All week long we’ve been talking about what makes the Soulblight Gravelords different and interesting in the Grand Alliance of Death. Up to now, we’ve mostly focused on dynasties like the Legion of Blood and Legion of Night, and key units like the Blood Knights and Wight Kings. With the book and models coming up for pre-order tomorrow, let’s take a look at where they fit into the bigger picture.
The Great Necromancer commands utter devotion and loyalty from his subjects, dictating their every move from afar. Unfortunately for both sides, the vampiric dynasties prefer to mind their own business. Despite this insolence, Nagash allows them an unprecedented level of autonomy compared to his other armies.
It all goes back to the World-that-Was, when Neferata made a devil’s bargain with Nagash to attain immortal life – but nothing comes for free. The Soulblight curse granted her incredible power, along with an unslakable, eternal thirst for blood. She felt cheated even back then, but she was still free to go about her way.
Neferata and her kin learned to thrive in the World-that-Was, until they were destroyed during the events of the End Times. When Nagash became a god in the Mortal Realms, he sought out the souls of three powerful vampires – Neferata, Mannfred von Carstein, and Ushoran – to summon them into being in Shyish.
The proud vampires of old were reborn, but they were under the thumb of the Great Necromancer. They chafed under his control, grudgingly learning to accept their new roles. They brought the Soulblight curse into the Mortal Realms and set about creating new bloodlines throughout the realms.
Ushoran’s brood degenerated into the abhorrent cannibal kings of the Flesh-eater Courts, but Neferata and Mannfred von Carstein earned their place amongst Nagash’s inner circle of Mortarchs. The vaunted title didn’t appease them, and they resented what they saw as the Undying King’s incessant meddling.In return for the gifts of immortality, strength, and speed, all vampires thirst for the fresh blood of the living. While some seem content to make the trade, many come to wallow in self-loathing, and most ultimately blame Nagash himself.
So why does Nagash put up with their bitterness and indignation? Soulblight vampires retain their cunning, intellect, and personality – the very traits that are in short supply in the Grand Alliance of Death. Most of his troops are little more than automatons, requiring constant direction and mindfulness.
Vampires are able to strike out on their own, all across the realms. They create more of their kind through the ritual of the blood kiss, always expanding their grave-empires. So what if they fight amongst themselves, play political games, and build monuments to their own glory? It always serves Death in the end.
Though the Soulblight Gravelords ultimately must obey Nagash, he affords them a long leash. Their ambition and drive make vampires ideal colonists. Over time, these far-flung empires form their own unique cultures, infusing variety and individuality into a Grand Alliance that’s prone to stagnation.
If all this sounds intriguing to you, come back tomorrow and pre-order the Soulblight Gravelords battletome, and a host of amazing new models – take a look at the final set of releases, revealed during Warhammer Fest.