Introduction to the Mortal Realms of Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The Mortal Realms represent one of fantasy gaming's most ambitious and imaginative settings, serving as the vast cosmic stage for Warhammer Age of Sigmar. Far removed from the familiar landscapes of the Old World, these eight interconnected realms offer players an almost limitless canvas for epic battles, heroic adventures, and dark conspiracies that span dimensions themselves.

Unlike traditional fantasy settings confined to a single world, Warhammer Age of Sigmar unfolds across multiple planes of existence, each governed by the fundamental forces of magic and shaped by millennia of divine conflict. This multiverse approach allows for storytelling possibilities that range from intimate skirmishes in forgotten ruins to reality-shaking wars between gods and their champions.

The Nature of the Setting: A Cosmos Reborn

The Mortal Realms exist as eight distinct dimensions, each one infinite in scope and defined by one of the eight Winds of Magic that flow throughout creation. These aren't merely different continents on a single world—they are entire universes unto themselves, connected by mystical portals called Realmgates that allow travel between dimensions.

Each realm possesses its own physical laws, climate patterns, and magical phenomena. Azyr, the Realm of Heavens, features floating cities suspended among storm clouds and crystalline formations that sing with celestial energy. Meanwhile, Ghur, the Realm of Beasts, consists of living continents that are actually slumbering predators, their breathing creating tidal waves and their movements reshaping geography.

This cosmic scale means that Warhammer Age of Sigmar campaigns can shift dramatically in scope and tone simply by crossing into a different realm. A desperate last stand in the ashen wastelands of Aqshy might lead through a Realmgate into the verdant jungles of Ghyran, where entirely different threats and allies await.

The realms themselves are not static environments but dynamic, living entities that respond to the actions of mortals and gods alike. When Chaos corruption spreads, it physically manifests in twisted landscapes and reality-warping phenomena. When the forces of Order push back, the very ground responds by blooming with new life or crystallizing into protective barriers.

The Eight Realms: Infinite Worlds of Wonder and Terror

Azyr - The Realm of Heavens

The celestial domain serves as Sigmar's fortress and the last bastion of uncorrupted Order. Azyr's infinite skies contain floating cities connected by bridges of solid lightning, while its surface features the Heldenhall, vast halls where the spirits of heroes feast eternally. This realm remained sealed during Chaos's dominance, protecting Sigmar's growing strength and the development of his Stormcast Eternals.

Aqshy - The Realm of Fire

A dimension of extremes where passion burns as literally as the endless volcanic ranges. Aqshy breeds warriors and artists with equal fervor, its inhabitants living fast and dying young in a realm where moderation is considered weakness. The Great Parch, a vast desert continent, demonstrates how even water here carries the essence of fire, creating steam geysers and boiling rivers that support unique ecosystems.

Ghyran - The Realm of Life

Once the most beautiful of all realms, Ghyran has become a twisted mockery of its former glory under Nurgle's influence. What were once healing springs now bubble with plague, and the World-Tree Alarielle once called home has been corrupted into a vessel for spreading decay. The ongoing war to reclaim this realm drives much of Warhammer Age of Sigmar's environmental storytelling.

Ghur - The Realm of Beasts

The most primal and dangerous realm, where survival depends on strength, cunning, and the ability to adapt quickly to ever-changing threats. Entire mountain ranges are actually sleeping monsters, and the realm's inhabitants have developed into some of the fiercest fighters in all creation. Ghur's influence makes even domestic animals more aggressive and intelligent.

Chamon - The Realm of Metal

A dimension where the boundaries between organic life and metallic constructs blur constantly. Chamon's inhabitants often develop metallic skin or mechanical organs, while its landscapes feature iron forests and quicksilver seas. The realm's alchemical properties make it invaluable for crafting magical weapons and artifacts.

Hysh - The Realm of Light

The domain of enlightenment and civilization, where grand academies and libraries preserve knowledge from across all realms. Hysh's geometric perfection reflects its inhabitants' pursuit of order and understanding, though this same obsession with symmetry and logic can become its own form of tyranny.

Ulgu - The Realm of Shadow

A twilight dimension where nothing is quite as it seems and every shadow might conceal secrets or threats. Ulgu's shifting geography makes mapping impossible, and its inhabitants have mastered the arts of illusion, stealth, and misdirection. The realm serves as home to spies, assassins, and those who traffic in forbidden knowledge.

