Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
2015/10/01 21:25:16
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Since there is no discussion on the books or background decided to make a topic. Does anyone have any favorites out of the series or short novelizations? My favourite so far shockly is the audio book prisoner of the black sun (if you read the blurb its pretty obvious who the prisoner is) I have to say the way Josh Reynolds wrote nagash's part just BLEW me away! Even if it was quite short to me it was one of the most epic speeches I have heard so far in both settings 40k and fantasy/aos. You get a really good feel of Nagash's character in those short few minutes.
I even had people who dislike AOS listen to his speech and they even admitted it was awesome/badass and overall to me it was a good audiobook. Or maybe its just tickling by undead bone can't wait for the next parts. If you are a fan of undead I recommend it yeah its got stormcast(depends if you like them or not but fluff wise I like them thanks to the books) but the lord celestant may have an interesting history with the realm of death and the description of the realm is pretty cool. Plus if you like a certain von carstien you will be wondering what he is planning.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/10/01 21:27:15
2015/10/01 21:37:44
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Do you mean do you mean lord-relicator ionus cryptborn? He is awesome for sure. Im gonna get this audiobook for sure. Im reading wardtorm right now. I love the new setting. The violence is crazy. Korghos kul is a geat bad guy. Hes so differnet because he takes a beating and keeps ticking.
Is it ok to listen to the audio drama if ihavent finished the warstorm book yet?
2015/10/01 22:09:22
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
The audio drama is pretty separate remember that the storm cast are fighting across all realms. I would recommend you finishing war storm you are planning to read Ghal Maraz.
I gotta say the series is doing a good job of making me like the Hallowed knights and Ionus is awesome. Oh and I was talking about nagash's bit in the audio book.
2015/10/02 01:35:43
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
I think Dreadnok89 was asking if you meant Ionus instead of your reference to a Lord Celestant. Prior to that audio drama, none of the Stormcast other than Ionus seemed to have a past life in Shyish.
I've had a couple moments I really liked- I liked the Gates of Azyr where it told the perspective of the Blood Reaver and how he came to be in a pack of cannibals. But by far my favorite was the first chapter of the Realm of Life campaign in Warstorm. The Nurgle champ was really interesting and relatable. I'm always impressed when someone can pull that off with Chaos characters.
Other than that, I really like getting glimpses of what might be going on with the other races and realms. The abandoned Dwarf dwellings in War Storm, for example.
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
2015/10/02 08:49:38
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
I've had a couple moments I really liked- I liked the Gates of Azyr where it told the perspective of the Blood Reaver and how he came to be in a pack of cannibals. But by far my favorite was the first chapter of the Realm of Life campaign in Warstorm. The Nurgle champ was really interesting and relatable. I'm always impressed when someone can pull that off with Chaos characters.
Agreed, that is my favourite thus far too.
Is anyone else picking up the eshorts? If you like the Chaos angle, the Call of Archaon series is shaping up to be something fairly major, I think, and it has a nice look at the perspective of a different Chaos guy in each one. The Black Rift series is worth a look too - got to love a fearless Khorne-worshipping Skaven. Got me to add a Skaven Warlord to my Bloodbound force!
I"ve read all the Call of Archaon series so far, but only the first Black Rift. Liking them as I don't find the Stormcast particularly interesting to read about generally. I guess I'm a little bothered by how their emotional range is usually smoldering anger up to righteous fury. They're angry-but-not-bad-angry-like-Khorne which makes me roll my eyes a bit.
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
2015/10/02 14:04:09
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Red_Zeke wrote: I"ve read all the Call of Archaon series so far, but only the first Black Rift. Liking them as I don't find the Stormcast particularly interesting to read about generally. I guess I'm a little bothered by how their emotional range is usually smoldering anger up to righteous fury. They're angry-but-not-bad-angry-like-Khorne which makes me roll my eyes a bit.
Well that's until they get bombarded with their past memories and they turn into entirely different people. Recall that red mist in warstorm and that is interesting and has interesting implications in Ghal Maraz when they start figuring out they will essentially turn into robots if they keep dying. Ionus and Vandus have an interesting conversation about that.
Oh and the khorne chaos lord in the call of Archeon series is rather interesting as well and I even don't like khorne it seems something is going to go down in the realm of destruction and death that is where the story is heading.
2015/10/06 19:59:43
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Just occurred to me that we've seen Nurgle, Tzeentch, and now Khorne in the Call of Archaon series, so... we may finally see something substantial about Slaaneshi forces next!
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
2015/10/06 20:28:49
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Red_Zeke wrote: Just occurred to me that we've seen Nurgle, Tzeentch, and now Khorne in the Call of Archaon series, so... we may finally see something substantial about Slaaneshi forces next!
