsters by himself, killing a giant for good measure. He's last seen fighting them as the world is consumed.

For those keeping score at home, that makes Settra the ONLY being in any Warhammer setting who was offered literally everything there is to be offered (everything that someone could want from the Chaos Gods such as money, power, even immortality and worship via becoming a Daemon Prince or even true Godhood as a minor Chaos God like the [[Horned Rat]] to name a few; he might even have gotten that immaculate living gold body and had the option of sex again he was promised), and instead chose to give Chaos the middle finger in response.

Because Settra does not serve. Settra rules.

Settra the Imperishable, Settra the Incorruptible, Settra Da Best.

==GUESS WHO (isn't) BACK! (Age of Sigmar)==
At first, there was no confirmed sign of Settra in Age of Sigmar, which fueled no end of speculation. Many were convinced that the Celestant-Prime (first of the Stormcast Eternals) was Settra brought back by Sigmar, as he fit the description, however later evidence challenged that, and now we're back to square one.

Despite this, fans of Settra still held a torch for the Khemrikhara, and their faith was eventually kicked in the balls because the different writers/editors at GW don't bother speaking to one another and are more comfortable retconning what they write than planning anything out.

To get into this fully, in the novel [[Hamilcar Bear Eater|Hamlicar]]: Champion of the Gods there is a mention of a Lord Celestant Settrus of the Imperishables warrior chamber. It is said he has a special loathing for Nagash, and has a reputation for getting shit done and commands the respect and obedience of guys like Hamilcar Bear-Eater through sheer gravitas and force of will alone. So, yeah, it looked like Settra did indeed get Sigmarined; it may not be as the Celestant-Prime, but hey, at least the man was back. As you could predict, most WFB fans raged at it while AoS players either were excited at the possibility of <strike>Thousand Sons</strike> Khopesh-wielding Sigmarines, or just shrugged at a reference they didn’t get and don’t care about. At any rate, David Guymer indicated he was not done with “Settrus” yet.

It soon came out that Settrus really was Settra as a Stormcast... BUT GW's higher-ups told David he could not bring Settra back as Settrus, so they tried to sweep this whole misstep under a rug by perma-killing Settrus, but not before [[Mannfred von Carstein|Man-child von Carstein]] made fun of him, saying he would be already dead if Settrus was really Settra. In order to stop the world's bitchiest Mortarch from looting a Stormvault for some edgy named weapon, Settrus overloaded the Penumbral Engine that concealed the vault, which in turn consumed him. Hamilcar himself stated that he felt in his gut he was truly gone as not even [[Grugni]] would have managed to extract what fragments may remain from the orrery. Of course, Hamilcar is frequently wrong/hyperbolic, so who knows if Settrus will return - unlikely, for now. Farewell Settrus, whoever you were.

==GUESS WHO'S BACK! (The Old World)==
In [[The Old World]] Settra will return, alongside just about everyone else.

<gallery>
File:GW_meme.jpg|Because you can't keep a good undead down ([[Awesome|GW made this, by the way]]).
File:Perish not.jpg|GW made this too. Pandering, maybe. True, yes.
</gallery>

==On the Tabletop==
Settra has had a model since [[Rogue Trader (Sourcebook)|the days Tomb Kings and Vampire Counts were just Warhammer: Undead, which looked like he was pulled from the Boris Karloff mummy movies]]. In gameplay, his only notable features were being slow (footslogging like a Dwarf with movement 3 and a lower initiative), Toughness 6 and Settra carried the Flail of Skulls as his weapon instead of the Blessed Blade of Ptra (guess which Ancient Egyptian god he's based on; subtlety, what's that?)

He got a new model when Tomb Kings became their own army, and it's absolutely MAGNIFICENT. From his pose to the details on the chariot, he epitomizes the look of the army and if you are trying to proxy something else as him you should be prepared for other Tomb Kings players to remove your head and use your still-living skull as artillery to fire at Games Workshop headquarters after updates. He's fairly expensive point-wise, but unlike most named Lords is actually worth considering outside large-scale games (to the point that, along with Khalida, he is actually the only other truly competitively viable choice when named characters are allowed). Between 4th and 8th Edition Settra got a huge boost in rules (including terror, ward saves, an ASF sword that blinded people and arguably his best item; The Chestplate of Golden Magnificence that gave him a 2+ Armour Save which couldn't be reduced to worse than a 4+ even if hit by attacks that ignore armour saves). This is also where he gained his chariot, a super pimped out one called the Chariot of the Gods.

In the latest edition, going by his profile Settra's also the strongest man in the Warhammer World; he has a basic strength of 6. That's right 6, meaning he could beat a Chaos Lord or an Ogre Tyrant in an arm-wrestling match! He can be fielded without his chariot (which can now burn things with magical fire when it hits or runs over them), but he becomes less effective as he's somewhat fragile without the bonuses from it.

Besides that however, the best fluff and crunch army for him is a full chariot charge anyways with him at the front. Screaming Skull Catapults are also advised, as they are Settra's main method of dealing with uppity <strike>boneheads</strike> Tomb Kings who think they don't have to salute when he passes or jump when he commands.

==Total War: Warhammer II==
[[File:OkQNjvO - Imgur.jpg|thumb|right|400px|"No Kneeling"]]
In Total War Warhammer II, the Tomb Kings have returned as DLC, though appear on both campaigns whether you buy it or not. Even better, Settra returned with his shiny chariot of the gods. He is the Tomb Kings faction leader who this time planning to put the kibosh on Nagash's return. Rather than bother with the Vortex, he's hunting the Nine Books of Nagash. Several quotes in-game reflect the fact that he DOES NOT SERVE.

In a hilarious turn of events, and a deviation from the game's lore, if the Tomb King's win it's revealed that the priest who narrates to the player is Thutep, Nagash's younger brother. After being sealed into a tomb to die (and appearing as a ghost to tell off Nagash), Thutep gets his body back and somehow becomes a Lich Priest. The funny part is that in this scenario, the Black Pyramid is under Settra's control, who puts it under Thutep's control, once again putting Nagash under his brother.

==Fan Tributes==
"''Good morning. In less than an hour, Entombed Necropolis Knights from here will join others from around Nehekhara. And you will be launching the largest ground battle in the history of the Old World.''
''Tomb Kings. Those words should have new meaning for all of us today.''
''We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore.''
''We will be united in our common interests.''

''Perhaps it's fate that today is my birthday, as it is every day, and you will once again be fighting for my crown, not from tyranny, oppression, or that bastard Phar, but from annihilation.''
''We're fighting for our right to unlive, to exist.''
''And should we win the day, my birthday will no longer be known as a Nehekharan holiday, but as the day when the master race declared in one voice:''
''We will not go quietly into the night!''
''We will not vanish without a fight!''
''We're going to unlive on!''
''We're going to survive!''
''Today, we celebrate our Imperishable Day!''"

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Setty's original model.jpg|Settra's first model. Note the crown and weapon.
Image:Settra Model.png|Settra's new model. The hardest thing about painting it is resisting the urge to kiss his tiny feet long enough for the paint to dry.
Image:Settra Chariot.jpg|Settra riding his pimped out chariot.
Image:Settra V Nagash Dawn of Boner.jpg|Settra popping wheelies around Nagash's broke bus-riding ass.
File:Settra's return.png|"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBAmLm_jYyY| As the gods are my witnesses, I'll never serve]."
File:Settra Titles.jpg|Settra's achievement list.
</gallery>

{{Tomb Kings}}
[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Age of Sigmar/Tactics/Order/Seraphon

2021-01-25T15:00:51Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Pros */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Seraphon|Logo=Lizardy.jpeg|Alliance=Order| Lore=Lizardmen|Motto=Aztec dinosaurs riding bigger dinosaurs that shoot lasers and fuck shit up.}}
Get on your dinosaur. We’re on a mission from [[Old Ones (Warhammer)|God]]. The Seraphon are here to enact the Great Plan across all the Realms.
==Why Play Seraphon==
Because they are [[Lizardmen]] in AoS. [[Awesome|Motherfucking mesoamerican dinosaur people riding motherfucking dinosaurs]], what is not to love?

Want more details?, fine:

===Pros===
* They are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]]. This trumps any other faction in AoS (including the [[Idoneth Deepkin|sea-monster-riding elven soul pirates]], the [[Kharadron Overlords|steampunk sky-pirate dorfs]] and the [[Daughters of Khaine|bikini-clad gladiator elf chicks and monstergirls]]).

* Since they survived so well the End of Times, they have 27 different units available; more than any other surviving miniatures without splitting into smaller subfactions (at least for Order players, since Slaves to Darkness also survived really well).

* Having so many miniatures makes room for extreme flexibility: you can go all Saurus, all Cavalry, all Skinks, all dinostomp, with tons of leaders buffing all of them. Simply you have many options available to choose from.
* They are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]].
* Excellent synergy. Your heroes will buff and buff [[your dudes]].

* Many big heroes can generate more CP for your Dino synergies.

* Tons of bonuses for hitting rolls. If your hit roll is worse than 3+, you are doing something wrong.

* They have arguably the two most powerful, non-Monster keyword, wizards in the entire game: Lord Kroak is still around, being able to cast FOUR spells each hero phase while having extremely aggressive abilities, and the regular Slann is no slouch either

* They are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]].

* They have a strong community and a really passionate fanbase. It's fun to play a faction that has so much love behind it.

* With the advent of the 2020 Battletome, now we come in two tasty flavours! Do you like the idea of Seraphon being quite literally Order Daemons manifested into existence via Slann memories and/or a summoning/magic centered lizard army? Go Starborne. Do you prefer the idea of Serapohn starting to colonize the Realms and starting to make their very own mini-Lustrias wherever they settle with pure dinosaurian might? Go Coalesced.

* If you are a returning player from the by-gone days of WHFB, Coalesced will play very much like the Lizardmen of yore, which is a nice return to form if you were a fan of that lore/playstyle

* Really easy to collect, thanks to having two really good Start Collecting! kits: One is worth a Carnosaur and gives you 12 Warriors and 8 Knights for free, the best deal in the entire GW range; and the other gifts you 12 Skinks, a Star Priest and a Terradon for buying a Bastiladon and other two Terras. All of these units go from really good to must haves in any army.
* They are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]].
* From a modelist POV, this guys are a dream for custom painting: the Lizardmen are surprisingly easy to paint; shading is amazing. Given the lack of conventional heraldry (say, Khorne really likes red, or how many subfactions with specific colours have almost every other major faction), [[Awesome|painting them as you want is completely depending on your own imagination and liking]].
* [[Awesome|Now we and only we have direct control over Predatory Endless Spells]]. Giving the middle... finger? claw? real hard to Teclis, Nagash and Tzeentch on this one.

* Did I mention that they are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]]?

===Cons===
*None. They are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]]. How in the actual fuck could they have a con.
*...buuuut... as of 2020, the faction got radically redone because of [[Powergamer|player abuse]]. Like, really redone. No more OP Summoning (at least you are Dracothion's Tail) and skink kiting. You have to rethink how to play them as many of the old combos have either been done away with or changed to the point the old tactics just won't work anymore. Now, this can also be a pro depending if you played against this army before.
* Some say that your generals are the glue that keeps your army together: all of your heroes keep your units together; this is a synergy dependent army, most Seraphon units base warscrolls are fairly weak for their points cost
* They, like their Sigmarine allies, really hate being on the receiving end of Mortal Wounds as there's little they can do about it.
* They don't make for the best-ranged army, even considering their binocular theropod vision. Yet again, is this Age of Charge-mar.
* While having lots of bonuses for hit rolls, Seraphon doesn't have many ways to get re-rolls or increase wound rolls. Not much of a problem, since most units already wound on 3+ roll, but still.
* Most of the models are old, and there's some Finecrap/Failcast units too. Which gives them prehistoric flavour since they are [[Awesome|Aztec lizardmen riding dinosaurs]].

==Rulebooks==
{{AOSRulebooks|tome=Seraphon|points=Seraphon - Errata July 2020}}

Seraphon(2020)

==Allegiance Abilities==

===Battle Traits===
If your army has a {{AOSKeyword|SERAPHON}} allegiance and chooses to take the {{AOSKeyword|SERAPHON}} allegiance abilities, it has the following rules:

*'''Warriors of the Stars and the Realms:''' You must pick if your entire army has The Coalesced or Starborne allegiance during list building.

*'''Contemplations of the Ancient One:''' At the end of your hero phase, 1 friendly {{AOSKeyword|SLANN WIZARD}} can swap their Celestial Domination Lore spell with another. It gives you a nice extra level of adaptability to battlefield conditions. This is literally the old rule only Slann had, but it no longer costs a spell less to cast. Fantastic.

*'''Sacred Asterisms:''' At the start of each your hero phases, you pick a constellation to be active. This also used to be a Slann rule, and it used to cost you a spell per turn and it was on rerolls, so a real win here.
**'''The Great Drake:''' During combat phase pick a SERAPHON hero, +1 attack to his melee weapons (including his mount, aka Carnosaur/Stegadon)
**'''The Hunter's Steed:''' +1 run and charge for ALL friendly Seraphon.
**'''The Sage's Staff:''' In the hero phase, pick a Seraphon Wizard, he gains +1 casting and dispelling during your turn and +1 unbinding during enemy's. This stacks with the Slann's base +1, making them awesome.

====The Coalesced ====
Some of the Starborne, due to magical fuckery, have now become the savage flesh and blood dinos we all know and love, colonizing the Mortal Realms and [[Awesome|making their very own mini-Lustrias wherever they land]]. They are territorial, with a focus on Saurus and MONSTERS and being a tough and ferocious melee army.

*'''Coalesced Constellation:''' You may take only the Koatl's Claw or Thunder Lizard constellations.

*'''Predatory Fighters:''' +1 attack of jaw weapons by Coalesced. ALL weapons with '''JAW''' in the name, take the time to read through which units have jaw weapons, some are surprising (Basically everything that is not a foot Skink, a flying Skink or Slaan)

*'''Scaly Skin:''' -1 damage inflicted for each successful attack against a Coalesced unit (min 1). This works best against 2 damage attacks, halving their damage output and often neutering the units effectiveness. Hear that? Thats Ogor players crying.

*'''Cold-Blooded:''' {{AOSKeyword|SERAPHON}} Ignore Bravery modifiers (both positive and negative). This makes hordes a little less attractive as you dont get the bonus for every 10 models, but this is helpful to keep your Saurus in line.

*'''Primeval Dominion:''' [[Just as planned|Within your territory, only you benefit from Damned, Arcane, Inspiring, or Mystical terrain features, and only the enemy suffer from Deadly and Sinister]].

====The Starborne====
The living...ish? memories Seraphon had been before 2020. They center on spamming mages and still a mobility faction with teleport and summoning in dinosaws shenanigans.

*'''Starborne Constellation:''' May pick the Dracothian's Tail or Fangs of Sotek keyword and ability.

*'''Lords of Space and Time:''' Once per turn, at the end of your movement phase, you can pick one of your {{AOSKeyword|SERAPHON}} units anywhere on the battlefield to be transported through space and time. If you do so, remove the unit from the battlefield and set up again anywhere more than 9" from any enemy unit.
**Carnos flanking for days to come and quick escapes for your heavily damaged Slann. Deep striking is kinda what AoS is all about. If you have any experience with it, you know how valuable it is.

*'''Unfeeling:''' Starborne all have Bravery changed to 10 on Warscrolls. Given how they actually nerfed the regular Bravery to 8 on average (or even 5 for skinks), this is how we compensate

*'''Celestial Conjuration''' There are three ways to generate Celestial Conjuration points:
#In your hero phase, each {{AOSKeyword|SLANN}} or {{AOSKeyword|ORACLE}} can choose to forego one of his spellcasting attempts to give you D3 Celestial Conjuration points each time.
#At the end of your hero phase, if your general is a {{AOSKeyword|SLANN}} or {{AOSKeyword|STARSEER}} and is still alive, you receive d3 more Celestial Conjuration point.
#Also at the start of your hero phase, you receive D3 more Celestial Conjuration points if you have any Astrolith Bearers alive on the table. Note that you might have several Astroliths but you'll still only get D3 points a turn.
: You can spend these points at the end of your movement phase to summon stuff from the following list. The unit has to arrive wholly within 12" of a friendly {{AOSKeyword|SLANN}}, {{AOSKeyword|ORACLE}} or friendly Astrolith Bearer, and more than 9" from all enemy models.
: Note that you can summon several units per turn if you've saved up enough points (you should generate ~4 per turn, +2 for each slann/oracle that gives up a spell). Also note that while the General is the main source of conjuration points, if he dies you can still spend them to bring units in near the Astrolith or a different Slann or Oracle.

'''Summoning table'''
Additional reference to [http://www.lustria-online.com/threads/the-art-of-summoning.22178/ Lustria Online The Art of Summoning] for commentary on units:
* Excellent (exceptionally useful, you should always have it at hand)
* Good (almost always useful, some time can be a suboptimal choice)
* Suboptimal (can be useful, but it's situational; usually there are better choices)
* Poor (bad unit to summon, useful only under exceptional circumstances)

Seraphon unit --- Cost

1 Dread Saurian - 50 (''This will never happen'')

1 Stegadon with skink chief--- 30 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Engine of the Gods --- 30 (''Poor'')

1 Stegadon --- 25 (''Good'')

1 Saurus Old-Blood on Carnosaur --- 25 (''Good'')

1 Skink oracle on Troglodon --- 25 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Saurus Scar-Veteran on Carnosaur --- 20 (''Good'')

1 Bastiladon --- 20 (''Good'')

20 Saurus Warriors --- 20 (''Suboptimal'')

3 Kroxigor --- 15 (''Excellent'')

1 Saurus Astrolith Banner --- 15 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Skink Starseer --- 15 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Skink Starpriest--- 15 (''Suboptimal'')

5 Chameleon Skinks --- 15 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Saurus Sunblood --- 15 (''Suboptimal'')

3 Ripperdactyl Riders --- 10 (''Good'')

1 Ripperdactyl Chief --- 10 (''Poor'')

1 Saurus Eternity Warden --- 10 (''Good'')

5 Saurus Guard --- 10 (''Situational'')

5 Saurus Knights --- 10 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Saurus Oldblood --- 10 (''Suboptimal'')

1 Saurus Scar-Veteran on Cold One --- 10 (''Suboptimal'')

10 Saurus Warriors --- 10 (''Good'')

1 Skink Priest --- 10 (''Suboptimal'')

3 Terradon Riders --- 10 (''Good'')

1 Terradon Chief --- 10 (''Poor'')

1 Razordon --- 10 (''Excellent'')

1 Salamander --- 10 (''Excellent'')

10 Skinks --- 6 (''Good'')

===Constellations===
Your space-dinos now have Chapter Tactics in the form of these Constellations. As per the norm, taking one of these Constellations means you have to take their Command Trait and Artefact, though you can get around the command trait as your general can be a different type of Seraphon. Starborne armies get Dracothion’s Tail or Fangs of Sotek, while Coalesced armies can choose Koatl’s Claw or Thunder Lizard.

*'''Dracothion’s Tail'''
''Poster boys and your go to choice for Slann generals and summoning shenanigans.''
;Trait - Appear on Command: Pseudo-deepstriking. You can set up every other unit in reserve and then deploy them at the end of your movement phase wholly within 18" of a friendly Slann. While you should never underestimate a surprise Carnosaur, the fact that it relies on where your Slann is makes standard deep strike strategies harder/riskier to pull off.
;Command Trait - Ancient Knowledge (Slann only): Know 1 extra spell for your Slann and can reroll 1 casting, dispelling, or unbundling roll for each hero phase. It’s straight fusion of two generic Slann traits.
;Artefact - Godbeast Pendant: When the bearer dies, roll D6. On 1-3 he dies as normal, on 4-6 he is revived with full wounds, and all wounds allocated before are negated. Basically the same as the Skink Artefact but can be given to Slann or Saurus.

*'''Fangs of Sotek'''
''Skink spam at its finest.''
;Trait - First to Battle: Add 3" to friendly Skink movement for the first battle round.
;Command Ability - Parting Shot: At the end of the enemy’s charge phase, choose one Skink or Chameleon Skink unit wholly within 18" of a friendly Hero (FAQ UPDATE: unit must have been charged that turn). That unit can immediately take a shooting attack. Then on a 4+, that same unit may retreat.
;Command Trait - Old and Grizzled (Saurus only): So long as your general is on the battlefield at the start of your hero phase, you gain 1 CP on a 3+. The General doesn't have to be a Saurus, but if it is it must take this trait.
;Artefact - Serpent God Dagger: Choose one melee weapon. If an enemy model suffers damage from this weapon and has not been slain, you can roll a dice and insta-kill them on a 5+.

*'''Koatl’s Claw'''
''Cause we needed Saurus spam.''
;Trait - Savagery Incarnate: +1 to hit rolls for Saurus who charge the same turn.
;Command Ability - Controlled Fury: Choose one Saurus unit within 24" of your Hero. That unit counts as having charged for the Savagery Incarnate rule.
;Command Trait - Dominant Predator (Saurus only): Any time your General uses a Command Ability on a Saurus unit, he gains back a CP on a 4+.
;Artefact - Eviscerating Blade: Choose one melee weapon. Unmodified hit rolls of 6 deal 2 mortal wounds in addition to normal damage. The best weapon artefact we have access to, give this to a Scar-vet on Carnosaur or a Sunblood and watch the carnage.

*'''Thunder Lizard'''
''When you feel like playing Jurassic Park in the Mortal Realms.''
;Trait - Mighty Beasts of War: +2 wounds for monsters. Note: this extends their lowest bracket, not the top bracket.
;Command Ability - Trove of Old One Technology: Choose either a Bastiladon or EOTG wholly within 18" of a friendly Hero. [[Dakka|Bastiladons can fire its Solar Engine again]]. While the EOTG can use its Cosmic Engine again.
;Command Trait - Prime Warbeast (Mounted General only): +1 to Attacks made by the General’s Mount. General doesn't have to have a mount, but if it does it must take this trait. Best on a Carnosaur or Skink Cheif on Stegadon. The Stegadon's ranged weapon does get +1 Attack from this!
;Artefact - Fusil of Conflagration: Choose an enemy within 12" during your shooting phase and roll a dice. On a 6, that unit suffers D6 mortal wounds. On a 4-5, D3 mortal wounds. 2-3, nothing happens. And on a 1, you can no longer use this Artefact for the rest of the battle. Not great, especially with the short range, even worst being forced to use this as your first artifact.

===Command Traits===
There are nine traits for a {{AOSKeyword|SERAPHON}} General of an army with a '''SERAPHON''' allegiance that has chosen to take the '''SERAPHON''' allegiance abilities. You can choose one of three depending on which keyword your general has: {{AOSKeyword|SLANN}}, {{AOSKeyword|SAURUS}} or {{AOSKeyword|SKINK}}. (If you roll for picking one; use a 1D3 instead of the regular 1D6 for every other faction in the game).
====Slann Command Trait====
All of them are pretty interesting and, while not exactly situational, all of them work better under certain circumstances. Because of Starborne's Celestial Conjuration, these are the first Command Trait you will consider.

#'''Arcane Might''': Re-roll one casting and unbinding or dispelling roll each hero phase. A modest trait, and the most "generic" of the three.
#'''Vast Intellect''': The general knows one more spell from Celestial Domination lore. Considering we can already switch at will, pass.
#'''Great Rememberer''': as long as the general is still alive and on the field, you can throw another D6 at the start of your hero phase to get a CP on a 4+. Pretty good, considering how many CP you'll need now. Kroak gets this for free.

====Saurus Command Trait====
Only considerable in a Coalesced army.
#'''Disciplined Fury''': Re-roll hit rolls of 1 for attacks made with the general's melee weapons.
#'''Thickly Scaled Hide''': Re-roll saves of 1 for the general.
#'''Mighty War Leader''': If your general is on the battlefield at the start of your hero phase, roll a d6. On a roll of 4+, you receive an extra command point. Quite possibly the one you'll want if you play a Saurus General, which will happen very rarely.

====Skink Command Trait====
If you can't buy a Slann general, have a Skink General. Seriously, this, combined with the Artifacts and Lore make Skink Heroes THE HEROES of your whole army.
#'''Master of Star Rituals''': If the general is a {{AOSKeyword|WIZARD}}, you can add 1 to casting rolls for him. If not, you can use command ability from Skink Priest Warscroll once per battle round without spending a Command Point. Very good, especially on a Chief w/ Stegadon to self-buff.
#'''Nimble''': Add +1 to the general's Move characteristics and add +1 to its save.
#'''Cunning''': If the general is at 3" of an enemy {{AOSKeyword|HERO}}, on a 4 said enemy hero suffers 1 mortal wound. Unless mounted, you don't want Skinks in melee. Even mounted, it is still meh, unless its you Engine of the Gods.

===Artifacts of Power===
One HERO in your army (+1 per additional warscroll battalion) may take a relic from the following tables:

'''Slann''' only:
#'''Zoetic Dial''' After set-up is complete but before the battle begins, secretly record the number of a battle round. At the start of that battle round, reveal the information and then heal all wounds allocated to the bearer. In addition, during that battle round, you can re-roll save rolls for attacks that target the bearer. Not bad, but relies on prediction and is outclassed by another healing artefact.
#'''Light of Dracothion''' Once per battle, the bearer can automatically unbind a spell used by an enemy spellcaster OR automatically dispel 1 endless spell within 15". Take this only if you expect a wizard heavy opposition. Otherwise, skip it. It's not like you're short on spellcasters anyway.
#'''Prism of Amyntok''' Once per battle, at the start of your movement phase, you can target an enemy unit within 12". On a roll of 1, it is struck with 1 mortal wound. A roll of 2-5 inflicts d3 mortal wounds and on a roll of 6 strikes d6 mortal wounds. Great if used in conjunction with <strike>Smite</strike> Arcane Bolt to kill Heroes. One use only though...
#'''Itxi Grubs''' heal 1 wound at the start of the hero phase. In addition, in your hero phase, you can re-roll 1 cast/dispel for the bearer. In the enemy hero phase, re-roll 1 unbinding rolls for the bearer. Thats more like it! This doesn't specify your hero phase so you also heal on your opponents turn, plus you get the Arcane Might command trait's effect. The best Slann artefact by far, except maybe in Dracothian's Tail.
#'''Plaque of Dominion''' In your hero phase, pick 1 visible enemy Hero within 12" of the bearer. Until your next hero phase, that HERO fights at the end of the combat phase. In addition, if that HERO is a WIZARD, until your next hero phase, -1 to casting/dispelling and unbinding for that HERO.
#'''Throne of the Lost Gods''' +4" to Move and +1 Wound. If you want to make a turbo-toad, then now you can.

'''SAURUS''' only:
If youre taking a lot of Saurus you are likely in Koatl's Claw, in which cast the constellation artefact beats everything here. The below choices are effectively for your 2nd Saurus hero if you take a battalion.

