Nagash

Ruler of the Realm of Death, where eternal twilight reigns and tombs hold spectral entities.

Nagash is the god of death who rules over Shyish, the Realm of Death, within the Mortal Realms. He commands a land of eternal twilight filled with tombs, spectral entities, and the undead. As the supreme leader of this domain, Nagash directs his followers to expand their influence over the living realms. His presence defines the realm's atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the vibrant life of Ghyran or the celestial brightness of Azyr. While other gods may remain distant, Nagash actively seeks to control the cycles of life and death, utilizing the unique magical properties of Shyish to sustain his forces.

Quick Facts

Realm

Shyish (The Realm of Death)

Title

God of Death

Domain description

A land of eternal twilight filled with tombs
spectral entities
and the undead

Lore & Background

Shyish serves as the primary domain for Nagash and the undead forces loyal to him. This realm is characterized by its perpetual state of eternal twilight, a gloom that shrouds landscapes filled with tombs and spectral entities. Unlike other realms defined by light or life, Shyish thrives on decay, providing the perfect environment for the Nighthaunt and other servants of death. The Mortal Realms themselves were formed from the remnants of the 'World That Was,' which was destroyed during the End Times of the Warhammer Fantasy universe. Within this new universe, Nagash’s domain remains a constant threat, using Realmgates to facilitate travel and conflict with other realms. His followers actively seek to expand his influence over living populations, driven by their master's will to manipulate the cycles of life and death.

Reader's Guide

For players engaging with Age of Sigmar, understanding Nagash’s role requires focusing on the Grand Alliance of Death. This alliance encompasses forces that thrive in death and seek to expand influence over the living. Specific factions include Nighthaunt, led by Lady Olynder, the Mortarch of Grief, who are ghostly spirits bound to serve Nagash. Another key faction is the Ossiarch Bonereapers, constructed from bones and serving as disciplined soldiers under Nagash's command. The Flesh-Eater Courts also exist within this alliance, though they follow Ushoran rather than directly obeying Nagash in the same manner. Gameplay involves taking turns with actions like moving, charging, shooting, fighting, and casting spells, outcomes determined by dice rolls. Players can download Warscrolls detailing specific unit rules from the Games Workshop website or view them in the Age of Sigmar app.

The Realm of Death and Nagash's Dominion

Shyish is explicitly defined as the Realm of Death, ruled by Nagash. It is a land of eternal twilight filled with tombs, spectral entities, and the undead. The landscape serves as the base for factions like Nighthaunt and Ossiarch Bonereapers who seek to expand Nagash's influence over the living. This realm contrasts with Azyr (Heaven), Ghur (Beasts), Aqshy (Fire), Ghyran (Life), Ulgu (Shadow), Hysh (Light), and Chamon (Metal). The Mortal Realms were formed from the remnants of the 'World That Was,' destroyed during the End Times. Realmgates connect these realms, allowing conflict between them. Nagash’s control over Shyish is absolute, characterized by darkness and decay.

The Evolution of Game Editions

Age of Sigmar has seen four editions since replacing Warhammer Fantasy Battle in 2015. The first edition initially lacked point values, using model counts and 'sudden death' conditions instead. It included controversial rules like re-rolls for having impressive moustaches or pretending to ride imaginary horses. The second edition (2018) overhauled summoning and introduced endless spells. The third edition (June 2021) revamped battalions and objectives following the Broken Realms campaign. The fourth edition (July 2024), set in Aqshy, retired the Beastmen and Bonesplitterz factions.

Narrative Depth and Thematic Origins

The game is a fantasy sequel to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and Michael Moorcock. It features human and fantasy creature warriors (elves, dwarves, orks) using medieval weapons and magic. The setting includes the Mortal Realms, interconnected by Realmgates. Narrative play is encouraged through story-driven scenarios and player-created stories.

Hobbyist Culture and Gameplay Mechanics

Beyond wargaming, a large part of Age of Sigmar is the hobby of collecting, assembling, and painting miniatures. Games are played on flat surfaces like tables or floors decorated with terrain. Players take turns moving, charging, shooting, fighting, and casting spells, with outcomes determined by dice rolls. Rules are simple to learn but hard to master via unit-specific Warscrolls.