Shyish - The Realm of Death

The afterlife given physical form, where the spirits of the deceased from all realms eventually arrive. Shyish features vast necropolises, underworlds ruled by death gods, and the terrifying Nadir—a growing void that threatens to consume all of existence if left unchecked.

The Grand Alliance System: Order from Chaos

Warhammer Age of Sigmar organizes its myriad factions into four Grand Alliances that represent the fundamental forces shaping the Mortal Realms' destiny. This system provides both narrative coherence and tactical flexibility, allowing players to understand the broad ideological conflicts while still enabling complex political maneuvering within each alliance.

Order: The Light Against the Dark

The forces of Order represent civilization's attempt to create stability and progress in an inherently chaotic multiverse. Led by Sigmar himself, this alliance encompasses a diverse range of cultures and species united by their desire to protect mortal life and build something lasting.

The Stormcast Eternals serve as Order's premier military force—immortal warriors forged from the souls of heroic mortals and equipped with weapons capable of harming daemons and gods. Their tragic immortality comes at the cost of their humanity, as each death and rebirth strips away more of their mortal memories and emotions.

The Cities of Sigmar represent mortal civilization at its most organized, featuring diverse populations of humans, duardin, and aelves working together to rebuild what Chaos destroyed. These sprawling metropolises serve as beacons of hope and centers of trade, but they also attract the attention of those who would see civilization burn.

The Sylvaneth fight to restore the natural order perverted by Chaos corruption. These living trees and forest spirits wage a guerrilla war against any who would harm the wild places, though their alien perspective on morality sometimes puts them at odds with their mortal allies.

The Seraphon, starborne servants of the Old Ones, bring celestial magic and ancient wisdom to bear against Chaos. Their perfect memory of how the realms should be drives their methodical campaign to restore cosmic balance, though their rigid adherence to predetermined patterns can seem heartless to other Order factions.

Chaos: The Eternal Enemy

Chaos represents entropy, corruption, and the fundamental forces that seek to drag reality back into primordial disorder. The four Chaos Gods each offer their own vision of damnation, creating internal conflicts within the alliance that Order seeks to exploit.

Khorne's followers pursue endless warfare and bloodshed, viewing combat as the only activity worthy of existence. Their red tide has drowned entire realms in gore, leaving behind skull-studded wastelands where only the strong survive.

Tzeentch's servants weave complex plots and schemes that span centuries, using magic and manipulation to achieve their goals. The Changer of Ways delights in hope and despair in equal measure, often engineering his followers' victories and defeats for his own amusement.

Nurgle's children spread decay and disease with grotesque joy, viewing their plagues as gifts to be shared with all creation. Their corruption transforms landscapes into festering swamps and turns mortals into bloated, diseased creatures who find happiness in their affliction.

Slaanesh's devotees pursue sensation and perfection to extremes that inevitably lead to damnation. Though the Prince of Pleasure currently languishes in captivity, their followers continue seeking ever more intense experiences while plotting their patron's freedom.

The Skaven represent Chaos in its most cunning form, using technology and treachery to advance their species' dominance. Their Great Horned Rat ascended to join the Chaos pantheon, bringing with it the ratmen's talent for undermining civilization from within.

Beasts of Chaos embody primal savagery unleashed, serving as living reminders of what mortals might become if they abandon civilization entirely. Their brayherd raids and twisted rituals spread corruption wherever they tread.

Death: The Final Victor

Death represents inevitability and the promise that all things must eventually end. Under Nagash's tyrannical rule, the forces of Death seek to transform existence into a perfect necropolis where the Supreme Lord of the Undead rules over an orderly realm of eternal servitude.

The Ossiarch Bonereapers exemplify Death's vision of perfection—constructed beings made from bone and fueled by harvested souls, they represent Nagash's attempt to create perfect servants unburdened by the weaknesses of flesh or independent thought.

The Nighthaunt are the vengeful spirits of those who committed great crimes in life, now bound to serve Nagash as his supernatural army. Their ethereal forms and ability to strike fear into the hearts of mortals make them particularly effective at psychological warfare.

The Soulblight Gravelords maintain the classical vampire courts and zombie hordes, representing Death's more traditional face while adding layers of political intrigue and aristocratic corruption to the alliance's narrative potential.

