The Rise of the Death Realms
From scattered graves to Nagash's unified empire of the dead, death rises again.
The Rise of the Death Realms marks a pivotal era in the Age of Sigmar where the forces of death, long scattered and weakened after the destruction of the Old World, began to coalesce into a terrifying new empire under the will of Nagash, the supreme god of death. Driven by his ambition to reclaim absolute dominion over Shyish and oppose the forces of Chaos, this period saw the transformation of the fragmented Deathlands into the heart of Nagash's unified empire. It represents the moment death ceased to be merely a passive state of decay and became an active, conquering force within the Mortal Realms.
- Primary Faction
- Death (Nagash's Legions)
- Key Figure
- Nagash & His Mortarchs
- Location
- The Deathlands, Shyish
- Opposing Force
- Stormcast Eternals, Order Realms
- Outcome
- Formation of Nagash's unified Death Empire in Shyish
- Status
- Ongoing Conflict
Lore & Background
This resurgence was not merely a gathering of armies but a fundamental shift in the metaphysical landscape of the Mortal Realms. The very fabric of the Deathlands began to warp under the influence of Nagash's reawakened power, turning once-barren wastelands into a thriving necropolis of dark industry and ritualistic magic. As the legions of death grew stronger, they began to push outward, testing the borders of Sigmar's realm and threatening to plunge the universe back into an eternal night where only the dead could rule.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled through the skeletal spires of the newly formed necropolis, carrying the scent of ozone and rot. A vampire lord stood atop a obsidian balcony, his eyes glowing with a cold, ancient fire as he surveyed the armies assembling below. Skeletons marched in perfect unison, their bones polished to a gleam by dark sorcery, while ghouls chattered eagerly for the coming feast. 'They think we are broken,' the lord whispered, his voice echoing across the silent plains. 'But we have only just begun to wake.' Below, the ground trembled as a massive tomb-troll rose from the earth, its roar signaling the start of a new age where death would no longer wait for life to end.
Reader's Guide
The campaign begins with scattered necromancers and vampire lords realizing their individual weaknesses against the growing might of Sigmar's forces. Key turning points include the formation of secret pacts between rival factions, such as the Tomb Kings and Vampire Counts, who set aside ancient grudges for a common goal. As these alliances solidify, they launch coordinated raids on the borders of the Order Realms, testing the defenses of the Stormcast Eternals. The conflict escalates when major battlefields are transformed into permanent death zones, allowing the forces of Nihilakh to expand their territory significantly. Participating factions include the Tomb Kings seeking restoration of their ancient glory, the Vampire Counts desiring dominion over the living, and the Ghouls providing the chaotic manpower. The lasting impact is the establishment of a unified Death Empire that poses an existential threat to all other realms, forcing Sigmar's forces into a desperate defensive war.
Did You Know?
- The rise was fueled by the lingering influence of Nagash, even after his soul was shattered across the Realms.
- Ancient rivalries between the Mortarchs were temporarily suspended to serve Nagash's grand design.
- The Deathlands physically transformed into a more organized and aggressive territory during this period.