The Free Cities are tiny motes of sanctuary adrift in a sea of darkness. These outposts offer (relative) safety in the vast and terrifying Mortal Realms, where predatory spells, titanic monsters, reaving bands of Chaos worshippers, and countless other horrors roam with abandon.
Of the major Free Cities that dot the realms, Hammerhal is the grandest. This legendary city spans across two realms, Aqshy and Ghyran, thanks to the colossal Stormrift Realmgate situated at its centre.
The Twin-Tailed city provides thousands of troops for Dawnbringer Crusades across the realms, and the new Dawnbringers series follows the mighty crusade marching from the dual gates of Hammerhal. The video below explains more.
This city may be of two halves but it is united in purpose. Hammerhal Aqsha, known as the Bright City, is a sweltering, smoke-wreathed hub of industry whose citizens toil day after day forging blades, armour, and equipment for the vast Sigmarite military. Viaducts of lava are directed through the realmgate to Hammerhal Ghyra, the Verdant City, which lies on the other side of the realmgate.
This lava flow also keeps the fecund plantlife of Ghyran from choking Hammerhal, turns the Aqua Ghyranis that bubbles up from springs into clouds of life-giving steam that protect the city, and forms part of the defensive embankments. With these defences, Hammerhal Ghyra can focus on tilling the land, filling granaries and cellars – even the best equipped army cannot march on an empty stomach.
The new Dawnbringers series traces the Twin-Tailed Crusade as it heads out. In Dawnbringers: Book II – Reign of the Brute, you can read about its formation and first steps, and create your own Aqshian or Ghyranite forces with a rules supplement designed for use alongside Battletome: Cities of Sigmar.
The Twin-Tailed Crusade; Chapter I – Grit & Zeal contains branching quests for both an Aqshian and Ghyranite Dawnbringer Crusades with setbacks, blessings, crusade traits, and veteran rewards. There are eight battleplans – two unique to Aqshy and Ghyran, and four Story Battleplans that turn the narrative beats of Reign of the Brute into thrilling games.
Dawnbringers: Book II – Reign of the Brute is available to pre-order on Saturday.