Quatar, known as the "Palace of Corpses," is one of the ancient city-states of the lost Human realm of Nehekhara.[1a] It was once known as the "White Palace," and renowned as the guardian of the royal tombs of the Valley of Kings that is now known as the Charnel Valley.[3c][4a]
Founded in the earliest days of Nehekhara, the palace of Quatar was once one of the wealthiest city-states of the Great Land. Built upon the western entrance to the Charnel Valley, much of the palace is -- like the great statues that line the valley itself -- carved into the towering cliff faces of the Worlds Edge Mountains.[4a]
History[]
Origins[]
Just as the city-state of Mahrak acts as the gateway of the east to the Charnel Valley, Quatar was built upon the western entrance to the Charnel Valley, known also as the Valley of Kings. The city was literally carved into the very walls of the canyon pass. Great pillars carved from the valley rockface line the hundreds of steps that lead to the palace gates. It is said that a powerful Liche Priest has taken residence in the palace,[1a] and he has learned the secret of bringing the great statues which line the canyon back to life.[1a][2a]
During the ancient days of Nehekhara, Quatar was one of the most populous of the city-states. Quatar was also home of the famed Tomb Guard, thus making it the origin of one of the most elite military forces of the Great Land.[3b]
The priest-kings of Quatar lived in the White Palace. The palace is entirely made out of white marble and protected by strong wards to fend off any magical force. Around the palace were placed small ornamental parks and wide squares set with fountains that were fed by springs running beneath the city. The White Palace was built to rival and then surpass the glories of Settra's palace in Khemri.[3a]
The kings of Quatar once ruled a wealthy land, but today their gardens lie barren and their parade squares are choked with the dust of the Land of the Dead.[4a]
At Present[]
Location of Quatar in the Land of the Dead.
When an Imperial army from Reikland invaded Quatar in 2141 IC, they damaged dozens of the great necrotect Ramhotep's works as they looted the city's tombs. This desecration was bad enough, but when the Steam Tank Deliverance smashed through Ramhotep's terracotta wall, the Undead necrotect entered a fit of apoplectic rage, and he swore he would have his revenge. Ramhotep worked for over a century to complete the restoration of his Marble Army, an awe-inspiring host of hundreds of towering Ushabti constructs.[5a]
Such was the demented Undead architect's need for vengeance that, in exchange for eight jade warsphinxes, he enlisted the aid of the Liche Arkhan the Black, who raised a mighty bridge of bones through dark sorcery to span the Black Mountains. Ramhotep's statuesque army marched across, and the Imperial cities of Ubersreik and Grünburg were all but destroyed, despite the fact that every soldier to be involved in the destruction of his precious masterpiece had been dead for at least 170 years.[5a]
End Times[]
During the End Times, the Alabaster Army of Quatar joined the Tomb King Settra in battle.[6a]
Forces of Quatar[]
The magical Ushabti construct army of Quatar is known as the "Alabaster Army,"[6a] or the "Marble Army."[5a] It is said to count hundreds of these mighty constructs among its warriors.[5a]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Nemuhareb - Nemuhareb was a priest king of Quatar, known as the "Lord of the Tombs," who lived around -1750 IC.[3c]
Trivia[]
Quatar's name is a reference to the real-world Arab Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (6th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 15
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Battle: Rulebook (8th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 186
- 3: Time of Legends: Nagash the Sorcerer (Novel) by Mike Lee
- 4: Warhammer: The Old World website
- 4a: Explore the Old World (Interactive Map)
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (8th Edition)
- 5a: pg. 59
- 6: The End Times Vol I: Nagash (8th Edition)
- 6a: pg. 417