Difference between revisions of "Nighthaunt"

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|Grand alliance      = [[Death]]
 
|Grand alliance      = [[Death]]
 
|Associated factions = [[Legion of Grief]]
 
|Associated factions = [[Legion of Grief]]
|Main grouping      =
+
|Main grouping      = [[Processions]]
 
|Major characters    = [[Kurdoss Valentian]]<br>[[Olynder]]<br>[[Reikenor]]
 
|Major characters    = [[Kurdoss Valentian]]<br>[[Olynder]]<br>[[Reikenor]]
|Allies              =
+
|Allies              = [[Soulblight Gravelords]]
 
|Core resources      =
 
|Core resources      =
 
|Races              = [[Malignant]]
 
|Races              = [[Malignant]]
|Mounts              = [[Skeletal Steed]]
+
|Mounts              = [[Ethereal Steed]]<br>[[Nightmare]]
 
|Vehicles            = [[Black Coach]]
 
|Vehicles            = [[Black Coach]]
|Creatures          = [[Zombie Dragon]]<br>[[Terrorgheist]]
+
|Creatures          = [[Mourngul]]
 
|Spell lores        = [[Lore of the Underworlds]]
 
|Spell lores        = [[Lore of the Underworlds]]
 
|Prayers            =
 
|Prayers            =
|Endless spells      =
+
|Endless spells      = [[Mortalis Terminexus]]<br>[[Shyish Reaper]]<br>[[Vault of Souls]]
 
|Manifestations      =
 
|Manifestations      =
 
|Artefacts          =
 
|Artefacts          =
 
|Scenery            =
 
|Scenery            =
|Archetypes          =
+
|Archetypes          = [[Cairn Wraith]]<br>[[Guardian of Souls]]<br>[[Knight of Shrouds]]<br>[[Spirit Torment]]
|Warbands            =
+
|Warbands            = [[Lady Harrow's Mournflight]]<br>[[Thorns of the Briar Queen]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
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===Age of Chaos===
 
===Age of Chaos===
Nagash summons the spirits of the entire underworld of [[Nordyrie]], part of [[Hallost]] following a defeat by a daemonic horder of [[Khorne]] at the Battle of Dirge Peak. These former herores rise up and destroy the daemons with only their leader, the [[Bloodthirster]] [[Khazkhan]] escaping their wrath. {{Fn|3d}}
+
Nagash summons the spirits of the entire underworld of [[Nordyrie]], part of [[Hallost]] following a defeat by a daemonic horder of [[Khorne]] at the Battle of Dirge Peak. These former heroes rise up and destroy the daemons with only their leader, the [[Bloodthirster]] [[Khazakhan]], escaping their wrath. {{Fn|3d}}
  
 
[[Idoneth Deepkin]] raiders enter the [[Vale of Chains]] and accidently release a host of spectres cursed by Nagash to be held and tortured there for eternity.  The wraiths seek revenge on both the lord of death and the living. {{Fn|3d}}
 
[[Idoneth Deepkin]] raiders enter the [[Vale of Chains]] and accidently release a host of spectres cursed by Nagash to be held and tortured there for eternity.  The wraiths seek revenge on both the lord of death and the living. {{Fn|3d}}
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Her first great act was to send out a siren call, a soulful lamentation that summoned them back to the [[Realm of Shyish]] and her service.  From all across the Realms, they came and she formed them into mighty legions or Processions with a [[Knight of Shrouds]] to command each spectral host. {{Fn|3c}}
 
Her first great act was to send out a siren call, a soulful lamentation that summoned them back to the [[Realm of Shyish]] and her service.  From all across the Realms, they came and she formed them into mighty legions or Processions with a [[Knight of Shrouds]] to command each spectral host. {{Fn|3c}}
  
