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Warhammer Chronicles articles will recount the history of the peoples of the Old World.
This first article explores the background of the Tomb Kings – the Sentinels, alongside the official lore of Warhammer: The Old World. We hope you enjoy this story and that it will evolve as our project progresses.
The Sentinels of the Tomb Kings are a legendary and formidable faction, deeply rooted in the history of Nehekhara and the mysterious Black Pyramid of Nagash. Their sacred duty is to guard this edifice of supernatural power and to ensure that the secrets it holds remain forever hidden from the curious, while also protecting the realm of the dead from intrusion. However, a historic turning point is approaching : for the first time in centuries, the Sentinels are preparing to leave their sanctuary to support Settra’s reconquest campaign.
The Black Pyramid : The Work of a Necromancer
The Black Pyramid was erected by Nagash, the Master of Death, with the intent of increasing his power and securing his dominion over the mortal realms. The project was colossal, marked by Nagash’s madness and arrogance, a necromantic genius who desired master all magics and souls. At first, the people of Khemri believed it to be a simple tomb for his own burial. But it quickly became clear that the pyramid was far more than a funerary monument. Nagash had designed it to harness and channel the Winds of Magic, bending these forces to his will in order to expand his power beyond all conceivable limits.
The construction of the pyramid lasted nearly fifty years, during which Nagash drained Khemri’s resources and waged wars to acquire the materials he needed, demanding gold and slaves from the surrounding cities. Black marble as dark as night was quarried from distant lands, and hundreds of thousands of slaves perished during the construction, their corpses buried within the very foundations of the cursed edifice. The result was a haunting and colossal monument, one that even surpassed the Settra’s Great Pyramid, and, above all else, served as a reservoir of dark magic.
The Fall of Nagash and the Awakening of the Sentinels
Despite the incredible power it contained, the Black Pyramid was not spared from the turbulent events of history. After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the Army of the Seven Kings, Nagash was forced to flee. But in a final act of vengeance, he unleashed an eternal curse upon Nehekhara, wiping out all life in the land. For a time, the pyramid remained without a master. Nagash’s immortal forces, were hunted down and destroyed one by one by the vengeful Priest Kings.
When Nagash returned to Nehekhara to reclaim his power, he once again used the Black Pyramid as the focal point of his ambitions. However, his enemies, most notably Settra, did not allow him to fully regain his former strength. This marked the end of Nagash’s era of absolute domination, and the Black Pyramid was left dormant for centuries. Yet it remained a sacred site, a slumbering force, its power latent still ever a threat.
The Eternal Guardians
The Sentinels were born out of the need to protect the Black Pyramid from those who would dare to enter it. Their ranks are made up of resurrected beings, kings and generals of old, who, under the command of their sovereign, Ophtos, have sworn an eternal oath to defend the pyramid and the secrets it holds. These immortal warriors are the legacy of ancient pharaohs, bound to the Black Pyramid through an everlasting pact. Their role is simple, yet vital: to preserve the secrecy of the site, deny entry to the unworthy, and safeguard the mystical powers sealed within its walls.
Ophtos, King of the Sentinels, is a legendary figure, a resurrected sovereign who embodies the unwavering will to protect the Black Pyramid at all costs. His command is absolute, and the Sentinels of the Tomb Kings obey his orders with unshakable loyalty. However, their purpose has evolved over time. As the world around them changes, they have remained steadfast, ever watchful in preserving the sanctity of the Pyramid.
Supporting Settra
However, a major shift is on the horizon. Settra, the King of Kings, has launched an ambitious campaign to reconquer Khemri, aiming to restore the empire of Nehekhara and expand his influence over the lands of the dead. While driven by personal ambition, this campaign could indirectly reinforce the security of the Black Pyramid. It is in this context that, for the first time, Ophtos chooses to break his isolation and dispatch a contingent of Sentinels to support Settra’s forces.
This act marks a break from the long-standing tradition of the Sentinels, who have always seen their role solely as guardians of the Pyramid. Yet Ophtos understands that Settra’s reconquest is a step toward the restoration of the empire of the dead, and that the involvement of the Sentinels in this war could more effectively protect their sacred sanctuary. Though they will never abandon their duty to the Black Pyramid, their participation in this campaign represents a pivotal moment, a sign that even the oldest guardians may be called to take part in great struggles for the future of the realms of the dead.
A Legend in Motion
Thus begins a new chapter in the history of the Sentinels. As they prepare to leave the safety of the Black Pyramid and step into the world of the living, they carry with them the heavy burden of protecting Nagash’s secrets while supporting Settra’s reconquest. Their entry into the war will undoubtedly mark a turning point in the fate of Khemri, and their legend will only grow as they fight beneath the banner of the ancient kings of the dead.
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At the bottom of each post, you’ll find a list of all related blog entries, which we’ll update as the project evolves.
- Tomb Kings Project – Sentinels Preview
- Warhammer Chronicles : The Sentinels
- Tomb Kings Project : Sentinels Prince Ophtos II
- Coming soon…
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