Warhammer Age of Sigmar is gripped in the feral claws of the Era of the Beast – and against this backdrop mortals are undertaking great journeys to reclaim territory and found settlements in the name of the God-King Sigmar. These are the Dawnbringer Crusades, huge logistical and military operations bringing civilisation to shattered lands.
Welcome to the latest Dawnbringer Preview, the latest in our ongoing look at one of the game’s most anticipated factions – the Cities of Sigmar, who put the “mortal” in the Mortal Realms.
You’ve had a glimpse of the accessories and details with which these crusaders adorn themselves, and some of the melee and black powder weapons wielded by the regular folk who make up the bulk of each expeditionary force.
Now we can reveal the shields and armour these people use to protect themselves in the harsh wilds beyond their walls. Seb Perbet, a senior designer at the Warhammer Studio, offered his insight into the decisions behind the designs.
“One of our main goals is to show the mindset and culture of the Cities of Sigmar in every item they’ve produced,” said Seb. “Whether it’s a breastplate, a shield, or even a bag or bottle, we want to show a certain fashion and level of craftsmanship rooted in their culture.”
While the realms are home to entire civilisations of aquatic aelves and sinister spectres, the Free Cities are a little more down-to-earth – and their equipment reflects that.
“The materials shown – such as wood, metal, cloth, and leather – are all chosen and rendered to make the Cities feel relatable compared to the other factions of the Mortal Realms,” Seb explains. “The overall silhouettes are simple, with many straight lines and robust proportions, showing the users are resolute, determined, and sturdy.”
“Within this austere silhouette, there are more ostentatious details, which tells us many of these people are proud and wealthy too. We’re carefully setting a level of wear and tear that communicates they’ve been through storms and battles – these soldiers are exhausted, but still standing.”
That’s it for this reveal, but as the Dawnbringer Crusades gain momentum we’ll be seeing more and more of them in future. Sign up for the Warhammer Community newsletter for all the news of the Free Cities.