The End Times brought many changes, not least the complete collapse of all reality as Archaon and the Chaos Gods finally got what they wanted. Before that calamity struck, there were many begrudging alliances and convoluted plans forged across the World-that-Was, one of which involved resurrecting the Great Necromancer Nagash – in the process turning him into a god-like figure.
Naturally, such an important character needed a miniature that befitted his apotheosis.
So as Warhammer Fantasy Battles came to an end, the Supreme Lord of the Dead finally earned a miniature that lived up to his legend as the father of Necromancy. This incarnation of the pettiest and most vindictive character ever to have lived, died, and lived again was a show-stopper perched atop a swirling mass of spirits employing the latest advancements in miniatures design and production.
He sports a truly tremendous hat – because you cannot be the Grand Necromancer without appropriate headgear – and of course a winning skeleton smile. This replaced a beloved original, Gary Morely’s classic metal miniature from 1994.
Just like the modern plastic rendition, this weighty metal version also holds a staff and a sword, and with a crown as splendid as 90s miniature technology would allow perched on his rictus grinning visage.* Big hats really are incredibly important in Warhammer.
Surprisingly, Nagash didn’t hog all the upgrades for himself. He generously allowed his three sub-commanders to receive new incarnations too. Mannfred Von Carstein, Arkhan the Black, and Neferata were all granted abyssal mounts.
Nagash continues his dominance of death in the Age of Sigmar, where he has constructed legions of thematic dead to serve him in Shyish. There’s an army of osseous constructs, those afflicted by the Soulblight Curse, and the spectral Nighthaunt.
His body currently lies convalescing in a necropolis after losing a battle of wits with the Archmage Teclis. We don’t know what’s next for this spiteful deity, but it probably has something to do with black pyramids.
* Rumour has it there was a secret second head of such disturbing malevolence that did not make it to production. This was locked away to preserve the minds of all Warhammer fans, but fans of forbidden lore might be able to Google it…