#'''Blade of Realities''' Improve rend of one of the bearer's weapons by 1 and add 1 to its damage characteristics if the target of an attack is a HERO. A classic item with amazing lore, continuing its tradition of only okay rules. Outclassed by the Rageblade from Aqshy and the Eviscerating Blade in Koatl's Claw.
#'''Sigils of the Prime Hunter''' Each time when the bearer fights, after all his attacks a made, roll D6. On 1 nothing happens, on 2-5 1 enemy unit within 1" suffer a mortal wound, on 6 - D3 mortal wounds. Pass.
#'''Bloodrage Pendant''' Add 1 to attacks of all bearers weapons, if he lost more than half of his wounds. On a carnosaur, this can counteract the damage chart in a pinch.

'''SKINK''' only:

These are probably the best artefacts in the book, and are all very hard choices if you have some skink heroes (which you should)

#'''Incandescent Rectrices''' When the bearer dies, roll D6. On 1-3 he dies as normal, on 4-6 he is revived with full wounds, and all wounds allocated before are negated. Suddenly, an Engine of the Gods or Stegadon Chief returns to 12/10 wounds!
#'''Cloak of Feathers''' Add 4" to the bearer's move characteristics and subtract 1 from hit rolls of attacks, that target him. He also can fly. Two words: [[Awesome|FLYING DINOSAUR.]] Amazing on a Stegadon hero to move it up the board quickly, or on a support hero for the defense against shooting. All around amazing.
#'''Sacred Stegadon Helm''' Add 1 to the bearer's save characteristics and 1 to his weapons' damage, if he had charged in the same turn. Combine this with Nimble for 2+ Skink Chief on Stegadon. Only effects the chiefs weapon, not the mount attacks.

===Seraphon Spell Lore===

====Lore of Celestial Domination====
'''SLANN''' only:

#'''Celestial Apotheosis:''' CV5, 1 visible friendly unit wholly within 18", heals 1 wound and gets a 3" aura of -1 Bravery. If the casting roll is 10+, heal D3 wounds instead of 1. Not bad, lots of big dinos to heal.
#'''Walk Between Realms:''' CV6, 1 visible friendly unit wholly within 18", that unit fly until your next hero phase.
#'''Mystical Unforging:''' CV7, pick 1 visible enemy Hero with an artefact of power within 12". They take D3 mortal wounds and on a 5+ their artefact no longer has any effect. Ultimate Troll in Relocation Orb, and can really mess with a strategy against certain armies.
#'''Celestial Equilibrium:''' CV7, +1 to cast/dispel/unbind for friendly Wizards other than the caster until your next hero phase. The "other than" ruins it.
#'''Stellar Tempest:''' CV8, pick 1 visible enemy unit within 24" , roll a die for each model in that unit, 5+ causes 1 mortal wound. Amazing anti-horde spell, should be your first choice as it compliments Comet's Call nicely.
#'''Drain Magic:''' CV9, all not BOUND endless spells within 24" are dispelled. Very high casting value, often easier to dispel a single spell using the regular method, but can really give the middle finger to Skaven and Cities.

====Lore of Celestial Manipulation====
'''SKINK''' only:

#'''Celestial Harmony:''' CV5, pick a friendly unit wholly within 18", that unit ignores battleshock tests. If the casting roll is 10 or more, pick all friendly units within 18". Not bad if running skink hordes, but then you're probably Starborne and LD 10 anyway.
#'''Hand of Glory:''' CV5, pick a friendly unit wholly within 18" and visible to the caster. Until the next hero phase, that unit can re-roll hit rolls of 1. Best Skink spell. Two turns of All-out-attack on a low cast and saves the command points.
#'''Extend Astromatrix:''' CV6, pick one terrain piece wholly within 18" and visible to the caster, if it is damned, arcane, mystical or inspiring, the effects only apply to the Seraphon player's units. If it is deadly or sinister, the effects only apply to the opponents units. No duration specified!
#'''Fiery Convocation:''' CV7, pick one enemy unit within 18". Until your next hero phase, roll a dice at the end of each phase, on a 6+ the units suffer d3 mortal wounds. 12 Chances, means an average of 4 mortal wounds but very swingy. Note: if you double turn you only get 6 chances, while if your opponent doubles while this spell is active you get 18 phases of fire!
#'''Bind Endless:''' CV7, pick one endless spell within 18". Until your next hero phase, that endless spell has the '''BOUND''' keyword. Hilarious on faction unique spells, but hard to pick over HoG or Fiery Concocation
#'''Tide of Serpents:''' CV8, pick one enemy unit within 12". Roll a die for each model in the unit; each 5+ causes a mortal wound. Stellar Tempest with 1/2 range. still a good choice if you don't have a Slann.

==Warscrolls==
===Heroes===
====Slann====
*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Lord-Kroak-en.pdf Lord Kroak]:''' (Slann; Unique; 320pts) Kroak is still strong despite being nerfed due to updates. Is defensively 7W, 4+ save and negates any wound suffered on 4+. He has two unique spells: Celestial Deliverance, which he can cast 3 times per turn, allows him to inflict d3 (3 on Chaos Daemons) mortal wounds on up to three enemy units within 10" on a 2+. It gets more difficult to cast each time, starting at a casting value of 7, then 8, and finally 9. Comet's Call inflicts d3 mortal wounds on d3 (d6 if you rolled 10+ when casting) units of your choice. D3 mortal wounds... on up to any six enemy units. This spell has a global range, and only a small handful of units can shrug off mortal wounds. Do you know what you do on turn 1 with this spell? Start peppering as many enemy heroes as you can with this spell, two good shots and on average that's a kill. The enemy is a Legions of Nagash player with an annoying necromancer who'll summon a bunch of reinforcements? Comet's Call. Does your enemy general have a really devastating Command Ability? Comet's Call. Kroak is basically an assassin who traded his sniper rifle for small meteors and he can be devastating from the first turn if you capitalize on this. In addition, in a game where the average number of spells a wizard can cast is one per turn, Kroak can cast four. FOUR! And can generate extra command points. NOTE: The new Command Ability is the same as the Slann's one and Implacable Foresight is a standard ability.
** '''Kroaknado''' A popular and absolutely hilarious strategy thanks to the advent of Endless Spells. Set aside the points and put Kroak on top of a Balewind Vortex. Kroak now throws a whopping '''5 spells per turn with an extra 6" to the range!''' Just going off of his base spells, that gives him 3 Celestial Deliverances, Comet's Call, and an Arcane Bolt each turn. But if you're playing with the Realm of Battle rules, this combo jumps from "Dick Move" to "I didn't really want friends anyways"; Throw more mortal wounds around in Aqshy and Chamon. Make Kroak into a total tank in Ghyran. Debuff your enemies something fierce in Ulgu... but for maximum fun, play against Daemons of Chaos in Hysh. Exorcising Beam+Celestial Deliverance+Comet's Call+Arcane Bolt= 1d6+9+1d3+1d3 = up to 21 Mortal Wounds! Ribbit Ribbit mothafuckas!
** Kroaknado may be further extended by getting Astrolith Bearer near Kroak (+1 to casting rolls and +6" to spell range). Plus the arcane vassel, if a SKINK WIZARD is within 12" or a ORACLE ANYWHERE on the Battlefield; you may measure the spell range from that SKINK WIZARD. In the new battletome, Kroak has innate +1 to casting/dispell/unbinding rolls. Use Sage's Staff Sacred Asterism on him for another +1 to casting rolls. If you really want your spells to go off, take another Slann and cast Celestial Equilibrium for yet another +1 to casting rolls. Enjoy your +4 bonus to casting rolls, +12" to spell range and 5 cast attempts. With this setup, it is possible to autocast mystic shield and arcane bolt. Celestial deliverance will go off on 3+/4+/5+ natural rolls. This is what's called MAGIC.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Slann-Starmaster-en.pdf Slann Starmaster]:'''(Slann, 260pts) Oh boy, did the [[Old Ones]] buff these lovable fat frogmen. They went from "hey, they are pretty good, give 'em a chance" to "you are playing this game wrong if you don't have one". Having powerful battle traits backed up with a choice of three strong command traits, expect to see this guy everywhere until nerfed to the ground (or get new competition for the spot). Can cast and unbind 3 spells per turn, CA gives one fellow Seraphon unit wholly within 18" the ability to fly and add 1 to saves in the Shooting Phase, Now Slann's unique spell is Kroak's Comet's Call, has Masters of order (universal unbind and +1 to casting, unbinding and dispelling rolls) and Impeccable Foresight (2d6, 4+ in Slann's case). He is still able to cast spells, through SKINK WIZARDS within 12" of him and through ORACLE ANYWHERE on the battlefield, measuring the distance from them.
**Currently, The Slann is kinda outclassed by Kroak due in large part to Kroaks 4+ Feel no Pain. To get the same level of protection for a Slann you need to spend another 100 points on 5 Guard, and then you still miss out on the extra spell and Foresight each turn, while paying 40 points more. They are good, but they are your budget Lord Kroak after all is said and done.

====Saurus====
*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Scar-Veteran-on-Cold-One-en.pdf Scar-Veteran on Cold One]:''' (Saurus, 110pts, 10 Summon points): Leader of the Saurus Cavalry. He can get tons of attacks from the rider and mount bites and exploding hits from warpick. His Command Ability allows one Saurus unit to score 2 hits instead of 1 on the unmodified hit roll of 6. extra effective since they have at least 2 melee weapons and extra effective on Knights with their 5 attacks (7 if Coalesced).

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Scar-Veteran-on-Carnosaur-en.pdf Scar-Veteran on Carnosaur]:''' (Saurus, Behemoth, 210pts, 25 Summon points): Carnosaur is the big show here! It gained several interesting abilities: its bite attacks get +1 to hit if it targets a unit with wound characteristics of 7 or less, if it kills an enemy model it can run and charge in the same turn for the remainder of the game, and it doles out -1 to Bravery to enemies within 3". Not to mention the bite attack now deals 5 damage (before being bracketed)!! Currently, the best build for the Scar-vet's weapon is the Warspear as it has the same 6 attacks as the warblade with the same 3+ to hit & wound, but gains a 2" range and +1 damage on the charge (greatblade is the weakest with half the # attacks and a 4+ to hit, but does deal a consistent 2 damage). Has the same CA as the Scar-Veteran on Cold One.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Sunblood-en.pdf Saurus Sunblood]:''' (Saurus, 130pts, 15 Summon points) Living avatars of <s>Dracothion</s> Sotek, the Sunblood is a dedicated combat hero that hits shit with his shield and hits even harder with his club. 7 Wounds 3+ save making him quite the tank for a hero. He's pretty good in combat as he deals a total of 7 attacks before his special ability. If he rolls a 6 to hit, that attack becomes 2 hits. And then, a 6 to wound deals 1 mortal wound in addition to any other damage. He also has Scent of Weakness Command Ability. You can pick one enemy unit within 12" of the Sunblood. He then tells his troops "fuck that unit up," which lets every Saurus unit add 1 to wound rolls against that unit until your next turn. Great for when you really need to crush a specific enemy unit fast, and your only bonus to wound rolls in the army. Horrifying with certain artefact weapons.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Oldblood-en.pdf Saurus Oldblood]''' ''on Foot:'' (Saurus, 110pts, 10 Summon points): Has FOUR different weapon options (please refer to his warscroll); his CA gives a Saurus unit +1 to hit. Take a sunblood instead if you want a foot Saurus Hero.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Oldblood-on-Carnosaur-en.pdf Saurus Oldblood on Carnosaur]:''' (Saurus, Behemoth, 230pts, 25 Summon points): Aside the potent Carnosaur abilities, he loses the regular weapons for a Sunbolt Gauntlet (shoots D6 times at 18", kinda regular profile, with -1 Rend and 1 damage, but get +1 To Wound if he targets CHAOS DAEMONS) and a Sunstone Spear (strong weapon, 3 attacks, 3+ to hit and wound, -1 rend and 3 damage). His Command ability is the same as Oldblood's on Foot one. More support-y version of the Scar-vet on Carnosaur.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Astrolith-Bearer-en.pdf Saurus Astrolith Bearer]:''' (Saurus, Totem, 140pts, 15 Summon points) A Scar-Veteran with a totem. It allows any Seraphon wholly within 12" to ignore wounds or mortal wounds on a roll of 6 and gives +1 to casting spells and +6" to spell ranges which are all extremely desirably abilities. As if that wasn't enough, these guys can also be used as a focal point for celestial summoning. Usually, you have to summon units close to your Slann, but if you have an Astrolith bearer you can also summon units near the Astrolith bearer. So, you can use Lords of Space and Time to teleport your Astrolith wherever you want and then summon out of it, up to and including dropping Carnosaurs 9" behind juicy enemy battleline and other just as planned goodness, and all without risking your invaluable Slann. Excellent in Starborne armies, and can ramp up the tankiness of Coalesced as well.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Eternity-Warden-en.pdf Saurus Eternity Warden]:''' (Saurus, 110pts, 10 Summon points) Saurus Guard-type hero, wields a big fuck-you-stick that is pretty good on its own, but ultimately you're taking him to bodyguard your Slann and buff nearby Saurus Guard. CA is the same as the Oldblood's but only works on Saurus Guard.

====Skinks====
'''[[Awesome|Skink Chiefs are back]]'''!
*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Skink-Starseer-en.pdf Skink Starseer]:''' (Skink; Wizard; 140pts; 15 Summon points) The new generic [[Tetto'eko]] and CP generator. After years of being just a Skink sitting on a palanquin with you no real competitive or even casual usage, he finally can do something. Mostly useful as a utility-mage, usually generating a CP each of your Herosphases. He also has a dirty spell that increases save rolls for a single friendly unit or decreases save rolls for a single enemy unit by 1. His charge ability is odd since he can't keep up with most aggressive units to stay in range, but can be a big surprise if you pull it off.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Skink-Starpriest-en.pdf Skink Starpriest]:''' (Skink; Wizard; 120pts; 15 Summon points) When Age of Sigmar was first released, Tetto'Eko was the only non-Slann wizard Seraphon had, but the Battletome gave them this second guy too. His only weapon's unremarkable, but he has two abilities: His staff, which can give any nearby Seraphon unit to deal mortal wounds on unmodified wound rolls of 6 (yes, this affects ranged weapons), and his special spell, which can reduce the hit rolls of an enemy unit by 1. Amazing buff givers to any unit that can generate a lot of hits (Knights, Skink Hordes, Ripperdactyls).

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Skink-Priest-en.pdf Skink Priest]:''' (Skink; priest; 70pts; 10 Summon points) Allows a SKINK unit wholly within 12" to run and charge/shoot in the same turn if he rolls a 3+ first. His Command ability adds 1 to hit rolls of any attacks made by any one SKINK unit. He is instrumental in any skink-heavy army and having a movement of 8", he can keep up in any Flying lizard or Massive Dino rush build. Outstanding cheap buff piece. Pro-Tip: Instead of buying an expensive Finecrap model from [[GeeDubs]], just use the spare Priest on foot you get from building a Stegadon instead of an EotG.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Terradon-Chief-en.pdf Terradon Chief]:''' (Skink; 70pts; 10 Summon points) Squishy Terradon hero. Makes friendly Terradon drop rocks on 2+ instead of 4+ through Command Ability.
** [[Tiktaq'to]] and Zwup live on!
** Does NOT have rocks himself in the rules, unless that was an oversight on GW's part.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Ripperdactyl-Chief-en.pdf Ripperdactyl Chiefs]:''' (Skink; 80pts; 10 Summon points) Same as above but on Ripperdactyl. Increases friendly Ripperdactyl jaw attacks by 1 with Command Ability. This ability is restricted to once per unit, but is their best support option since he can actually keep up with those units. Same price as 3 more Rippers though, and hard to get 1 model instead of 3...

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Engine-of-the-Gods-en.pdf Engine of the Gods]:''' (Skink; Artillery; Behemoth; 260pts; 30 Summon points) Replaces everything we said about the Priest from above with a fucking Triceratops and a table: you roll a number of D6 that depends on if the Slann is near it (2 usually, a Slann within 12" allows you to throw an extra dice) and you can either damage yourself, heal all nearby Seraphon, damage a single unit or many units (this used to be two separate types of attacks, now you have to choose one, which is far more consistent), or summon 10 Saurus Warriors (this is an actual NERF. On the first iteration, it allowed you to place one unit of ANY kind, then just some of a pool of four units, now only Warriors). It's totally random, but almost all of its effects are deadly as fuck. Given how you need a Slann to make 3D6 roll, you will usually get the healing effect and a good chance of attacking. Only with a Slann nearby you get the possibility of summoning Warriors, and only rolling 3 6s you can get the double attack buff. Rolling an 18 on the table has been updated and no longer grants a second turn, instead, it gives all of your units wholly within 24" double attacks and rerolls charge rolls. Still good, but not quite as cool. Also also, these guys now gain +1 to the save rolls against one unit they are fighting that has up to 5 models. This is a welcome increase to your chances of survival against elite units, heroes or monster hunters.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Stegadon-en.pdf Skink chief on Stegadon]:''' (Skink; Behemoth; 250pts; 30 Summon points) Same as Stegadon, but also a Hero. Receives some more attacks with Warspear and a Command Ability to give one SKINK unit wholly within 24" a bonus attack for all melee weapons (use it on yourself to rip and tear).
** In Thunder Lizard, this guy can become a literal 1-man army. Buff stacking on this character can result in the single highest damage build we have access to, even more than a similarly stacked Carnosaur! Prime Warbeast + ThunderQuake + Great Drake + using his CA on himself results in 28 melee attacks, most of which do 2 or more damage. On top of that, his bow is at 4 shots with 3 damage each, or the flamethrower gets an entire 2nd round of shooting! 20 models in range? heres 40 dice every 5+ is a mortal wound. And then [[Overkill|charge for the whole round of attacking after that]]. Add a Cloak of Feathers on top so he can fly and is -1 to be hit. Move over Archaon, the Skink Chief is here!

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Skink-Oracle-on-Troglodon-en.pdf Skink Oracle on Troglodon]:''' (Skink; Oracle; Behemoth; 220pts; 25 Summon points) No longer the loser it was in WFB. This blind Spinosaurus has the ability to use both range and melee decently. Its Skink Oracle rider is now a fully-fledged WIZARD and can draw upon Slann powers, receiving the Comet's Call spell, unlimited unbind range and +1 to rolls for casts, dispels and unbind attempts! It can be hilariously fast since its ranged attack gives it a reroll charge distance. It gets a bunch of decent attacks in melee and causes enemies within 3" to subtract 1 from their bravery. On top of that, it seems that now GW uses the word "'''Trog'''" as a synonym for "''regeneration''", [[Awesome|since now this mofo can heal D3 wounds per turn]]. It can be fun to watch these bifid-tail fellows snowballing out of control if your enemy somehow let them unchecked. Cool sculpt; jack of all trades, master of none tho, it might have used here and there, especially in starborne summoning lists. Also is Kroak's new best friend since he can cast Celestial Deliverance through it. Unfortunately, it is now the most expensive of the dinos available, due to the buffs. so it no longer makes a cheap filler piece. What you can't take away from him is being a somewhat tanky Slann range extender that won't mind being in melee.

===Battleline===

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Warriors-en.pdf Saurus Warriors]:''' (Battleline; Saurus; 90/320pts; Min:10; Max:40; 10 Summon points for a unit of 10, 18 for a unit of 20) Saurus Warriors are one of the best Battleline units of any faction, period. With Bravery 8 (10 if STARBORNE), 4+ Save, two melee weapon attacks, they're rock solid. Get +1 attack to their hand weapon if the unit has 15+ models, Nice (more than nice - in a Coalesced force that will give you a battleline unit at four attacks per 9 point model - 8 points if at full unit size. That's horrifying.). Only the meanest Heros and Monsters will kill them fast; in every other circumstance, you can rely on them to [[get shit done]]. Tarpitting things, holding objectives, killing hordes, or anything you want, they will do it, and do it well. Make them the anchor of your army, and you won't be disappointed.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Guard-en.pdf Saurus Guards]:''' (Conditional battline: Seraphon army; Saurus; 100pts; Min:5; Max:20; 10 Summon points for a unit of 5) Sadly these guys are no longer your generic Seraphon HERO guard and have been reverted to their original fluff-role, protecting the SLANN. Saurus guard units now intercept wounds or MWs aimed at any SLANN within 3" on a 2+. They hit and wound on 3+ with their halberds, make two attacks apiece with rend -1, plus bite attacks that can tack on one or two extra wounds. These guys have decent defense against instant death in a coalesced alliance but are sorely lacking otherwise. A unit of 5 has uses in granting extera wounds to a slann, but thats about it. Honestly they need SOMETHING to make them survivable again.
**Did some play testing, these guys actually are better in stareborne detachment than coalesced. They cannot be brought back in coalesced and get situational buffs, while starborne just keeps poping more out. A battalion that isn't a super battalion for these guys would be nice though. In certain situations/games, Saurus may be a better option than these guys (see Saurus entry above).

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Saurus-Knights-en.pdf Saurus Knights]:''' (Conditional battline: Seraphon army; Saurus; 100pts; Min:5; Max:20; 10 Summon points for a unit of 5) A bunch of lizards riding lizards, each able to be armed with a bevy of tools. They are proper cavalry now, instead of elite infantry: they finally move at 8". Have Weapon choice to hit on 3s or get bonus damage on the charge. Run a Scar-Vet with a Skink Starseer to devour Peasants in a blink of an Eye.
** These guys got quite scary. 5 of them can get up to seven attacks (5 normally, 7 in coalesced) and cost 10 points more than 10 saurus warriors, with 4 attacks less (leader gets an additional attack so 36vs40 if you have 15+ models at least). Where they pull ahead is more speed, more damage on the charge, and being more effective in smaller units. Not great on their warscroll, but probably the best buff-absorber in the book, their damage can quickly spiral out of control. Most Coalesced lists should have a core of either these or Warriors, but these aren't worth their price in Starborne.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Skinks-en.pdf Skinks]:''' (Conditional battline: Seraphon army; Skinks; 60pts; Min:10; Max:40; 6 Summon points for a unit of 10) They get a +1 attack if the unit has 15+ models. They are stupidly fast for infantry (seriously, now they might as well be our ranged skirmish "cavalry", and not that squishy because of their shields, unlike the plenty of skirmishers of the game. Nerfed by no longer having the retreat ability. they are still a good ranged harassing and objective Holding/Stealing unit. Sadly, their Bravery got nerfed to the ground: 5. You don't have to worry if you are Starborne. You HAVE to worry if you are Coalesced.
** The standard box comes with the pieces to build 24 Skinks and the SC! set comes with 12. Two boxes and the start collecting gives you an even 60 which is a solid number for skink focused lists. (40 + 2x10)

===Other===
*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Chameleon-Skinks-en.pdf Chameleon Skinks]:''' (Skinks; 90pts; Min:5; Max:20; 10 Summon points for a unit of 5) They can teleport into and out of reserve instead of moving (except during the 4th battle round). Also, have a 3+ save in cover, and shooting attacks deal a mortal wound on a 6 to hit. Often outclassed by the point efficiency of regular skinks, especially since they lose a turn of shooting every time they teleport. A single unit can work wonders in Coalesced by giving you a way to threaten objectives quickly.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Terradon-Riders-en.pdf Terradon Riders]:''' (Skinks; 90pts; Min:3; Max:12; 10 Summon points for a unit of 3) First flying cavalry. Once per game they drop mortal wound-causing boulders on units they passed through in Movement Phase, Sunleech Bolas make d6 attacks. Used as Flying Harassing Shooting and Objective Grabbing with its 16" of movement. NOTE: New battletome nerfed them hard but made them dirt-cheap too.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Ripperdactyl-Riders-en.pdf Ripperdactyl Riders]:''' (Skinks; 80pts; Min:3; Max:12; 10 Summon points for a unit of 3) The other vicious flying one. New battletome cuts their damage output to roughly 1/3 of what it was, but also cuts their points cost nearly in half. They can make a lot of beak attacks, making 3 attacks that explode on 6 to hit and which once per battle rerolls hits when near an enemy near a materializing Bloat Toad. Six of these guys make for 18 (24 for Coalesced) beak attacks. If not using hero support, run multiple units of 3 to get more toads. 2 units of 3 isn't a bad mobile threat in Coalesced, and is cheap enough to throw away. Definitely not worth the time in Starborne.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Salamander-Hunting-Pack-en.pdf Salamanders]:''' (Skink; 110pts; Min:4; Max:12; 10 Summon points) Fucking hell, these guys are deadly. They make four shooting attacks now, but those shots hit and wound on 3+ and does D3 DAMAGE! A unit of these guys can really mess up an enemy monster or character. In addition, any hit rolls of 6 stop the attack sequence and deal D3 mortal wounds instead. Did I mention it has rending -2? Yeah, -2. Because fuck your enemies. Handlers are now the part of the unit and serve no purpose other than ablative wounds. In coalesced they even have the same melee profile as their shooting, so go ahead and charge to really melt a unit! Nerfed point-wise with the 2020 GHB errata.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Razordon-Hunting-Pack-en.pdf Razordons]:''' (Skink; 80pts; Min: 4; Max:12; 10 Summon points) Another ranged unit, Razordons make 2d6 attacks at 18" which gain rending -1 within 6". In addition, it can fire D6 more spikes when charged or charges, and that is still on a decent fighter. Cheaper Salamanders with longer range but worse shots and melee. Best used as a charge blocker, keep some on hand in starborne to summon right in your opponents way. Were the best unit in the old tome so many players probably have quite a few laying around.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Kroxigors-en.pdf Kroxigor]:''' (140pts; Min: 3; Max:12; 15 Summon points for a unit of 3) Melee beatsticks that have 4 hammer attacks. 1 in 3 can instead take a moonhammer (4+/3+/-1/2D) gaining a number of attacks equal to all enemies within its 2" range. If their bite hits on unmodified 6, it deals a mortal wound in addition to any damage. If any Skink unit (which includes skink heroes, stegadons, bastilodons, etc) is within 3" of the Krox, they add 1 to hit rolls. Wrap them up with a Skink Cohort and let the Kroxigor hammer.

