"The Lichemaster raises the ancient Wight to do his bidding, but Krell serves Nagash first and foremost..."
- —The Lord of Undeath.[4]
Krell, the Lord of Undeath.[5]
Krell, also known as "Krell of the Great Axe" and the "Lord of Undeath," is a fearsome Wight King and one of the original Nine Dark Lords of Nagash who later became the companion and servant of the Human necromancer Heinrich Kemmler.
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Krell's Great Axe?
Who does Krell serve first and foremost?
How did Krell become a companion of Heinrich Kemmler?
What was Krell's role before the birth of Sigmar?
History
Krell was a mighty Chaos Champion in the days before the birth of Sigmar, the ruler of a barbarian tribe that had been corrupted by the Chaos God Khorne. Krell carved out an empire amongst the barbarian tribes of the north and then turned against the Dwarfs to the south. He allied with the Night Goblins that stormed the Dwarf strongholds of Karak Ungor and Karak Varn, and his name is recorded many times in the Great Book of Grudges, though he was eventually slain by the Dwarf hero, Grimbul Ironhelm, during the assault on Karak Kadrin.[1a]
Krell's followers carried away his body and buried it in a barrow tomb among the dead of the Belthani tribe.[6a] Nearly 1,500 years later, Nagash came upon the tomb when he was searching for the Crown of Sorcery. Easily translating the runic inscriptions on the tomb walls, Nagash realised that this barrow held the remains of a mighty champion. Nagash was much pleased, and instantly set about raising this prized hero to fight in his armies.[1a]
Krell towering on a legion of undead.
Krell was placed in command of one of Nagash's Undead legions when he fought against Sigmar at the Battle of the River Reik. Leading from the front, Krell's forces attacked the Empire's Dwarf allies. The battle raged furiously, the Dwarfs stubbornly refusing to give ground against the endless ranks of Undead troops. Just as it seemed the Dwarf line would crumble, Sigmar cut down Nagash. In moments, the Undead army was all but destroyed as units withered and turned to dust. Only Krell and his Grave Guard survived Nagash's defeat. At the head of his troops, he was able to battle his way through the Dwarf lines and escape. Sigmar's forces were exhausted and did not pursue Krell immediately. This proved a costly mistake. Marching night and day, Krell led what remained of his forces on a dance of destruction that cut a bloody swathe across the lands. Entire communities were destroyed, towns sacked, and castles burnt to the ground. To this day, stories of Krell and his Doomed Legion are told across the Empire.[1a]
Grey Mountains map detail of the location of the Mound of Krell.[2b]
Krell was finally cornered by Sigmar and defeated at the Battle of Glacier Lake,[1a][6a] in the Grey Mountains,[6b] and his remains were placed in a reconstructed tomb, magically warded and sealed by priests of Morr and Verena. Centuries later, Heinrich Kemmler, the Lichemaster, came upon the tomb of Krell and freed the ancient Wight. Kemmler believes Krell to be in his thrall, but the servants of Nagash are not so easily enslaved.[1a][6a]
Wargear
- Armour of the Barrows - The passage of the ages has strengthened rather than weakened this elaborate Chaos plate armour. Such is the aura of entropy that surrounds it that it has the power to decay the magic of enemy weapons in an instant.[1a]
- The Black Axe of Krell - When the Black Axe of Krell bites into flesh, it leaves behind jagged shards that swiftly eat their way into the victim's heart.[1a]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (8th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 59
- 3: Gotrek and Felix: Zombieslayer (Novel) by Nathan Long
- 4: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
- 4a: Chaos Tomb Blade mission
- 5: Warhammer: The End Times Collection
- 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Archives of the Empire Vol. I (RPG)
Gallery