Then she unleashed them against the enemies of her lord, launching attacks first against those who sought to command the Underworld of [[Lyria]].  She defeated the hosts of the Chaos warlord [[Thur]] and [[Stormcast Eternals]] at the siege of [[Morlaix]], her sub commanders reclaiming the [[Calcified Realmgate]] and the [[Mausoleum Mountains]]. {{Fn|3c}}
+
Then she unleashed them against the enemies of her lord, launching attacks first against those who sought to command the Underworld of [[Lyria]].  She defeated the hosts of the Chaos warlord [[Thur]] at the [[Plains of Narth]] and [[Stormcast Eternals]] at the siege of [[Morlaix]]. Other processions achieve victories by reclaiming the [[Calcified Realmgate]] and the [[Mausoleum Mountains]]. {{Fn|3c}}
 
On occasion, Processions form brief alliances with [[Flesh-eater Courts]] as the dead seek to reclaim [[Ossia]] but after each successful campaign, the spectres turn on and destroy the ghouls. {{Fn|3d}}
 
On occasion, Processions form brief alliances with [[Flesh-eater Courts]] as the dead seek to reclaim [[Ossia]] but after each successful campaign, the spectres turn on and destroy the ghouls. {{Fn|3d}}
  
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* The [[Glowing Host]]: Led by many Tomb Banshees, these spirits glow like their home in the [[Glittering Marsh]]{{Fn|3e}}
 
* The [[Glowing Host]]: Led by many Tomb Banshees, these spirits glow like their home in the [[Glittering Marsh]]{{Fn|3e}}
 
* The [[Emerald Host]]: [[Lady Olynder]]'s personal army, made up of souls who plotted against her in life. {{Fn|6}}
 
* The [[Emerald Host]]: [[Lady Olynder]]'s personal army, made up of souls who plotted against her in life. {{Fn|6}}
 +
* [[Reikenor's Condemned]]: [[Reikenor|Reikenor the Grimahailer's]] personal army. The wraith wizard often leads armies on Lady Olynder's behalf when her duty demands attention elsewhere.{{Fn|7a}}
  
 
==Hierarchy==
 
==Hierarchy==
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At the top of the hierarchy of the Nighthaunt lies Lady [[Olynder]], the Mortarch of Grief, who leads her own army in the most dire of campaigns - often accompanied by her spectral consort, [[Kurdoss Valentian]].  More frequently, Processions are lead by a [[Knight of Shrouds]], although there are notable exceptions (such as [[Reikenor|Reikenor the Grimhailer]] and the [[Cairnking Angrimm]]). {{Fn|3e}}
 
At the top of the hierarchy of the Nighthaunt lies Lady [[Olynder]], the Mortarch of Grief, who leads her own army in the most dire of campaigns - often accompanied by her spectral consort, [[Kurdoss Valentian]].  More frequently, Processions are lead by a [[Knight of Shrouds]], although there are notable exceptions (such as [[Reikenor|Reikenor the Grimhailer]] and the [[Cairnking Angrimm]]). {{Fn|3e}}
  
Beneath the commanders in the hierarchy lies any number of captains - the [[Dreadblade Harrow]]s, [[Spirit Torment]]s, [[Guardian of Souls|Guardians of Souls]], [[Cairn Wraith]]s, [[Lord Executioner]]s, and [[Tomb Banshee]]s - that are used to lead more specialised attacks upon the enemy. A few such spectres - the [[Briar Queen]] and [[Morwyrt Blackheart]] being examples - reach such levels of notoriety. {{Fn|3e}}
+
Beneath the commanders in the hierarchy lies any number of captains - the [[Dreadblade Harrow]]s, [[Spirit Torment]]s, [[Guardian of Souls|Guardians of Souls]], [[Cairn Wraith]]s, [[Lord Executioner]]s, and [[Tomb Banshee]]s - that are used to lead more specialised attacks upon the enemy. A few such spectres - the [[Briar Queen]] and [[Morwyrt Blackheart]] being examples - become notorious for their actions. {{Fn|3e}}
  
 
===Chainguard===
 
===Chainguard===
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===Condemned===
 