===Behemoth===

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Stegadon-en.pdf Stegadon]:''' (Conditional Battline: Thunder Lizards army; Skink; Behemoth; 240pts; 25 Summon points) A monster triceratops that buffs skinks and aren't too shabby in combat itself. Unlike the Carnosaur, the Stegadon seems more fit for range combat with all the ranged attacks it gets. Unlike the next monster, however, it can defend itself in combat a decent amount. Either take a Giant bow (24"/3A/4+/3+/-1/3) or Sunfire Throwers. Remember those giant blowpipes? Yeah well, we replaced the darts with FIYAAAA! Basically they're now flamethrowers, and instead of making an attack, you have to throw dice for every model in the targeted unit that is in range. On 5+ it suffers a mortal wound. Against Ogres? Not so good. Against a massive horde of zombies? Fuck me, that's a lot of attacks. Also, these guys roll 1 dice per enemy unit within 1" after charging. On a 3+, it takes D3 mortal wounds. This works better than the last iteration and is also now exclusive for this Steggies, not for the EotG. And really, what's more metal than a giant war-dinosaur piloted by smaller dinosaurs with fucking flamethrowers? Nothing. Also also, this guy now gains +1 to the save rolls if against one unit they are fighting that has up to 5 models. This is a welcome increase to your chances of survival against elite units, heroes and monsters hunters.
**Note, however, that you have to be more than 3" from enemy units unless you are in close combat. This reduces the effective range to mere 5". The lores have two spells with similar effects, which makes bow loadout a little more appealing.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Bastiladon-en.pdf Bastiladon]:''' (Skink; Behemoth; 220pts; 20 Summon points) OH BOY, this dinosaur got some major tweaking. Some buffs and some nerfs. Just like the glass being half empty or half full, if it was nerfed or buffed, it depends on the eye of the beholder. [[Meme|Some might argue that these changes are perfectly balanced, as all things should be]]. A crazy tanky ankylosaur monster. [[Awesome|It has a GIANT CRYSTAL POWERED LASER on its back or can send out snakes for mortal wounds]]. However, this is a ranged beast. 24" range, 9 attacks with -1 rend that do 2 damage? Now they also got 2 extra wounds by default (for a total of 10 wounds), and start WITH A FUCKING SAVE OF +1.This guys used to have a +4 FNP, but not anymore, and now they have a damage table with diminishing stats: making the saves worst by -1 each time they take 2 wounds, up to a +4 save, and both weapons will make less and less attacks the more damage the Bastie gets. Solar Engine used to make 2D6 attacks, so having a default 9 attacks is an actual buff; a stable number of attacks and not being trolled by dice suddenly wanting to make a 2 for you. The Arc of Sotek is now a "melee" weapon with 3" range, instead of the old 8" bubble. This is... something that makes it work differently.
** Watch out for mortal wounds! With 4+ feel no pain is gone, the only mortal wound defense for this guys is mere Astrolith Bearer's aura of 6+ wound negation. Enemies can hurt it with mortal wounds, reduce its save and then finish off in close combat. Any time it suffers 5 or more wounds, you want to heal it as soon as possible. Sticking a bound Emerald Lifeswarm near it maybe not a bad idea.
**2+ UNRENDABLE SAVE!!!! Rememeber that rend affects the save roll, not your save characteristic and you cant reduce a die roll to less than a 1. So the 1+ save on the warscroll makes him immune to rend in his top bracket

{{anchor|FWDread}}
*'''[https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//aos-warscroll-Dread-Saurian.pdf Dread Saurian] (Forge World)''' (Behemoth; 510pts; 50 Summon points): So you have more gold than an entire Starhost and want to show it? Fine, do it. This freshly updated 3-kilogram beast is now 510 points, with a STAGGERING 35 wounds and a 4+ save. At full health, it has Gargantuan Jaws (2"/3/3+/3+/-2/'''STRAIGHT FREAKING 6'''), Raking Claws (2"/6/2+/3+/-1/2) and Armoured Tail (2"/1/4+/3+/-1/D6). It also shrugs off magic on a 6+ (4+ if there's a Slann within 12") and when it charges, it does damage on a 2+, for D3 to {{AOSKeyword|MONSTERS}} and D6 to non-MONSTERS. When it goes down, each unit within 3" that isn't a {{AOSKeyword|MONSTER}} gets to roll. On a 4+, that unit takes D3 damage. It ALSO can, once a battle at the start of the battleshock phase, reduce all enemy bravery within 12" to HALF, which triggers before its always present -1 to bravery, meaning you can drop that Daemon squad from 10 Bravery to 4 for their battleshock phase.
** Throw this bad boy into a Coalesced army and watch him go HAM. 35 wounds, taking 1 less damage from every attack? Thing's a beast in more ways than one. Did we forget to mention he’ll also get an extra attack on his Gargantuan Jaws for being Coalesced. Yeah, four jaw attacks, enjoy.
** Ir if your feeling more Starborne on a particular day you teleport this bad boy around the board and plop him right were your opponent does not want him to be. And worth mentioning while it will be a lot of work, nothing will be more satisfying than managing to get summoning off for this Dino. Your opponent will definitely not like it.

===Scenery===
*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//Seraphon_warscroll_Realmshaper-Engine-en.pdf Realmshaper Engine]:''' The obligatory setpiece exclusive to this army like the Ossiarch Bone-Tithe Nexus, this is a giant Aztec Pyramid that can garrison up to 20 wounds, and your wizard or priest can live on. During a Hero phase, you can have them select one terrain setpiece on the field. Roll a d6 for each enemy unit within 3" of the setpiece, adding +2 if this is all within 18" of the engine and subtracting 2 if the setpiece is beyond 36" of the engine; on a 4+, the unit suffers D3 mortal wounds.
**Note that currently, this scenery piece is a mediocre one. This model is set up '''Before''' other terrain, but after objectives and can be placed anywhere more than 6" away from an objective or the table edge, meaning certain missions will be more restrictive than others. The drawback to this terrain piece is that if you aren't picking table sides your opponent could simply take the side it is on. They cannot shoot you with its power unless they are using seraphon models but they can still start with units inside of it, so a lot of players wont set it up if they lose the roll to pick sides.

===Endless Spells===
Worth mentioning. We didn't really get any exclusive spells/summons like the other re-released armies, but now have access to Bound Endless Spells which [[Just as planned|can only be controlled by us]]. The enemy will no longer send our Purple Suns back to us.

These spells are known as BOUND >Malign Portents Endless Spell Goes Here<, and cost 10 points more than the regular Endless Spells and do not get bonuses for matching realm. HOWEVER the benefits are not limited to predatory spells. Because the spells have a different name than their Malign Portents counterpart, you are allowed to take both versions in a single list. Kroaknado and Skinknado? sure. Double Chronomantic Cogs? Absolutely. Cover the board in shackles? Why not? The board is yours to control.

==Battalions==
These are divided into two sections, depending on whether you take your army as Starborne or Coalesced. Starborne gets starhosts, while Coalesced gets temple-hosts.
*'''Starhosts:'''
**'''Eternal Starhost:''' (200pts; 4030pt. min.) A big wizard (Slann, Starseer, or Oracle on Troglodon), an Eternity warden, 3 units of Saurus Guard, 2+ Sunclaw Starhosts, 1+ Firelance Starhosts, 2+ Shadowstrike Starhosts, 1+ Thunderquake Starhosts.
***All other abilities aside, you get an extra d3 summoning points if the big wizard from this battalion is alive.
**'''Sunclaw Starhost:''' (160pts; 540pt. min.) A Saurus Oldblood or Sunblood, and three units of Saurus Warriors.
***All units from this battalion get an extra -1 rend on their Celestite weapons. A good choice if you are making a Saurus Starborne list for some reason.
**'''Firelance Starhost:''' (160pts; 570pt. min.) A '''Scar-Veteran''' (cold one or carnosaur) and three units of Saurus Knights.
***Attacks with Celestite weapons made by units from this battalion do a mortal wound on an unmodified wound roll of a 6. Would be so much better swapped with the Coalesced version for 6 inch charges after a teleport.
**'''Shadowstrike Starhost:'''(170pts; 440pt. min.) A Skink Priest or Starpriest, 2 units of Chameleon Skinks or Skinks (in any combination) and a unit of Ripperdactyl riders or Terradon riders.
***Allows any unit from this battalion to stay in reserve and deep strike 9" away from enemies at the end of any of your movement phases. Dracothians tail can already do this, Fangs of Sotek only.
**'''Thunderquake Starhost:'''(130pts; 910pt. min.) An Engine of the gods or Skink Chief on Stegadon, 2 Bastiladons or Stegadons (in any combination) and a unit of kroxigors, a salamander hunting pack, or a razordon hunting pack.
***Each unit from this battalion can heal for 1 wound in your hero phase, upped to D3 if the unit is within 18" of a friendly slann. Really make those bastilidons tanks.

*'''Temple-Hosts:'''
**'''Eternal Temple-Host:''' (180pts; 3970pt. min.) A big wizard (Slann, Starseer, or Oracle on Troglodon), an Eternity warden, 3 units of Saurus Guard, 2+ Sunclaw Starhosts, 1+ Firelance Starhosts, 2+ Shadowstrike Starhosts, 1+ Thunderquake Starhosts.
***All other abilities aside, your Primeval Domain extends to the entire board provided the big wizard from this battalion is alive.
**'''Sunclaw Temple-Host:''' (140pts; 520pt. min.) A Saurus Oldblood or Sunblood, and three units of Saurus Warriors.
***All units from this battalion get an extra -1 rend on their Jaws weapons. Strictly worse than the Starhost version, but it does work on a Carnosaurs jaw. Take it with an Oldblood on Carno and a seperate Sunblood in Koatl's Claw to do work.
**'''Firelance Temple-Host:''' (160pts; 570pt. min.) A '''Scar-Veteran''' (cold one or carnosaur) and three units of Saurus Knights.
***All units from this battalion add 3 to run and charge rolls if they are within 18" of the Scar-Veteran. Would be so much better swapped with the Starborne version to synergize with their 7 attacks.
**'''Shadowstrike Temple-Host:'''(150pts; 420pt. min.) A Skink Priest or Starpriest, 2 units of Chameleon Skinks or Skinks (in any combination) and a unit of Ripperdactyl riders or Terradon riders.
***In your hero phase, the Priest or Starpriest from this battalion can point at an enemy unit it can see. All units in this battalion add 1 to hit rolls against that unit until your next hero phase. Not bad, 40 skinks, 5 chameleons, and 6-9 rippers makes for a solid mix of units
**'''Thunderquake Temple-Host:'''(150pts; 930pt. min.) An Engine of the gods or Skink Chief on Stegadon, 2 Bastiladons or Stegadons (in any combination) and a unit of kroxigors, a salamander hunting pack, or a razordon hunting pack.
***In your hero phase, you can choose to make all units from this battalion swift or savage.
****'''Swift:''' Units from this battalion can run and still shoot and/or charge in the same turn.
****'''Savage:''' Units from this battalion get an extra attack on each of their melee weapons.
*** Only worth it in Thunder Lizard, but can really enable some power combos with a Skink Chief and Stegadons

==Army Building==
===Start Collecting!===

Arguably the best way to start your army is to get two Start Collecting! boxes. With the advent of now having to choose from both Skinks and Saurus units, now we have some of the best ways to make an army faster and having welcome discounts for buying all the models compared as buying them on their own.

Really, that easy. 2 Saurus Warriors units, 3 Saurus Knights units and an extra Knight that can be converted to a Scar-Veteran on Cold One, and two Carnos/Trog as you want, and 4 extra Warriors that can be used as summoning fodder or conversion material. Also if you're willing to field some cheeky conversions, there's a [http://www.lustria-online.com/threads/getting-the-most-from-your-start-collecting-seraphon-box.20560/ useful post] at Lustria Online that details how to really pimp this kit far beyond GW ever intended, squeezing out a solid 800+ points per box.

You could simply buy more Start Collecting! boxes, maybe another 3. This is because one box comes with 12 Warriors (because is a relatively old sprue and the regular box has 20 Warriors), so you can have 60 Warriors between the 5 boxes. You will also get another 24 Knights, but they are a pretty viable unit (unlike Oldhammer latest editions), and you will never, ever, will have extra Carnosaurs. They are just beautiful models, worth every cent.

'''NEW FOR THE NEW BATTLETOME: START COLLECTING! SKINKS!''' 12 nimble mini-lizards, with 3 flying cavalry models, who you can use as objective grabbers or dive bombers, given their high movement, a Bastie, which means you get a Bastie, and a Starpriest, which means you get a Starpriest.

The point here is to share and <s>pillage, and steal</s> collaborate ideas to build an army on the shape, but you should think about playing what you like the most (as always, fun is first, as long as you don't act like [[That Guy]]). Also, we'll try to suggest you easy ways to get a strong force while trying to save the most money possible, which shouldn't be that hard, since [[GW]] have been releasing bundles with decent saving on a constant basis <s>WHAT KIND OF [[HERESY]] IS THIS?</s>''). Keep in mind that with all the different special rules, opponents may get a bit tired of hearing Seraphon ignore that (e.g. Slann wizards can dispel or unbind spells anywhere on the battlefield). Sucks to be them.

Fortunately, Seraphon has a wide array of units, and everyone is viable.

From a single Start Collecting! you get:

* 90 points from 10 Saurus Warriors.
* 100 points from 5 Saurus Knights.
* 260 points from a Troglodon OR 210 from a Saurus Scar-Veteran on Carnosaur OR 230 from a Saurus Oldblood on Carnosaur.
*''Total:'' 450 points using a Troglodon OR 400 points using a Scar-Veteran on Carnosaur OR 420 points using an Oldblood on Carnosaur.

Not counting the possible extra models you can use: 110 for a Knight converted or counting as a Scar-Vet on Cold One (damn, you could simply use the 3 extra Knights as Scar-Vets too), 110 from using the free Saurus Oldblood on foot if you built a Troglodon and 70/120 from getting creative to use your Skink Oracle as a Skink Priest or Starpriest, and you could even use Jungle Swarms from the Cold One's bits if you are allowed.

===1000 pt.===
Here the core tax is 1 '''Leader''' and 2 '''Battleline''' units, you can have up to 4 '''Leaders''', 2 '''Artilleries''' and 2 '''Behemoths'''. Your minimum tax is 220 points; 2 10-units Skins and a Skink Priest or Starpriest.

Two Start Collecting! kits give you a quick and easy to get force, as well as a multi-task list, with some spared models to use in larger games.
* 20 Saurus Warriors (Battleline).
* 10 Saurus Knights (Battleline).
* Scar-Veteran on Carnosaur (Leader/Behemoth).
* Saurus Oldblood on Foot (Leader).
* Troglodon (Behemoth).

<s> This uses exactly 1000 points. </s>
As of the new battletome, this list is 960 points and got a bit better.

This is a heavily focused melee list.

Depending on what you are facing, the Scar-Veteran and the Saurus Oldblood are good generals; excellent weapons and stats. The Saurus Oldblood is more defensive, favouring a steady approach, and the Scar-Vet is generally more offensive.

Use your Warriors in one or two blocks as you wish; you get a +1 To Hit if you have at least 15 on the same unit, but with only 20 this will probably last 1-2 turns. Bring them along your Saurus Oldblood on foot if you are using him as your general.

Use two units of Knights, using the weapons you find the most useful. They are quite slow for regular cavalry tho, at 8". Use them as flankers and alongside your Scar-Vet if he is your general.

The Troglodon is a great addition here, since its a jack of all trades. D3 ranged attack with good profile and damage (and the only ranged unit on this list), and get 3" extra if it can charge successfully and damaged with his poison, which can be quite effective since it has 7 attacks at +4 hit (with enough luck and not having taken so much damage, it can be able to deal 15 wounds on melee), it has its own roar that subtracts 1 from enemy Bravery and, most importantly, it is a wizard that can cast 1 and unbind one spell, gets a +1 to casting, unbinding and dispelling, and knows the spell comet's call in addition to one from the skink spell lore.

Not a specialist, but it [[gets shit done]]. However, never expose it to get 8 or more wounds. Its ranged attack has 18", gets worst if by 3" each time it suffers 2 or more wounds, it gets 1" for each two wounds and its bite starts at +2 to wound, reduces to +3 the next for wounds and get worst by one each time it suffers two additional wounds. (this is less of an issue now that it can heal D3 wounds a turn on a 2+, but still try to be careful with him)

It biggest flaw is that it fills lots of roles. Expect to see some heavy focus upon it.

===2000 pt.===
Here the core tax is 1 '''Leader''' and 3 '''Battleline''' units, you can have up to 6 '''Leaders''', 4 '''Artilleries''' and 4 '''Behemoths'''. Your minimum tax is 260 points; 3 10-units of Skinks (60 points per 10) and one of the following leaders: Saurus Oldblood, Saurus Scar-Veteran on Cold One, Skink Priest (80 points) or Skink Starpriest.

Keep using 2 Start Collecting! kits, now you can deploy all the models included:

* 20 Saurus Warriors (Battleline).
* 15 Saurus Knights (Battleline).
* Scar-Veteran on Cold One (Leader).
* A Firelance Starhost (using the Cold One Scar-Veteran)
* Saurus Oldblood/Scar-vet on Carnosaur (Leader/Behemoth).
* Saurus Oldblood on Foot (Leader)
* Troglodon (Behemoth).

This alone costs 1370 points. But if you can replace the Oldblood on foot or [[Counts as|count it as]], you can pick a Saurus Sunblood for 20 additional points.

Now, add:

* A Stegadon (Behemoth).
* A Skink Priest/Starpriest (Leader). (use the priest model from the Stegadon kit)
* 1 Slann(Leader).

This will cost 1920 points, or 1990 if you play a Sunblood instead of the Oldblood on foot and starpriest instead of the priest.

This list features more magic and dinosaurs, which is really what Seraphon is all about.

Having 16 Cold One Knights, you can easily convert one into a Scar-Vet and make a Firelance. The Scar-Vet on Cold One is a good choice for a general because his command ability synergizes strongly with the Knights: re-rolling hits and charges is important, more considering how the Blazing Lances stacks with Blazing Cohort (yet another mortal wound), and the Cold Ones gain an additional attack. This battalion can easily snowball if left unchecked.

While lacking the Stardrake Shield, the Oldblood on Carno might be a little more killy than the Scar-Veteran by virtue of his sunbolt beams, while his spear is still as good as the regular. His command ability is strong for heroic wrecking balls.

The Oldblood on foot is a strong support for your Saurus, even without its command ability. The Sunblood is [[DISTRACTION CARNIFEX|a big, bulky, scary lizard, able to soak decent amounts of damage and dealing it back]]. The Skink Star/Priest are reliable support options; the Priest can be a strong buff machine, while the Starpriest is a wizard that can help your units with magic, and an excellent buff to boot.

The Stegadon is a solid ranged/melee monster, and is an excellent sculpt to boot (plus the free priest), and the Slann is the traditional centerpiece of the army that no Seraphon player should be without.

As a bonus, deploying this whole army should be a sight to behold!

====[https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/03/05/stegageddon-the-final-form-of-listbuildinggw-homepage-post-2/ STEGAGEDDON]====
'''WARNING''': This is a GW invention, and even they admit this is more of a [[meme]] list than anything else. So basically, yeah, we Order Beastclaw Raiders now. [[AWESOME|Just with a herd of rampaging Stegadons]]. This also quite a throwback to WHFB 7th edition, with the old dead meme of "replace X, add Stegas".

# Field a '''Coalesced Thunder Lizard''' army. This already sounds as pleasing as you guess.
# Because of this, Steggies are now '''BATTLELINE''' instead of '''BEHEMOTH''', so you will need '''FOUR'''. Yes, you'll need money. Yes, you'll won't regret it. Equip them with a healthy blend of Skystreak Bows (A whooping 25" range, 3 attacks, 4+/3+/-1/D3) and Sunfire Throwers (A bubble of 8" 3+/3+/-/1). Remember, this celestial flamethrower '''MAKE AN ATTACK FOR EACH MODEL IN RANGE'''. This will deter your enemy from sending units with low wounds and plenty of models against you, [[Meme|will disappoint hordes immeasurably, and their day will be ruined]].
# Get yet another Steggie and give him a Skink Chief as commander. His/it command ability lets you pick 1 '''SKINK''' unit per phase, wholly between 2" of range, and adds 1 to the attacks it can make with melee weapons. All Steggies, being crewed by Skinks, get this keyword, so you can trample all over your enemies with a little extra dinomight. Nice.
# Grab two Engines of the Gods. Remember the mantra of our enlightened Slann Masters: ''More Stegs, more fun''. This will give you the needed support you lacked so far. The effects from ''Cosmic Engine'' will get tweaked, since the article says that now rolls of 4-8 heal D3 wounds to nearby units. This means that the single lazor beam or the [[dakka]] Whirpool will get modified. We only have to wait two weeks more, and the Engines will still rock, so no prob.
# The article here suggests you pick a Bastie with Solar Engine (but you can technically still use other Stega). This to use it in tandem with a new Command Ability: ''TROVE OF OLD ONE TECHNOLOGY''. Per phase, a unit can use its Engines (Solar or Cosmic) once again. If ''Cosmic'', '''this means it can heal <s>D6</s> ''2D3'' wounds''', or get another chance to shoot cosmic [[dakka]] to your enemies. If ''Solar'', this means '''[[Dakka|you effectively will shoot 18 attacks PER SHOOTING PHASE]]'''.

'''1970 POINTS OF SAURIAN STOMPS!''' This of course means some problems: you will not cover the whole battlefield, you relly on '''MONSTER'''S that get diminishing stats as they get hurt, and you will be slow as Nurgle after a nightover. They also say that you can try tweaking the list adding a Slann and some Star Skink (priest or seers, so maybe the seers will get a buff to make them actually viable, even for a meme list), but this list is just a paleo-sight to behold, and an inversion worth every single cent. And if you have played [[Total War: Warhammer|Total Warhammer II]], you already know how satisfying is to send a herd of Steggies to wipe clean a horde of pesky ratmen.

Who knows? this might be the dawn of a new Stega-Meta!

==Allied Armies==
Stormcast Eternals and now Sylvaneth. Fluff-wise, it makes sense: Sigmarines hate Chaos as much as we do, and Sylvaneth and us are kinda... sorta... forma... forces of nature... Coalesced and Sylvaneth share a love of foliage, a hatred of Chaos and "get off our lawn!" policies.

*'''Bundo Whalebiter''': A Kraken-eater Mega-Gargant mercenary available to all Order factions. Taking him uses up your entire ally points allowance and he ignores any Behemoth or Hero limitations. A big terrifying centerpiece who can kick objectives around and instantly kill models by shoving them into his net. You can choose at the start of the Combat phase for him to fight at the end of the phase, in exchange for re-rolling failed hit rolls.

==External links==

*[http://www.lustria-online.com/ Lustria-Online.com, the main Seraphon army forum.]
{{Age_of_Sigmar_Tactics}}
[[Category:Age of Sigmar]] [[Category:Age of Sigmar/Tactics]]

Lady Olynder

2021-01-25T14:56:29Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* History */

[[File:Lady Olynder.jpeg|thumb|Ghost Boob]]
{{topquote|Do not resist – death is inevitable. The more quickly you succumb, the sooner your suffering will be over. Come to me, and be mine for evermore…|Lady Olynder, still trying to charm people despite losing her good looks.}}
{{topquote|You think a woman like that's sniffing around because she likes your personality? Your mother was beautiful, they're all beautiful... until they're snarling after your trust fund like a pack of ravening wolves.|Norman Osborn - Spider-Man (the 2002 Sam Rami film)}}

The new girl on the skeletal block, Lady Olynder is the new [[Mortarch|Mortarch of Grief]], and is the leader of the [[Nighthaunt]] Processions. Carrying all the despair in the realms due to her complete and utter apathy to the misery of others in life, she reeeeally hates the living. If she had a voice, it would be Debbie from Addams Family Values.

==History==
In life, she was one of the most beautiful women in the empire Dolorum. But Olynder was also a Gold Digger's Gold Digger, scheming, sleeping and slaying her way to the top. Such was Olynder's charm that she married the son of Dolorum's King before both promptly "disappeared", leaving Olynder in charge. Olynder wore a veil and cried a lot about their loss in public Victoria-style, yet the veil hid her shit-eating grin over how smart she was. Some knights had figured out her evil scheme and planned to overthrow her, but she thwarted them by seducing one of their members, Gharest Malcor, into ratting out his fellow conspirators. Malcor himself would end up assassinated shortly thereafter for being too stupid to realize what happens to anybody Olynder marries or says she's going to marry. She ruled Dolorum as queen for a few years and among other things stopped honoring Nagash (this would really come back to haunt Olynder - pun intended), until the Age of Chaos came-a-knocking.

The forces of Nurgle quickly invaded Dolorum. Olynder cried more crocodile tears for the realm while she was all safe in her tower, partying away like the Masque of the Red Death. Olynder was so selfish that when the forces of Nurgle kicked down the doors to her throne room, she tried to parley with them to save her own life. This was the final straw for everyone's favorite [[Nagash|Skele-Pope]]; Nagash had been watching Olynder, and she'd been pissing him off for a while, so now he was going to make her pay for it. Nagash seized her soul and doomed her to haunt the ruins of her kingdom for all eternity, feeling all the misery in the Mortal Realms as revenge for the fake tears she cried in life (<s>one of the few times where </s> ''Just another example of how'' the victims of Nagash's special brand of karma indisputably deserved it).

Naggy then proceeded to forget about her, until the Necroquake unleashed the Nighthaunt on the realms. He realized how spooky they were, but they needed direction to be truly efficient. He then hosted a Death equivalent of Celebrity Apprentice to decide on who would be the new Mortarch. Lo and behold, he stumbled upon the ruins of Dolorum, finding that Olynder had organized a hugeass Ghost-Kingdom while he wasn't looking. And so, she became the Mortarch of Grief, marshaling the ghosties into the processions we all know and love. Nagash also gifted her a new army called the Emerald Host, consisting of the ghosts of all the knights who plotted against her in life, now forced to forever serve the woman they hated, and led by Gharest Malcor who'd been <s>friend-zoned</s> turned into a <s>simp</s> <s>beta orbiter</s> Knight of Shrouds.

Since then Olynder actually proved to be a good general. She defeated the forces of the Chaos Warlord Thur and destroyed the Stormcast defenders at the siege of Morlaix - even defeating their Lord-Celestant in single combat. Despite this, Olynder had a knack for going LEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOY. During a battle against her old foe Thur to liberate Underworld of Lyria, this nearly got Olynder killed by the Bloodthrister Khazkhan until Nagash and Arkhan bailed her out.

Nagash decided to give her an adviser and to that end she was married to [[Kurdoss Valentian]], which Nagash also used as a joke at both of their expenses (for her, it's because marrying for power, murdering her husbands and then playing the victim was how she earned her punishment). Her biggest achievement happened during the siege of Lethis, where she managed to actually [[Awesome|kill the Celestant-Prime with her hourglass, who until then had proven to be a deus ex machina in every situation, and free an ancient evil]]. What's more, this ancient evil that was locked away is revealed to be Katakros, who would go on to be made leader of the [[Ossiarch Bonereapers]] (though from their track records, Olynder seems like a better general than Katakros).

