Total War Warhammer Codexery

Realm of Death

Rise from the crypts to command the eternal legions in the misty silence of the underworld.

The Realm of Death is not a campaign for mortals to conquer, but a dark pilgrimage into the misty, dreamlike underworld known as the domain of Morr in the World That Was, or Shyish in the Age of Sigmar. In this scenario, players assume command of the Undead legions rising from the crypts of Sylvania or the ancient tombs of Nehekhara, tasked with securing the soul-harvesting grounds against living interlopers and rival necromancers. It serves as a narrative exploration of the eternal stagnation of the dead, rather than a direct bridge between the mortal world and the afterlife.

Quick Facts

Faction type
Undead; Necropolis
Primary setting
The Realm of Death (Afterlife)
Key threats
  • Living Armies
  • Chaos Undivided
  • rival Undead lords
Playable factions
Various Undead factions (e.g., Vampire Counts, Tomb Kings)
Campaign tone
Dark Fantasy; Horror
Objective focus
Soul Collection and Territorial Dominance

Lore & Background

The Realm is a contested zone where the ambitions of Vampire Counts clash with the ancient rituals of the Tomb Kings. While the Vampires view it as a source of endless life force and political leverage, the geography of the Realm of Morr in the World That Was is described as a shifting, dreamlike landscape reflecting the wills of the dead—a property also attributed to Shyish in the Age of Sigmar, meaning this trait is not unique to the latter.

Reader's Guide

The Realm of Death scenario challenges players to master the unique mechanics of undead warfare in a hostile metaphysical environment. The primary narrative premise involves securing key necromantic sites while fending off waves of living crusaders and rival dark lords who seek to usurp your claim over the afterlife. Victory is achieved by controlling a specific number of soul-harvesting regions or eliminating all major opposing factions before the turn limit expires.

Conversely, failure occurs if your capital falls or if your corruption levels drop below a critical threshold, causing your armies to crumble into dust. Key events include the 'Awakening of the Ancients,' where powerful undead heroes join your ranks, and the 'Living Crusade,' which triggers massive invasions from mortal factions. Difficulty modifiers often increase the aggression of enemy AI and reduce the effectiveness of healing spells for living units.

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