===Condemned===
The '''Condemned''' are lead by Spirit Torments, hosts composed of the Chainghasts and Chainrasps, into battle - rampaging through the ranks of the foe.{{Fn|3e}}
+
The '''Condemned''' are lead by Spirit Torments, hosts composed of the Chainghasts and Chainrasps, into battle - rampaging through the ranks of the foe.{{Fn|3e}} Such hosts are often the spear-tip of Nighthaunt assaults or assigned to forlorn hopes.{{Fn|3f}}
  
 
* [[Chainghast]]s
 
* [[Chainghast]]s
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===Deathriders===
 
===Deathriders===
'''Deathriders''' are the [[Malignant]] cavalry of a [[Nighthaunt]] [[Procession]] and are often drawn together around one or more Black Coaches, providing a powerful fast moving force.{{Fn|3e}}
+
'''Deathriders''' are the [[Malignant]] cavalry of a [[Nighthaunt]] [[Procession]] and are often drawn together around one or more Black Coaches, providing a powerful fast moving force.{{Fn|3e}} The swell of supernatural energies allows them to charge with unnatural speed to sweep away all who stand against them.{{Fn|3f}}
  
 
* [[Black Coach]]
 
* [[Black Coach]]
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===Deathstalkers===
 
===Deathstalkers===
The '''Death Stalkers''' are [[Nighthaunt]] [[Malignants]] that are put together to hunt out and dispatch specific enemies and foes.{{Fn|3e}}
+
The '''Death Stalkers''' are [[Nighthaunt]] [[Malignants]] that are put together to hunt out and dispatch specific enemies and foes.{{Fn|3e}} The name of their target is whispered to them via dark rites, and they pursue their victims with vengeful zeal.{{Fn|3f}}
  
 
* [[Cairn Wraith]]
 
* [[Cairn Wraith]]
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[[File:Lord Executioner 01.jpeg|thumb]]
 
[[File:Lord Executioner 01.jpeg|thumb]]
  
'''Execution Hordes''' are led by a Lord Executioner, these smaller hosts are able to weave across battlefields and strike powerful blows at enemy formations.{{Fn|3e}}
+
'''Execution Hordes''' are led by a Lord Executioner, these smaller hosts are able to weave across battlefields and strike powerful blows at enemy formations.{{Fn|3e}} The spirit hosts of the formation are usually created from the souls of those the Lord Executioner slew in life.{{Fn|3f}}
  
 
* [[Lord Executioner]]
 
* [[Lord Executioner]]
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===Shrieker Hosts===
 
===Shrieker Hosts===
'''Shrieker Hosts''' are [[Nighthaunt]] [[Malignants]]. Protected from enemy magic by the Myrmourn, the Tomb Banshee leads her sisters into battle, as she unleashes her wail of doom, her accompanying Dreadscythe's tear into the shaken enemy.{{Fn|3e}}
+
'''Shrieker Hosts''' are [[Nighthaunt]] [[Malignants]]. Protected from enemy magic by the Myrmourn, the Tomb Banshee leads her sisters into battle. As she unleashes her wail of doom, her accompanying Dreadscythes tear into the shaken enemy.{{Fn|3e}} The shrieking of such a host often causes foes to break and run.{{Fn|3f}}
  
 
* [[Dreadscythe Harridan]]s
 
* [[Dreadscythe Harridan]]s
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[[File:Knight of Shrouds 01.jpeg|thumb]]
 
[[File:Knight of Shrouds 01.jpeg|thumb]]
  
'''Shroudguard''' are a type of [[Nighthaunt]] [[Malignants]], usually Knights of the Shrouds frequently guarded by a bodyguard of Bladeghesit Revenants who are bound to their master or mistress by magical oaths.{{Fn|3e}}
+
'''Shroudguard''' are a host of [[Nighthaunt]] [[Malignants]], usually Bladegheist Revenants guarding a Knight of Shroudswho are bound to their master or mistress by magical oaths.{{Fn|3e}} The oaths reinforce their spectral forms and allow them to absorb blows that would otherwise dissipate them.{{Fn|3f}}
  
