Dawnbringers III – The Long Hunt tells the next chapter in the story of the Twin-Tailed Crusade in Warhammer Age of Sigmar, as the forces of Order march deep into the Realms of Aqshy and Ghyran to put down the forces of Chaos once and for all… or die trying. This latest leg of the Crusade sees a classic Stormcast Eternals character from the lore return to the battlefield with a spectacular new miniature – Ionus Cryptborn, Warden of Lost Souls.
To mark his return, the crew over at Battle Report on Warhammer+ put the Arch-Relictor through his paces on the battlefield this week. We spoke to resident Stormcast Eternals commander Nick…
Warhammer Community: There’s a new Stormcast Eternal character on a giant dragon! Tell us more…Nick: Well first up, it’s known as a draconith around these parts… but yes! Ionus Cryptborn, last seen in the early days of Warhammer Age of Sigmar as a Lord-Relictor during the Quest for Ghal-Maraz, has returned.* Reforged, and given the rank of Arch-Relictor, he now rides to war upon his mighty draconith, Cthorak. Like just about everyone, when we saw the incredible new miniature in the new Dawnbringers book, we knew we had to play a game with it. So, we started planning one.
WarCom: So this episode of Battle Report is part of the Dawnbringers series, then?
Nick: Yes, it’s the third in a series of Warhammer+ Battle Reports, following the narrative of the Dawnbringers books. But, each episode in the series is a standalone game too, so you can watch this one even if you haven’t seen the others (but I do recommend it – they are all great fun!). In this episode, the famed Lord-Celestant of the Hammers of Sigmar Stormhost, Vandus Hammerhand, is leading the Hammerhands into the Realm of Fire. He’s there to hunt down his old enemy, Korghus Khul, the infamous Mighty Lord of Khorne.
WarCom: And he’s found him?
Nick: Not quite… Dawnbringers III tells an incredible tale of Vandus and his force arriving upon the shores of the Heartblood Seas in the Realm of Aqshy to face down an army of the Blades of Khorne known as the Goretide. They are led by two of Korghus Khul’s lieutenants – Bloodstoker Vekh the Flayer and Bloodsecrator Threx Skullbrand – and he has vowed to slay both in order to bring forth Khul himself. It’s this exact moment we recreate in this game.
WarCom: And Ionus Cryptborn, the Warden of Lost Souls is along for the ride?
Nick: Ohhh, absolutely. Always arriving on beleaguered battlefields when he is most needed, the mysterious form of Ionus Cryptborn has arrived to help his old ally Vandus in this battle. If you catch this episode, you’re going to see just what he can do…
WarCom: Go on, spill the beans… what’s he like to use in a game?
Nick: In Sigmar’s name… he’s just devastating as you would expect. Flying around on a giant draconith – which can set foes on fire with spirit-scouring flames or rip them apart with its ancient claws – Ionus himself is a terrifying avatar of the God-King, unleashing lightning tempests upon the foe and terrifying enemies into submission. He even goes toe-to-toe – or should that be claw-to-claw? – with a Bloodthirster of Unfettered Fury in this game, and gives it a real good fight…
WarCom: So, how does that go? And does Vandus Hammerhand kill Vekh the Flayer and Threx Skullbrand?
Nick: Ahh, you know what, you’re just going to have to watch the Battle Report episode to find out. But trust me when I say the ending is… amazing!
He never gives anything away, that one! Thanks, Nick! Catch the episode of Battle Report on Warhammer+ right now. Dawnbringers III: The Lost Hunt and Cryptborn’s Stormwing are both out to pre-order this Saturday.
* A conflict that was recently recreated in spectacular fashion on another Battle Report.