She also worked with Katakros in the attack on the Eightpoints, leading the the Legion of Grief as a vanguard through the Endgate and personally killing the Chaos Lord Namos Saskarid. She proceeded to lead the Legion of Grief across the Eightpoints, slaughtering Chaos followers and leaving their bodies and souls as raw materials for the Ossiarch Bonereapers. However, once Archaon came home, the Death armies were quickly routed, with Olynder herself being slain by Be’lakor and her soul sent screaming back to Nagash.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File: Olynder Art.jpeg
</gallery>

{{Nighthaunt-Characters}}

Lady Olynder

2021-01-25T14:50:33Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091:

[[File:Lady Olynder.jpeg|thumb|Ghost Boob]]
{{topquote|Do not resist – death is inevitable. The more quickly you succumb, the sooner your suffering will be over. Come to me, and be mine for evermore…|Lady Olynder, still trying to charm people despite losing her good looks.}}
{{topquote|You think a woman like that's sniffing around because she likes your personality? Your mother was beautiful, they're all beautiful... until they're snarling after your trust fund like a pack of ravening wolves.|Norman Osborn - Spider-Man (the 2002 Sam Rami film)}}

The new girl on the skeletal block, Lady Olynder is the new [[Mortarch|Mortarch of Grief]], and is the leader of the [[Nighthaunt]] Processions. Carrying all the despair in the realms due to her complete and utter apathy to the misery of others in life, she reeeeally hates the living. If she had a voice, it would be Debbie from Addams Family Values.

==History==
In life, she was one of the most beautiful women in the empire Dolorum. But Olynder was also a Gold Digger's Gold Digger, scheming, sleeping and slaying her way to the top. Such was Olynder's charm that she married the son of Dolorum's King before both promptly "disappeared", leaving Olynder in charge. Olynder wore a veil and cried a lot about their loss in public Victoria-style, yet the veil hid her shit-eating grin over how smart she was. Some knights had figured out her evil scheme and planned to overthrow her, but she thwarted them by seducing one of their members, Gharest Malcor, into ratting out his fellow conspirators. Malcor himself would end up assassinated shortly thereafter for being too stupid to realize what happens to anybody Olynder says she's going to marry. As a queen she ruled Dolorum for a few years and among other things stopped honoring Nagash (this would really come back to haunt Olynder - pun intended), until the Age of Chaos came-a-knocking.

The forces of Nurgle quickly invaded Dolorum. Olynder cried more crocodile tears for the realm while she was all safe in her tower, partying away like the Masque of the Red Death. Olynder was so selfish that when the forces of Nurgle kicked down the doors to her throne room, she tried to parley with them to save her own life. This was the final straw for everyone's favorite [[Nagash|Skele-Pope]]; Nagash had been watching Olynder, and she'd been pissing him off for a while, so now he was going to make her pay for it. He seized her soul and doomed her to haunt the ruins of her Kingdom for all eternity, feeling all the misery in the Mortal Realms as revenge for the fake tears she cried in life (<s>one of the few times where </s> ''Just another example of how'' the victims of Nagash's special brand of karma indisputably deserved it).

Naggy then proceeded to forget about her, until the Necroquake unleashed the Nighthaunt on the realms. He realized how spooky they were, but they needed direction to be truly efficient. He then hosted a Death equivalent of Celebrity Apprentice to decide on who would be the new Mortarch. Lo and behold, he stumbled upon the ruins of Dolorum, finding that Olynder had organized a hugeass Ghost-Kingdom while he wasn't looking. And so, she became the Mortarch of Grief, marshaling the ghosties into the processions we all know and love. Nagash also gifted her a new army called the Emerald Host, consisting of the ghosts of all the knights who plotted against her in life, now forced to forever serve the woman they hated, and led by Gharest Malcor who'd been <s>friend-zoned</s> turned into a <s>simp</s> <s>beta orbiter</s> Knight of Shrouds.

Since then Olynder actually proved to be a good general. She defeated the forces of the Chaos Warlord Thur and destroyed the Stormcast defenders at the siege of Morlaix - even defeating their Lord-Celestant in single combat. Despite this, Olynder had a knack for going LEEEEEEEEEEEROOOOY. During a battle against her old foe Thur to liberate Underworld of Lyria, this nearly got Olynder killed by the Bloodthrister Khazkhan until Nagash and Arkhan bailed her out.

Nagash decided to give her an adviser and to that end she was married to [[Kurdoss Valentian]], which Nagash also used as a joke at both of their expenses (for her, it's because marrying for power and murdering her husbands was how she earned her punishment). Her biggest achievement happened during the siege of Lethis, where she managed to actually [[Awesome|kill the Celestant-Prime with her hourglass, who until then had proven to be a deus ex machina in every situation, and free an ancient evil]]. What's more, this ancient evil that was locked away is revealed to be Katakros, who would go on to be made leader of the [[Ossiarch Bonereapers]] (though from their track records, Olynder seems like a better general than Katakros).

She also worked with Katakros in the attack on the Eightpoints, leading the initial attack with the Legion of Grief and personally killing the Chaos Lord Namos Saskarid. She proceeded to lead the Legion of Grief across the Eightpoints, slaughtering Chaos followers and leaving their bodies and souls as raw materials for the Ossiarch Bonereapers. However, once Archaon came home, the Death armies were quickly routed, with Olynder herself being slain by Be’lakor and her soul sent screaming back to Nagash.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File: Olynder Art.jpeg
</gallery>

{{Nighthaunt-Characters}}

Cities of Sigmar

2021-01-25T14:48:58Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* With rules */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Cities of Sigmar|Logo=Empire.jpg|Alliance=Order|Motto=For the <s>Empire</s> God-King!}}

The '''Cities of Sigmar''', also known as the '''Free Cities''' or '''Azyrites''', are essentially the “normal” people of the Mortal Realms under Sigmar's rule, although a minority when compared with the vast population of the territories taken by Chaos, they are probably the most numerous representatives of the Grand Alliance of Order. Humans who haven't become immortal due to having lightning jammed up their ass. Duardin who don't go into battle half naked and on fire or live in steampunk sky cities. Aelves who don't live underwater and eat souls, don't come from a misandric murdercult or aren't made of light and maths.

Each City itself is MASSIVE, comprised of numerous districts and subcultures, to the point where some could be considered their own nations. So while each City maybe known for a particular thing, it is very likely that there is an aspect of each race active in every city.

==History==

===Origins===
The story of how humans, Duardin (dwarves) and Aelves (elves) of various allegiances and creeds are somehow living together in massive cities without murderising each other is a long and expansive story that traces its way back to the closing days of the Age of Myth. Right before Chaos kicked in the proverbial door and began running rough shod across the Realms, the various mortal races lived in their respective golden ages. With the help of primarily Grungni, Teclis and Alarielle, Sigmar established countless human kingdoms and cities, with innovation, learning and cultural development blossoming at an exponential rate. The Duardin had a healthy relationship with humans as always, with a portion living alongside them, but most still taking up residence in their mountain fortresses or splitting off as the newly emerged children of Grimnir, the Fyreslayers. The Aelves enjoyed a resurgence from their initially minuscule numbers when discovered by Sigmar, and began to slowly thrive once again when the various Aelven gods joined the pantheon and began the work to restore their race to its former glory.

Of course, all of this was not to last once Chaos got wise to what was going on in the Mortal Realms. The Gods of Chaos began to secretly bore their way into the kingdoms, cities and tribes across the Realms, slowly influencing portions of the population with promises of power and immortality, and piece by piece sowing discord. When the time came to strike, the Mortal Realms were taken completely by surprise and nearly buckled under the sudden upheaval. However, the armies of Order managed to rally and held the forces of Chaos at bay for a time...That is until Archaon made his entrance into the Realms. The forces of Order began to falter and little by little they gave ground to the ever intensifying onslaught. The final blow for Order came at the Allpoints, at the disastrous confrontation that became known as the Battle of the Burning Sky. Here, the gods of Order fractured through betrayal, panic and mistrust and by the end of the slaughter Sigmar had lost Ghal Maraz, his pantheon and the most strategically important location in all the Mortal Realms. Thus, the Age of Myth came to a catastrophic end, bringing forth the Age of Chaos.

===Exodus===
With the Allpoints granting the armies of Chaos access to all of the Mortal Realms save Azyr, it did not take long for their ravenous hordes to overrun the land. The following collapse of civilization across the Realms can only be described as not falling apart, but disintegrating in its own terror.

The last of the Duardin Karaks in Chamon were overrun as the forces of Tzeentch swept across the land, the survivors reluctantly fleeing to the Gates of Azyr, with a small contingent escaping to the highest peaks of the Realm of Metal to an [[Kharadron Overlords|uncertain fate]]. Many Duardin Kings, prideful and stubborn in their sense of honor, refused to evacuate and chose to remain in their Holds, sealing their fate when the doors to Azyr were finally sealed. It is said that Grungni cried tears of molten lead when he saw how few of his children had managed to escape. Thus, the Dispossessed came to be.

The Aelven devotees of Alarielle desperately held on with their Sylvaneth comrades as Nurgle's rot and pestilence began to seep into Ghyran. However, as the Sylvaneth groves outside the Realm of Life began to be wiped out, their numbers and their reinforcements began to dwindle. As their defenses reached the breaking point, the Aelves had to make a choice; either stay with their beloved Goddess and her children and face almost certain annihilation, or abandon them in their direst hour and try to flee to Azyr before the gates closed. They chose the latter, and from that day, Alarielle and the Sylvaneth have never fully forgiven the Wanderers for their abandonment.

All the remaining human, duardin and aelf empires that were not already destroyed or besieged made a bee-line toward any realmgates to Azyr that were still open. Many didn't survive the journey, being butchered by chaos armies along the way. Many others however managed to reach Azyr and safety, others were unfortunately stranded in the other realms when Sigmar finally closed the gates as the forces of Chaos were getting too close to breaching them. These unfortunate souls either swore fealty to Chaos in return for their lives, died fighting against the maruading hordes or were forced to adopt a nomadic lifestyle for the remainder of the Age of Chaos, always on the run or in hiding from the legios of Chaos. This wasn't the end of tribulations for the survivors who have reached Azyr however. Chaos cultists and double agents had managed to slip into Azyrheim among the refugees, forcing Sigmar's witch hunters to route them out (with often lethal results). Around this time the Aelven order of the Shadowblades is believed to have first become active, systematically purging Azyr further of potential threats to Sigmar's rule.

Sigmar realized that many of the refugees themselves, having malice or deception in their hearts, could be susceptible of falling to Chaos in the future. This moved the God-King to take the uneasy task of leading a mass purge of many of the peoples that had fled to Azyr. Countless supposedly innocent souls that Sigmar deemed corruptible were slaughtered by the agents of Azyr, even those that could be suspected of treachery were not spared. Only after this extermination campaign did Sigmar deemed that Azyr was safe from further corruption. Whether he did the right thing or not is up for debate, but the fluff continuously mentions that Azyr was the only Mortal Realm free from the taint of Chaos.

For the next 500 or so years the peoples of Azyr went along with their lives, but whether they be from the various cultures of the armies of the Free Guilds or the Sinister Knights of the Order Serpentis they now all shared a united goal. Which was to rebuild their forces for a counter-invasion against Chaos. After centuries of preparation and having the Stormcast Eternal infraestructure mostly finished, the various armies of Azyr were ready to reopen the realmgates and retake their ancient territories. For many this was indeed almost a relief, as while Azyr was definitely a better place to live than any of the other Mortal Realms, life under Sigmar's rule wasn't all perfect. Sigmar fearing potential Chaos infiltration kept a rather draconian amount of control on the various cities and settlements in Azyr. From constant fear of the Order of Azyr and potential knives in backs from the Shadowblades, not to mention strict legal codes, many of the peoples from the other realms chafed somewhat in this highly ordered society. So when offered a chance to retake their old homes many were happy to give it a try.

===Reconquest===
With Sigmar's Tempest opening the Gates of Azyr what followed a massive undertaking as the combined might of all the peoples of Azyr began preparations for Sigmar's reconquest of the Realms. The sheer level of planning, logistics, training and dealmaking that went down in this period cannot be understated. Whether it was noble families looking to reclaim their ancestral homelands, outcasts going to wherever offered a fresh start, or perhaps a deal made between various parties for certain benefits in the reclaimed territories in exchange for assistance. The Regiments of the Freeguild were raised and assigned to accompany settlers to their new homes in the Realms. Duardin of the Ironweld Guilds and the Dispossessed Clans offered up their expertise in engineering as well as firepower, often in exchange for trading or mining rights in the charted territories. Wanderer Enclaves saw much demand for their knowledge of scouting the wilderness, and in turn requested territory to settle and roam freely in.

The initial areas for the first cities formed around the stormkeeps established by the Stormcast Eternals after the Realmgate Wars. From these intial settlements cities began to form around them. One obvious example being Hammerhal, which would go on to be the largest city and defacto capital of Sigmar’s growing empire. Other cities were subsequently founded usually near realmgates or areas of great strategic/economic importance (I.e Hallowheart, Tempest Eye, Excelsior and Vindicarum). The Living City was established sometime later by Allarielle herself after great victories against Nurgle’s forces and stands as a testeament to her renewed alliance with Sigmar. Later would come the establishment of industrial hub Greywater Fastness would become a seat for many of the Ironweld and Disspossesed clans, and Phoenicium, one of few Aelf dominated Cities of Sigmar. These expansions did not come easy however. Millions gave their lives in their foundation and the subsequent wars to maintain these great bastions.

Roughly 100 years after the Stormcast Eternals first set down in the Realms, these initial cities have greatly expanded upon themselves, managing to carve out their own territories in the Realms. However even with all this, much of the realms have not yet been liberated. It is estimated barely a tenth of the pre-Age of Chaos territory has been reclaimed thus far, with the rest either in Chaos hands, heavily contested, held by neutral parties, or no one, with none yet claiming these wild areas. Due to this, the cities must fight hard for any territorial gains they can manage, along with sending colonists (both willing and otherwise) out to found new cities. These cities tend to be on frontier zones, forcing them to often deal with more heavier chaos or destruction incursions, along with the deadly native wildlife or even native peoples who aren't necessarily happy with newcomers trying to colonize their ancestral lands that they defended all through the Age of Chaos. In fact, an unfortunate result of this has been the occasional Stromcast or Freeguild force having to do the uncomfortable task of subjugating or even wiping out native tribes that would refuse to compromise on these cities’ foundings. Some examples of these frontier cities include Anvilgard in Aqshy, which has quickly amassed a dark reputation from its internal dealings, or Izalend in Ghur which has to be on constant alert due to the dangerous area it inhabits. Not all of these frontier cities survive, most are either destroyed from invaders or some other calamity and must be abandoned. More than one city has suffered this fate since the first cities were established.

However many others continue to prosper and continue to expand their territory to slowly retake the realms from Chaos' grasp. Due to the dangerous nature of the realms, the mere act of traveling can be dangerous. Thus while all cities are nominally under Sigmar’s domain, many often have to rely on governing themselves for the most part, as communication with the capital Hammerhal can be slow and unreliable and Stormcast sometimes not being able to lend assistance due to being stretched thin expanding the God-King’s borders. Many have to establish their own form of government and trade zones. All cities follow the government structure laid out by Azyrhiem, however many make variations to how a city’s government is made up and how they conduct warfare due to local stigmas and situations. This leads to each city developing unique cultural identities, and since not all cities actively coordinate with each other, entire wars and new city foundings can occur without some nations even being aware of it, even if they are technically on the same faction. This is why organizations such as the Swifthawk Agents are so important to the cities, as speedy communication can often mean the difference between annihilation and salvation for threatened cities.

===Broken Realms and Insurrection===

--Under Construction...---

==Subfactions==
The Cities of Sigmar are by their nature cosmopolitan places, as many different cultures across the realms fled to Azyr only to recolonize the lands when the Age of Sigmar arrived. As such, when war comes they have a vast diversity of military forces.

*'''[[Stormcast Eternals]]''': Yes, they're here too. Most Free Cities are built around a Stormkeep, and many are named after their founding Stormhost (Hammers of Sigmar in Hammerhal, Anvils of the Heldenhammer in Anvilgard, etc.).
*'''Freeguild''': The core of the old [[The Empire (Warhammer Fantasy)|Empire]]'s forces, chiefly soldiers and Demigryphs. They are the standing armies and militias of the Cities, each descended from twelve military companies that originally fled to Azyr. A City can possess multiple Freeguilds, each one with their own specialties and strategies in warfare, making them sorta like the Imperial Guard for AoS. Lore mentions that their ranks include Duardin and Aelves as well, meaning you easily use squatted High Elf/Dwarf units as proxy Freeguild units (Swordmasters as Greatswords, Thunderers as Handgunners, etc).
*'''Devoted of Sigmar''': The Old "Church of Sigmar" faction now reduced to only the [[flagellant]]. It’s incorporated into the city with quite some critical roles. Priests of Sigmar tend to the moral and spiritual health of the human population, and when a internal threat arises, it is the work of the witch hunters from the Order of Azyr to root it out, while flagellants have to process around the city countryside, spilling their blood to destroy thd chaos corruption in the land and let the city expand. Unfortunately only the latter are usable on tabletop (in a Cities of Sigmar list. The warpriests, war-altars and witch hunters have their own faction ; The Devoted of Sigmar. They can be allied in).
*'''Dispossessed''': Duardin who have lost their old Karaks in the Age of Chaos and have to live with the umgi and elgi now. Their primary goal in the greater Cities is providing defensive fortifications for the other factions, using their legendary shield walls and stubbornness to hold the line at all costs.
*'''Collegiate Arcane''': All the Empire's Wizards, including their giant engines. Sadly, no High Elf wizards made the cut, nor did their dragons. They are essentially a souped version of the Colleges of Magic, compromised of powerful Battlemages who have trained for decades in eight floating towers called the Towers of the Eight Winds (I see what you did there GW), each one focused on a certain Realm’s variety of magic.
*'''Ironweld Arsenal''': All the Dwarf and Empire war machines and vehicles. This includes letting people ride those tanks.
*'''Darkling Covens''': Cults of Sorceresses and their brainwashed Aelven minions. Rumored to have brainwashed more than just aelves so they can secretly manipulate cities from the shadows.
*'''Phoenix Temple''': Yes, these silent dead 'ard bastards are still around. They now worship the Ur-Phoenix instead of Asuryan. They were once broken Aelves (physically or mentally broken) who received the healing warmth of a phoenix, thus they were reborn as devout warrior monks.
*'''Order Serpentis''': An ancient order of tyrannical dragon-riding Aelves who lost most of their dragons in the Age of Chaos. Undaunted by this, they started hiring Sorceresses of the Darkling Covens to genetically engineer hideous part-dragon monsters to act as replacements.
*'''Wanderers''': Nomadic wood aelves from Ghyran who fled to Azyr. Upon returning they seek to restore balance to the nature they abandoned, even if many of their Sylvaneth allies despise them as traitors. Their role in the CoS army is to be pathfinders and vanguard forces, scouting ahead of the main fighting bulk to chart secure passages.
*'''Shadowblades''': Secretive Aelf assassins who worship Malerion and usually function as a secret police force within the cities.
*'''Scourge Privateers''': Descendants of a cruel slaver empire that once terrorized the seas. Now that they have to coexist with the civillians they once preyed upon, they cooled down a bit and became beast tamers who regularly hunt monsters and then sell them (whole or in pieces) to their allies. Still enjoy doing shady pirate stuff under the books, though (not that anyone is complaining when its fucking Chaos scum who are on the receving end of it for once). They still live on Black Arks, much like their Old World counterparts, except these Arks are made from binding together the bones and shells of colossal sea creatures.

==Notable Cities==
===With rules===
*'''Hammerhal''': Hammerhal is technically two cities, Hammerhal Ghyra and Hammerhal Aqsha, linked as one by the Stormrift Realmgate. The Ghyran side exports crops and lumber to Aqshy, and lava is channeled from the Aqshy side to form a protective moat. As it is home to the Hammers of Sigmar, [[Ultramarines|GREATEST OF THEM ALL]] among stormhosts, so too the people of Hammerhal seek to prove themselves as the most eminent of the Free Cities.
*'''Greywater Fastness''': Despite hailing from the Realm of Life, this city is pretty choked with smoke and industry, as they focus heavily on war machines. Literally the entire outer regions of the city are just glorified testing grounds for their weapons, riddled with craters and no vegetation aside from withered skeletal trees. This makes them rather friendly towards the [[Kharadron Overlords]], but not so much with the [[Sylvaneth]]. They were nearly starved out by the Sylvaneth until Alarielle herself arranged a compromise, and she only tolerates them because they hate Chaos and are great at bombarding them back to the Warp. What few people know though is that the city’s lead designer, Valium Maliti, is a actually the Changeling in disguise, and purposely created this industrial wasteland in Ghyran to cause tension between the Sylvaneth and Sigmar.
*'''Anvilgard''': [https://youtu.be/SYExETbLL1E?t=84 In a nutshell, basically.] Port city by a constantly erupting volcano and a constantly burning-down-but-rapidly-regrowing jungle. To hold off the jungle from reclaiming the city's territory, they spray mass amounts of basically weedkiller everywhere (which doesn't seem - thus far - to have any long-term consequences on people), which covers the city in a gloomy grey atmosphere. Y'know, the kind of shadows where criminal syndicates thrive - and thrive they do. As in, anyone who's anyone has underworld connections, though it's kept just enough on the down-low so Lord-Veritants and other inquisitorial types don't raise a stink. In recent years, [[Morathi]] has annexed it (renaming it to '''Har Kuron'''), splitting the frontier city in half between those who sided with the [[Daughters of Khaine]] and everyone else who remained loyal to Sigmar.
*'''Hallowheart''': The wizard's city. Being founded by the Hallowed Knights at the bottom of a gigantic crystal cave (where lived a mutated gigantic dragon of Tzeentch, who got hammered) this city has an magical focus and the central core of Collegiate Arcane. Don't mind the continuous daemon invasion perpetrated by Tzeentch and company, or the strange whispers that promise you great power and wealth, but report those facts to the Devoted of Sigmar for a handsome reward. {{BLAM}}
*'''The Living City''': A city shaped from trees and rock by [[Alarielle]] herself that symbolizes the alliance between her and Sigmar. As such, this city allies itself with [[Sylvaneth]] capable of putting aside their grudges towards everything that isn't a tree. Also where Alarielle pardoned the Wanderers for their cowardice during the Age of Chaos, so this is their home base.
*'''The Phoenicium''': The main city of the Phoenix Temple, it's at the foot of a big tree-mountain with a goofy name that avalanched sap over the area, trapping warriors in amber. In the Age of Sigmar, a host of phoenix birds thawed the sap into a golden mist that persists ever since - and if enemies that get too close enter the mist, they get trapped in amber, which then becomes another block on the ramparts. So, yeah, picture an amber wall filled with "oh crap"-faced Chaos warriors, greenskins, and spooks - that's how The Phoenicium do. Why nobody already tricked Archaon to attack this city, turning him into a statue and win the war is anyone's guess... but plot armor.
*'''Tempest's Eye''': A city on top of a mountain that has close trade and military ties to the Kharadron Overlords. Since the Tempest Lords stationed there were all recruited from former nobility, they're the only city that is directly ruled by its Stormcast Eternals.
* '''Misthåvn''': The “City of Scoundrels” was created in Ulgu from a collection of massive ships from varying races all lashed together. This unique design means that Misthåvn can divide into its various components and move along the coast of Cape Tendbrax. Rather than having districts, the city is comprised of different armadas, each overseen by a Scourge Privateer Fleetmaster/Admiral. It’s infamous among the Azyrites for its corrupt policies, underhanded combat strategies, and a very lucrative illegal narcotics market. The native populace takes a spiteful pride in this reputation, though they still do their best to make sure Sigmar doesn’t call for the city’s purging.

===Without rules===
*'''Azyrheim''': The largest city in [[Azyr]] and de-facto capital of the entire the Grand Alliance of Order. Azyrheim's also has a scifi IN SPACE look, further reinforced by some fluff which states Azyr has no day but an eternal night filled with stars, moons and other astral phenomena, another important feature of the city is the Towers of the Eight Winds, massive floating structures where the Collegiate Arcane train mages and research magic. Sigmar's obsession with keeping Azyr free of the taint of Chaos has lead to this place being rather authoritarian, as in if they catch you performing crimes they implant you with runes that burn out all thoughts of disloyalty out of your mind. On the other hand, it’s not like the freaking gods don’t know if you’re guilty and if you don’t want to be implanted then just follow the law set by one of the few deities that isn't a complete sociopath. They aren’t crazy or stupid under Sigmar so there isn’t really a reason not to.
*'''Brightspear''': A city near the coast of [[Aqshy|The Great Parch]] that was built on top of an ancient realmgate that could travel to any of the nine realms. Above the city are orbs that each contain a college of magic dedicated to one of the winds. The one dedicated to chaos was destroyed, but the echoes still remain. This city is expanded upon in great detail in the Soulbound starter set.
*'''Excelsis''': A [[Ghur|Ghurish]] city where if you aren't a worshipper of Sigmar so devoted to make the flagellants looks negligent, you can't live. Base of the Knights Excelsior, lore talks about the FIRST (yeah, probably others followed) purge of Excelsis, where a QUARTER OF THE POPULATION WERE MASSACRED, AFTER SOME SIGNS OF IMPURITIES AMONG THE CITIZENS! Weird that Sigmar allowed that. Typical Knights Excelsior mentality: if you have some sick cows, you kill them and everyone around them, be it out of overkill caution or because "''How DARE you sympathize with the HERETICS I just killed in front of you; clearly you're also HERETICS that must die!''". It's revealed that this was secretly incited in part by Slaanesh as a way to free themselves from one of the chains which keep their imprisoned (read City of Secrets for more details). Additionally, they have been infiltrated by Tzeentch cultists and a description of their army composition. Which means ironically Sigmar might be too lenient and hands-free in his authoritarianism.
*'''Vindicarum''': No lore about this one but if is the base of celestial vindicators, probably everyone in the city is high of cocaine and go around crazily stabbing each other just like <s>khornate</s> stormcast.
*'''Lethis''': Technically has rules in the form of the “Lethisian Defenders” list from Forbidden Power, but not actually part of the Cities of Sigmar allegiance. This city is based in Shyish next to Lake Lethis, a lake whose waters are cursed to take away memories. This water is actually one of their most valuable exports, as a lot of people in the Mortal Realms have [[Grimdark|traumatic memories they'd rather forget]]. Also home to a Stormvault which held [[Katakros]], who was released when the city was invaded by [[Lady Olynder]]'s Legion of Grief.
*'''Edassa''': Mentioned during Gotrek's adventures in “Realmslayer” and “Ghoulslayer”, and the home city of the character Jordainn. An African themed kingdom located in Aqshy, it sits at crossroads with two other kingdoms and city states, all of them part of a mutual pact funding the garrisons of forts and towns that run the length of the region's roads. [[Celestial Lions|Have a Lion motif in their armor as well as in their battlecry.]]
*'''Westreach and Eastdale''': Twin cities built on an island in Shyish. Westreach is populated by Azyrites while Eastdale is controlled by the Reclaimed. Both cities work with each other though the former’s haughty attitude and the latter’s superstitions has lead to tension between the two. Both cities were built over the ruins/tombs of an ancient town called Belvegrod, and since this is Shyish both cities have a terrible [[Nighthaunt]] infestation. A warding protected the city from [[Lady Olynder]]’s full wrath, but through machinations that’d make Neferata proud, the Mortarch of Grief broke the wardings and razed the Twin Cities, her undead hordes consuming the living.

