Bloodsuckers and Barrow Kingdoms: The Soulblight Gravelords Rise Again

Under the wan light of an uncaring moon, the crypt doors creak and the grave soil churns—signals of a sinister return. The Soulblight Gravelords, Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s vampiric overlords of undeath, have emerged once more from the shadows of the Mortal Realms. With them comes a surge of new miniatures, rulebooks, and narrative content that expand both the lore and gameplay experience for Death faction enthusiasts.

The Soulblight Gravelords: Death’s Noble Elite

Commanding vast armies of the undead from spectral castles and haunted keeps, the Soulblight Gravelords are more than simple necromantic tyrants—they are ancient dynasties cursed with immortality, bound by blood and ambition. Each dynasty holds unique characteristics that shape their tactics and identity, offering players a wealth of strategic and aesthetic options.

At their head are vampire lords: regal, powerful, and terrifyingly efficient in battle. These leaders do not just raise the dead—they command loyalty across centuries, demanding fealty from wights, skeletons, and monstrous abominations alike.

Prince Vhordrai: Crimson Terror of the Realms

A centerpiece of this resurgence is Prince Vhordrai, the cursed champion of the Kastelai Dynasty. Once a noble warrior who dared defy Nagash, his hubris led to an eternity of servitude. Now bound to the ever-shifting Crimson Keep, Vhordrai wages war astride the undead draconith Shordemaire.

On the Tabletop

Vhordrai is as deadly as he is iconic, combining devastating melee potential with necromantic resilience. His signature abilities include:

• Bloodlance Charge – Empowering his lance to rip through armor when charging.
  
  
• Quickblood – Allowing him to strike first in combat.
  
  
• The Hunger – Regenerating wounds based on the damage he inflicts.
  
  
• Snapping Jaws – A monstrous attack from Shordemaire that deals mortal wounds.
  
  

With mobility, damage, and survivability, Prince Vhordrai offers an anchor for any Soulblight force and a nightmare for his enemies.

Blades of the Hollow King: Death’s Outlaws

Not all vampires serve Nagash willingly. Cado Ezechiar, known as the Hollow King, rejects the rule of the Mortarchs. Driven by vengeance rather than duty, Cado leads a trio of exiled warriors: the duelist Sissendra and the necromancer Aurelias, who secretly serves Neferata. Together, they form the Blades of the Hollow King, a unique Regiment of Renown with strong narrative hooks and synergistic abilities.

Their independent nature makes them a compelling inclusion for narrative campaigns and themed armies, especially for players drawn to complex characters and antiheroes within the Age of Sigmar.

The Barrow Kingdoms: Thrones of Bones and Ash

The Barrow Kingdoms—realm-bound domains ruled by undead monarchs—serve as the backbone of the Gravelords’ power. These lands are protected and patrolled by an array of reimagined units:

• Deathrattle Skeletons – Updated with easier-to-build sculpts and varied weapon options, these are the endless rank-and-file that grind down opponents through attrition.
  
  
• Barrow Guard – Elite warriors retaining martial memories from life, now clad in regal armor and wielding swords or glaives.
  
  
• Barrow Knights – Mounted revenants sworn to eternal loyalty, able to resurrect and strike with deadly lances.
  
  
• Wight King on Skeletal Steed – A revenant sovereign commanding from the saddle, available as a customizable kit.
  
  

These units combine flexibility with classic undead resilience, bringing both thematic richness and tactical versatility to the tabletop.

Necromantic Manifestations and Arcane Relics

Soulblight armies now wield terrifying manifestations—summoned constructs and relics brimming with dark energy:

• Hand of Nagash – A massive spectral hand that crushes life from foes.
  
  
• Unholy Reliquary – Enhances magical power and spellcasting.
  
  
• Sanguine Swarm – Swarms of vampiric bats that harass and disrupt enemy lines.
  
  
• Cursed Sepulchre – A necromantic nexus, perfect for battlefield control and spellcasting synergy.
  
  

These terrain pieces and conjurations not only reinforce the horror aesthetic but also provide tangible in-game benefits.

New Releases: A Collector’s Delight

With this wave of Soulblight Gravelords content, Games Workshop delivers something for every kind of Death player:

• Battletome: Soulblight Gravelords – The definitive rulebook, now featuring new Armies of Renown, lore, relics, and the Anvil of Apotheosis for custom hero creation.
  
  
• Gamer’s Edition – A compact version with reference cards for easy play.
  
  
• Prince Vhordrai & Revenant Draconith Kit – Build either the Crimson Tyrant or a general-purpose undead dragon.
  
  
• Blades of the Hollow King – A narrative-driven warband compatible with all Death armies.
  
  
• New Kits for Barrow Guard, Barrow Knights, and Deathrattle Skeletons – Updated sculpts with extensive customization options.
  
  
• Soulblight Gravelords Dice Set – Stylized black-and-red dice featuring faction iconography.
  
  

Conclusion: The Night Belongs to the Undead

Whether you’re a general commanding legions of skeletons or a vampire lord with noble ambitions, the Soulblight Gravelords offer a faction dripping with narrative depth, tactical complexity, and gothic splendor. With the new Battletome, updated units, and powerful characters like Prince Vhordrai and Cado Ezechiar, the stage is set for Death to reclaim its throne in the Mortal Realms.