 
* [[Bladegheist Revenant]]
 
* [[Bladegheist Revenant]]
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** {{Endn|3d}}: Chronicles of Terror, pg. 18-19
 
** {{Endn|3d}}: Chronicles of Terror, pg. 18-19
 
** {{Endn|3e}}: Ghostly Processions, pg. 20-21
 
** {{Endn|3e}}: Ghostly Processions, pg. 20-21
 +
** {{Endn|3f}}: Warscroll Battalions, pg. 64-71
 
* {{Endn|4}}: [[Warhammer Age of Sigmar Mortal Realms Issue 1]]
 
* {{Endn|4}}: [[Warhammer Age of Sigmar Mortal Realms Issue 1]]
 
** {{Endn|4a}}: Nighthaunt  
 
** {{Endn|4a}}: Nighthaunt  
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** {{Endn|5a}}: The Realms: Soulwars  
 
** {{Endn|5a}}: The Realms: Soulwars  
 
* {{Endn|6}}: [[Tome Celestial: The Emerald Host]]
 
* {{Endn|6}}: [[Tome Celestial: The Emerald Host]]
 +
* {{Endn|7}}: [[Broken Realms: Be'lakor]]
 +
** {{Endn|7a}}: Reikenor's Condemned, pg. 99
  
 
{{Nighthaunt}}
 
{{Nighthaunt}}

Latest revision as of 23:11, 22 August 2023

Nighthaunt
Nighthaunt 01.jpg
An army of Nighthaunt.
Grand alliance Death
Associated factions Legion of Grief
Main grouping Processions
Major characters Kurdoss Valentian
Olynder
Reikenor
Allies Soulblight Gravelords
Races Malignant
Mounts Ethereal Steed
Nightmare
Vehicles Black Coach
Creatures Mourngul
Spell lores Lore of the Underworlds
Endless spells Mortalis Terminexus
Shyish Reaper
Vault of Souls
Archetypes Cairn Wraith
Guardian of Souls
Knight of Shrouds
Spirit Torment
Warbands Lady Harrow's Mournflight
Thorns of the Briar Queen


Nighthaunts are tormented and bitter spirits that leave nothing but withered corpses in their wake.

Overview

Gateways to the underworld that lurk beneath the Realm of Shyish discharge malignant spirits that gather together in hatred and rage to form nighthaunt armies. Cairn Wraiths only joy comes from the souls they reap with their scythes, many being murderers or merciless executioners whereas Tomb Banshees are betrayed spirits and whose piercing scream can freeze the heart of a living warrior. Hexwraiths were once knights cruel and proud who once again bring terror and death to the living whilst Black Coaches contain a forsaken soulblight vampire that seeks to gather power to escape its prison. Clouds of Spirit Hosts are full of rage and hate, the souls of the damned that have lost all identity and seek to express their unending rage at the living. [1]

Nighthaunts come in hundreds of varieties but most can be categorised into a dozen broad groupings such as Chainrasp Hordes and Dreadscythe Harridans. [3a]

These spirits can be created in several ways, one is the necro-maledictus – a curse on a soul recently separated from its physical form, forcing it to remain and haunt the Mortal Realms for eternity. Drifting pockets of amethyst magic or deep deposits of grave sand can also bring them into existence. [3a]

Most are created by Nagash or his followers, using the necromantic magics he has perfected and which the Collegiate Arcane believe he created. All such spirits suffer an ironic punishment, as the god of the dead inflicts a penance for crimes either real or perceived. So a criminal seeking escape through death may find himself in undeath still bound by spiritual chains. [3a]

The curse of the Nighthaunt cannot be easily broken. Even though the necromantic forces holding together the spectral bodies can be broken by sorcery or violence driven by sufficient willpower, over time their shattered essence reforms in the underworlds. Few weapons or spells in the mortal realms can destroy a Nighthaunt once and for all.[3a]