{{Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

Age of Sigmar/Tactics/Order/Lumineth Realm-Lords

2021-01-25T14:40:05Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Battleline */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Lumineth Realm-Lords|Logo=Eltharion's essence.jpg|Alliance=Order|Motto=FOR <s>ULTHUAN</s> HYSH!!!!!}}

The time of isolation is over, and now the Lumineth Realm-lords (not capitalizing the "-L") finally rise to defeat the forces of chaos with their unwavering resolve, unstoppable magic, angry cow people, stupid and impractical headgear even by this setting's standards and crippling drug addiction! (No really, that last part is actually part of their rules)

==Why Play Lumineth Realm Lords?==
*You were a big fan of High Elves in The World that Was.
*You saw 300 and thought to yourself "Yeah, this is cool, but you know what would be awesome? If they had pointy ears and giant cows!"
*Because you agree with most people that Eltharion was done dirty in The [[End Times]] and thought he deserved a new chance to shine.
*Because you want a more defensive playstyle with very durable infantry and a lot of flanking and ranged firepower.
*While you are an Elf fan, you also secretly like Dwarfs and want a factions that mixes elements of both.
*You want to play as a durable army and like elves.

'''Pros:'''
*An extremely durable core option with your Vanari units being able to automatically give enemies -1 to hit for your standard spears, archers and cavalry.
*If you absolutely need to hit a unit before it gets away or fights back, you can with Lightning Reactions.
*You can give your units buffs out the ass, and you also don't need magic to do so.
*Speaking of magic, did we mention all your Vanari units are mages? You are one of the magic armies, with only the likes of Tzeentch being able to keep up with you... and then you could take Teclis, who gives Lords of Change penis envy. Nobody expects Geminds and Lifeswarms to come out of your battleline.
*You can't throw a rock without hitting something that deals Mortal Wounds.
*Very powerful HQ choices. Obviously they have Teclis but if you don't want/can't afford him their other options are pretty damn good.
*Sweet spell lore. Being able to drop all enemy Bravery, make all your opponent's command abilities cost 2 CP or giving one of your units Ethereal means you have a spell for every situation.
*Horde factions are going to hate your guts because you have a lot of ways to get cheap, plentiful models off the field.
*You can turn the main weakness of using Aetherquartz, the -1 to bravery, and give it to your enemy, giving factions like Grots and Skaven a massive middle finger.

'''Cons:'''
*Remember all those buffs we mentioned above? Well, most come with drawbacks. Sure, you can get your wardens to give the enemy -1 to hit having their models all touching, but now they can't run or charge. Sure you can break into your Aetherquartz reserve to give your troops a rush, but now they have -1 to bravery. You need to make sure you are using them at the best time to mitigate the drawbacks.
*No multi-casters outside of bringing Teclis or <s>snorting crystal meth</s> using aetherquartz.
*You are the slowest of the Aelven factions (quite the oximoron). No alternative deployments, no summoning, no flying (outside Teclis), no scout. Slightly mitigated by one spell that doubles the movement of one unit. New horse (or kangaroo things) archers will offset this a bit.
*The models are bad to transport. There's a lot of bits sticking off them like weapons, tassels and braids. The Vanari Dawnrider models are only connected to their bases by one hoof from their horsies. They'll likely need the Nighthaunt or Sylvaneth solution.
*Their bravery is mediocre, and gets even worse if they use aetherquartz.
*Your only allies are the Idoneth, which is odd considering they hate Teclis yet seem to be ok working with him alongside his other creation.
*Your roster is surprisingly small and limited, though that seems to be changing soon.
*They are not 'that' much of High Elves. They still don't use fancy, fantasy things like Lions, Hawks, Dragons and much more.
*<s>All your generic hero choices are mages so unless you bring Eltharion or Avalenor you will be lacking some real hard hitting power</s> They're getting one in the future, so this will be rendered moot.

==Army Rules==
===Battle Traits===
*'''AETHERQUARTZ RESERVE:''' This is your big army-wide resource, more akin to the Kharadron's Aethergold in application. Every unit in your army has a single share of Aetherquartz. Once per phase, you can let one unit blow their reserves for one of the following powers below. However, using it has drawbacks: After using it, the unit suffers <s>Drug withdrawal</s> -1 to their Bravery for the rest of the game.
**''Heightened Senses:'' Triggered before the unit shoots or fights. The unit adds +1 to hit with any attacks they make for this phase (Shooting/Combat Phase).
**''Heightened Reflexes:'' +1 Save when chosen as an attack target (Shooting/Combat Phase).
**''Magical Boost:'' +1 or reroll cast (Your Hero Phase).
**''Magical Insight:'' Cast an extra spell (Your Hero Phase).
*'''ABSORB DESPAIR:''' Once per phase, a Cathallar wholly within 18" of a unit who uses an Aetherquartz can absorb it. If they do, don't reduce that units Bravery by 1 and instead choose an enemy unit within 18" of the Cathallar and reduce its Bravery by 1 for the rest of the battle. An enemy unit can't be affected by this more than once per battle. Its effectiveness depends on your opponent. It's great against some armies (nearly all Destruction armies will hate this), but worthless against others (Ossiarch Bonereapers laugh this off). However, your unit still shrugs off the -1 to its Bravery, even if there is no eligible enemy target.
*'''LIGHTNING REACTIONS:''' When you get to select a unit to fight, instead of picking only 1, you get to pick 2 units with this ability. They then fight one after the other.
*'''SHINING COMPANY:''' Any {{AOSKeyword|Vanari}} units (Auralan Sentinels, Wardens, and Dawnriders) that is set up where a model is touching bases with two other models is automatically made a Shining Company, encouraging block-like tactics of old. Units in this fashion are harder to hit with a -1 to hit them., but they can't run or charge and they only get a pile-in distance of 1".
*'''ENDURING AS ROCK:''' Before the first battle round of the game and at the start of any of your hero phases, you can set up any number of {{AOSKeyword|Alarith}} units (Hammerboys and Stone Cows) into the Mountain Stance. Until the end of your next Hero Phase, your units now ignore Rend -1.
*'''TECTONIC FORCE:''' At the end of all combat phases, your {{AOSKeyword|Alarith}} units can each nominate an enemy unit within 1" of them (Though two units can't nominate the same enemy). The enemy is then shoved 2" in any direction so long as they are more than 1" from any {{AOSKeyword|Alarith}} unit and then you can let these units within 3" pile in 1" to continue fighting. This is your means of dominating the objective game and tossing enemies into deadly terrain.

===Command Traits===
'''LORDS OF BRILLIANCE'''

{{AOSKeyword|Cathallar}} only.

#'''Spellmaster:''' Once per turn in your Hero phase, you can re-roll 1 failed casting attempt.
#'''Loremaster:''' Your General knows 1 extra spell from the Lore of Hysh
#'''Warmaster:''' When your general is on the field, at the start of your Hero phase, you get a CP on a 4+.

If you're bringing a Cathallar you could honestly go for any of these. Spellmaster is well enough, as you'll be wanting every spell. Loremaster is good if you want some more versatility from your spellcaster and if you give it a Silver Wand you could get a caster that can get a ton of magical value in one turn. Warmaster can get you some nice AP if you're lucky though if you want consistency from your general you're better off with the other two

'''LORDS OF STONE'''

{{AOSKeyword|Alarith}} only, so for right now, just floaty rock guy

#'''Majestic:''' Add 1 to Bravery of friendly Lumineth if their unit is wholly within 12" of the General. Also, your enemies subtract 1 from Bravery while they are within 18" of the General.
#'''Enduring:''' Add 3 to the General's wounds characteristic.
#'''Loremaster:''' General knows 1 extra spell from the Lore of High Peaks.

Majestic seems boring, but with all the bravery debuffs in this army, you could easily have most of the opposing army at -3 Bravery while you're able to at least walk off the Bravery penalty of spending your share of Aetherquartz. A few casualties over multiple units could see elite armies heading for the hills real quick. Enduring isn't bad when the big hat man is public enemy number one for keeping your war cows at top bracket, improving Rend of Cow Elves around him, and providing re-rolls to saves in the Moo Cow battalion. Sure he is ignoring Rend -1 (or -2) but he only has a 5+ save. And of course Loremaster is nice if you just want extra casting.

===Artefacts===
'''HEIRLOOMS OF HYSH'''

{{AOSKeyword|Cathallar}} only.

#'''Phoenix Stone:''' If a friendly {{AOSKeyword|Lumineth Realm-Lords Hero}} is slain within 12" of the bearer, before removing that model from play, roll a dice. On a 6 that model is not slain, all wounds allocated to it are healed and any wounds that currently remain to be allocated to it or its unit are negated
#'''Silver Wand:''' The bearer can cast 1 extra spell in their hero phase.
#'''Blade of Leaping Gold:''' Pick 1 of the Bearer's weapons. Add 3 to the Attacks characteristic of that weapon.

*You will be taking the Silver Wand. Everything else is hot garbage. The Phoenix Stone is just a worse version of Nation Specific artefact further down at first glance, but it works multiple times and affects all heroes within 12" even including Teclis. It's tempting but still too unreliable to be effective unless you break out the loaded dice. Blade of Leaping Gold would be great if you had a generic melee hero, but sadly you only have mages right now so it's bad. And that's assuming that any melee heroes would have the Cathallar tag in the first place.

'''GIFTS OF THE MOUNTAIN'''

{{AOSKeyword|Alarith Heroes}} only.

#'''Hearthstone Amulet:''' 5+ FNP save.
#'''Ebony Stone:''' Each time the bearer is affected by a spell or endless spell, you can roll a die. On a 4+ Ignore the effects of that spell on the bearer.
#'''Magmic Hammer:''' If the bearer is a {{AOSKeyword|Wizard}} (Which the only one model to take this item is), add 1 tot he number of mortal wounds inflicted by Arcane Bolt spells that are cast by the bearer.

*The hammer isn't half bad if you aren't planning on casting anything else.

===Great Nations===
Think of them like Sylvaneth Glades, Idoneth Enclaves or Ossiarch Bonereaper Legions. They represent various nations of Lumineth Realm Lords that an army comes from.

====Syar====
*'''Gleaming Brightness:''' All your {{AOSKeyword|Syar}} units get 2 Aetherquartz reserves instead of 1. With how powerful these boosts are, you'll definitely appreciate a second wave of these working without worry about Morale. Pair with a Cathallar to avoid a permanent -2 to your bravery.
*'''Command Ability''' - ''Deplete Reserves:'' If a {{AOSKeyword|Syar}} unit uses an aetherquartz reserve ability, you may pick another {{AOSKeyword|Syar}} unit within 18" that still has a reserve. You may spend that reserve to give them the same ability. Great for boosting your forces in a big charge
*'''Command Trait:''' Choose 1 enemy hero within 6" of this hero. That enemy hero must attack your general, and your general gets +1 to hit for attacks against that enemy hero. At first you're like why is there a melee trait for squishy mage only heroes army? This thing is pure troll, park your Cathallar 6" from Archaon and watch as he spends the rest of combat seething helplessly while she makes fun of his daddy issues from behind a wall of spears he can't attack.
*'''Artefact: The Perfect Blade''' Unmodified 3+ hits always hits, Unmodified 3+ wounds always wound, and unmodified 3s to save always fail. Would be great if you could give it to something other than a pansy wizard. (Will likely get a lot better when the more martial Heroes are released, as have been hinted at repeatedly in the Warhammer Community podcast)

If you like using the Aetherquartz reserves, this will give you more options to do so and spread out the benefits. <s>The meth lab workers among the Lumineth, hence their larger stash</s>. A Cathallar is pretty much a requirement in this army because otherwise your troops will have the bravery of most Skaven troops after blowing their reserves. Once the Vanari Lord Regent comes out you may want him as the general as you'll actually have someone to give the Perfect Blade to

====Iliatha====
*'''Unity in Purpose:''' Once per phase, after a {{AOSKeyword|Iliatha Vanari}} uses a command ability, you may select another {{AOSKeyword|Iliathra Vanari}} within 3". That unit gains the same ability for free.
*'''Strike in Unison:''' During your shooting or combat phase you may select one {{AOSKeyword|Iliatha Vanari}} unit with 2 or more models and they reroll hit rolls of one.
*'''Connected Souls:''' +2 Bravery to all Vanari and Aelemantari troops, making up your your mediocre base bravery. You can use an Aetherquartz now and still be in a better bravery position than normal
*'''Simulacra Amulet:''' The Stacy Simulacra Amulet vs The Becky Phoenix Stone. The first time the bearer dies, roll a dice. On a 4+ heal them back to full.

If you don't like the cow elves or kangaroo riders and want to run an all Vanari army, this is your choice. For mages, you should probably take a Scinari Cathallar over a stone mage since this Nation doesn't do anything for Aelemantari units aside from a +2 bravery. This nation will likely have the most models on the field out of the 4 options you can pass buffs along pretty damn quick. However due to the amount of models they encourage you to bring this will likely be the most expensive nation in terms of IRL cash. It seems like a Lord Regent will be affected by these rules but we'll have to wait until we know he has the {{AOSKeyword|Vanari}} keyword.

====Zaitrec====
*'''Lambent Mystics:''' First cast, unbind, or dispel each hero phase gets +1 and each wizard hero knows one extra spell, and each wizard in the army gets the spell overwhelming heat in addition to the spells they know.
*'''Fast Learner:''' General can dispel 1 additional spell and can reroll the second unbinding roll.
*'''Artefact:''' 6+ shrug for MWs, +2 if Teclis is on the battlefield
*'''Overwhelming Heat:''' Casts on 7. Enemy unit within 24" has halved movement, and if you roll a die and its equal to or higher than their save, they take D3

The magic choice. Consider taking Teclis with this Great Nation to get the most out of them. Or don’t, as they look to work fine without Mr. T-pose. Obviously protecting your mages is paramount and if the heroes die early you're pretty much screwed. Combine this with the twin stones for more bonus’s to magic.

====Ymetrica====
*'''Battle Trait''' Ignore up to -2 Rend for units in Mountain Stance, instead of -1
*'''Command Ability:''' End of combat phase, can use Tectonic Force again against another enemy unit within 1"
*'''Command Trait:''' When you pick this guy to fight, instead of fighting you can pick an enemy unit within 1" and deal D3 MW on a 2+.
*'''Artefact:''' +1 Attack to chosen weapon, 6+ Shrug, and 5+ Spell ignore

For the Lumineth with [[Ossiarch Bonereapers|boner]] envy. Obviously, this one is meant of Alarith units, so you should be going with a stoneguard, mountain spirit and stonemage army for this one. This will likely be your very small elite army.

===Spell Lores===

*'''Power of Hysh:''' With a cast value of 6, it can be cast on any unit with Sunmetal Weapons, and allows them to dish out mortal wounds on a 5+ instead of a 6+.

'''LORE OF HYSH'''
#'''Speed of Hysh:''' Casts on 5 Double the movement of a friendly unit within 18" of the caster.
#'''Solar Flare:''' Casts on 8. Pick a point on the battlefield within 10" of the caster. If there is an endless spell there, dispel it. If there is a unit there, roll # of models dice, Each +6 does 1 MW and until next hero phase -2 to enemy wizards cast, unbinds, and dispels.
#'''Lambent Light:''' Casts on 5. Pick an enemy unit within 18", you can reroll missile weapon attacks against that unit until your next hero phase. Remember you can reroll even if you don't miss. To optimize your mortal wounds reroll any dice that don't trigger one for the best odds of sniping your target.
#'''Ethereal Blessing:''' Casts on 6. Give Ethereal to a friendly unit within 18"
#'''Total Eclipse:''' Casts on 8. Until next hero phase, your opponent has to spend 2 CP instead of 1 when using command abilities. Awesome... unless you're versing Ossiarch Bonereapers.
#'''Protection of Hysh:''' Casts on 8. Give friendly units wholly within 9" of the caster 5+ FNP. Doesn't stack with Teclis' sadly.

'''LORE OF THE MOUNTAINS'''

#'''Unyielding Calm:''' Casts on 4. Unit wholly within 18" doesn't have to take Battleshock tests.
#'''Crippling Vertigo:''' Casts on 6. Pick an an enemy unit within 18" of the caster. Until your next hero phase, roll 2d6 each time the unit tries to make a normal move, pile in, or charge. If the roll is higher than the unit's bravery, it cannot make that move.
#'''Voice of the Mountains:''' Casts on 6. -2 Bravery to all enemy units until end of turn, and then -1 until your next hero phase.
#'''Living Fissure:''' Casts on 6. Draw a 1mm line to a point 9" from the caster, on a 2+ deal D3 MWs to a unit that lines passes over
#'''Entomb:''' Casts on 7. Pick an enemy model within 18" and visible to the caster. Roll a dice, if the result is higher than the model's Wound characteristic, it is slain. If you roll a 6 and it is not enough to kill, deal D6 MW instead.
#'''Assault of Stone:''' Casts on 8. Choose an enemy unit wholly within 24" and visible to the caster. Roll a number of dice equal to the casting roll. For each result lower than the enemy unit's save value, they take 1 MW. Rolls of 1 or 2 never deal a mortal wound and Saves of "-" count as 6 for this rule.

'''ENDLESS SPELLS'''

#'''Sanctum of Amyntok:''' 30 points, creates a triangle around the caster and now counts as part of their model. Gives the enemy -1 to hit against the caster, gives the caster +1 to their save and might deal mortal wounds to enemy units in base contact (1 on a d6 roll of 4 or 5, d3 on a roll of a 6). Cheap and a good way to protect your squishy wizard, plus since the spell counts as part of their model, it makes their bubbles slightly bigger, which is good for those rules which require the unit to be "Wholly within" the bubble.
#'''Hyshian Twinstones:''' 30 points, starts at 1 and gets a charge every time a spell is cast within 12 inches of it (maxes out at 6). Your wizards can, while within 12 of it, choose to add the value of the charges to their casting roll. Neat, but you have to add it before you roll to cast, so while it can make sure you get a high value spell off, it's only of debatable usefulness. (Per the FAQ on its order of operations. After one spell is cast, it can give the rest of your wizards within range a permanent +2 to cast every single time. That's pretty damn useful, especially when stacked with Zaitrec and Teclis for +4 on every wizards first cast.)
#'''Rune of Petrification:''' 70 points, subtracts 1 from the run and charge rolls of non-Lumineth within 6, and does d3 Mortal Wounds to non-Lumineth within 6 on a 4+ at '''both''' the start and end of '''both players''' movement phases. That's 3d3 minimum if your opponent moves out of range on their first turn. If you get a double turn that's 5d3 ''if'' they can move out of range at the first opportunity. It's a good way of controlling enemy movement, but it's expensive. A very powerful endless spell that not only limits your opponent's movement but encourages them to move away or suffer another D3 mortals (which they have a harder time doing while in close combat). Given the high cost of units, you will often have 40-100 points leftover for endless spells.

==Unit Analyis==
===Leaders===
* '''Archmage [[Teclis]] and Celennar , [https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Teclis%20-%20eng.pdf Spirit of Hysh] (660 pts):''' One of the dual gods of Hysh and another of the [[Everqueen|big]] [[Nagash|literal god-tier]] [[Archaon|models]]. He went from "the best wizard who's not a daemon, demigod or Slann" to "he gives Greater Daemons penis envy and makes Slann second-guess themselves". His and Celennar's melee attacks have decent rend, but Teclis is at his weakest in combat.
**Can cast 1, 2, or 3/4 spells. If 1, its auto cast and cant be unbound. If 2, it's auto cast at 12 but can be unbound. If 3 or 4, it's auto cast at 10 and can be unbound.
**Celennar’s Aura: +1 to cast, dispel, and unbind
**Can auto dispel 1 endless spell in your hero phase and auto unbind 1 enemy spell in their hero phase, and can still unbind unlimited enemy spells after his auto-unbind.
**Friendly units in Celennar's aura ignore spells on a 4+ and an enemy within 18" takes D3 MW.
**Spells: (1) ''Protection of Teclis'': 10 to cast. 5+ FNP within 18", can't be cast same turn as Hysh Protection. (2)''Storm of Searing White Light'': 10 to cast. Roll a dice for each enemy unit within 18" and visible. 1, nothing happens; 2-4 D3 MW, 5+ D6 MW. Oh, plus Arcane Bolt, Mystic Shield and all 12 of the Lumineth specific spells.

* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Eltharion_EN.pdf Light of Eltharion]:''' (220 pts) [[Eltharion]] returns to us as a living suit of armor. A melee beat stick with ethereal bonuses to toughness & a ranged MW output to hold your opponent's focus & otherwise anchor your battle line (aka an invisible distraction carnifex w/CA of leadership 10 for everyone within 24"). Damage bonuses to charging & against enemy heroes will give you a reason to keep pushing forward with Eltharion, making him a solid target for Speed of Hysh so he can keep up with the Cavalry who would otherwise struggle/be wasted on the more elite units Eltharion is most likely going to earn his points back mulching through.

* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Avalenor%20-%20eng.pdf Avalenor, the Stoneheart King]:''' (360 points) The Mega Moo himself. Avalenor is a great support character for your army. It has 30” ranged attack which can do D6W at rend 2 (range decreases with damage) and has 6 (7 if it didn’t make a charge move this turn) that are Rend 1 with 5 Damage each. FIVE! That’s more than Sigmars hammer. He also has a ranged debuff which makes all enemy units within 12” have a -1 to hit, which is great in the center of your combat force. He also has a command ability which can give D3 Alarith units +1 attack <s>(inc himself)</s> [The command ability targets Alarith ''Aelfs'', which he himself obviously is not]. His damage, debuff range and shooting range decrease with damage, but if you have a Stonemage within 12 of him you can treat these ranges as if he has taken 0 wounds. So its swinging at full capacity until it or the mage is dead. Its not easy to take him down fast either, as he has a 3+ AS (which can be 2+ with the Aetherquartz for 1 phase) and a 5++ of in the protection of Hysh bubble. His last ability, Elder wisdom, allows a hero within 6" at the end of the hero phase gets to use a command ability for free next turn, so could work well with the light of Eltharion

*'''Sevireth, Lord of the Seventh Wind:''' Just as Avalenor is king of the earth-moos, this guy is likely the most powerful of the wind-spirits. It is also the most damning proof that Teclis is a fucking '''''WEEB''''', and possibly a Furry too.

* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Alarith%20Stonemage%20-%20eng.pdf Alarith Stonemage]:''' (130 pts) Floaty big hat man(?) himself. You will be seeing him in every list with Cow Elves (Stonegaurd) and Spirits of the Mountain. Fairly squishy at 5 wounds and only a 5+ save, until you remember he is ignoring Rend 1 (and Rend 2 in '''YMETRICA''' armies). Is your standard 1 cast 1 unbind wizard that provides a powerful buff in the form of his '''STONEMAGE STANCE'''. In the start of the combat phase, the Stonemage can bust a move that allows every '''ALARITH AELEMNTIRI''' WHOLLY WITHIN 12 inches an additional Rend on their melee weapons, in exchange for not making a pile in move. Easy Rend 2 on all my Stoneguard? Yes please. His spell, '''Gravitic Redirection''' is cast on a 5+. Stonemage activates his floaty chair and gains '''FLY''' until the next '''HERO PHASE'''. But the fun doesn't stop there. In addition, you can pick one enemy unit within 18 inches. That unit takes 1 MW, and until the next '''HERO PHASE''' its movement is HALVED and it can NO LONGER FLY. Oh, nice Terrorgheist/Mawcrusha/Zombie Dragon/Ironclad over there... be a shame if it couldn't move.... He also has the standard D3 Mage smacks at 3/3/-1/D3. But who cares he isn't for fighting, he is for bluffing your Cows (and Cow Elves) while trolling the nasty flying beatsticks your opponent foolishly "allows near" your units.

* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Scinari%20Cathallar%20-%20eng.pdf Scinari Cathallar]:''' (140 pts) These professional mourners are excellent at debuffing foes and mitigating the drawbacks of <s>crystal meth</s> aetherquartz. Aside from the obvious Scinari benefits, she also gains the '''Emotional Transference''' ability, allowing her to target any Lumineth Model within 18" and let them ignore battleshock. What's more, if that unit lost models, you can later target an enemy with 18" and add their casualties to their bravery roll. Basically her job is to keep your troops in the fight making the enemies all collectively shit themselves and run away.

* '''Vanari Lord Regent:'''

* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Myari_Lightcaller_en.pdf Myari Lightcaller]:''' (220 pts) The new character from the Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm box set. While he’s a single model unit, he must be accompanied by his retinue, and their points are included in his points cost. Same stat-line as the Stonemage, he has a decent shooting attack, and he’s no slouch in close combat. His Scryowl Familiar adds 1 to his casting, unbinding and dispelling rolls, and similar to the Sentinels, can choose a unit 24” away and out of line of sight, and they are considered to be in line of sight. His unique spell, '''Dazzling Light''' subtracts 1 from hit rolls from missile weapons that target him, or a unit wholly within 6” of him. Mathematically, this will mean you can fit a Cow Mountain in this bubble, giving a -2 modifier to hit when stacked with Avalenor’s '''Guardian of Hysh''' ability.

* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Myaris_Purifiers_en.pdf Myari’s Purifiers]:''' (220 pts) A seperate unit from Myari Lightcaller, but included in his points cost. You get one Bladelord (hopefully hinting towards a future release), one Sentinel, and one Stoneguard. The Bow gets two shots, but only has the 18” profile, the Mallet retains the '''Crushing Blow''' ability to do extra damage, and Greatsword and Bow are both Sunmetal weapons, but they cannot access Power of Hysh. Their '''Guardians''' ability is their saving grace, allowing them to intercept a wound or mortal wound on Myari Lightcaller while he is within 3”. Basically, they’re here to serve as extra wounds on Myari. They’re pretty lost in purpose otherwise, not having enough shots to do ranged damage, or enough bodies to be a reliable melee threat.

