Tag Archives: Oaths & Conquests

QUICK REVIEW: Beneath the Rust – Graeme Lyon

A prequel to Code of the Skies, Graeme Lyon’s Age of Sigmar short story Beneath the Rust looks back to the youthful exploits of Borri Kraglan and Harek Steelfist beneath the Rusted Wastes of Chamon. The Kharadron of Barak-Nar have entered into a business arrangement with the Stormcast Eternals of the Sigmarite Brotherhood, but the initial work on a Stormkeep has revealed tunnels running deep beneath the surface, which need exploring before work can continue. The Kharadron and Stormcast delve into the tunnels together, but what lies beneath the surface will test them sorely and come to define Borri’s and Harek’s future.

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QUICK REVIEW: A Tithe of Bone – Michael R Fletcher

The Black Library debut for both author Michael R. Fletcher and the Ossiarch Bonereapers as a faction, A Tithe of Bone is a cleverly thought-out and constructed Age of Sigmar short story which introduces something new to the setting without compromising on the quality of storytelling. Chaos champion Lord Markash has conquered the city of Knazziir at the edge of Nagash’s domain, in the name Tzeentch. Utterly loyal to his god, and with total confidence in himself and his destiny, when faced by the Ossiarch legions come to claim their bone tithe Markash strides out to confront them head on.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Serpent’s Bargain – Jamie Crisalli

In her second Black Library short story, The Serpent’s Bargain, Jamie Crisalli explores the consequences of making unwise alliances in the Mortal Realms. After her village is attacked by Slaaneshi raiders, Laila fears that the seekers aren’t done yet with Varna and will return to inflict even more damage. Against the wishes of the village elders, she sets out with just two companions to find the Valley of the Oracle’s Eye and petition the Fair Ones to come to their aid. Little does she realise, however, that the cost for their protection may be more than she’s willing to pay.

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QUICK REVIEW: Bossgrot – Eric Gregory

Eric Gregory’s first Black Library short story, Bossgrot is an anarchic Age of Sigmar tale of loyalty and treachery amongst the Gloomspite Gitz. Bossgrot Gribblak knows his inspirational leadership gives him the unqualified adoration of his skrap…or at least their grudging respect. After taking a beating at the hands of some particularly violent ‘umies, however, he needs to give his gitz something to really fire them up, so he hatches a plan to give them a big win…he’ll lead them in a glorious assault on the heavily-defended Glinty Crown, and both reaffirm their loyalty and win himself great renown.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Unlamented Archpustulent of Clan Morbidus – David Guymer

A tale of scheming skaven in the Age of Sigmar, David Guymer’s wonderfully-titled The Unlamented Archpustulent of Clan Morbidus reimagines the political maneuvering of a papal conclave as the vicious, backstabbing process of electing the new spiritual leader of Clan Morbidus. As the voting draws nearer, several candidates for the position of Archpustulent employ bribery, cunning and violence to ensure they, and only they, are elevated to this vaunted – and dangerous – position of power. In typical skaven fashion, however, each candidate’s devious schemes clash, backfire and generally get in each other’s way causing carnage in the depths of Blight City.

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QUICK REVIEW: Blessed Oblivion – Dale Lucas

Dale Lucas is an established fantasy writer, and for his Black Library debut – Age of Sigmar short story Blessed Oblivion – he delivers a fresh, assured look at the cost paid by the Stormcast Eternals for their Reforging. Klytos is a Liberator of the Celestial Vindicators, bound by brotherhood and duty, his Stormhost tasked with protecting refugees fleeing through Shyish from the predations of rampaging Khornate hordes. Before each battle he holds tight to his few remaining memories from his first life, and when an unlikely alliance offers the opportunity to reclaim his memories in full he can’t help but put himself first for once.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Garden of Mortal Delights – Robert Rath

Robert Rath makes an impressive Black Library debut with The Garden of Mortal Delights, an Age of Sigmar short story which manages to explore interesting angles on both Slaanesh worship and the mindset of the Sylvaneth. Branchwych Kurdwen has been held captive for a full season, serving the whims of Revish the Epicurean and tending to his pleasure garden. Grown bored of the more visceral excesses, Revish has turned to culinary pleasures to sate his desires, utilising Kurdwen’s talents to nurture his garden. As he increasingly relies upon her skills, however, the branchwych has plans of her own in motion.

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