Icon of the Followers of Nagash
The Mortarchs, also known as the Chosen of Nagash and, formerly, as the Nine Dark Lords, were Nagash's nine mightiest Undead lieutenants. Each led a vast army within the Undead Legions.
History[]
The Mortarchs by that name were officially created during the End Times by Nagash after his resurrection in 2524 IC, and served him throughout his campaign of conquest, which finally ended with the destruction of the Known World by Chaos. The Mortarchs numbered nine and were meant to be replacements for his original Nine Dark Lords -- the Great Necromancer's most trustworthy servants in the days of old.[1]
Mortarchs[]
Three of the Mortarchs were among the original Nine Dark Lords who served Nagash:[1]
- Arkhan the Black - Arkhan the Black is the Mortarch of Sacraments, Nagash's oldest ally and pupil.
- Krell - Krell is the Mortarch of Despair, the ancient Wight of a once-legendary Chaos Champion.
The other six Mortarchs joined Nagash's cause during the End Times for various reasons of their own:[1]
- Mannfred von Carstein - Mannfred von Carstein is the Mortarch of Night. He decided his schemes of conquest were not worth undertaking after Nagash's resurrection and it was better to join the Great Necromancer than oppose him.
- Vlad von Carstein - Vlad von Carstein is the Mortarch of Shadows. He joined because Nagash promised to restore his wife Isabella von Carstein to life as well.
- Luthor Harkon - Luthor Harkon is the Mortarch of the Abyss and joined Nagash simply out of boredom.
- Dieter Helsnicht - Dieter Helsnicht became a Mortarch because he wanted to learn necromancy from Nagash.
- Walach Harkon - Walach Harkon saw an opportunity for glory in battle by becoming a Mortarch.
- The Nameless - The Nameless, once known as the necromancer Constant Drachenfels, was promised the return of his memory.
Besides Arkhan, Neferata and Krell, not all of the original Nine Dark Lords are still widely known:[2][3]
- Dread King, a being surrounded at all times by an aura of fear and dread.
- Hand of Nagash, an ancient Liche who was imprisoned within a glacier after his defeat.
- Virion the Grim - Virion is rumoured to be a former Priest King of Nehekhara, who followed Nagash's teachings four millennia ago.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer: The End Times Vol. I - Nagash (8th Edition), pg. 124
- 2: Warhammer: Dark Omen (1998)
- 3: Citadel Journal 3