===Battleline===
*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Wardens_EN.pdf Auralan Wardens]:''' (Battleline, 120pts, Min:10, Max:30) The Spearelves finally return home, and they come equipped with 3" range Sunmetal <s> spears </s> pikes that get -1 rend and +1 to wound when they are charged. Like all the other Sunmetal weapons, each unmodified to hit roll of 6 causes a MW. The unit champion comes with a -1 rend sword, a one-use mortal wound bomb used at the ''start'' of the combat phase. On top of that he is a wizard as long as there are at least 5 models in the unit. All this combined with the shining company bonus makes these guys amazing charge screens for your archers and objective holders. Wardens are the only unconditional Battleline unit of the Lumineth. But for every unit of Auralan Wardens, you can take either a unit of Auralan Sentinels or Auralan Dawnriders as Battleline.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Dawnriders_EN.pdf Auralan Dawnriders]:''' (Conditional Battleline, 130pts, Min:5, Max:20) Their Deathly Furrows ability grants bonuses for attacking infantry: 1 additional attack for all weapons (ie rider & mount) if the target has 2 wounds or 2 additional attacks per weapon targeting 1 wounds models. Translates to a lot of dead clan rats but also (w/the MW output of their Sunmetal spears) glade guard, greatswords, ironbreakers or whatever other elite single wound infantry are going to be equally shish kebabed. Just stay away from Chaos Warriors, Stormcast Eternals, and any kind of Cavalry which will negate your bonuses, if you can cast speed of Hysh on them though you'll be looking at a 28" standard move...and really having no excuse as far as being to choose the right battles/charges for them.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Sentinals%20-%20eng.pdf Vanari Auralan Sentinels]:''' (Conditional Battleline, 140pts, Min:10, Max:20) More MWs, delivered at a distance & w/o line of sight. While the spearelves poke & hold the line against heavy hitters (& the stoneguard do that better) with your horses mulching chaff, Sentinels are ideal assassins- pumping mortal wounds into the opposing (support) heroes from 30" away with Sunmetal arrows. Since mortal wounds trigger on "unmodified" 6+ (Or 5+ with Power of Hysh) 'Look out, Sir!' does not help those supporting heroes. Conveniently their bows have a second firing mode that deals more consistent normal damage with higher Rend, this is shorter range though (18") so really is more for supporting your spears or whatever flavor of tarpit needs the firepower after the opponent's general is kaput. Remember that the unit leader does not have a bow, so to maximize shooting and mortal wounds taking max size units is probably better.

*'''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Alarith%20Stoneguard%20-%20eng.pdf Alarith Stoneguard]:''' (Conditional Battleline, 100pts, Min:5, Max:15) Your elite infantry choice and a battleline if you're playing Ymetrica. They come in two types, a dual handed diamondpick hammer or stone mallet with -1 rend and a captain with dual hammers with additional attacks. If you roll an unconditional 6 with the stone mallets you get 1 extra damage and if you get a 6 with diamond picks you get 1 mortal wound. This means mallets are better at killing crowds where as picks are better at dealing with armored units. Flexible elite choice depending on how you build them.

*'''Hurakan Windchargers:''' Aelven archers riding giant battle kangaroos.

===Behemoths===
* '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls/Lumineth_Warscroll_Alarith%20Spirit%20of%20the%20Mountain-%20eng.pdf Alarith Spirit of the Mountain]:''' (340 pts). The Mootain. Your primary beat-stick and use for command points. Outside of heroes, your only source of >1 damage attacks (well, the Stoneguard can get it on a 6 to wound with the Mallets) - at full health, his hammer is hitting on 3s, wounding on 2s, -2 rend, and 5 damage each. Keeping a stonemage within 12" of him allows you to ignore his damage table. Finally, his command ability allows you to add 1 to the attack characteristic of 1 unit's melee weapons.

===Battalions===

*'''Alarith Temple:''' (120) '''MIN:'''690/'''MAX:'''1510
**'''Requirements:''' 1x Avalenor or Alarith Spirit of the Mountain, 1x Alarith Stonemage, 1-3x Alarith Stoneguard.
**'''Ability:''' At the start of your combat phase, a Stoneguard unit from this battalion that is wholly within 12" of a hero from the same batalion can reroll saves until end of phase but can only pile in 1".
If you are playing Ymetrica you may as well take this one with Avalenor. Makes your objective holders hold your objectives better.
*'''Auralan Legion:''' (120) '''MIN:'''780/'''MAX:'''2820
**'''Requirements:''' 1x Scinari Cathallar, 2-4x Vanari Auralan Sentinels, with an equal amount of Vanari Auralan Wardens
**'''Ability:''' Units within 3" of another unit from this Battalion can reroll saves of 1.
Again, make your top objective holders better at holding objectives. Cast Etherial Blessing vs Rend or otherwise use your Aetherquartz against that key charage and you will definitely keep control of that objective. This is particularly good for Iliatha armies, since you want to keep your Auralan units near each other anyway.
*'''Dawnrider Lance:''' (120)'''MIN:'''380/'''MAX:'''1810
**'''Requirements:''' 2-3x Vanari Dawnriders
**'''Ability:''' Units from this Battalion may reroll 1’s to hit on the charge.
This would actually be a good addition to ally in to Stormcast. Give them some fast cavalry to keep the hoards at bay.

===Super Battalion===

*'''Teclian Vanguard:''' (80) '''MIN:'''2370/'''MAX:'''14,470
**'''Requirements:''' 1x Archmage Teclis and Celennar, 0-1x The Light of Eltharion, 1x Alarith Temple, 1-3x Auralan Legions, 2x Dawnriders Battations.
**'''Ability:''' While wholly within its own territory, every friendly unit from this Battalion has a 6+ Feel No Pain.

Not a terribly bad bonus, better than a poke in the eye with a Sunmetal Spear. But really, in what scenario would you run this?

==Allies==

Oddly, the army may only take Idoneth Deepkin as allies. They must have gotten over their deep-'sea'-ted hatred of Teclis. Consider taking a unit of 6 eels for dealing damage and taking objectives, as the army lacks flying and hard-hitting options outside of Teclis and the Mootains, respectively.

With the Broken Realms: Morathi update to their warscroll, a squad of 3 Alopexes with nets may be just the high rending damage, speed, and flying that this army is greatly missing. Alternatively you can take a soulscryer and two Alopexes to give your army some much needed backline deployment.

Your also have the Order option of '''[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/AoS_Warscrolls//ENG_Gotrek_Warscroll.pdf Gotrek Gurnisson]'''. For a similar point cost you are probably better off taking Teclis. And before you get excited looking at the spell list, Speed of Hysh can only target Lumineth Realm-lords units. He's still going to be as slow as anywhere else.

*'''Bundo Whalebiter''': A Kraken-eater Mega-Gargant mercenary available to all Order factions. Taking him uses up your entire ally points allowance and he ignores any Behemoth or Hero limitations. A big terrifying centerpiece who can kick objectives around and instantly kill models by shoving them into his net. You can choose at the start of the Combat phase for him to fight at the end of the phase, in exchange for re-rolling failed hit rolls.

==Tactics==

{{Age_of_Sigmar_Tactics}}

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:29:55Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Significant Skeletons */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers subsequently had a meteoric rise, making their mark - and several enemies - across the realms. After establishing their powerbase in Shyish, the Ironjawz Warclan the Kryptboyz have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad encountered the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation and got embroiled in wars for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion have gotten a foothold in Ghur, and in building their cities they've positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that came into conflict with the Lumineth.

This was followed by the most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered; the ongoing War for the Eightpoints. Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a fortified citadel around it base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle. Following Katakros' restoration, the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
When Morathi entered the Eightpoints in her plan to secure Varanite, she secretly sent an envoy to Katakros, giving him several tonnes of bones infused with the magic of Ulgu in exchange for a Bonereaper attack on Archaon's holdings to distract the forces of Chaos. Knowing the forces of order will take losses in their unknown (to Katakros and the Stormcast) endeavor, Katakros accepts the bargain.

Later, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of every bone in the city ''including those bones still inside the living inhabitants''. Or maybe they ask for just one ton of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unfortunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”. This refers to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their leader and most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art that should be as clean as possible and thus hated the loud, messy butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:27:34Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Significant Skeletons */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers subsequently had a meteoric rise, making their mark - and several enemies - across the realms. After establishing their powerbase in Shyish, the Ironjawz Warclan the Kryptboyz have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad encountered the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation and got embroiled in wars for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion have gotten a foothold in Ghur, and in building their cities they've positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that came into conflict with the Lumineth.

This was followed by the most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered; the ongoing War for the Eightpoints. Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a fortified citadel around it base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle. Following Katakros' restoration, the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
When Morathi entered the Eightpoints in her plan to secure Varanite, she secretly sent an envoy to Katakros, giving him several tonnes of bones infused with the magic of Ulgu in exchange for a Bonereaper attack on Archaon's holdings to distract the forces of Chaos. Knowing the forces of order will take losses in their unknown (to Katakros and the Stormcast) endeavor, Katakros accepts the bargain.

Later, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of every bone in the city ''including those bones still inside the living inhabitants''. Or maybe they ask for just one ton of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unfortunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”. This refers to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their leader and most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud, messy butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:25:29Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Famous Legions */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers subsequently had a meteoric rise, making their mark - and several enemies - across the realms. After establishing their powerbase in Shyish, the Ironjawz Warclan the Kryptboyz have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad encountered the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation and got embroiled in wars for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion have gotten a foothold in Ghur, and in building their cities they've positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that came into conflict with the Lumineth.

This was followed by the most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered; the ongoing War for the Eightpoints. Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a fortified citadel around it base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle. Following Katakros' restoration, the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
When Morathi entered the Eightpoints in her plan to secure Varanite, she secretly sent an envoy to Katakros, giving him several tonnes of bones infused with the magic of Ulgu in exchange for a Bonereaper attack on Archaon's holdings to distract the forces of Chaos. Knowing the forces of order will take losses in their unknown (to Katakros and the Stormcast) endeavor, Katakros accepts the bargain.

Later, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of every bone in the city ''including those bones still inside the living inhabitants''. Or maybe they ask for just one ton of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unfortunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”. This refers to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their leader and most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:24:59Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* The Bone Tithe */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers subsequently had a meteoric rise, making their mark - and several enemies - across the realms. After establishing their powerbase in Shyish, the Ironjawz Warclan the Kryptboyz have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad encountered the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation and got embroiled in wars for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion have gotten a foothold in Ghur, and in building their cities they've positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that came into conflict with the Lumineth.

This was followed by the most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered; the ongoing War for the Eightpoints. Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a fortified citadel around it base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle. Following Katakros' restoration, the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
When Morathi entered the Eightpoints in her plan to secure Varanite, she secretly sent an envoy to Katakros, giving him several tonnes of bones infused with the magic of Ulgu in exchange for a Bonereaper attack on Archaon's holdings to distract the forces of Chaos. Knowing the forces of order will take losses in their unknown (to Katakros and the Stormcast) endeavor, Katakros accepts the bargain.

Later, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of every bone in the city ''including those bones still inside the living inhabitants''. Or maybe they ask for just one ton of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unfortunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”. This refers to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:18:18Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Broken Realms */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers subsequently had a meteoric rise, making their mark - and several enemies - across the realms. After establishing their powerbase in Shyish, the Ironjawz Warclan the Kryptboyz have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad encountered the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation and got embroiled in wars for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion have gotten a foothold in Ghur, and in building their cities they've positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that came into conflict with the Lumineth.

This was followed by the most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered; the ongoing War for the Eightpoints. Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a fortified citadel around it base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle. Following Katakros' restoration, the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
When Morathi entered the Eightpoints in her plan to secure Varanite, she secretly sent an envoy to Katakros, giving him several tonnes of bones infused with the magic of Ulgu in exchange for a Bonereaper attack on Archaon's holdings to distract the forces of Chaos. Knowing the forces of order will take losses in their unknown (to Katakros and the Stormcast) endeavor, Katakros accepts the bargain.

Later, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of ''every bone in their bodies''. Or maybe they ask for just one tonne of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unforunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”, referring to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe - short term or long term - is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:15:20Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Soul Wars */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers subsequently had a meteoric rise, making their mark - and several enemies - across the realms. After establishing their powerbase in Shyish, the Ironjawz Warclan the Kryptboyz have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad encountered the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation and got embroiled in wars for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion have gotten a foothold in Ghur, and in building their cities they've positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that came into conflict with the Lumineth.

This was followed by the most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered; the ongoing War for the Eightpoints. Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a fortified citadel around it base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle. Following Katakros' restoration, the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
While Morathi's chasing godhood, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of ''every bone in their bodies''. Or maybe they ask for just one tonne of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unforunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”, referring to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe - short term or long term - is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:09:55Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Broken Realms */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers have had a meteoric rise that's led to them making their mark across the realms. In Shyish itself, the Kryptboyz Ironjawz Warclan have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad have waged a series of wars against the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation as they fight for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion were sent to conquer Ghur, and in building their cities have positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that have come into conflict with the Lumineth.

The most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered into is the ongoing War for the Eightpoints, where Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle and the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
While Morathi's chasing godhood, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis. They seek to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of ''every bone in their bodies''. Or maybe they ask for just one tonne of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unforunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”, referring to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe - short term or long term - is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:09:30Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Broken Realms */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers have had a meteoric rise that's led to them making their mark across the realms. In Shyish itself, the Kryptboyz Ironjawz Warclan have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad have waged a series of wars against the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation as they fight for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion were sent to conquer Ghur, and in building their cities have positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that have come into conflict with the Lumineth.

The most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered into is the ongoing War for the Eightpoints, where Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle and the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
While Morathi's chasing godhood, Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis, seeking to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of ''every bone in their bodies''. Or maybe they ask for just one tonne of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unforunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”, referring to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe - short term or long term - is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Ossiarch Bonereapers

2021-01-25T14:08:59Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* History */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Ossiarch Bonereapers|Logo=Immortis-WC2.jpg|Alliance=Death|Motto=The Skeleton War is upon us! We ride against the [[Stormcast Eternals|fuckboys]]!}}

{{topquote|Two can play at that game!|Likely Nagash after learning how Sigmar makes Stormcast}}
{{topquote|Debt, an ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.|Ambrose Bierce}}
{{topquote|The bones of the skeleton which support the body can become the bars of the cage which imprison the spirit.|J. Ruth Gendler}}

The latest addition to [[Nagash]]’s ever growing hordes (designed and sculpted by [[Maxime Corbeil]], a former dentist), the '''Ossiarch Bonereapers'''
(Also known as '''The Boney Boys''', '''Bonecast''', '''Tomb Kings 2.0''', '''Bonechads''', '''Nagash's Taxmen''', '''The Boney Bean Counters''', '''Ossiarch Bean Counters''' or '''The IRS''') are the result of an eons old plan by Big Bone Daddy.

Likely inspired by the [[Stormcast Eternals]], the Bonereapers are not mere skeletons given life by necromancy, but massive constructs of bone and countless warrior souls, making them all look impressively robust for undead. Since the Legions of Nagash are the mainstay, the Nighthaunt are the shock troops and the Flesh-Eater Courts are completely insane, these buff bone boys are the elite vanguard of the Grand Alliance. Given their themes of bones, undead constructs priest characters, architect characters and skull-throwing catapults... they're currently the closest thing we've got to [[Tomb Kings]] in AoS.

They also carry out the Bone Tithe; in addition to going out and killing shit to get their bones, the Ossiarchs give settlements they encounter a contract: Give up a set amount of bones whenever we stroll by, or face annihilation now. Understandably, most choose the former. Being unable to pay or even being rude to them also provokes a slaughter.

Visually-speaking, they're what happens when Games Workshop decides to mix [[Tyranids]], [[Tomb Kings]], and [[Necrons]] into one army.

==History==
===Age of Myth===
[[File:Slaves to Darkness vs Ossiarch Bonereapers 01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|SKULLS FOR <s>THE SKULL THRONE</s> Nagash! And all the other bones too!]]
When Nagash was helping Sigmar build his cities he secretly began experimenting on undead, combining their bones and souls into newer, stronger undead warriors; the [[Morghasts/Hammurai|Morghasts]] and the first Bonereapers. Most were put into massive underground crypts Nagash secretly had built beneath the cities, but others were kept on the surface and brought into battle. The other gods saw the Bonereapers and really didn't like them because of how unnatural they were. In response, Nagash sent these Bonereapers to the edge of Shyish to lay low until he called on them (these Bonereapers who would go on to form the Null Myriad). He also sent at least twenty of them to wander the Realms on a long-forgotten mission (these would go on to become the Petrifex Elite).

Strangely, none of the Order groups noticed until however long its been since the start of the Age of Myth that there were crypts full of undead warriors beneath their cities. Especially since they know about and need to defend against [[Skaven|enemies who specialize in creating massive complexes beneath your cities that they then invade from.]]

===Age of Chaos===
The Age of Chaos only effected the Bonereapers garrisoned at the edge of Shyish. By that time they had become resistant to magic, and they fought against demonic armies, their actions blunting the assault of Chaos on Shyish. During this time, Katakros led an army against Sigmar himself on Nagash's orders while the former was pursuing the latter for his betrayal. The battle resulted in the loss of Katakros' army, the Mortarch's defeat and subsequent confinement to a Stormvault.

===Malign Portents===
During this time, Katakros was freed from the Stormvault by fellow Mortarch, Lady Olynder. The Bonereapers on the edge of Shyish acted as a military force protecting the skeletal work crews who carried grains of Shyishan realmstone to Nagashizzar for Nagash to use to build the Black Pyramid.

===Soul Wars===
After the Necroquake, Nagash decided the time was right to wake up everyone beneath these cities, who (according to the most recent Stormcast) apparently marched back home, making them relatively pointless. In that respect, these tombs seemed to mirror the Stormvaults Sigmar had strewn about the Realms to contain various dangerous contraband like [[Katakros|a certain Mortarch]].

When the Bonereaper legions arrived in Shyish, Nagash got back to his pet-project of making super-skellies, and perfected the process. This involves taking souls and distilling them down to their most choice elements. This involves ripping apart their identity and keeping parts considered useful (suck as skills and knowledge) while discarding the parts that aren't useful (such as fears and loyalties to anyone but Nagash) and replacing those parts with something better (like loyalty to Nagash), with the strongest-willed soul among them becoming the identity of the new Bonereaper. Then these fragmented souls are put into specially crafted bone constructs. By doing so, he artificially created individuals who were warriors, leaders, bodyguards, artisans, architects, philosophers and sculptors all in one, [[Adeptus Custodes|which sounds a little familiar.]]

The Bonereapers have had a meteoric rise that's led to them making their mark across the realms. In Shyish itself, the Kryptboyz Ironjawz Warclan have focused their efforts on fighting the Bonereapers due to wanting to destroy their settlements and wear their bones as trophies. In Chamon, the Null Myriad have waged a series of wars against the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizard Constellation as they fight for control of the realm's edge. The Ivory Host legion were sent to conquer Ghur, and in building their cities have positioned themselves for conflict with several Mawtribes and the free city of Excelsis. The Ivory Host also clashed with a [[Sons of Behemat|Mega-Gargant and indirectly led him to become the mercenary known as One-Eyed Grunnock]]. They have also sent forces into Hysh that have come into conflict with the Lumineth.

The most notable conflict the Bonereapers have entered into is the ongoing War for the Eightpoints, where Katakros led the Mortis Praetorians and detachments from other Legions into the Eightpoints alongside Olynder and a Nighthaunt army to take the Eightpoints for Nagash. They succeeded in capturing and fortifying the realmgate leading to Shyish, and have established a base of operations. However, Katakros' campaign was halted by the return of Archaon, who defeated him in battle and the conflict has become a war of attrition.

===Broken Realms===
The realm of Shyish gets some uninvited guests in the form of a Lumineth army and Teclis, seeking to end the Soul Wars and make Nagash pay for unleashing the Necroquake... but not if the Bonereapers have anything to say about it. More to come soon.

==Society==
[[File:Ossiarch Bonereapers Society.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "pyramid scheme".]]
All Ossiarch Bonereapers are built for a specific purpose and assigned a role based on the souls from which they’re formed. This is codified through a caste system, with Nagash at the top, then Mortarchs Katakros and Arhkan, then the highest ranking Ossiarchs underneath and various ranks beneath that. The Bonereaper caste system has a cartouche representing each caste (though Nagash's is just to symbolize him). While there is a Mortarch cartouche, only Katakros wears it because Arkhan predates the Bonereaper system (and everyone but Nagash) by several eons, and despite their alliance he's too proud to wear Katakros' symbol. While they're all obedient to Nagash and fearless, the Bonereapers used in battle are sapient and the characters at least have enough individuality to have names and traces of personality.

While many Ossiarch Bonereapers are warriors, there are castes of groups such as crafters and preachers. There is movement between castes, but only downwards, and as a punishment for failure. A Liege Kavalos who fails in their mission, for example, may be remade as a Kavalos Deathrider. If the offense was major, they might get remade as a steed. The lowest caste are the exiles collectively referred to as Parrha, consisting of the worst offenders who get broken and remade into warped skeletal aberrations incapable of fighting and the Bonereapers value them less than the Imperial Guard values the life of its rank and file soldiers (for the uninitiated, that's really saying something).

The Ossiarch Bonereapers can be found all across the Mortal Realms, aiming to conquer everything from Azyr to the Eightpoints. At present, the majority of the Ossiarch Bonereapers are concentrated in Shyish, inhabiting the nations that surround the Shyish Nadir. This allows them easy access to a vast source of magical power and establishes them as a permanent garrison around this most valuable of territories. Apart from Shyish, the largest concentrations of Bonereapers are in Ghur and Chamon.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers build according to principles laid down in the Principia Necrotopia, a set of guidelines that ensure optimal construction:

In the first stages of colonizing a new region, the Ossiarchs will establish tithing sites. Presumably, this involves mapping out surrounding settlements and segments of the region into their own tributaries, with each section's inhabitants made to sign a contract to begin paying the Tithe. They contruct shrines known as Bone-Tithe Nexus, which act as locations for vassals to dump their bones and are enchanted to give out powerful curses to ward off any scavengers seeking to steal from it.

Next, they will fortify key territories with small fortifications, following up with a number of Mortisan workshops to fuel the next stage of their expansion. These small holdings will eventually develop into vast and imposing fortresses, growing ever upward as the Bonereapers’ numbers grow. These are not just barracks, but places of culture for the Ossiarchs.

Ossiarch scholars will endlessly study scrolls in charnel libraries, recording the details of cultures in the Mortal Realms they have subjugated and those they seek to subjugate. These vast citadel-states eventually resemble Nagashizzar itself.

===The Bone Tithe===
[[File:Bone tithe.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Put your spines into it. Literally!]]
The Bone Tithe is instrumental to their society and Nagash's way of setting himself up as mob boss of the realms. Upon arriving in an area, the Ossiarchs send out scouts to get the lay of the land. When they find a settlement they want tribute from, a representative - in practice usually a Mortisan - approaches and makes them an offer they can't refuse; give "x" by the deadline at regular intervals, or we kill you all and takes your bones and souls for our use. To communicate, the Bonereapers draw on prior research for the local language; it doesn't matter if the vernacular's out of date by a few centuries or so, as long as they can be understood. If that doesn't work, the Bonereapers use other means, including killing a local and using their spirit as a translator if all else fails. If the locals refuse, attack them or are rude enough, [[Grimdark|the Bonereapers make good on their threat, slaughtering everything in the settlement that has bones, right down to the last child and stray animal]]. If they are feeling "nice", the Bonereapers might only kill the dissenters.

When demanding the Bone Tithe, what/who the bones come from plus the amount and condition required depends on the situation and Bonereaper legion in question. Human bone is the most widely used with ogor bones being a close second for their size and toughness, duardin bones are liked for their durability but aren't common enough, aelf bones are slightly more common but don't replenish fast enough, and greenskin bones are coarse, porous and prone to spontaneous fungal growth unless treated properly. While animal bones are also used, such as to repair Kavalos steeds or make Gothizzar Harvesters, that's not always the case and it depends on what animal they're from (Rhinoxen and Bleaklake crocodiles are some of the popular choices). The Bonereapers (though inbuilt or learned ability, it's not clear) CAN tell the difference between what race or species a specific bone comes from, so trying to cheat them by mixing in different kinds of bones doesn't work. They also respond to trickery the same way they respond to failure or refusal - immediate slaughter (as a human town learned to their cost when they tried to trick the Bonereapers by mixing pig bones in with human bones).

Sometimes things are even worse. A particularly war-horny leader, most often from the Stalliarch Lords (more on them below), will give nigh-impossible demands to increase the chance of failure. What kinds of demands? How about asking the population for detailed records on the city's family lineage going back to the founders and the condition of ''every bone in their bodies''. Or maybe they ask for just one tonne of bones ''every day'' (for extra lulz, the offer is made at night and has to be completed the next day). They might instead, or also, [[That Guy|arrive early to extract the Tithe just to get a good slaughter out of it]]. However it ends, the bones of the Ossiarch's victims are sorted through, the good bones taken for future use the sub-par ones discarded (same with their victims souls). Strips of skin and flesh from these unforunates are hung from the Bonereapers' spears as a warning to anyone who considers not paying the Tithe.

Ultimately, they have a term related to the Bone Tithe called the “Terminus Concept”, referring to the point where a society can't provide enough bones so they get slaughtered and their bones are taken. For the truth is that the Bone Tithe - short term or long term - is ultimately unsustainable for the payers, and the Bonereapers know it. This all proves that, while Nagash is a pragmatic sort of fellow, he'll always find a way to be a <s>boner</s> [[Eldrad|huge skeletal dick]] about it.

==Forces==
[[File:Bonereaper army.jpg|right|500px|thumb|'''Angry Dooting Intensifies''']]
*'''Mortek Guard:''' Rank and file infantry of the Bonereapers. Well armored and shielded, they have the choice of swords or spears and optional greatswords as weapons. Their primary role is to create massive shield walls to protect their leaders.
*'''Morghast Harbingers and Archai:''' You know em, you love em. Nagash's original sculpted bone construct based on not-angels from the World-That-Was now served as prototypes to the current regime of spoopy skeltals. Flying blenders armed with either halberds (take these) or twin swords (dont take these). Harbingers are your chargey bois, while the Archai are bodyguard bois.
*'''Necropolis Stalkers:''' Four-armed skeletal constructs the size of Kurnoth Hunters with four faces, each one has the soul of four warriors, and switches between which one is dominant, altering their fighting style accordingly. Their name's ripped from the Necropolis Knights and the Tomb Stalkers.
*'''Immortis Guard:''' Four-armed <s>Grave Guard</s> <s>Tomb Guard</s> elite skellingtons armed with a halberd in one set of hands and a shield in the other. Like the Morghasts, Immortis are the bodyguard bois to the Stalkers' chargey bois.
*'''Kavalos Deathriders:''' Essentially bony knights somewhere between Black Knights and Varanguard in power level, and who serve Bone Daddy. Each one has the soul of dozens of warriors to draw on their knowledge and is proportionately arrogant. They have undead birds roosting on their banner poles that act as spies and messenger birds. For added creep factor, these guys normally walk at a slow and ominous trot, only sprinting when going into a headlong charge.
*'''Mortek Crawler:''' Screaming Skull Catapult 2.0 with an obligatory patent-friendly rename. In addition to flaming skulls, it can also hurl a cauldron of Death Magic that works based on bravery or a cursed stone that gets more powerful the more damage the Crawler takes. It's also powered by a bone-made hamster wheel and multiple legs.
*'''Gothizzar Harvester:''' A big monster construct with weapon hands and half a skeleton for a codpiece that helps harvest bones. The Harvester uses them to make new constructs on the fly or repair damaged ones. Their weapon arms come with either enchanted maces or scything blades for hands.
*'''Mortisan Soulreaper:''' Your offensive caster for the Bonereapers with a scythe that doesn't like hordes.
*'''Mortisan Boneshaper:''' The healers/builders of the Bonereapers. Formed from the souls of artists, they’re in charge of building the extravagant bone cities and other architecture of the legions. They all possess a friendly rivalry with each other that pushes them to one up another’s artwork.
*'''Mortisan Soulmason:''' Miniature Arkhans with four arms who are in charge of hunting and fusing souls for their various constructs. They ride into battle on bony [[Fyodor Karamazov|thrones with chicken legs]].
*'''Liege-Kavalos''': Field generals with skeleton mounts placed in charge of leading the Bonereaper armies. They are forged as a cruel mockery of Sigmar’s Lord-Celestant on Dracoth.

