JReynolds

Yep, that's it exactly.

Bear in mind that this doesn't preclude rebellion of some sort. Mannfred rebels all the time, often loudly and with explosions. Arkhan rebels as well, albeit in more subtle ways. So does Neferata. Think of it like Doombots. Dr. Doom (bad guy from the Fantastic Four, if you're not familiar with comics) makes robot doubles of himself to undertake dangerous tasks, enact certain schemes or to do the stuff he doesn't want to bother with. These doubles are so perfect that they assume that they're the real Doom, unless he's in the room with them - and even then, some of them maintain a strong suspicion that they're real and he's not. And since they think like Doom, they act like Doom. So they plot and scheme against each other (and the the real Doom) because there can only be one Doom, and obviously it's them. Basically, Nagash has absolute control, except when he doesn't, because his servants are all to one degree or another shadows of him. Which means that like him, some want to be on top and they'll knock over anyone they have to, to do it. Including him. If he's paying attention, he can swat them down without any real difficulty. But if he's not (say, because he's preoccupied waging war on Sigmar, Archaon et al), then there's a good chance they might get away with it for a while. So if you want your Death leader to be a rebel against Nagash, the established meta-narrative is flexible enough to fully support that. Same as if you want them to be an unwilling slave of Nagash, a contented servant, or an unwitting dupe. At least in my opinion. Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

If my experience is anything to go by, said Easter egg would have been vetted, first by the editors, and then by lore guys at the editing stage. If it got through, then chances are that there are no plans for Settra's return as the leader of a faction of anti-Nagash undead. Too, the likelihood of getting such a faction anytime soon is infinitesimal, and even if it did happen, it's even less likely that it would bear any resemblance, lore-wise, to the Tomb Kings. At best, I could see them adapting some of the designs for potential Deathrattle releases down the line, if only to make the skeletons look more cohesive with Nagash and Arkhan the Black. (Also, some skeletal archers would be nice, just saying...) This isn't to say that it's impossible. I am not keyed in to the company, or privy to any discussions regarding this sort of thing. But it ain't likely at this stage. tldr; it could happen, but it probably won't.

I'm leaning towards the former. There were plans for me to write the second book this year, as well as several short stories, but those plans got changed. At this point, both the series and the short stories are on hiatus. That might change, or it could prove indefinite. It's all up in the air at the moment, unfortunately.

It's still up to date. There's no book 2 for the foreseeable future.

Thanks! I appreciate you saying that. Glad you enjoyed the stuff I've written.

Mine is. "A Darksome Place".

Funnily enough, I didn't make that up. I asked IP because anything having to do with Azyr goes through IP. So, officially, the Sigmarabulum is in space ('the Firmament'). Sigmaron is on the highest peak in Azyr, overlooking Azyrheim (on the same mountain(s) where the Pantheon gathered). And Sigmar Lane is, of course, in North Azyrheim, west of Rodeo Drive.

I wrote up a big thing on Azyr, its cultures (human and otherwise) and various potential adventure hooks, so we'll see if that makes it past IP.

If people are interested in those stories (plus "Road of Blades", which is a prequel) they're all in the new anthology out this weekend. https://www.blacklibrary.com/coming-soon/january/gods-and-mortals-ebook.html And, if you're wondering about reading order, I've done a chronological list here, that I'll be adding to as stories come out (and there are more coming this year, including a second audio drama): https://joshuamreynolds.co.uk/works/eight-lamentations/

It is a continuation, but it's bridging the gap between the first book and the second book, much like the short story, "The Tainted Axe". The audio dramas and short stories are there to flesh out the world/characters and/or prod the meta-plot along while I wait for the go-ahead to pitch the second book.

Interestingly, BL has started asking us to cut down on narrators (or leave them out entirely), when it comes to the audio dramas. I don't know why, but I suspect that they want to make them more like radio plays. Makes for an interesting challenge to write, though. You never realise how much you relied on a narrator to deliver exposition until you can't lean on that particular crutch anymore. Also, glad you enjoyed it!

It is, in the sense that it's a continuation of the plot - the overall plot-line and character development moves forward with this one, it's not a side-story, like "The Tainted Axe". But it's also not, in the sense that only two of the characters show up, and it's fairly self-contained. Due to my schedule, I won't be able to write the second novel until late next year at earliest, unless I manage to juggle some stuff around. But, rather than let the series lie fallow, the current plan is to fill the gap - and move the plot forward, if only in small, incremental ways - with short stories and audios, like this one. Basically, it's the MCU Avengers plan - a few stories with individuals, or duos, then everybody together for one big adventure, then some more individual stories, then another big story, repeat as necessary. This is partly due to the fact that we're not sure yet whether the series is finite (i.e. three books and done), with potential spin-offs, or whether it's going to be an ongoing (i.e. Gaunt's Ghosts). A lot of that is down to sales, but some of it just depends on scheduling.

Thanks! I'm a follower of the Larry Hama school of tie-in writing...you know you're doing your job right if people are buying the toys. Or miniatures, in this case.

Oh you didn't! Don't worry. I was being tongue in cheek. I knew I should have used an emoji.

Hey, that's what happens when you have to write a tie-in novel in a month and some change without having access to the product it's ostensibly tied to. Fun times, fun times.

They're also mentioned in Legends of the Age of Sigmar: Black Rift and Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows.

Technically not new, as it was released as a Warhammer World exclusive last year. But now people can actually buy a copy! Anyway, the book takes place in the Age of Myth, not long after Nagash got his face pushed in by Archaon, the first time. Just thought I'd mention that.

That'd be the second Hallowed Knights novel (which I'm due to start writing in January), if anyone was wondering.

You could check out Fury of Gork or Skaven Pestilens, if you like. Fury of Gork deals with one of the Eight Lamentations - the sword of fire, Marrowcutter - being discovered and features several characters who appear in Spear of Shadows, while Skaven Pestilens takes place in one of the locations that the characters will be visiting - Shu'gohl, the Crawling City. You could also read the short story, "Road of Blades", which acts as a prologue of sorts.

I appreciate your enthusiasm. Hopefully, y'all will enjoy the book.

Vampire. It's Adhema, the Blood Knight who previously appeared in Nagash: The Undying King. Though there may be an aelf or two in the second book, if one gets commissioned.

Blurb: In the beginning, there was fire. And from that fire came eight weapons of terrible power, honed to a killing edge by the chosen weaponsmiths of Khorne. Now, as the Mortal Realms echo with the thunder of war, the great powers seek to acquire the eight wherever they might be found, no matter the cost. In a city of prophecy and secrets, Grungni, smith-god of the duardin, gathers together a group of mortal warriors from across the realms in order to locate the first of the eight weapons. But they are not alone in their quest; agents of the Ruinous Powers search for the weapon for themselves. Now the race is on, as man, duardin and daemon alike seek to claim the Spear of Shadows... Big grey dude is Grungni, though he doesn't exactly look like that in the book.