Destruction: The Wild Card

Destruction revels in tearing down what others build, though its followers are driven more by instinct and immediate gratification than by any grand philosophical vision. This makes Destruction factions unpredictable allies and enemies, capable of switching sides based on whoever offers the best fight.

The Orruk Warclans live for the joy of combat, following the ideology that might makes right in its purest form. Their Waaagh! energy creates a psychic field that makes their technology work through sheer belief and enthusiasm.

The Ogor Mawtribes follow their endless hunger across the realms, consuming everything in their path while serving whoever can keep their bellies full. Their mercenary nature makes them valuable allies and dangerous enemies in equal measure.

The Sons of Behemat represent destruction at its most literal—giants whose very footsteps can level cities and whose simple presence changes the scale of any conflict. Their return to the Mortal Realms signals that the age of small folk might be ending.

Political Intrigue: The Great Game of Realms

The politics of Warhammer Age of Sigmar operate on multiple levels simultaneously, creating opportunities for intrigue that range from personal vendettas to cosmic conspiracies. Understanding these political dynamics allows players to create campaigns that feel connected to the broader narrative while still leaving room for personal stories and character development.

At the highest level, the relationship between Sigmar and his fellow Order gods remains strained by old grievances and competing visions of how to save the Mortal Realms. Alarielle blames Sigmar for failing to protect Ghyran during Chaos's initial conquest, while Teclis pursues his own agenda of creating perfect aelven societies that might not align with broader Order goals.

The Stormcast Eternals face their own internal conflicts as the Reforging process slowly strips away their humanity. Some Stormhosts maintain strict discipline and accept their fate, while others question whether victory achieved through such sacrifice can truly be considered moral. These philosophical divisions create opportunities for dramatic character moments and moral complexity.

Within the Cities of Sigmar, human nobles, duardin guilds, and aelven houses compete for influence and resources while maintaining their alliance against external threats. Trade disputes can escalate into political crises, while marriage alliances and business partnerships create webs of obligation and betrayal that span multiple realms.

The forces of Chaos engage in their own complex political games, as daemon princes, mortal champions, and tribal leaders vie for their patrons' favor. Tzeentch's servants excel at manipulating these conflicts to serve their own ends, while Khorne's champions prefer to settle disputes through combat. The temporary alliances and bitter betrayals within Chaos forces provide excellent fodder for campaign narratives.

Death's politics center around Nagash's increasingly paranoid control and the ambitions of his various lieutenants. Vampire lords scheme against each other for territory and resources, while mortarchs pursue their own interpretations of their master's will. The Supreme Lord of the Undead's tendency to punish failure harshly creates an atmosphere of fear and desperate ambition among his servants.

Destruction's politics are simpler but no less dramatic, focusing on personal challenges, tribal hierarchies, and the eternal question of where the next good fight can be found. Orruk bosses rise and fall based on their ability to provide successful raids, while Ogor tribes follow whoever can keep them fed and entertained.

Key Storytelling Elements: Bringing the Realms to Life

Warhammer Age of Sigmar provides several distinctive storytelling elements that help differentiate it from other fantasy settings while creating opportunities for memorable gaming experiences. Understanding these elements allows players and game masters to create campaigns that feel authentically connected to the broader narrative.

The Realmgate Network

The magical portals connecting the eight realms serve as both plot devices and strategic objectives that can drive entire campaigns. Realmgates might be ancient installations maintained by mysterious guardians, or they could be newly opened rifts created by magical catastrophes. Control of these portals determines trade routes, military movements, and cultural exchange between realms.

Some Realmgates are stable and well-known, featuring permanent settlements and customs posts that regulate traffic between realms. Others are wild and unpredictable, opening randomly for brief periods before vanishing again. The most dangerous are corrupted gates that lead to daemon-infested pocket dimensions or deposit travelers in the heart of enemy territory.

Endless Spells and Magical Phenomena

The high-magic nature of the setting means that arcane forces can take on lives of their own, creating semi-sentient spells that roam the battlefield and affect multiple combatants. These Endless Spells represent magic at its most dramatic and unpredictable, forcing tactical considerations that go beyond traditional unit movement and combat.

