Hysh

Lore & Background

In the beginning of the Age of Sigmar, Hysh was a solid plane where truth could not be hidden and shadows did not exist. However, during the cataclysmic conflicts of the previous age, the realm was fractured beyond repair. The magical energies that held it together were dispersed, leaving behind only floating fragments suspended in an eternal noon. This fragmentation made travel difficult but also fortified the realm against invasion, as enemies must navigate treacherous gaps between islands. Asuryan, once a mortal elf king who fell and rose again, claimed dominion over these shards after his resurrection as a god-like entity. He established his court within the largest fragment, turning it into a fortress of order amidst the chaos. The light here is not merely illumination; it is an active force that exposes lies and burns away corruption. This makes Hysh a dangerous place for daemons and dark sorcerers, who struggle to survive in such an exposed environment. Despite its defensive advantages, Hysh remains contested. Forces from the Realm of Shadow and other hostile powers seek to extinguish its light or claim its shards as their own. The Phoenix King constantly marshals his armies to defend these territories, knowing that if Hysh falls completely into darkness, the balance of the Mortal Realms will tip irreversibly toward chaos.

In Their Own Story

The light here did not warm; it scrutinized. Kaelen adjusted his golden helm as he stepped onto the obsidian edge of the Shard. Below him lay nothing but an endless expanse of blinding white, a void where shadows dared not tread. He could feel the gaze of Asuryan from the distant spire, a weight heavier than any armor. A whisper drifted on the light-winds—a memory of the realm before it broke. Kaelen remembered stories of solid ground and night skies, but those were myths now. Here, truth was a weapon, and every step revealed his own flaws in the glare. He tightened his grip on his spear. The enemy would come from the dark between the shards, seeking to snuff out this brilliance. But as long as he stood guard upon this floating rock, Hysh would burn.

Reader's Guide

The geography of Hysh is defined by its fragmentation. Once a solid plane, it now exists as countless floating islands known as Shards, drifting through the luminous void. These landmasses vary in size, from small rocky outcrops to vast continents bathed in eternal noon. Magic here manifests as pure illumination; shadows are scarce and truth is revealed instantly by the ambient radiance. Native inhabitants include the Phoenix Court, a cadre of elite Stormcast Eternals loyal to Asuryan, alongside spirits of light that guard the realm's fractured edges. The environment is hostile to creatures of darkness, which wither under the intense glare, making it a strategic stronghold for the forces of Order. Control over Hysh allows commanders to project truth and clarity across the Mortal Realms. Strategically, each Shard serves as a potential fortress or launching point for campaigns into neighboring realms like Azyr or Chamon. However, the void between islands is treacherous, requiring specialized vessels capable of navigating the light-winds. The realm remains a critical asset in the ongoing war against corruption, serving as both a sanctuary and a beacon that refuses to be extinguished.

Did You Know?

• The Realm was shattered into fragments during the wars of the Age of Chaos.
• Asuryan resides within a palace located on the largest surviving Shard.
• Shadows are considered unnatural anomalies that can harm living beings here.
• It is one of only eight Mortal Realms remaining after the destruction of the old world.