Nagash the Undead King

Lore & Background

His reign ended when he was defeated by Alcadizaar the Conqueror, who used the Sword of the Sun (also known as the Khopesh of the Sun) and the aid of the Skaven to destroy his body and bind his spirit within a black diamond. For centuries, his soul remained trapped, but his influence persisted through the dark arts passed down to lesser necromancers. Crucially, Nagash never served Chaos; rather, he sought to usurp death independently, standing in opposition to the Chaos Gods who wished to claim all souls for themselves. During the End Times, Nagash was resurrected and ascended to become the god of death, his essence no longer fractured but unified in divine power. Yet the legend of the Undead King remains a terrifying warning of what happens when one seeks to usurp the natural order of life and death.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the ruins of an ancient tomb, carrying whispers of a name long forgotten by the living. A lone necromancer knelt before a sealed sarcophagus, his hands trembling as he chanted the forbidden words that had once bound the greatest sorcerer in history. Shadows coalesced into a towering figure clad in dark robes, eyes burning with cold blue fire. 'I am returned,' the voice echoed, shaking the very stones of the crypt, 'and death shall bow before me once more.'

Reader's Guide

Nagash stands as the originator of necromancy in the Warhammer Fantasy world, a figure whose ambition reshaped the fate of the Old World. Originally a mortal mage, he discovered the secrets of undeath and became the first Lich, ruling over an empire of the dead for millennia. His power was such that he could challenge the Chaos Gods, though his ultimate goal was to achieve true immortality by conquering death itself. His reign ended when he was defeated by a group of powerful wizards who trapped his soul in the Book of Nagash. Though bound for centuries, his legacy endures through the dark arts practiced by necromancers and the undead legions that still plague the world. He remains a symbol of ultimate hubris and the dangers of seeking power beyond mortal limits.

Did You Know?

• Nagash was not the first being to successfully become a Lich; earlier undead entities existed in Nehekhara, and the first known lich is the ancient Nehekharan priest known as the 'Liche Lord' or founder of the Mortuary C
• His soul was bound within a black diamond by Alcadizaar the Conqueror after his defeat.
• He is considered the father of necromancy in the Old World, with many dark mages tracing their lineage back to him.
• Despite being defeated, fragments of his power and influence continue to shape the undead forces in the world.

Origins of a Dark Fantasy Realm

The Warhammer universe started with Games Workshop's 1983 tabletop game, growing into a distinct setting that mapped its world by the second edition. This fictional realm pulls from classic fantasy literature like Tolkien's Middle-earth, Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, and Michael Moorcock's Elric sagas. It also anchors to real history, reflecting the Holy Roman Empire, medieval France, and ancient Egypt in its geography. The setting keeps a dark, gritty tone, filling it with humans, elves, dwarfs, and monstrous creatures. These influences built a world where events like the Black Plague play out alongside original fantasy pieces, creating a unique stage for many games and stories.

The Rise of Necromancy and Chaos

Within this grim universe, the forces of undeath and corruption play pivotal roles. The narrative features a Great Necromancer who rises again after suffering defeats in his southern stronghold, signaling a resurgence of necromantic power. Simultaneously, the world is threatened by Chaos, personified as the inner flaws of sentient beings manifesting as literal daemons. These chaotic forces invade from the northern wastes and corrupt various races, including the Dwarfs who split into Chaos Dwarfs. The setting suggests that all life is fundamentally flawed, inevitably leading to self-destruction through these dark influences. This theme culminates in the End Times campaign, where the potential victory of Chaos looms large over the fate of the world.

A World Shaped by Ancient Creators

The sentient races of this fantasy setting were largely crafted by the Old Ones, star-traveling gods who created civilizations like the Elves and Lizardmen. The Elves, once a unified and magical people, were torn apart by a bitter civil war into three distinct kindreds: the noble High Elves, the cruel Dark Elves, and the rustic Wood Elves. Similarly, the Lizardmen serve as ancient guardians led blindly by Slann priests following prophecies left by their creators. The Old Ones eventually fell due to daemonic forces unleashed when their Warp Gates collapsed at the poles, leaving their creations to fend for themselves. This backstory explains the presence of familiar fantasy races and sets the stage for a world where ancient magic and forgotten histories shape current conflicts.

The Cycle of Destruction and Rebirth

The history of this fictional universe is marked by dramatic shifts in its narrative status. In 2014, Games Workshop introduced The End Times, an event that led to the total destruction of the Warhammer world. This cataclysm paved the way for a soft reboot known as Age of Sigmar in 2015, which continued the lore in a new form. However, the original setting was not abandoned forever; in 2024, it returned as Warhammer: The Old World. This revival brought updated rules and models to the classic fantasy universe, allowing fans to revisit the dark and gritty world of humans, elves, and undead once more. This cycle reflects the enduring popularity and adaptability of the setting across different eras of gaming.