Legions of Nagash
The Legions of Nagash are the numerous undead armies that serve at the behest of the Great Necronmancer Nagash, the ruling god of the Realm of Shyish.[1a]
Contents
Overview
All undead creatures serve Nagash, from lowly skeletal serfs to the most prideful of Vampire Lords. Nagash lays claim to all of Shyish, from the mist-shrouded barrows of Ullenghast to the parched waves of the Desert of Bones. Upon his seat of power within Nagashizzar dwells the Great Necromancer, feeding upon other gods of the afterlife and setting into motion his terrifying plans. Enacting his will, the Legions of Nagash are led by the Mortarchs. At the forefront of these legions is the Grand Host of Nagash, led by the Great Necromancer himself.[1a]
Mortarchs
To ensure his domination over the Mortal Realms, Nagash turned to his great lieutenants, the Mortarchs. Each Mortarch is granted is sliver of Nagash's limitless power with which to command their own undead legions. The Mortarchs were chosen by Nagash not for their loyalty - but for their unique and invaluable skills. Should Nagash require a corruption of a mortal city via a Soulblight curse, he turn to Neferata, the Mortarch of Blood. Should Nagash's task depend on martial expertise and viscious, low cunning, he will turn to Mannfred von Carstein, the Mortarch of Night. To the loyal Arkhan the Black, the Mortarch of Sacrament, Nagash will task the most sensitive and secretive missions.[1e] In Lady Olynder, the Mortarch of Grief, Nagash sought a Mortarch who could instead inflict psychological losses upon an enemy.[4a] It was Lady Olynder who led the Legion of Grief against the Sigmar's armies to break the stormvault beneath the city of Lethis.[2a] These events led to the return of Orpheon Katakros, the Mortarch of the Necropolis, who leads the Ossiarch Legions.[3a]
Legions
Each legion of Nagash is led by a Mortarch who specializes in skills unique and valuable Nagash.[1e]
- Grand Host of Nagash: Led by Nagash himself, it includes the First Cohort, which is the Great Necromancer's personal guard and retinue.[1j]
- Legion of Night: Led by Mannfred von Carstein, the Mortarch of Night. Specializes in terror tactics, with Mortarch of Night relishing in the use of Vargheists to smash and tear into enemy formations.[1e]
- Legion of Sacrament: Led by Arkhan the Black, the Mortarch of Sacrament. Save Nagash, none have mastered the art of necromancy to the extent that Arkhan has. It follows that the Legion of Sacrament is composed of countless Deathmages, necromancers who wish to study beneath Arkhan.[1e]
- Legion of Blood: Led by Neferata, the Mortarch of Blood. Based in her capital city of Nulahmia, Queen Neferata's armies epitomise the macabre grandeur of the Soulblight aristocracy.[1e]
- Legion of Grief: Led by Lady Olynder, the Mortarch of Grief. Nagash had created this Mortarch upon observing the psychological effect the Nighthaunt inflict upon mortal minds.[4a]
- Ossiarch Legions: Ruled by Orpheon Katakros, the Mortarch of the Necropolis, they represent the iron fist of Nagash's will, an elite army of numerous legions of Ossiarch Bonereapers.[3b]
Sources
- 1: Battletome: Legions of Nagash (2018)
- 2: : Age of Sigmar: Forbidden Power
- 2a: : Dramatis Personae, pg. 8
- 3: Battletome: Ossiarch Bonereapers (2019)
- 4: Battletome: Nighthaunt (2018)
- 4a: The Rise of the Wraiths, pg.12-13