Realmstone deposits create areas where specific types of magic are enhanced or suppressed, leading to tactical advantages for forces aligned with particular winds of magic. A Khornate warband might seek out areas where Aqshyian realmstone enhances their fury, while Stormcast Eternals could use Azyrian crystal formations to call down additional lightning strikes.

The Soul Wars

The ongoing conflict between Nagash and the other Grand Alliances over the nature of death and the afterlife provides a unifying threat that can involve factions from every alliance. The Soul Wars aren't just military campaigns but philosophical struggles over whether existence should end in entropy, order, corruption, or destruction.

These wars create opportunities for unlikely alliances as factions that normally oppose each other must cooperate against Death's advance. The necroquake that preceded the current conflict fundamentally changed the rules of magic and death across all realms, providing ongoing plot hooks and environmental challenges.

Crusades and Reclamation

The narrative structure of Warhammer Age of Sigmar often focuses on campaigns to reclaim territory from Chaos corruption or expand civilization into new regions. These crusades provide natural frameworks for extended campaigns while offering clear objectives and escalating challenges.

Reclamation efforts must deal not just with enemy resistance but with the fundamental corruption that Chaos has worked into the land itself. Cleansing rituals, the construction of defensive installations, and the establishment of new settlements all provide non-combat objectives that can drive campaign progression.

Divine Intervention and Ascension

The active involvement of gods in mortal affairs means that player characters might occasionally receive direct divine attention, whether as blessing or curse. The possibility of mortal ascension to daemon princehood or divine status provides ultimate character goals that go beyond simple power accumulation.

The relationship between gods and mortals operates on a more personal level than in many fantasy settings, with deities taking direct interest in individual champions and heroes. This creates opportunities for roleplaying divine commands, moral tests, and the corruption or redemption of faith.

Essential Resources: Black Library and White Dwarf

To truly understand the depth and richness of Warhammer Age of Sigmar, players should explore the extensive resources available through Black Library publications and White Dwarf magazine. These official sources provide invaluable insights into the setting's lore, characters, and tactical possibilities that extend far beyond what any single rulebook can contain.

Black Library serves as the premier source for Warhammer fiction, offering novels, novellas, and audio dramas that bring the Mortal Realms to life through compelling character-driven narratives. These stories introduce key figures like Gardus Steel Soul, Nagash the Supreme Lord of the Undead, and Archaon the Everchosen while exploring the personal costs of cosmic warfare. Reading Warhammer fiction helps players understand the motivations driving different factions and provides inspiration for creating their own characters and campaigns.

White Dwarf magazine delivers monthly updates that keep players connected to the evolving narrative of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. Each issue typically includes new rules variants, painting tutorials, tactical articles, hobby tips, and background material that expands on specific aspects of the setting. The magazine serves as an excellent source for Warhammer Age of Sigmar news, covering upcoming releases, rule updates, and community events. The magazine's "Tale of Four Warlords" style articles demonstrate different approaches to army building and painting, while battle reports showcase spectacular engagements that illustrate advanced tactical concepts. Additionally, Warhammer Age of Sigmar news and updates can be obtained from many retailer websites such as MOD Shop, ensuring players stay informed about the latest developments in the game.

The core rules of Warhammer Age of Sigmar provide the mechanical foundation for these epic conflicts, but the core rulebook extends far beyond simple game mechanics. It contains detailed background information about each of the eight realms, faction overviews that explain the motivations driving different armies, and timeline entries that chronicle major events shaping the current state of the Mortal Realms. New players will find the rulebook's realm-specific content particularly valuable for understanding how environmental factors influence tactical decisions and campaign development.

White Dwarf also regularly features designers' notes that explain the thought processes behind new releases, helping players understand how different units and factions fit into the broader tactical landscape. These insights prove invaluable for developing effective army compositions and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various play styles.

Official Warhammer Stores: Community Hubs for Epic Gaming

Official Warhammer stores serve as vital community centers where enthusiasts gather to engage in spectacular battles featuring armies of miniatures from across the variety of tabletop games in the Games Workshop catalog. These specialized retailers offer more than just product sales—they provide spaces where the hobby truly comes alive through organized play, painting sessions, and community events.

New players visiting official Warhammer stores can often claim their first free miniature, providing an excellent introduction to the hobby's modeling and painting aspects. Store staff typically possess extensive knowledge of the game systems and can offer advice on army selection, painting techniques, and tactical approaches that help newcomers avoid common pitfalls while developing their skills.

