Are the Tomb Kings returning? What’s old seems to be new again for Age of Sigmar this year, and we’re hearing more rumors for Death this week as well!
Warhammer Community dropped a video at the end of their AoS Open Day called the Tithe of Bones with a voice giving some clues to what’s next for the forces of Death.
On top of that, there was some artwork in the video that looks to be unmistakable death-centered. Sources have been telling us for some time that some form of Tomb Kings will be returning to AoS. These videos are more pieces of that puzzle. Check out these clues and guesses to what could be next for death, and some potential surprises for the fatties as well.
These previews are for the next iteration of the tomb kings of old. Settra’s not part of Death now.
Let’s run down the usual, and unusual suspects for AoS. And remember these are all just rumors and educated guesses…
Tithe of Bones
For the people familiar with the End Times, there are three popular names that come to mind after watching the video. Vlad, Krell, and Constant Drachenfels- All which have similar ties to one another when Nurgle fought Nagash just before the Skaven wrecked everything. However, it’s probably most likely Constant Drachenfels speaking instead of Vlad or Krell.
The voice in the video mentioned “I survived the fall of the storm god’s hammer” which, Constant Drachenfels is the only one that fits the bill there.
Coming from the AoS Lexicanum on Constant Drachenfels:
Drachenfels commanded a veritable army composed of goblins, but would suffer his first and greatest defeat at the hands of Sigmar, a barbarian warlord who had gathered several human tribes. Drachenfels’ army was routed and he was slain by Sigmar himself. However, somehow he managed to survive and after a thousand years managed to fully restore himself.
Note: Krell was also imprisoned (as the voice in the teaser mentioned) however, he broke free and died fighting a champion of Slaanesh and Nagash never felt like resurrecting him again. So for the sake of the timeline, it’s probably not Krell.
It’s Not Settra Speaking
Some of the community thinks/hopes that it could be Lord Settra speaking. However, with convincing clues and rumors popping up in artwork and books it’s probably not regardless of what we have been hearing.
There is a peculiar quote from a book that could have shown the fate of Settra- He’s a Stormcast leading his Imperishables for Sigmar now.
Remember, Lord Settra’s chief title is Settra the Imperishable. With that said, a name popped up in an Age of Sigmar novel, Hamilcar: Champion of the Gods by David Guymer.
Lord Settrus leads his force called the “Imperishables”
Key Takeaways From The Video
The video shows a fortress that looks to be built out of bone. Totally fitting for a Necropolis if you ask us. It’s also important to remember that in the lore of Constant Drachenfels, he had a castle named “Castle Drachenfels” built in the Grey Mountains that could never be destroyed…
Constant Drachenfels ended up “dying” by assassination. However, Nagash resurrected a certain Mortarch called “The Nameless” in the End Times who was unable to remember his past life. It just so happened that the Nameless was mentioned as being a recently defeated great enchanter from the Grey Mountains. Nagash’s deal with The Nameless involved telling him about his past life in return for his aid in service. –Smells like Constant Drachenfels could have gotten got a second-second chance doesn’t it?
Ultimately, The Nameless (i.e Constant Drachenfels) probably heard about his past life, all the memories came rushing back and decided that he needed a Castle Drachenfels 2.0.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmo3fKeveo
The music in the video (and the voice actor) both sound like they could be from a Mongolian/Asian culture. However, while the Tomb Kings may have an Egyptian theme, they also used the word “Necropolis”. Just as this video does, multiple times in their books and units.
So the Tomb Kings could be coming back in some form or another…But under the rule of a new leader (a.k.a Not Settra) and with a new Undead theme.
Another important note is that in the Forbidden Power artwork. Showing Celestant Prime and Lady Olynder about to slap box, you can see a huge powerful entity breaking out of some kind of “cage”. While the fight is going on, you can see the structure falling to bits as debris. We could be looking at the character who said “I broke out of the Soul Thief’s prison” from the video.
Maneaters & This Faction Could Be Linked?
The video from above mentioned a “Tithe of Bones”. However, just days before it was released, the Ogor video might have dropped some clues linking the two factions together.
It’s probably not a coincidence that GW previewed two videos almost back-to-back sharing a heavy theme of bones. Something is going on centered around death and these two factions could be linked in the storyline that has yet to be explained.
We don’t know EXACTLY what’s in store for us. But we definitely know that it’s centered around Death. Plus, it could even involve an age-old character from before the End Times of Fantasy. Who would you like to see come back into AoS? Do you think the Ogors and this faction has some sort of “truce”? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and sign up to get your free hobby updates newsletter each morning as well!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