History

Age of Myth

Nighthaunts have haunted the Mortal Realms since the Age of Myth often seeking vengeance on the living themselves or serving more powerful entities such as Soulblight vampires. Occasional in this almost forgotten age, a host of Nighthaunts would arise and devour entire towns. [3b]

Age of Chaos

Nagash summons the spirits of the entire underworld of Nordyrie, part of Hallost following a defeat by a daemonic horder of Khorne at the Battle of Dirge Peak. These former heroes rise up and destroy the daemons with only their leader, the Bloodthirster Khazakhan, escaping their wrath. [3d]

Idoneth Deepkin raiders enter the Vale of Chains and accidently release a host of spectres cursed by Nagash to be held and tortured there for eternity. The wraiths seek revenge on both the lord of death and the living. [3d]

Following the defeat of Nagash by Archaon, most of the dead are subjugated, imprisoned or destroyed – but the Nighthaunts including such forces as the Glowing Host and the Grimguard remain effective. [3d]

Age of Sigmar

During the Necroquake there is a huge rise in nighthaunt attacks on the living, with hosts nearly overwhelming the Stormcast defending Phoenicium but grew distracted with tormenting the population of the city. Gnarlok, a Sylvaneth fortress was conquered but the ghiests ignored the magical woadstone that it guarded and beastmen were able to take control of it. [3c]

Nagash decided that in order to fully exploit their power, the nighthaunt hosts needed a commander to control and direct them. So it was that he created a new Mortarch to join the trio of lieutenants that served him and commanded his legions. Having once curse the lady Olynder now he sought her out again and gave her a sliver of his divinity. [3c]

Her first great act was to send out a siren call, a soulful lamentation that summoned them back to the Realm of Shyish and her service. From all across the Realms, they came and she formed them into mighty legions or Processions with a Knight of Shrouds to command each spectral host. [3c]

Then she unleashed them against the enemies of her lord, launching attacks first against those who sought to command the Underworld of Lyria. She defeated the hosts of the Chaos warlord Thur at the Plains of Narth and Stormcast Eternals at the siege of Morlaix. Other processions achieve victories by reclaiming the Calcified Realmgate and the Mausoleum Mountains. [3c] On occasion, Processions form brief alliances with Flesh-eater Courts as the dead seek to reclaim Ossia but after each successful campaign, the spectres turn on and destroy the ghouls. [3d]

Nighthaunt Processions defeat the Stormcast defenders at the Siege of Morlaix and took back the Mausoleum Mountains. [5a]

Processions

Nighthaunt Procession 01.jpeg

The legions or spectral hosts under the command of Lady Olynder are known as Processions, gathered initially by her siren call of lament and held together by her will or that of her chosen lieutenants. Some processions are constantly being changed or reformed as their Mortarch wills, others are the spirits of a given area or locale that have flocked together and remain in unison.[3e]

Notable

Hierarchy

At the top of the hierarchy of the Nighthaunt lies Lady Olynder, the Mortarch of Grief, who leads her own army in the most dire of campaigns - often accompanied by her spectral consort, Kurdoss Valentian. More frequently, Processions are lead by a Knight of Shrouds, although there are notable exceptions (such as Reikenor the Grimhailer and the Cairnking Angrimm). [3e]

Beneath the commanders in the hierarchy lies any number of captains - the Dreadblade Harrows, Spirit Torments, Guardians of Souls, Cairn Wraiths, Lord Executioners, and Tomb Banshees - that are used to lead more specialised attacks upon the enemy. A few such spectres - the Briar Queen and Morwyrt Blackheart being examples - become notorious for their actions. [3e]

Chainguard

Guardian of Souls 01.jpeg

The Chainguard are a formation of Malignants, constituted by Chainrasp Hordes and overseen by a Guardian of Souls. These hosts are frequently used to hold the centerline of a Nighthaunt army by engaging larger, powerful enemy units and pinning them in place. The Guardian constantly draws the Chainrasps back to battle, allowing the formation to constantly reform and press the initiative.[3e]