The gaming areas within these stores regularly host tournaments, narrative campaigns, and casual pickup games that allow players to test their armies of miniatures against diverse opponents. These events create opportunities to experience different tactical approaches and witness advanced painting techniques that inspire personal improvement. Many stores also offer organized leagues and escalation campaigns that help new players gradually build their collections while participating in ongoing narratives.

Store-sponsored events often incorporate exclusive scenarios and special rules that aren't available elsewhere, creating unique gaming experiences that draw players from across their local gaming communities. These gatherings help foster the social aspects of the hobby while providing regular opponents for ongoing campaigns and friendly rivalries.

The variety of tabletop games available through official Warhammer stores means players can explore different aspects of the Games Workshop universe, from the skirmish-scale combat of Warcry to the epic fleet battles of Battlefleet Gothic. This diversity helps players discover their preferred scale and style of gaming while maintaining connections to the broader Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe.

Immersion in Battle: From Skirmish to Apocalypse

Every battle in Warhammer Age of Sigmar carries the weight of cosmic significance while remaining grounded in personal stakes and tactical decisions. Understanding how to connect individual combats to the broader narrative transforms simple games into meaningful story moments that advance character development and campaign progression.

The scale of conflict in the Mortal Realms ranges from desperate last stands in forgotten ruins to reality-shaking battles between gods and their champions. A small patrol action might determine control of a vital Realmgate, while a massive siege could decide the fate of an entire realm's population.

Environmental storytelling plays a crucial role in creating immersion, as the corrupted landscapes of Chaos-held territory, the crystal spires of Azyrian cities, and the bone-strewn battlefields of Shyish all tell their own stories about the conflicts that shaped them. Weather patterns, magical phenomena, and the very behavior of local wildlife reflect the spiritual state of each region.

The personal stakes for individual warriors remain high even in cosmic conflicts. Stormcast Eternals face the loss of their humanity with each death and rebirth, while Chaos champions risk damnation in pursuit of their patrons' favor. These individual struggles for survival, redemption, or power create emotional investment that makes tactical victories feel meaningful.

Victory conditions extend beyond simple destruction of enemy forces to include objectives like securing Realmgates, completing rituals, rescuing prisoners, or defending civilian populations. These varied goals ensure that different army compositions and tactical approaches remain viable while creating narrative tension that extends beyond pure combat efficiency.

The aftermath of battles carries lasting consequences that affect future conflicts. Territory gained or lost, heroes killed or corrupted, and alliances forged or broken in the heat of combat all influence subsequent campaign events. This continuity helps create the sense that each game contributes to an ongoing story rather than existing as an isolated event.

Conclusion: Your Gateway to Adventure

Warhammer Age of Sigmar offers a setting vast enough to accommodate any style of play while maintaining enough structure to create compelling narratives and tactical challenges. Whether your interests lie in massive armies clashing across dimensional battlefields, small warbands exploring forgotten ruins, or complex political maneuvering between rival factions, the Mortal Realms provide the perfect backdrop for your adventures.

The key to successful immersion lies in understanding that every aspect of the setting serves both narrative and mechanical purposes. The eight realms aren't just different environments but represent different approaches to conflict and different opportunities for character development. The Grand Alliance system provides clear ideological frameworks while leaving room for internal conflict and individual interpretation.

As you begin your journey into the Mortal Realms, remember that the most important battles are often the ones that transform the combatants themselves. Whether your champions rise to godhood or fall to corruption, their struggles against the forces that would reshape reality itself will create stories worthy of legend.

The Mortal Realms await your exploration, and the fate of existence itself hangs in the balance. Will you stand with Order against the encroaching darkness, embrace Chaos in all its terrible glory, serve Death's vision of eternal order, or join Destruction in tearing down what others have built? The choice is yours, and the consequences will echo across all eight realms.

Ready to begin your adventures in the Mortal Realms? Visit MOD Shop, your nearest Warhammer stockist today, for all your Warhammer Age of Sigmar gaming needs, from starter sets to the latest releases that will bring these epic conflicts to your tabletop. Located in the Fresno, California region but accessible through the internet around the world, MOD Shop provides the products and support you need to launch your journey into the Mortal Realms.