Do you know, I just got a mail from the Black Library advertising that series that got me thinking exactly that! We have had followers of three Chaos Gods, so (unless we get a particularly brave rat), a lost Slaaneshi champion pining after his god might make sense...
I can't stand the Nagash chapter of black sun, and don't think it is in keeping with him at all. I don't think that they could ever have gotten it right in fairness, but the layered effect wasn't enough to create a sense of grandeur suitable enough. And all that third person perspective and reflecting on spiders and worms inhabiting his corpse? Nagash didn't even take notice of kings in his presence, nevermind insects. Been a Nagash fan since the first undead book, so probably impossible to please.
Didn't seem right having Garro as the leading character either.
I didn't love the Nagash monologue but I didn't hate it either. It was cool to get an idea of where he's at.
Spoiler:
Had a bit of an issue with the story where they're on a mission to cut a deal with Nagash but balk at bargaining with a vampire.
"Oh snap! You're a vampire?! Shove off. We gotta go talk to this dude whose core values include betraying peeps. Later! Oh, wait, just kidding need some help here."
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
2015/10/07 00:27:13
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Of the three books that came out for AoS Ive read the first, (gates of azyr?) and can anyone tell me if the next two are as short as the first? Looking for something I can read before I go back into work Thursday. Also which book is next? Im talking about the realmgate wars, I think.
2015/10/07 02:07:01
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
There's several more fiction releases than that for AoS.
The next progression from Gates is going to be Warstorm. It is longer, but only if you ignore the fact that it is really three novellas in one. Parallel (mostly as-yet-unrelated) storylines are going on in the two (so far) Black Rift novellas and three (out of eight eventually) Call of Archaon novellas.
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
2015/10/07 20:35:11
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Red_Zeke wrote: I"ve read all the Call of Archaon series so far, but only the first Black Rift. Liking them as I don't find the Stormcast particularly interesting to read about generally. I guess I'm a little bothered by how their emotional range is usually smoldering anger up to righteous fury. They're angry-but-not-bad-angry-like-Khorne which makes me roll my eyes a bit.
But thats who they are! i love the stormcast, finally himans killing at full maximum capacity! I must say the violence has been great. Some of the stories at times made me cringe lol. The cannabals going into detail about eating humans. Im just glad their trying. These stories are great. I love it too because the history we know so much about. Sometimes We know more of the history of old warhammer than the characters which is kinda cool. And what civilizations existed before.
2015/10/08 06:01:05
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Grrr. New Call of Archaon is out and it doesn't cycle to a Slaaneshi warband. I do like Copsys Bule (or whatever his name is) but was hoping to get a look in at Slaanesh...
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
2015/10/15 09:40:19
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Red_Zeke wrote: Grrr. New Call of Archaon is out and it doesn't cycle to a Slaaneshi warband. I do like Copsys Bule (or whatever his name is) but was hoping to get a look in at Slaanesh...
I have a feeling that, when Slaanesh makes a reappearance, it will be a Big Deal...
Red_Zeke wrote: Grrr. New Call of Archaon is out and it doesn't cycle to a Slaaneshi warband. I do like Copsys Bule (or whatever his name is) but was hoping to get a look in at Slaanesh...
Going by the various sources it seems that slaanesh is mixed up in the aelf story line I suspect we are not going to enter that area for quite awhile considering in the general lore the warriors of slaanesh are converging in the realm of shadows looking for slaanesh. As matt said the release of slaanesh I think is going to be a big deal and his/her release is going to turn the tide to chaos's favor. Since currently they are getting wrecked. Still I suspect the next champion is going to be a Skaven calling it now.
JamesY wrote: I can't stand the Nagash chapter of black sun, and don't think it is in keeping with him at all. I don't think that they could ever have gotten it right in fairness, but the layered effect wasn't enough to create a sense of grandeur suitable enough. And all that third person perspective and reflecting on spiders and worms inhabiting his corpse? Nagash didn't even take notice of kings in his presence, nevermind insects. Been a Nagash fan since the first undead book, so probably impossible to please.
Didn't seem right having Garro as the leading character either.
I personally loved nagash's monologue at the start of the audio novel and you have to remember he got wrecked by Archaon and from that part he was mostly self reflecting for a long time after his defeat and reformation and now he is ready to deal with the thieves(stormcast/sigmar) and invaders (chaos) people I know who even hate AOS and loved the old world when they listened to that speech even they admit it was good. Perhaps different strokes for different folks my favorite line during it was "seek out my foes and make them yours!, Take from them as they have taken from me!"
Plus I did not have much issue with the vampire bit considering they have no choice in the matter since that vampire knows the location to the gates to enter stygix. I saw it as more that the celestant past memories is warning him about vampires but his mission to sigmar is more important and the only guy who knows how to get to nagash is the vampire.