Condemned

The Condemned are lead by Spirit Torments, hosts composed of the Chainghasts and Chainrasps, into battle - rampaging through the ranks of the foe.[3e] Such hosts are often the spear-tip of Nighthaunt assaults or assigned to forlorn hopes.[3f]

Deathriders

Deathriders are the Malignant cavalry of a Nighthaunt Procession and are often drawn together around one or more Black Coaches, providing a powerful fast moving force.[3e] The swell of supernatural energies allows them to charge with unnatural speed to sweep away all who stand against them.[3f]

Deathstalkers

The Death Stalkers are Nighthaunt Malignants that are put together to hunt out and dispatch specific enemies and foes.[3e] The name of their target is whispered to them via dark rites, and they pursue their victims with vengeful zeal.[3f]

Execution Hordes

Lord Executioner 01.jpeg

Execution Hordes are led by a Lord Executioner, these smaller hosts are able to weave across battlefields and strike powerful blows at enemy formations.[3e] The spirit hosts of the formation are usually created from the souls of those the Lord Executioner slew in life.[3f]

Shrieker Hosts

Shrieker Hosts are Nighthaunt Malignants. Protected from enemy magic by the Myrmourn, the Tomb Banshee leads her sisters into battle. As she unleashes her wail of doom, her accompanying Dreadscythes tear into the shaken enemy.[3e] The shrieking of such a host often causes foes to break and run.[3f]

Shroudguard

Knight of Shrouds 01.jpeg

Shroudguard are a host of Nighthaunt Malignants, usually Bladegheist Revenants guarding a Knight of Shrouds, who are bound to their master or mistress by magical oaths.[3e] The oaths reinforce their spectral forms and allow them to absorb blows that would otherwise dissipate them.[3f]

Quotes

Ice cold fear heralds their arrival. Only ruined corpses mark their passing.

~ Lord-Exorcist Wynter .[4a]

Sources


Nighthaunt
Units Chainguard (Chainrasp - Guardian of Souls) - Condemned (Chainghast - Chainrasp - Spirit Torment) - Deathriders (Black Coach - Dreadblade Harrow - Hexwraith) - Death Stalkers (Cairn Wraith - Glaivewraith Stalker - Grimghast Reaper) - Ethereal Steed - Executioner Horde (Lord Executioner - Spirit Host) - Krulghast Cruciator - Shrieker Host (Dreadscythe Harridan - Myrmourn Banshee - Tomb Banshee) - Shroudguard (Bladegheist Revenant - Knight of Shrouds) - Scriptor Mortis - Craventhrone Guard
Characters Awlrach the Drowner - Celemnis - Entyr Rocha - Keldrek - Kurdoss Valentian - Lady Harrow's Mournflight (Anguished One - Lady Harrow - Screaming Maiden - Widow Caitha) - Morwyrt Blackheart - Olynder, the Mortarch of Grief - Omphalo Dohl - Reikenor the Grimhailer - Sabrodt - Thorns of the Briar Queen (Briar Queen - Ever-Hanged - Kreth Soulvoid - Varclav) - Valentian Heralds - Vorgen Malendrek - White Witch
Processions Blackguard - Burning Scream - Chainguard of Viniculum - Chainwraiths - Crimson Procession - Blood Mavens - Emerald Host - Glowing Host - Grieving Legion - Grimguard - Malendrek’s Procession - Quicksilver Dead - Reikenor's Condemned - Reaverhost - Scarlet Doom - Sepulchral Armada
Armoury - Artwork - Miniatures - Endless Spells - Lore of the Underworlds
Grand Alliances and factions
OrderChaosDestructionDeath
DeathlordsFlesh-Eater CourtsLegions of Nagash (Grand Host of NagashLegion of BloodLegion of GriefLegion of NightLegion of Sacrament) • NighthauntOssiarch BonereapersSoulblight Gravelords (Beasts of the GraveDeadwalkersDeathmagesDeathrattleSoulblight)