PRESENT
The ghastly absence of what was once a man hunches motionless, gravesand running through his fingers. A tattered shroud flows behind him, and a flawless silver helmet covers what would have been his face. He admires the sand running through his fingers, knowing that this and all the sand surrounding him represents lives that will someday turn to death. As years have gone by, it's been all he has been able to think about.
Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament and most trusted lieutenant of Nagash, Supreme Ruler of Death, approaches from the distance on foot, traversing the serene dunes. The only other entities around the moonlit sea of gravesand are the slaves of Arkhan, lost souls who were cowards or traitors in life and imagined their death to lead to exactly this. They will be here for eternity, tending to this garden with rakes and an eternal gaze into the shimmering gravesand. In Shyish, your afterlife is as you imagine it; and these poor souls would have been served better to be more creative in their thinking about the afterlife.
"You were told not to come here any longer, knight."
The sand finishes moving through the Knight of Shroud's fingers, as he turns his head slightly to meet Arkhan's stern gaze.
"I know, my lord, I remember. I don't know how I ended up here again. I just always do."
The knight's voice was barely audible, but the Mortarch was used to communicating with his most powerful Nighthaunt commander. His voice was always low, but it was also one of the most expertly manipulative in the Realms.
"We have need of your tremendous talents elsewhere, Whisperer," Arkhan spoke without rebuke in his voice. "I understand your admiration of this garden, but Nagash - whom you are to reserve the title 'lord' for - has a mission for you."
The knight straightens his posture and hovers over the gravesand, casting an eerie glow of the ground below him. "Who am I to whisper to, Master Arkhan?"
"No one of this realm, Knight. The portents have shown a Realmgate is about to open to a new realm. Your Lord asks that you lead an army into the Realm to claim it for Nagash." Arkhan places a skeletal hand on the shoulder of The Whisperer. "Make any mortals in the realm vow allegiance to our Lord, and when all is conquered you will have as much time as you wish to tend to his garden," he says with a gesture to the sea of gravesand.
The Knight straightens up as the last grains of sand slide from his grasp. Scores of mortals (and several daemons) have believed his lies, and he has become an expert on knowing when one is telling the truth or not. Arkhan would never let him rest, never let him spend his time tending to the gravesand. "I will do as you ask, Master Arkhan. I would double my efforts in bringing followers to Nagash," the etheral champion rasped.
Arkhan nodded affirmatively, and turned on his heel to walk away. The Knight lowered his gaze to the gravesand in thought. All Knight of Shrouds were traitors or cowards in their previous existence in the Mortal Realms - all except himself. Is that why Arkhan trusted him with this responsibility? Internally, The Whisperer vowed not to let his master down, even if he was never allowed to visit this site again.
Arkhan disappeared over the dunes as The Whisperer lifted his sword from the ground and floated away without looking back.
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SPECIAL RULES
There will be several special characters that one can take for their Grand Alliance! The first is "The Whisperer'!
The Whisperer is a unique hero that can be controlled in the War for Hirestel! Anyone using a Knight of Shrouds can spend an extra 40 points to take The Whisperer instead. He is just like a Knight of Shrouds, but with an extra Wound with the following special ability:
"Arkhan's Deceiver": The Whisperer's voice is a powerfully manipulative weapon. In the hero phase, choose an enemy unit within 18" and roll 3 dice. If the total is higher than the enemy unit's bravery, that unit cannot attack or cast spells that would affect The Whisperer!
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