Oh and I think the next audio book is going to deal with tomb kings going by this link that Bottle posted in another thread.
Soo the sands of blood audio book is out now anyone who wants it can buy it... *runs off to the black library website*
Automatically Appended Next Post: Well I have listened to the new audiobook. No tomb kings but you get another awesome nagash speech I think its going to be a thing each audiobook.
Mannfred gives insight to Tarsus on how terrible nagash's fury is hence why the audiobook is called sands of blood. You get to see a little bit of what life is like for a mortal in the current death realm and how they think.
Oh I have to say Mannfred's and Tarsus personalities mesh well together in such a strange way that I like it since now you got a whole audiobook where they are interacting with each other and the Hallowed knights are turning into my favourite storm host yes I am turning into a stormcast fan. Plus you actually get to see some mortals in the death realm. Oh and Mannfred is as awesome as ever.
Now this might be spoilers
Spoiler:
Now this is speculation but after listening to nagash's speech . It seems the whole resurrecting thing for stormcast is more of a way for sigmar to deprive him of souls for the underworld and nagash is not exactly happy about that.
This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2015/11/01 14:07:49
2015/11/01 19:52:44
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
SideSwipe wrote: Do any of the books explain why Mannfred is back working for Nagash after End Times?
Also, any info on Vlad?
Well Nagash is kinda well sleeping/awakening and trying to figure out why souls are vanishing in a flash of lightning, Now on Mannfred I don't think he is currently serving nagash since the mortal Pilgrims tell the lord Celestant Tarsus to be careful around Mannfred problem is that they seek an audience with nagash in the underworld since sigmar wants his help against chaos and only Mannfred knows the way there. I think everyone in the death realm knows mannfred is a betrayer of sorts.
Spoiler:
At the end of the audiobook Tarsus asks mannfred what he asked of the vampire in the audiobook and if he got the information the needed from him since he saw them having a private conversation. They noted that Tarsus knew he was tense even if he did not try to show it he said he got what he needed from him while also sitting on his abyssal terror picking apart and carving sigils into a head of the blood warrior. Now my theory is that Mannfred is guiding them to the underworld to use them as an offering to nagash to get back into his "Good books" so to speak since Nagash is really pissed off at these "thieves" who are depraving him of souls.
Now Vlad? My friend has a theory that he is the stormcast Ionus Cryptborn because his backstory is similar to Vlad. He is only a stormcast because he owes a debt to sigmar and his true lord is nagash and nagash is holding his loved one soul captive and his deal with Ionus is that nagash wants a soul for a soul. Now I think its far out there since it seemed like he was mortal when talking to nagash since he promised them "eternity" but it makes too much sense to dismiss it. Still we have nothing on Vlad so far.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/11/02 00:35:06
2015/11/04 18:23:29
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Just read the new Call of Archaon e-short and one interesting detail is that the followers of chaos acknowledge slaanesh still as the fourth power. The many eyed servant put forth four tests for the Khorne warband one of each god. Plus someone noted the Seraphon have a battletome dealing with slaaneshi daemons. Sooo what do you guys think of that?
Oh and nagash is a troll.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2015/11/04 18:27:52
2015/11/04 18:47:32
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
What is life like in the Realm of Death? Is it more scattered bands of scavenging humans (and undead, I suppose) wandering around and avoiding Chaos followers, or did they do something different?
2015/11/05 15:35:33
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
What is life like in the Realm of Death? Is it more scattered bands of scavenging humans (and undead, I suppose) wandering around and avoiding Chaos followers, or did they do something different?
Well going by the fluff so far it seems that the realm of death has not fallen yet but they are losing if something does not change. Nagash does note in his second epic speech that his followers are still fighting but he is still too weak to do anything(blame sigmar for that) Now in the audiobook there are pilgrims travelling around but they have to watch for the roving chaos warbands then Tarsus and Mannfred pretty much escort them the rest of the way. They also state that in some area's it's in a sort of eternal decay like stuff is dying but they don't actually "die".
While some area's like deserts are completely barren with only the skeletons in the sands no wildlife, no plants and no water. It seems there are still some strongholds, towns and citadels around but if something does not change I can see chaos trampling over them think of the old world setting where the world is on decline against the might of chaos.
2016/01/10 00:21:27
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Right its been awhile and as an undead fan I think its time to resurrect this topic again. Just finished the new audiobook and the "last" (I hope not) in the series and bloody hell dat ending and nagash is awesome as hell and a certain lich makes an appearance in the audio book as well. Now my favorite part of it?
que spoilers.