===Famous Legions===
*'''Mortis Praetorians''': The 10,000 strong personal army of Katakros, created out of the souls of those he personally knew in life. They have gained a fearsome reputation for their tactical acumen, especially in Shyish. [[Ultramarines|The poster boys who are a jack-of-all-trades, big on tactics and led by an ancient leader who was the basis for future generations]]. They also have the only two Bonereapers with a single original soul; Katakros himself and Zandtos.
* '''Petrifex Elite''': Made up of nomadic armies crafted from prehistoric fossilized bones, they are known for being slow-moving and a near impenetrable wall of bone. While fossilized bone tends to be fragile, the Petrifex Elite enchant them to be tough and also include already supernaturally tough bones among them (ie; the bones of godbeasts). Led by Mortisans, [[Necrons|they only exist to slay and find ancient bones to build more of themselves and make themselves even deadlier]]. They have forgotten why Nagash wants them to do this, and their leaders eschew personal identity to the point of using titles instead of names, as mandated by their most senior Mortisan, the Grand Necromystic.
* '''Null Myriad''': The first Ossiarch Bonereapers made during Nagash's experiments in the Age of Myth. The Null Myriad were later refined and bolstered using the bones and souls of the countless dead who helped construct Nagash’s Black Pyramid and the best of Arkhan's Black Disciples. They are a solemn yet prideful lot with high resilience to magic and were given to Arkhan to be his personal legion; they're so loyal to Arkhan that they defer to him even over Katakros himself. Their resistance to magic extends to the power of Chaos, so they're used to inhabit the most inhospitable parts of the realms. Recently Arkhan made an alliance with Katakros, and the Null Myriad's job is to secure magic-heavy locations in the realms so Katakros can control the sources of their magic. The Null Myriad forces in Chamon have come into conflict with the Seraphon of the Thunder Lizards Constellation who also dwell there.
*'''Ivory Host''': Outwardly, they appear as honorable warriors, but hidden away in their bodies is a monstrous frenzy that turns them into clawing slavering beasts. Fitting considering they are constructed from beast and monster bones. Tasked by Nagash to conquer Ghur, they overcompensate for their bestial anger by being meticulously clean and making everything of theirs as much of a work of art as possible. Also known for [[Tomb Kings|being the only Ossiarchs who build ships, use the color gold regularly in their attire and are led by a monarch]]. Currently they’ve claimed the realmgate of Greedmouth and established the Ivory Citadel in the southwestern corner of the Ghurish Heartlands, putting them awfully close to numerous [[Ogor Mawtribes]] and the [[Cities of Sigmar|free city]] of Excelsis.
*'''Stalliarch Lords''': A cavalry centric force who are [[Creed|skillful tacticians]] and like to make impossible demands so they have an excuse to raze cities and slaughter people (on the rare occasion that someone meets their outrageous demands they keep their word... but remember the Terminus Concept). They even force the Bone Tithe on other death factions, as was the case when they subjected a keep of Blood Knights to it and offered them a way out if their leader defeated a Liege-Kavalos in a duel to the death (he didn't). So in addition to being [[Kharn|psychopaths with zero regard for life, they're also team-killing douchebags]]. Basically [[That Guy]] as a cavalry-loving undead legion.
*'''Crematorians''': These Bonereapers are burning with an internal fire to the point where some of them literally explode when killed. Some of them have recently realized that they don't really have a purpose other than to fight and explode, and aren't too happy about that. In fact, their leaders [[Noblebright|have made pacts of friendship to repair each other if any of them are destroyed and the chief Liege-Kavalos scours the libraries of everyone they encounter in the hopes of finding a way to undo their fiery curse, and is implied to be on the verge of a breakthrough]].

==Significant Skeletons==
* '''[[Katakros|Orpheon Katakros]], [[Mortarch]] of the Necropolis''': In life he was the greatest strategic genius in all the Mortal Realms, and undeath has done nothing to dull his mastery of military tactics. He's been given a new body of enscrolled bone by Nagash himself which looks like a [[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure|JoJo stand]] rather than a skeleton. He goes into battle surrounded by various attendants; the Liege-Immortis, the Aviarch Spymaster, the Gnosis Scrollbearer, and the Prime Necrophoros.
*'''Arch-Kavalos Zandtos''': Both in life and in death, Patru Zandtos has been Katakros’ most trusted lieutenant. In life he was a refined, death-obsessed assassin who treated killing as a sacred art and hated the loud butchery of battle. In undeath, through the manipulations of Nagash and Katakros, he’s now a death-purist who wishes to “cleanse” Shyish of anything still living.
*'''Vokmortian, Master of the Bone-tithe''': The grim tallyman in charge of recording/judging the Tithe. He carries the severed heads of those foolish enough to refuse to pay the Tithe and has a coffin on his back, making him look like a giant beetle. Though officially he’s under Katakros in the OBR hierarchy, he’ll only receive/carry out orders from Big Bone Daddy himself.
*'''[[Arkhan the Black]]''': Yeah, he's part of the army despite technically being just an "average" liche as opposed to a bone golem thing. Likely because apart from Nagash, he's the most privy to understanding how they are made without being one.

==Spooky Melodies for your Bony Boys==

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsZivjop_s Spooky Scary Skeletons! a remix for a revamp]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKHAX1K4sKQ The Dead March returns for AoS!]

==Trivia==
* The architecture of the Ossiarch Bonereapers was likely inspired by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedlec_Ossuary Sedlec Ossuary] in the Czech Republic. The Sedlec Ossuary is a Roman Catholic church where the bones of thousands of people have been artistically arranged to form the decorations and the furnishings of the chapel (it's also called "the Bone Church"). This was done several centuries ago for creative interment reasons with many dead and not enough space to bury them on holy ground.
* On a comical note, "Kavalos", the name for Bonereaper cavalry, translates to "crotch" in Greek (the Greek word is "kaválos"). Makes more sense when you think of [[Katakros]]' defining trait lookswise, and how his name even sounds like the Greek word.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Bonereaper vs Kharadron.jpg|Sky Pirates vs Bone Golems.
File:Cavalry-bonereapers.jpg|As if Blood Knights weren't bad enough, Bone Daddy brings out Kavalos Deathriders too.
File:Gothizzar Harvester.jpg|"Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones. Oh mercy how they scare! With the toe bone connected to the foot bone..."
File:Bonereaper city.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Welcome to Necrotopia. Please remember to remove all skin and flesh before you reach customs.
</gallery>

==See Also==

*[[Nagash]], their jerk of a god whom they give their undisputed loyalty to (yes, really!)

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]

Lumineth Realm-Lords

2021-01-25T14:06:27Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Broken Realms */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Lumineth Realm-Lords|Logo=Eltharion's essence.jpg|Alliance=Order|Motto=FOR <s>ULTHUAN</s> HYSH!!!!!}}
{{Topquote|The phoenix must burn to emerge.|Janet Fitch}}
{{Topquote|Have you heard of the High Elves?|Oblivion youtube video}}
{{Topquote|We must be swift as the coursing river. With all the force of a great typhoon. With all the strength of a raging fire. Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!|Be <s>a Man</s> an Aelf}}
{{Topquote|MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!|Avalenor, the Stoneheart King}}
The Lumineth Realm-lords (also known as '''High Elves 2.0''', '''Loony Meth-Heads''', and '''Lu-methheads'''. Officially "Realm-lords", without the second capital.) are a bunch of stone and crystal obsessed elves residing in the Realm of [[Hysh]] and led by Teclis. Forced onto the defensive by Chaos, they harness the magic of their realm and refuse to go down without a fight... just like the High Elves of old, but without the "dying race" element (and the accompanying lore inconsistencies) and a surprising amount of Dorfiness, given their love of hammers, runic magic and elementals.

With a heavy Greek aesthetic, new model and the return of [[Eltharion]], good times are abound if you were a fan of the High Elves back in the world that was.

==History==
===Origins/Age of Myth===
Once upon a time, [[Teclis]], [[Tyrion]], and [[Malekith|Malerion]] found a previously assumed dead [[Morathi]] who was very much alive, who then led the odd trio to the morbidly obese [[Slaanesh]] in a cave where they beat the shit out of him until he coughed up all of the Elven souls he had consumed after [[The End Times]]. A good chunk of these souls were given to Teclis, in order to recreate the High Elves of old and bring their race back to their former glory. The initial race that came from Teclis's attempts were the [[Idoneth Deepkin]] and, well... [[FAIL|He tried]].

This new batch of Aelves seem to have come out of the oven much better, far more sane and stable than any other Aelf so far. Given the Idoneth's hostile estrangement from Teclis while the Lumineth worship and fight side-by-side with him, relations between the two are... strange. In the Lumineth Battletome the Idoneth Deepkin are their only ally option, while in the Allegiance Matrix for multiplayer games in the General's Handbook they are listed as a Desperate Coalition (to put that in perspective, that's worse than the relationship between Khorne/Slaanesh or Tzeentch/Nurgle and is the only Desperate Coalition that isn't between factions from two entirely seperate Grand Alliances. Even Drycha the crazy, genocidal racist can act nicer to other factions). Best explanation is that they do utterly despise each other, but realize there are WAY bigger threats to their own societies, so they grudgingly tolerate each other for now.

Lumineth society was built on self-improvement, absurdly impractical headgear and the accumulation of wisdom, fueled by using the power of Aetherquartz to amplify their bodies and minds. However, in the typical elven arrogance, they assumed that because Slaanesh was imprisoned they no longer had to worry about Chaos and decided to abuse the Aetherquartz like [[Skaven]] to [[Warpstone]], leading them to be the butt of many jokes about drugs.

===Age of Chaos===
Unfortunately for the Lumineth, in conjunction with the elves' own hubris, Tyrion and Teclis were very hands-off about godhood after the civilization was built. As a result, the subtle whispers of the Dark Gods entered their minds, causing envy and bitter rivalry. The subsequent campaigns of defamation and sabotage culminated in a massive civil war called the Ocari Dara, or Spirefall. The entire realm of Hysh was devastated, as the Lumineth had a habit of inventing uber-spells and doomsday devices just to see if they could, justifying it by claiming they were too enlightened to ever use such weapons for evil (which they obviously weren't). To make matters worse, the overflow of passion, pride and obsession from the war became a beacon for Slaaneshi daemons, who then invaded Hysh and would've wiped them out if Tyrion hadn't personally intervened to save the last survivors.

Teclis searched for some way to save his race from themselves, and found it when he managed to commune with Celennar, the spirit of Hysh's moon. He taught the Lumineth a new way of self-discipline, where they would bond with the elemental spirits to gain their power and wisdom. This rearrangement of Lumineth society was called the Reinvention Wars, which lasted the remaining years of the Age of Chaos and is widely credited with preventing them from becoming extinct altogether.

===Age of Sigmar===
The Lumineth were mostly unseen during the Age of Sigmar, being too focused on rebuilding their own realm in order to care about the other races.

During the Time of Tribulations, Teclis predicted the upcoming Necroquake, and ordered the construction of Aetherquartz towers in order to mitigate its effects. While this helped protect the Lumineth cities from undead invasion, Teclis failed to predict the arrival of Endless Spells, which would become a common plague upon the already magically battered landscape of Hysh.

During a meeting between Teclis and the other Aelven gods, Morathi started claiming that Slaanesh will inevitably escape. While the other Aelven gods dismissed this as the rantings of a madwoman, Teclis took this seriously and decided that the Lumineth must end their isolationism in order to purge Chaos from other realms. This hasn't endeared them well with the other races of Order, as they tend to deploy their legions without permission or warning out of the arrogant assumption that the lesser races can't be trusted to solve their own problems (arrogant ''and'' hypocritical coming from the Lumineth, who [[Eldar|nearly caused their own extinction through selfish obsessions]]). <s>Although, it’s unlikely anyone truly has a problem with these guys showing up randomly to kill Chaos whatevers. Because duh.</s> Except for the fact that they have no problem with killing civilians and allies if they view it as necessary to cleanse Chaos, so yeah, understandable why people don’t like it when they come along unannounced. While the Stormcast have also used this approach, unlike them the Lumineth haven't earned a good reputation in-universe, and they're a bunch of johnny-come-latelys compared to the Stormcast being Big Damn Heroes.

At some point, Teclis had found the remnants of [[Eltharion]]'s spirit as he was way too badass to be claimed by Nagash. After putting his soul back together, Teclis ordered armor and weapons made in the Yvressian style, found a dude who looked near identical to Eltharion, created a soulless clone of that guy's body and tried to shove our old boy's soul right in. Sadly, [[Arkhan the Black|Arkhan]] evidently cursed Eltharion so bad that any body his soul is put in crumples to dust, starting with the aforementioned souless clone. As Teclis cried like a bitch, he noticed that Eltharion's soul was able to inhabit the armor, turning him into [[Thousand Sons|a hollow suit of armor powered by light]]. Since then, Eltharion became one of the leaders of the Lumineth, as Teclis tries to figure out how to give him a normal body.

====Broken Realms====

As Morathi attempts to gain godhood and accidentally loosened the chains of Slaanesh, Teclis is pushing his army against the forces of the undead and [[Nagash]]. He plans on bringing an end to The Soul Wars and clap Nagash's boney cheeks for unleashing the Necroquake. Of course, bone daddy won't take this laying down. More to come soon.

==Society==

The Lumineth themselves are split between numerous different kingdoms withing Hysh, known as the Ten Paradises. These Kingdoms each reside on a separate Island, which used to be one landmass before it was sundered in the Age of Chaos. The center Island is Xintil, where Teclis awoke in the Age of Myth and where most of the Sigmar worshiping mortals of Hysh live. Xintil is surrounded by eight islands, each ruled by a separate kingdom. Syar, Iliatha, Ymetrica and Zaitrec are known as the Teclian nations, essentially the Athens compared to the more Spartan Oultrai, Aurathrai, Helon and Alumnia who emulate Tyrion. Each has their own culture, such as Iliatha being matriarchal and doing some cloning shit.

These Lumineth have also come to treasure Aetherquartz, a crystal mineral native to their realm. These crystals gave their wearers great knowledge and power, but it also involves [[Eldar|sucking out their emotions and personalities - a sacrifice they consider worthwhile since unfettered emotions are the Dark Prince's favorite snack]]. In this way, they're similar to [[Stormcast Eternals|Sigmar's golden bois]] in that they're constantly approaching that point where they become effectively logic-driven, uncreative and unfeeling automatons except these guys see it as an acceptable ending compared to the Stormcast's mad search to end the flaw. The emotions drained into the Aetherquartz are used as a source of power by the mages known as Scinari <s>Crack Whores</s> Cathallars, weaponizing their suppressed negative emotions to spread terror and despair among their enemies.

After the Reinvention Wars, an important part of their society has become the Aelementari Temples, cults dedicated to bonding with the landscape of Hysh, in the form of the rivers, winds, mountains or even the light of Hysh's sky (Zenith). To join these cults is extremely difficult; first one must abandon all worldly possessions, then spend years meditating and seeking oneness with the spirit of their chosen location. The final trial is fatal if the spirit deems the aspirant unworthy: those dedicated to the rivers must weigh themselves down and jump into the water, while those dedicated to the mountains must let themselves get buried alive. Yet if they survive, they gain new powers ([[Avatar: The Last Airbender|please tell me there is some legendary Aelf who has the powers of all the Aelementari.]]) While the mages get elemental magic, the warriors get more subtle powers, like the Stoneguard who can enter the "mountain stance" to become immovable bulwarks in battle. The Aelementari can also be petitioned to possess a construct body and directly fight with their disciples. The only Aelementari temple playable on tabletop so far are the mountain worshippers of the Alarith, who have taken a mountain yak called the "Ymetrican Longhorn" as their symbol, resulting in them being the butt of many cow jokes. The second temple to be officially revealed is the Wind Temple, which as of writing has no official name (Given the new model's name, seems to be Hurakan). They too were met with a barrage of memery due to their troops riding on creatures known as the Treerunners which very closely resembled Kangaroos. Aelementari Temples were intended to teach the Lumineth humility, and it half-worked; although their civilization no longer has the unchecked hubris that led to the Spirefall, many Lumineth have become humblebraggers under the impression that after the Reinvention they have successfully overcome all their flaws and created a perfect society. It seems that the arrogance of the (A)elves is the one flaw they can never overcome.

In terms of combat strategies and tactics, their design and combat is heavily reminiscent of Ancient Greek warfare combined with a bit of Roman. The traditional Spearmen, called the Vanari Auralan Wardens, are essentially hoplites, who form phalanxes to hold the enemy in place while the archers, mages and cavalry get set up to do their stuff. Each of these phalanxes are lead by a High Warden, essentially a Lochagos, who stands at the rear to make sure shit isn't going wrong. Most of these hoplites also adorn their shields with runes. These runes represent learning and enlightenment for the Realm Lords, but seem to be more for decoration than serving an actual battlefield purpose. These Wardens are also capable of forming into phalanxes called Shining Legions, difficult to harm but also slow. These legions are also present among their brethren who wield swords and bows. The battletome also mentions unseen scout, artillery and chariot units, as well as "Loreseekers" who are trained in both magic and melee. If you're familiar with the old High Elves roster you can probably predict what they're gonna be like.

==Great Nations==
Given the Teclis focus of their current lore, only the Teclian nations have been expressed in any detail.
*'''Ymetrica:''' A mountainous kingdom with a great dedication to the Alarith Temple. Were the first Lumineth kingdom to succesfully discover how to bond with the Aelementari, which they won't hesistate to remind you at any moment. Form the vanguard of Teclis' campaign to purify the Mortal Realms. (Essentially Caledor, but replace Dragons with cow-headed earth elementals).
*'''Syar:''' The greatest craftsmen of the Lumineth, and the richest nation too. Created a lot of horrible weapons for the Ocari Dara, and swore to never create weapons again...until Teclis persuaded them that Chaos would win without their help. Just when they thought they were out, Chaos pulled them back in. (Most likely suppose to resemble Eataine due to the focus on wealth, though instead of trade they got it through weapon dealing AND trade).
*'''Zaitrec:''' The land of master wizards, and thus the place where Teclis likes to hang out most. They worship Celennar even more than Teclis though, and if they ever get to meet Teclis they're more interested in what the spirit has to say, claiming "it is better to learn from the source". Teclis is secretly [[butthurt]] over this having learned from an older source himself in the World-That-Was, much to Tyrion's amusement (for if you miss Saphery, with Celennar filling in for Lileath).
*'''Iliatha:''' This <s>simp</s> matriarchal kingdom revered women due to their belief that creating life was holy. However, they decided that the traditional method of childbirth was too gross for them, and invented a method to create clones by splitting souls. This lead to horrible excesses during the Ocari Dara, which were so dark that the other nations refuse to speak about it. Afterwards the technology was strictly regulated so that only one copy could be created per person, resulting in the majority of Iliatha's population consisting of soul-bound twins (Avelorn, only with cloning).

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Aelve Spearmen.jpg|AELVES, WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION!?
File:Aelve Cav.jpg|Gee, I wonder what ancient civilization these guys where based on.
File:Elf_elite_guard.jpg|Heavy armor, hammers and a stone motif... [[Dwarfs (WFB)|where have I seen this before?]]
File:Eltharion AOS.jpg|I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, ARKHAN!
File:Befriending furries.jpg|'''Asserting dominance'''
File:Realm Lord Runes.jpg|No one tell the Dwarfs that the Elgi figured out how runes work....
File:Sitting Bull.jpg|An Alarith Stonemage. I wonder how Dwarfs would react to an elf controlling stone with magic.
File:Alarith.png|Alarith, Spirit of the Mountain. And you thought [[Settra the Imperishable|Settra]] had a lot of titles/aliases.
File:Scinari.jpg|A Scinari Cathallar. That's pronounced SIN-ar-ee CATH-ull-arr, according Geedubs themselves.
File:Sad Lady.jpg|She feels your pain.
File:Lumineth vs Khorne.jpg|A fun game of Whack-a-reaver
File:Minotaur mountain.jpg|Avalenor in all his red, stony glory.
File:Elf with heavy burden.jpg|[[Snowflame|Weaponized magic Crystal Meth]] (Doomrider approves).
File:Lumineth Box.jpg|Available now (quartz not accepted as an alternative to money)
</gallery>

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]
[[Category:Games Workshop]]

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

Lumineth Realm-Lords

2021-01-25T13:57:33Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* Broken Realms */

{{Age of Sigmar Faction|Faction=Lumineth Realm-Lords|Logo=Eltharion's essence.jpg|Alliance=Order|Motto=FOR <s>ULTHUAN</s> HYSH!!!!!}}
{{Topquote|The phoenix must burn to emerge.|Janet Fitch}}
{{Topquote|Have you heard of the High Elves?|Oblivion youtube video}}
{{Topquote|We must be swift as the coursing river. With all the force of a great typhoon. With all the strength of a raging fire. Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!|Be <s>a Man</s> an Aelf}}
{{Topquote|MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!|Avalenor, the Stoneheart King}}
The Lumineth Realm-lords (also known as '''High Elves 2.0''', '''Loony Meth-Heads''', and '''Lu-methheads'''. Officially "Realm-lords", without the second capital.) are a bunch of stone and crystal obsessed elves residing in the Realm of [[Hysh]] and led by Teclis. Forced onto the defensive by Chaos, they harness the magic of their realm and refuse to go down without a fight... just like the High Elves of old, but without the "dying race" element (and the accompanying lore inconsistencies) and a surprising amount of Dorfiness, given their love of hammers, runic magic and elementals.

With a heavy Greek aesthetic, new model and the return of [[Eltharion]], good times are abound if you were a fan of the High Elves back in the world that was.

==History==
===Origins/Age of Myth===
Once upon a time, [[Teclis]], [[Tyrion]], and [[Malekith|Malerion]] found a previously assumed dead [[Morathi]] who was very much alive, who then led the odd trio to the morbidly obese [[Slaanesh]] in a cave where they beat the shit out of him until he coughed up all of the Elven souls he had consumed after [[The End Times]]. A good chunk of these souls were given to Teclis, in order to recreate the High Elves of old and bring their race back to their former glory. The initial race that came from Teclis's attempts were the [[Idoneth Deepkin]] and, well... [[FAIL|He tried]].

This new batch of Aelves seem to have come out of the oven much better, far more sane and stable than any other Aelf so far. Given the Idoneth's hostile estrangement from Teclis while the Lumineth worship and fight side-by-side with him, relations between the two are... strange. In the Lumineth Battletome the Idoneth Deepkin are their only ally option, while in the Allegiance Matrix for multiplayer games in the General's Handbook they are listed as a Desperate Coalition (to put that in perspective, that's worse than the relationship between Khorne/Slaanesh or Tzeentch/Nurgle and is the only Desperate Coalition that isn't between factions from two entirely seperate Grand Alliances. Even Drycha the crazy, genocidal racist can act nicer to other factions). Best explanation is that they do utterly despise each other, but realize there are WAY bigger threats to their own societies, so they grudgingly tolerate each other for now.

Lumineth society was built on self-improvement, absurdly impractical headgear and the accumulation of wisdom, fueled by using the power of Aetherquartz to amplify their bodies and minds. However, in the typical elven arrogance, they assumed that because Slaanesh was imprisoned they no longer had to worry about Chaos and decided to abuse the Aetherquartz like [[Skaven]] to [[Warpstone]], leading them to be the butt of many jokes about drugs.

===Age of Chaos===
Unfortunately for the Lumineth, in conjunction with the elves' own hubris, Tyrion and Teclis were very hands-off about godhood after the civilization was built. As a result, the subtle whispers of the Dark Gods entered their minds, causing envy and bitter rivalry. The subsequent campaigns of defamation and sabotage culminated in a massive civil war called the Ocari Dara, or Spirefall. The entire realm of Hysh was devastated, as the Lumineth had a habit of inventing uber-spells and doomsday devices just to see if they could, justifying it by claiming they were too enlightened to ever use such weapons for evil (which they obviously weren't). To make matters worse, the overflow of passion, pride and obsession from the war became a beacon for Slaaneshi daemons, who then invaded Hysh and would've wiped them out if Tyrion hadn't personally intervened to save the last survivors.

Teclis searched for some way to save his race from themselves, and found it when he managed to commune with Celennar, the spirit of Hysh's moon. He taught the Lumineth a new way of self-discipline, where they would bond with the elemental spirits to gain their power and wisdom. This rearrangement of Lumineth society was called the Reinvention Wars, which lasted the remaining years of the Age of Chaos and is widely credited with preventing them from becoming extinct altogether.

===Age of Sigmar===
The Lumineth were mostly unseen during the Age of Sigmar, being too focused on rebuilding their own realm in order to care about the other races.

During the Time of Tribulations, Teclis predicted the upcoming Necroquake, and ordered the construction of Aetherquartz towers in order to mitigate its effects. While this helped protect the Lumineth cities from undead invasion, Teclis failed to predict the arrival of Endless Spells, which would become a common plague upon the already magically battered landscape of Hysh.

During a meeting between Teclis and the other Aelven gods, Morathi started claiming that Slaanesh will inevitably escape. While the other Aelven gods dismissed this as the rantings of a madwoman, Teclis took this seriously and decided that the Lumineth must end their isolationism in order to purge Chaos from other realms. This hasn't endeared them well with the other races of Order, as they tend to deploy their legions without permission or warning out of the arrogant assumption that the lesser races can't be trusted to solve their own problems (arrogant ''and'' hypocritical coming from the Lumineth, who [[Eldar|nearly caused their own extinction through selfish obsessions]]). <s>Although, it’s unlikely anyone truly has a problem with these guys showing up randomly to kill Chaos whatevers. Because duh.</s> Except for the fact that they have no problem with killing civilians and allies if they view it as necessary to cleanse Chaos, so yeah, understandable why people don’t like it when they come along unannounced. While the Stormcast have also used this approach, unlike them the Lumineth haven't earned a good reputation in-universe, and they're a bunch of johnny-come-latelys compared to the Stormcast being Big Damn Heroes.

