Tomb Kings Ramp Up: History and Resources

In the original Warhammer canon, armies of the Tomb Kings hail from the desert lands of Khemri, the first human civilization to emerge in the Warhammer Fantasy World.

Long before the Old World was civilized, an ancient civilization known as Nehekhara came to power. The land was divided into city-states, each ruled by its own King and defended by its own army. Over the centuries, the power-hungry Kings, frustrated by their short mortal lifespans, sought ways to prolong their lives.

Although true immortality eluded them, the rulers of Nehekhara came to believe that if they preserved their bodies after death, powerful magic could one day revive them and they could return to power. Elaborate tombs and pyramids were constructed to protect the remains of these dead monarchs and to house the many treasures and warriors that were buried with the Kings to serve them when they were reborn.

The plans of the Nehekharan monarchs would one day be twisted by an ambitious Priest-King of Nehekhara known as Nagash.

He was the oldest son of the current king, and nstead of becoming the heir, as eldest sons other nations would, he was forced into the ranks of the Liche Priests as the Grand Heirophant, a living sacrifice to the Gods.

Later after becoming a high priest, he killed his younger brother and usurped the throne. His rule was terrible. During this time he began the construction of the black pyramid as a 'magnet' for dark magic. He also began studies into an elixir of life using human blood, which would later on be stolen by the queen of Lahmia.

Due to his dark nature combined with his tyrannical rule, the other kings rose up against him and he was forced to flee his homeland. Lahmia was eventually corrupted as well by vampirism, thus causing another series of wars culminating in the other kingdoms destroying Lahmia, and causing the vampires to spread to all corners of the earth.

There was one unforeseen result of Nagash's great spell. The magicks he had unleashed animated the Kings in their tombs and pyramids. The vast armies that had been buried with these rulers came to life once again, ready to defend their King in undeath. However, the Tomb Kings and their armies were not reborn as flesh and blood as they had expected. Instead, they were returned to life as skeletal, mummified parodies of men.

Reanimated by the undying Priests of Death, the skeletal warriors of the Tomb Kings march forth to reclaim the lands they once defended in life. To this day, the land once known as Nehekhara is a barren, sun-blasted desert where only the dead stir.

Tomb Kings Resources:

Grab Bag 13: Basic Concept Explained
Grab Bag 17: Down to the Nitty Gritty
WHA Interview with Mark
Tomb Kings FAQ