Spoiler:
Holy hell that ending OMG. I think its pretty clear that Nagash is going to convert Tarsus/Tarzim he calls him by his original name in the ending speech and he says to his soul that "you may think I am a spider, but I am no spider" "It does not matter what name sigmar cloaked yourself with" I assume nagash will do this after he is done with his soul and learned wth sigmar has been doing with the souls of the dead which belong to him. Hell during the "battle" it was not much of a battle it was pretty one sided XD, it was clear Nagash was curious about him and dam the unreliable vampire in the end was great as well. Still I would not even be surprised if he turns Tarzim into a Mortarch . I don't know what sigmar was bloody thinking seeking an "audience with nagash" what kind answer do you think Nagash is going to give after you start messing around with souls? Plus making "immortal" soldiers Nagash response was pretty much the whole end part.
The dark gods and sigmar better watch out.
I think this is my most favorite audiobook so far out of the warhammer setting or maybe that's just my undead/nagash fanboysim speaking.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/01/10 00:22:50
2016/01/10 16:23:58
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
The Realmgate Wars: The Bridge of Seven Sorrows is up for preorder. The text says:
At last, the great search for the Nine Gates is over as Tarsus and the Hallowed Knights reach the lair of the Great Necromancer himself, Nagash. Here, in the dark hollows of one of the underworlds of Shyish, the Stormcast Eternals will meet their fate. As they stand in the shadow of death, they must trust that their vampiric guide, Mannfred von Carstein, has not played them false.
Why is mannfred alive? would anyone resurrect/ trust or work with him after he was responsible for blowing up the old world and killing everyone ?
2016/01/10 20:49:18
Subject: Re:Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
VanHammer wrote: The Realmgate Wars: The Bridge of Seven Sorrows is up for preorder. The text says:
At last, the great search for the Nine Gates is over as Tarsus and the Hallowed Knights reach the lair of the Great Necromancer himself, Nagash. Here, in the dark hollows of one of the underworlds of Shyish, the Stormcast Eternals will meet their fate. As they stand in the shadow of death, they must trust that their vampiric guide, Mannfred von Carstein, has not played them false.
Why is mannfred alive? would anyone resurrect/ trust or work with him after he was responsible for blowing up the old world and killing everyone ?
Well its not outright stated but its clear nagash bought him back since Nagash views his Mortachs as manifestations of his will but almost everyone they meet in the death realm say he can't be trusted but the strange thing is the Lord Celestant (don't want to give away too much spoilers) constantly puts his faith in him and strangely its something he appreciates hence why I think he constantly saves him since he reminded him of someone he fought with in the past. During the age of chaos in AOS, god that ending.
Still it was great when they encountered nagash his response to mannfred was pure gold its like he views him like some kind of misguided beast of sorts. One of his lines was "How was your time in the wilderness?"
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/01/10 20:49:56
2016/01/10 20:55:01
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
Thanks for the fluff update, shinros. Sounds awesome. And it makes me think about different types of armies that could be in the Death alliance, such as ones that aren't just zombies/skeletons etc. but mortal races who worship death for whatever reason.
2016/01/25 18:13:24
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
I've had a couple moments I really liked- I liked the Gates of Azyr where it told the perspective of the Blood Reaver and how he came to be in a pack of cannibals. But by far my favorite was the first chapter of the Realm of Life campaign in Warstorm. The Nurgle champ was really interesting and relatable. I'm always impressed when someone can pull that off with Chaos characters.
Agreed, that is my favourite thus far too.
Is anyone else picking up the eshorts? If you like the Chaos angle, the Call of Archaon series is shaping up to be something fairly major, I think, and it has a nice look at the perspective of a different Chaos guy in each one. The Black Rift series is worth a look too - got to love a fearless Khorne-worshipping Skaven. Got me to add a Skaven Warlord to my Bloodbound force!
hey Matt, do you remember the title of that story? I'd like to read it.
it would be a nice tie in for my skaven and bloodbound as well
2016/01/25 20:13:26
Subject: Realm gate wars series/AOS book discussion
hey Matt, do you remember the title of that story? I'd like to read it.
The series is Black Rift of Klaxus. Skaven are present in most parts, but their leader and his role with the Bloodbound features more prominently in Walls of Uryx, I think.
“It was in lands of the Chi-An where she finally ran him to ground. There she kissed him deeply as he lay dying, and so stole from him his last, agonized breath.
On a delicate chain at her throat, she keeps it with her to this day.”
Recall that red mist in warstorm and that is interesting and has interesting implications in Ghal Maraz when they start figuring out they will essentially turn into robots if they keep dying. Ionus and Vandus have an interesting conversation about that.
but his mission to sigmar is more important and the only guy who knows how to get to nagash is the vampire.
