The new edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar is almost here, and with it comes the massive Skaventide launch set. Such a mountain of miniatures will give your hobby arm a real workout, and whether you’re building the Stormcast Eternals and Skaven from the box or starting a brand new army of your own, keeping your stamina high will get you out of the plastic mines and into painting and gameplay in no time.
When we’re having a bit of our own hobby time we like to put on a good audiobook to keep up the tempo, and the Black Library shelves are stuffed with awesome tales to have on in the background as the cutters and glue do their work. In fact, there are so many that we’ve put together a list of our favourites for your own listening pleasure.
Realmslayer by David Guymer
The inimitable Gotrek Gurnisson has survived the fall of the World-that-Was and now finds himself in the strange lands of the Mortal Realms without a weapon, a plan, or a trusted partner. At a complete loss, the legendary Slayer sets out to find his place in an unfamiliar world, and meets an eclectic cast of characters along the way.
Realmslayer was first released as a series of audio dramas at the dawn of Warhammer Age of Sigmar, and has since been condensed into a modern novelisation that refines the story while keeping true to the original. Both versions are available as audiobooks, and with thespian luminary Brian Blessed voicing Gotrek himself in the audio drama, it’s a whirlwind of a ride that’ll keep you raring to build for days.
Listen to it because: A legendary Warhammer hero is back in action, and then some.
Gloomspite by Andy Clark
The devious grots of the Gloomspite Gitz are unlikely characters to rally behind, but their anarchic antics are a great backdrop for an extra-active burst of building. This novel follows the woes of a Sigmarite city as it comes under attack from Skagrott the Loonking, and with their settlement firmly sandwiched between the subterranean Gitz and the Bad Moon above, things are looking grim for the people of Dracothium.
Listen to it because: Grot shenanigans are perfect pairings for light-hearted hobby time.
The Hollow King by John French
Few stories present the present day of the Mortal Realms in such dramatic detail as The Hollow King by John French, the dark and cinematic chronicle of a monarch-turned-monster who grapples with the guilt of his kingdom’s loss and the vampiric curse that saved him. It’s a gripping story full of twists and turns, and is great for a more casual build session when you’ve got time to listen and really grapple with the story.
Listen to it because: It’s high drama featuring an up-and-coming Black Library star.
Hallowed Ground by Richard Strachan
Not all of the heroes in the Mortal Realms are superhuman warriors or powerful mages – some are simply hard-nosed citizens with well-drilled skills, trying to survive amongst the terrible and the fantastic. The Order of Azyr are a band of specialist Sigmarites who deal with threats within the Cities of Sigmar, and Hallowed Ground follows two of the greatest – Galen and Doralia ven Denst – as they cope with the aftermath of the Siege of Excelsis* and the new threats that arise shortly after.
Listen to it because: It’s a relatable tale of regular humans making do in the Mortal Realms.
Darkoath by Chris Thursten
The forces of Chaos get a bit of a bad rap – at least if you listen to the God-King – but not all of them are slavering butchers screaming prayers to their malevolent masters. Some, like Darkoath chieftain Gunnar Brand, just need to survive in the vicious wilds of the Mortal Realms, and if they have to make some powerful oaths in exchange for power from their own divine patrons… well, they can hardly be blamed, can they?
Listen to it because: It’s an almost sympathetic side of Chaos that you rarely get to see.
Grombrindal: Chronicles of the Wanderer by David Guymer
If you prefer to build in bite-sized chunks and want a few short stories that match up nicely with your pace, the collected tales of Grombrindal are a great way to space out your sessions. The White Dwarf is a legendary wanderer who tours the length and breadth of the realms aiding his duardin kinsmen in their time of need, and there’s no better anthology of diverse and dramatic adventures featuring the world of Warhammer Age of Sigmar.
Listen to it because: It’s high adventure broken up into nice bite-sized chunks.
Blacktalon by Liane Merciel
Not all is as it seems in the ranks of the Stormcast Eternals, and despite their carefully cultivated image as honourable defenders of justice and civilisation, they still maintain a hard-boiled corps of dedicated killers to deal with tricky situations. Neave Blacktalon leads a band of Sigmar’s chosen assassins, and now they’ve been given the task of their (many) lifetimes – hunting down a Chaos cabal who threaten to unearth a weapon that can harm the God-King himself.
Listen to it because: It’s a darker side to the Stormcast Eternals that proves things aren’t all hunky-dory in the ranks.
Do you have any favourite audiobooks that you’d add to the list? You’ve only got a short time to put together your definitive playlist, as Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Skaventide is up for pre-order this Saturday and you’ll have a ton of miniatures to build, so pop in your headphones and get cracking!
* That’s when Kragnos smashed up the city at the height of the Era of the Beast.