At some point, Teclis had found the remnants of [[Eltharion]]'s spirit as he was way too badass to be claimed by Nagash. After putting his soul back together, Teclis ordered armor and weapons made in the Yvressian style, found a dude who looked near identical to Eltharion, created a soulless clone of that guy's body and tried to shove our old boy's soul right in. Sadly, [[Arkhan the Black|Arkhan]] evidently cursed Eltharion so bad that any body his soul is put in crumples to dust, starting with the aforementioned souless clone. As Teclis cried like a bitch, he noticed that Eltharion's soul was able to inhabit the armor, turning him into [[Thousand Sons|a hollow suit of armor powered by light]]. Since then, Eltharion became one of the leaders of the Lumineth, as Teclis tries to figure out how to give him a normal body.

====Broken Realms====

As Morathi attempts to gain godhood and accidentally loosened the chains of Slaanesh, Teclis is pushing his army against the forces of the undead and [[Nagash]]. He plans on bringing an end to The Soul Wars and clap Nagash's boney cheeks for unleashing the Necroquake. Of course, bone daddy won't take this laying down, and neither will his [[Ossiarch Bonereapers|bonechads]]. The [[Flesh-Eater Courts]] are joining the party too. More to come soon.

==Society==

The Lumineth themselves are split between numerous different kingdoms withing Hysh, known as the Ten Paradises. These Kingdoms each reside on a separate Island, which used to be one landmass before it was sundered in the Age of Chaos. The center Island is Xintil, where Teclis awoke in the Age of Myth and where most of the Sigmar worshiping mortals of Hysh live. Xintil is surrounded by eight islands, each ruled by a separate kingdom. Syar, Iliatha, Ymetrica and Zaitrec are known as the Teclian nations, essentially the Athens compared to the more Spartan Oultrai, Aurathrai, Helon and Alumnia who emulate Tyrion. Each has their own culture, such as Iliatha being matriarchal and doing some cloning shit.

These Lumineth have also come to treasure Aetherquartz, a crystal mineral native to their realm. These crystals gave their wearers great knowledge and power, but it also involves [[Eldar|sucking out their emotions and personalities - a sacrifice they consider worthwhile since unfettered emotions are the Dark Prince's favorite snack]]. In this way, they're similar to [[Stormcast Eternals|Sigmar's golden bois]] in that they're constantly approaching that point where they become effectively logic-driven, uncreative and unfeeling automatons except these guys see it as an acceptable ending compared to the Stormcast's mad search to end the flaw. The emotions drained into the Aetherquartz are used as a source of power by the mages known as Scinari <s>Crack Whores</s> Cathallars, weaponizing their suppressed negative emotions to spread terror and despair among their enemies.

After the Reinvention Wars, an important part of their society has become the Aelementari Temples, cults dedicated to bonding with the landscape of Hysh, in the form of the rivers, winds, mountains or even the light of Hysh's sky (Zenith). To join these cults is extremely difficult; first one must abandon all worldly possessions, then spend years meditating and seeking oneness with the spirit of their chosen location. The final trial is fatal if the spirit deems the aspirant unworthy: those dedicated to the rivers must weigh themselves down and jump into the water, while those dedicated to the mountains must let themselves get buried alive. Yet if they survive, they gain new powers ([[Avatar: The Last Airbender|please tell me there is some legendary Aelf who has the powers of all the Aelementari.]]) While the mages get elemental magic, the warriors get more subtle powers, like the Stoneguard who can enter the "mountain stance" to become immovable bulwarks in battle. The Aelementari can also be petitioned to possess a construct body and directly fight with their disciples. The only Aelementari temple playable on tabletop so far are the mountain worshippers of the Alarith, who have taken a mountain yak called the "Ymetrican Longhorn" as their symbol, resulting in them being the butt of many cow jokes. The second temple to be officially revealed is the Wind Temple, which as of writing has no official name (Given the new model's name, seems to be Hurakan). They too were met with a barrage of memery due to their troops riding on creatures known as the Treerunners which very closely resembled Kangaroos. Aelementari Temples were intended to teach the Lumineth humility, and it half-worked; although their civilization no longer has the unchecked hubris that led to the Spirefall, many Lumineth have become humblebraggers under the impression that after the Reinvention they have successfully overcome all their flaws and created a perfect society. It seems that the arrogance of the (A)elves is the one flaw they can never overcome.

In terms of combat strategies and tactics, their design and combat is heavily reminiscent of Ancient Greek warfare combined with a bit of Roman. The traditional Spearmen, called the Vanari Auralan Wardens, are essentially hoplites, who form phalanxes to hold the enemy in place while the archers, mages and cavalry get set up to do their stuff. Each of these phalanxes are lead by a High Warden, essentially a Lochagos, who stands at the rear to make sure shit isn't going wrong. Most of these hoplites also adorn their shields with runes. These runes represent learning and enlightenment for the Realm Lords, but seem to be more for decoration than serving an actual battlefield purpose. These Wardens are also capable of forming into phalanxes called Shining Legions, difficult to harm but also slow. These legions are also present among their brethren who wield swords and bows. The battletome also mentions unseen scout, artillery and chariot units, as well as "Loreseekers" who are trained in both magic and melee. If you're familiar with the old High Elves roster you can probably predict what they're gonna be like.

==Great Nations==
Given the Teclis focus of their current lore, only the Teclian nations have been expressed in any detail.
*'''Ymetrica:''' A mountainous kingdom with a great dedication to the Alarith Temple. Were the first Lumineth kingdom to succesfully discover how to bond with the Aelementari, which they won't hesistate to remind you at any moment. Form the vanguard of Teclis' campaign to purify the Mortal Realms. (Essentially Caledor, but replace Dragons with cow-headed earth elementals).
*'''Syar:''' The greatest craftsmen of the Lumineth, and the richest nation too. Created a lot of horrible weapons for the Ocari Dara, and swore to never create weapons again...until Teclis persuaded them that Chaos would win without their help. Just when they thought they were out, Chaos pulled them back in. (Most likely suppose to resemble Eataine due to the focus on wealth, though instead of trade they got it through weapon dealing AND trade).
*'''Zaitrec:''' The land of master wizards, and thus the place where Teclis likes to hang out most. They worship Celennar even more than Teclis though, and if they ever get to meet Teclis they're more interested in what the spirit has to say, claiming "it is better to learn from the source". Teclis is secretly [[butthurt]] over this having learned from an older source himself in the World-That-Was, much to Tyrion's amusement (for if you miss Saphery, with Celennar filling in for Lileath).
*'''Iliatha:''' This <s>simp</s> matriarchal kingdom revered women due to their belief that creating life was holy. However, they decided that the traditional method of childbirth was too gross for them, and invented a method to create clones by splitting souls. This lead to horrible excesses during the Ocari Dara, which were so dark that the other nations refuse to speak about it. Afterwards the technology was strictly regulated so that only one copy could be created per person, resulting in the majority of Iliatha's population consisting of soul-bound twins (Avelorn, only with cloning).

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Aelve Spearmen.jpg|AELVES, WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION!?
File:Aelve Cav.jpg|Gee, I wonder what ancient civilization these guys where based on.
File:Elf_elite_guard.jpg|Heavy armor, hammers and a stone motif... [[Dwarfs (WFB)|where have I seen this before?]]
File:Eltharion AOS.jpg|I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, ARKHAN!
File:Befriending furries.jpg|'''Asserting dominance'''
File:Realm Lord Runes.jpg|No one tell the Dwarfs that the Elgi figured out how runes work....
File:Sitting Bull.jpg|An Alarith Stonemage. I wonder how Dwarfs would react to an elf controlling stone with magic.
File:Alarith.png|Alarith, Spirit of the Mountain. And you thought [[Settra the Imperishable|Settra]] had a lot of titles/aliases.
File:Scinari.jpg|A Scinari Cathallar. That's pronounced SIN-ar-ee CATH-ull-arr, according Geedubs themselves.
File:Sad Lady.jpg|She feels your pain.
File:Lumineth vs Khorne.jpg|A fun game of Whack-a-reaver
File:Minotaur mountain.jpg|Avalenor in all his red, stony glory.
File:Elf with heavy burden.jpg|[[Snowflame|Weaponized magic Crystal Meth]] (Doomrider approves).
File:Lumineth Box.jpg|Available now (quartz not accepted as an alternative to money)
</gallery>

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]
[[Category:Games Workshop]]

{{Template:Playable Factions in Warhammer: Age of Sigmar}}

Teclis

2021-01-25T13:54:14Z

2406:3400:20F:FFC0:A49B:2719:A968:E091: /* On The Tabletop */

[[Image:Tyrion y Teclis.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Teclis, with his brother Tyrion in the foreground.]]
{{Topquote|The best advice I ever got was that knowledge is power and to keep reading.|David Bailey}}

A [[High Elf]] character from [[Warhammer Fantasy]], once considered just a plain standard suped up archmage for the High Elf players, '''Teclis''' is [[Ulthuan|Ulthuan's]] <s>Sorcerer Supreme</s> Warden of the White Tower of Hoeth, and has now proven himself to be a grand manipulator so underhanded, so devious even [[Tzeentch]] is impressed and eager to scout him out for his talent. He's primarily responsible now for bringing the three elven splinter races back into one united race, and as of End Times: Thanquol, he's shown to have survived and runs around stealing the power of the remaining gods to bring back his brother Tyrion. All the manipulation and horrible stuff he did in End Times is however out of character with how he was before, where he was a pretty nice guy.

Also if you pay attention, pretty much everything bad that happens in the End times that's not Mannfred's or the forces of Chaos' fault is Teclis' fault. Though Mannfred would not have even gotten to the stage where he could have screwed things up so bad were it not for Teclis.

==The Legend==
[[Tyrion|Tyrion's]] twin brother. While Tyrion's "[[Aenarion|Aenarion's]] Curse" manifested in being a half step away from being Gollum for the [[Widowmaker]], Teclis was born an [[Raistlin Majere|anemic cripple with a bad cough]] instead. The book out right calls it "consumptive" which is an old time word for tuberculosis, not a fun disease at all (though unlike tuberculosis, Teclis' condition isn't communicable). After spending most of his life in a magical wheelchair and being tended to (AKA experimented on) by the healing mages in [[Ulthuan|Saphery]], he wound up very thin and weak (even for an elf) and needs regular magic healing potions as well as the magical staff gifted to elfkind by [[Lileath]] the goddess of magic herself just to keep him standing upright. Don't think he's a no good weakling though (this goes double around Tyrion who will beat your ass if he finds out you're dissing his bro without a second thought. The two have a direct emotional psychic link, and while Teclis has a good deal of patience and good humor Tyrion...does not). Teclis, [[Nagash]], and a few [[Slann]] are the strongest magic users alive (so to speak). After spending most of his teenage (hundreds of) years among mages and learning from them, he decided on the day that it became clear Ulthuan was about to be fucked that it was now or never to make something of himself. He began to forge a magic sword underneath Hoeth (a ritual that the Swordmasters, as well as their Loremaster superiors must do to become a man (or woman)), and upon it's completion (it was a really fuckawesome sword too, called the Sword of Teclis and in ages to come will probably be an awesome heirloom item for future heroes) was awarded the magical pimp hat of awesomeness (the War Crown of Saphery) as well as the rank of Loremaster. He set out to find his brother and the [[Everqueen]], and would become something of a legend to the embattled elves during his travels. With a single word, he reduced the Slaaneshi champion Albrecht Numan and his warband to dust, and he turned the tide at the battle of Hathar Ford, and slew the feared Tzeentchian sorcerers known as the Coven of Ten.

He finally caught up with them right as the Keeper of Secrets [[N'kari]] was pulling off Tyrion's and the Everqueen's pants for some serious assraping. The KoS...didn't make it. After engaging Teclis's brother, the Everqueen gave Teclis the aforementioned staff as a consolation prize, and the two brothers set out to carry the entire High Elf race in the Battle of The Finuval Plain. While Tyrion was committing genocide Paul Bunyan-style in melee, Teclis nuked EVERYTHING and dispelled every miscast. After a short magical duel between Malekith and himself, Teclis cast a spell (with a little help from his patron deity Lileath) which reignited the flames of Asuryan which burned within the Witch King, forcing Malekith to tear open a portal into the Realm of Chaos itself to escape being obliterated mind, body, and soul. While Tyrion retired to the Everqueen's boudoir, Teclis decided that (in a very un Warhammer-ish way) it was the duty of those with great power to save the entire world, not just their own race. He left for the Empire, and taught humans true magic for the very first time (kickstarting the beginning of the Warhammer renaissance that is currently just beginning to take hold) by founding the schools of magic and fighting against the Daemons and Warriors of Chaos that were about to wipe out humanity.

That task being complete, he set out to explore the world (apparently all great heroes are either world explorers or fuck the Everqueen. Finubar must be glorious to behold if he'd ever get a mini). During his travels, Teclis met the uncorrupted giants, Slann, amazons, all the minority/non white civilizations there's never been an army for like [[Ind]] and [[Cathay]], and even leading an expedition to see the Rift into [[Chaos]] at the north pole (and learn how to make toys!) Then Teclis got word that his father had died so he returned home for the funeral. After the funeral and a reunion with his brother Tyrion. Teclis planned to resume his travels until he got word that the High Loremaster had died so the position was being offered to Teclis, who accepted. Recently Teclis was gravely injured from a bitch move assassination attempt from Morathi. Nowadays he chills in Hoeth, reading articles on the internet, sexing High Elf courtesans (think prostitutes who only service royalty and not always for money), and feeling up Lileath's boobs on his ronery staff.

==The End Times==

In the End Times, Teclis got bored of the canon and stalemate getting everyone nowhere, so when Lileath told him her plan he leaped at the opportunity. The two are also responsible for some [[Just as Planned]] so dickish that Tzeentch would be impressed. His first move was to try to form an anti-Chaos alliance with Nagash (an idea that horrified even Malekith when he found out). Nagash rejected the offer to Teclis' face, but secretly commended Teclis for the idea before tweaking that into his own plan. Subsequently, Teclis worked to sabotage Nagash's resurrection.

Next, Teclis reached out to Malekith for an alliance as he'd learnt from Lileath that Malekith was the rightful Phoenix King and that all the others were imposters. What's more, Finubar had figured this out hence why he was so hands-off about kinging (this whole revelation was reversed as of Age of Sigmar; Broken Realms: Morathi shows all the Phoenix King souls still with fragments of Asuryan’s power. Whether this lie was made by Teclis or Lileath is unclear). Though desiring failure and a painful death for Teclis, Malekith decided to play along for the time being after considering the offer. Even then he only did so because of the coming apocalypse and Lileath herself speaking to Malekith. Afterwards Teclis tried to get the Phoenix King to take action, fed up with Finubar's passivity, so he kicked down the king's door. He found Finbuar dead, killed by Malekith shortly after accepting Telcis' offer. Teclis left the room, re-sealed it and went to convince Tyrion to take the throne. Later Malekith and Teclis contacted Imrik of Caledor. Imrik was completely against Malekith, but changed his tune after Caledor Dragontamer himself spoke for the alliance and Malekith returned all the dragon eggs the Dark Elves had stolen and lifted the malaise he'd cursed Caledor's dragons with.

Teclis played both sides according to Lileath's plan to try and see them through the apocalypse. There were some stumbling blocks in the selfish manipulations of Morathi and Nagash's plans for apothesis, but things go mostly as Teclis hoped. Teclis found himself even surpassing Malekith in one way, as he took Malekith on a spirit-walking journey to Nagashizzar to reveal his collaborations with the Great Necromancer. Teclis also revealed to Malekith that he'd allowed Nagash's servants to claim Aliathra so she would be sacrificed and Nagash would be hindered by Aenarion's curse (Naggy, Manny and Arky unaware of her true parentage; Neffy knew somehow, but only had a laugh at their expense). Malekith opposed this as much as Imrik had the alliance with himself, calling it dangerously foolish, his opposition deepening when Nagash's return caused undead to rise across Ulthuan and disrupt a major battle.

Soon Tyrion found out the depths of Teclis' plans, which were technically a massive betrayal. Torn between rage and despair, Tyion took an army to the Blighted Isle to draw the sword of Khaine. Malekith and Teclis tried to stop him, with Malekith duelling Tyrion. However Malekith and his dragon were weakened by previous battle injuries including a surprise attack from Shadowblade and Alith Anar shooting Seraphon out of the sky, so despite Tyrion sustaining severe burns and losing part of his jaw, Tyrion won. Teclis tried to talk Tyrion down, but given his recent actions, Tyrion was only spurred on. Tyrion drew the sword and fully gave in to Khaine's influence (helped by a little prodding from Morathi here and there).

After the war went back and forth, Teclis revealed the big part of his master plan; unravel the vortex and bind the winds of magic to chosen mortals to make them potential rivals to the Chaos Gods. Nagash had already stolen Death, so he needed a choice for the others. Teclis eventually convinced Malekith of the need to destroy the Great Vortex and create the Incarnates of the Winds of Magic. They gathered an army and traveled towards the Isle of the Dead. While Malekith's and Tyrion's forces did battle, Teclis started his ritual at the Great Vortex. He was assisted from inside the Vortex by Caledor Dragontamer, still trapped inside the Vortex when he created it millennia past.

Malekith's summoning the spirits of various elven heroes throughout the ages destabilized the Vortex, so Teclis and Caledor failed to harness the escaping winds properly. Ghur, the Wind of Beasts, broke free and soared eastwards. Chamon, the Wind of Metal, and Aqshy, the Wind of Fire, escaped due to the actions of the Dwarf gods Grungni and Grimnir. When Azyr, the Wind of Heavens, broke free Teclis noted a mind at work within it. During this time Alith Anar shot both Tyrion and Malekith. Seeing her lover and her son fall, Morathi was driven into a suicidal rage. She entered the Vortex, killed every mage but Caledor and started to tear it open. This allowed the Chaos god Slaanesh to start to enter the mortal realm. Teclis was forced to rush the ritual and seal the rift so Slaanesh couldn't enter. In the process he destroyed the spells supporting Ulthuan, with Slaanesh managing to grab Morathi and Caledor and take them to his realm before rift closed. Teclis bound the remaining three winds to the wounded Malekith (shadow, though Teclis had originally planned to give him fire), the Everqueen Alarielle (life, the only part of the plan that worked out) and his own staff (light).

With the ritual completed as well as it could be the Vortex faded away and Ulthuan began to fall apart and sink into the sea, killing hundreds of thousands. Initially it appeared Teclis planned to die with his brother, refusing Imrik's offer to help him by flying them out with his dragon. However Teclis had used magic to save himself, Malandhir and his brother's body. In End Times: Thanquol Teclis was on a secret journey carting Tyrion's body around with Malandhir and summoned elven spirits for companions. Here he made his greatest mistake by entering Middenheim and taking Ulric's flame for an unknown purpose, calling the Winter Wolf God a failure to add insult to injury. Teclis' actions unintentionally doomed Middenheim, as the removal of Ulric's power allowed Archaon and his forces to fully enter and capture the city, which became a base of operations for him.

In End Times Archaon, it's revealed that Teclis used the flame of Ulric to purge the taint of Khaine from Tyrion, used the Heart of Avelorn to resurrect him and imbued him with the Wind of Hysh to become the Incarnate of Light (with Malandhir being his steed again after temporarily serving as Teclis' packmule). The new Incarnate of Light Tyrion arrived just in time to stop Bea'lakor from fast-tracking the world's destruction by attacking the Oak of Ages. However, very few were glad to see Tyrion back after everything he did, especially Imrik and Malekith. When Nagash and the undead arrived in Athel Loren after the destruction the Black Pyramid, which thwarted Nagash's plans of apotheosis, Teclis told everyone how he'd been conspiring with Nagash to use him as an ally/weapon against the Chaos Gods and had given him the idea of harnessing the Wind of Death.

After everyone else grudgingly made an alliance with Nagash in exchange for punishing Mannfred, Teclis tried to council the Incarnates alongside Lileath on their next course of action but they get bogged down in bickering (mostly because Nagash refuses their suggestions and they don't know [[Grimgor Ironhide|who or where the Incarnate of Beasts is]]). Things only changed when Bea'lakor, who was skulking around in Athel Loren after his defeat and had freed Mannfred, was captured by Tyrion and Malekith when trying to kill Lileath. The Incarnates interrogated the daemon, where Teclis learned just how badly his taking the flame from Middenheim had backfired. The forces of Chaos had found a device of the Old Ones and were re-purposing it into a warp gate that would destroy the world.

After Bea'lakor was imprisoned in an unbreakable gem by Malekith and Caradryan, Teclis argued that they had to go to Middenheim to stop Archaon. They finally agreed on a plan - also spurred by the Bretonnians abandoning them after Mannfred revealed Lileath's deception as a final middle finger to everyone, but then an army of Khorne daemons led by the Bloodthirster Ka'bandha attacked to try and kill them. Things got so desperate that Lileath convinced Teclis to sacrifice her and use her divine power to teleport them and their armies to Middenheim (along with Grimgor and his army). Teclis succeeded, aided by Karl Franz (who unbeknownst to Teclis was also Sigmar. Arkhan the Black helped too), but instead of being teleported to the city as an organized army, [[Not as Planned|they were scattered all over the place with Teclis literally landing at Archaon's feet]]. Archaon took Teclis captive for... reasons, confiscating his magical goodies. During his imprisonment Teclis figured out that Karl Franz was now Sigmar in disguise and rubbed this fact in Archaon's face, Archaon punching Teclis in the mouth in response. Teclis was eventually freed by a fully powered Sigmar and reunited with Tyrion, who had almost forgiven Teclis for what he'd done.

They got to the artifact and combined their power to try and stop it. Here Teclis showed his magical abiltiy by filling in for two Incarnates, because Grimgor had died at Archaon's blade and Caradryan at Ka'Bandha's. The sheer magical powers clashing in Teclis started to slowly rip his body apart, but Teclis kept it together (literally) [[Awesome|through sheer will]]. Then Mannfred ruined everything by sneak-attacking Balthazar with a sword through the back. Teclis tried to take the Wind of Metal as well, but it proved too much and Teclis died as his body was ripped apart, not living to see the doom of the world or Tyrion avenging him by stabbing and incinerating Mannfred.

==Age of Sigmar==
NEW MODEL CONFIRMED AND HIGH ELVES RACE COMING BACK!!!
Teclis survives the End Times, with Tyrion now can only see through Teclis' eyes as he's blind now. Both brothers are the gods of Hysh and allies with Sigmar. Because of his involvement with the mortal races, Teclis takes an obvious interest in creating [[STC|Enlightenment Engines]], machines that store tons of knowledge and help elevate mortal understanding and progress until it essentially reaches where it was before the Old World blew up. However, Sigmar pulled a fast one and had [[Grungni]] turn these contraptions of knowledge into tools that helped conceal the locations of the God-King's super-secret Stormvaults. Predictably, Teclis took a serious exception to this and [[Nagash]] is likely laughing his skeletal ass off at the hypocrisy, and stupidity seeing as Grungni could have just made devices of his own to do that instead. Sigmar better make it up to Teclis or he risks being betrayed on the elf-dude's assumption that Sigmar would undermine him even if Siggy has no intention of ever doing so again or something.

Teclis was also partly responsible for chaining [[Slaanesh]] up between the realms of Hysh and Ulgu and disemboweling the Dark Prince, releasing tons of elf souls. He tried to recreate the old High Elves, but their collective souls suffered PTSD from being in Slaanesh's innards, so they decided to run away. Fearing they were Chaos-tainted, Teclis wanted to destroy them, but his brother appealed to his compassion so Teclis let them go. As a result the horribly tragic, eternally depressed [[Idoneth Deepkin]] were allowed to go on their not-so-merry way. Later Teclis tried making High Elves 2.0 again, this time successfully as the [[Lumineth Realm Lords]]. As part of this process, he also resurrected [[Eltharion]], but [[Rubric Marines|Arkhan's curse kept turning Eltharion's body to dust so Teclis put his soul in a suit of armor]] while looking for a way to undo the curse.

Currently he's hanging out with a giant sphinx-like creature that's apparently the manifest spirit of Hysh's moon, Celennar.

==On The Tabletop==

To represent Teclis on the tabletop, at his current point in lore development his own mini and 8th edition stats do nicely. For a campaign where rules can be improvised, a Loremaster Teclis who has just returned home to Ulthuan after his travels is best represented by his 7th edition overpowered stats when running a campaign, or Alarielle the Radiant's stats with Teclis as a proxy model. For a Teclis setting out to explore the world, a level 4 Archmage with Book of Hoeth works well. For a pre-Loremaster Teclis, equip him as a Loremaster of Hoeth or a level 1/2 Mage while using another mage model (since he doesn't have his hat or staff yet).''

In Age of Sigmar Teclis is back at it again with absurdly powerful magic. He gets to cast up to four times with at least a guaranteed Castvalue of 10 which cannot by modified and the spell '''cannot be unbound''' if he chooses to only cast once, access to all the spells in the Armybook, his own incredible Warscroll spells, that deal more mortal wounds than is socially acceptable and some decent melee to boot. He also protects himself and friendlies around him from hostile sorcery and buffs other mages. He's also giant, with 16 Wounds because his new friend Celennar is around. Oh, have we mentioned that he also also just gets to autounbind a spell a turn and can dispell an Endless spell for free as well? Any opposing Wizard weeps now, even Nagash.

==Total War:Warhammer==

In Total War: Warhammer 2 Teclis appears, alongside his brother, as one of the starting Legendary Lords for the High Elves. He leads his own faction called the Order of the Loremasters and starts on the Turtle Isles in the vortex campaign and the Star Tower in the mortal empires campaign. From a gameplay perspective Teclis is a highly versatile caster unit, possessing a wide array of spells from the game's various magical lores. As such, he can fulfill a variety of different roles in battle. His campaign buffs include bonuses to diplomacy with all High Elven and Human factions, reflecting his role in the lore as a mediator between the two races.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Teclis_1.jpg|Teclis trying to chad-strut.
Image:M2500176a 99800210004 HETeclisCFC01 873x627.jpg|Teclis' model.
File:Befriending furries.jpg|'''ASSERTING DOMINANCE WITH HIS MIGHT-POSE'''
Image:ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting - 2013-12-15 22.17.35.png
Image:55375.jpg
Image:Teclis.jpg
Image:Teclis big.jpg
Image:Teclis being a hero.jpg
File:Teclis End Times.jpg
File:Teclis Total War.png|Teclis' appearance in Total War: Warhammer II, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch
File:Teclis Total War 2.jpg|[https://youtu.be/DmwGUa1_Kbs?t=1m18s "Ya-hmph, Benedict Cumberelf, ah-ha-ha"]
File:Tyrion and Teclis.jpg
File:Teclis Old Art.jpg
File:Teclis_2.jpg|Teclis' first AoS appearance, traded his handicap for swol with godhood.
</gallery>

{{Template:High Elves}}
{{AoS-Gods}}

[[Category:Age of Sigmar]]
[[Category:Lumineth Realm-Lords]]
[[Category:40k and Fantasy Gods]]