This new edition is starting off with a bang, and I mean literally! The Skaven have caused utter chaos in Aqshy with their Vermindoom weapon, blasting a massive chunk out of the realm. The Great Horned Rat has ascended to join the Chaos Gods, and now the ratmen are flooding into the Mortal Realms by the billions. It’s pure Skaven mayhem!
How Did We Get Here?
This chaotic shift didn’t happen overnight. The Dawnbringers series set the stage over six epic books, chronicling the Twin-Tailed Crusade’s journey from Hammerhal into the fiery lands of Aqshy and the verdant realms of Ghyran. The crusade faced countless trials, including monstrous foes like Trugg the Troggoth King and Ushoran the Summerking.
The Fall of Embergard
One of the Twin-Tailed Crusade’s missions was to establish new strongpoints for Sigmar, but we knew one city was doomed from the start. Embergard, built on the ruins of a once-mighty city on Ashenmont’s slopes, seemed like a safe haven. But the Skaven had other plans. Their Vermindoom weapon transformed a third of the Great Parch into the Gnaw, a hellscape filled with warpstone pollution and rotting spires. The resulting chaos overwhelmed Embergard, leaving behind ragged refugees and a few brave defenders. The Stormcast Eternals are now fighting tooth and nail to hold back the Skaven assault.
The Skaven’s Treachery
This catastrophe was partly orchestrated by the Darkoath Tribes of Aqshy, misled by the devious Skreech Verminking. They thought they were driving out Sigmar’s forces, but Verminking’s real plan was to shatter the realm. The Skaven even convinced Archaon the Everchosen to support their cause, creating further chaos among the Chaos Gods. Now, with their lands in ruins, the Darkoath tribes, led by Gunnar Brand, are sworn to vengeance.
Ghyran’s Struggles
Embergard wasn’t the only city to fall. In Ghyran, the city of Verdigris was saved from disaster by Belthanos and his Kurnothi followers. However, the Phoenicium wasn’t so lucky. It was sacked by Abraxia and her Swords of Chaos. Consumed by the Kingsblood Curse, Abraxia killed the Ur-Phoenix’s host and raised Blackpyre, a Chaos stronghold from which she plans to conquer the Everspring Swathe. But hope remains in a single ember of the Ur-Phoenix’s flame, saved by Ellania and Ellathor.
Kragnos and the Era of the Beast
The troubles in Ghyran don’t end there. Since Kragnos ushered in the Era of the Beast, the living battering ram has led numerous Waaagh!s across the Mortal Realms. The brothers Krondys and Karazai, aided by Lord Kroak and Alarielle the Everqueen, managed to trap Kragnos in Ghyran. Now, he’s locked in a timeless battle against legions of Seraphon, but this prison may not hold him for long.
The Hour of Ruin
Now, with the Hour of Ruin upon us, the Skaven are swarming like never before. Sigmar has unleashed the Ruination chambers—scarred veterans who’ve seen it all—to try and tip the scales back in favor of Order. Will they succeed, or will the terrors lurking in the darkness extinguish all hope?
This new edition is setting up to be a wild ride, full of epic battles, treacherous schemes, and unending war. Grab your dice and muster your forces, because the Mortal Realms are about to get even more intense!
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