While awaiting the first big campaign book for Age of Sigmar (hurry up FedEx!) I decided to read up on the new setting by purchasing The Gates of Azyr eBook ($8 download from The Black Library). It was a quick read and did a great job developing the background of all the models in the Age of Sigmar boxed set while laying the foundation for the future of Age of Sigmar.
I won't bother with a full book summary, but I will say that The Gates of Azyr definitely gives off a vibe that is a clear departure from Warhammer Fantasy Old World and the writing of the End Times. The End Times series slowly crushed the reader with the oppressive onslaught of Archaon and his horde, giving brief glimmers of hope for the forces of Order before seeing them snuffed out into oblivion. The Old World was slowly torn apart as cities were razed, nations sunk, and millions consumed by bloodshed.
However, in The Gates of Azyr, the apocalypse is already a distant memory, and the story focuses on the Realm of Ashqy (Fire), already controlled by Chaos. "Normal" humans are few and far between, hunted like animals by the cannibalistic bloodreavers. This wasteland setting seemed like a fantasy version of Mad Max / The Walking Dead / Planet of the Apes - and it really made me think of what life would be like on a world ruled by Chaos (not good!). Further, the book added layers of personality to all miniatures in the box, my favorite being the Bloodreavers, who turned out far more interesting than the marauders of the Old World.
Finally, The Gates of Azyr put Sigmar's warriors on the attack, and for the first time in an eternity I found myself rooting for "the good guys" after the past year of merciless beatings humanity took at the hands of Chaos.
Overall, if you were on the fence about purchasing the Age of Sigmar boxed set, or just curious about what this new world is about, I think this simple $8 download is a great place to start. Once you read the book you'll view the miniatures in the boxed set in a whole new light!
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