Every Warhammer Age of Sigmar army has a character, a flavour, that makes them unique to play and causes them to resonate with their players. The Lumineth Realm-lords are not an army wholly dedicated to magical dominance, displays of overwhelming strength, or unparalleled swiftness. They are an army of balance and harmony, where every single piece plays its part.
They attract a certain player, often one that likes rubbing their chin and saying “hmmm” a lot during their turn. Those individuals will rejoice, as the Lumineth Realm-lords have an intricate and detailed new battle trait that lets players truly express their strategic mastery. To be honest, we’re more in the “push things forward and roll lots of dice” school of tactics here, so we’ve invited a true scholar of Tyrion and Teclis to teach you all about it. Take notes, there will be a quiz at the end…
Rune Inscription 101
Welcome, apprentice Calligraves, to a symposium in which you will learn how to draw power from the very lands around us. During your studies, I will illuminate you on the nature of the five most prominent runes, teach you how to harmonise the power of multiple runes to produce stronger effects, and, finally, reveal advanced techniques that the learned masters of the Hysh-Mhensa use to enhance not only themselves but also the warriors around them.
A master of the runes of Hysh is able to scribe the correct runes to address the situation at hand. At the beginning of each battle round, you will select one of five runes to depict on your battle scripture. These runes will impart immediate power to up to two friendly units on the battlefield. As the battle progresses, you may depict the same rune multiple times to increase its power, enabling you to pick even more units to benefit from its effect.
Example Runes
Familiarise yourself with the runes below:
Alaithi, Rune of the Mountain
Alaithi draws power from the mountains to grant stone-like resilience. Depict this rune to stand firm before the artless enemy’s assaults.
Pick up to 2 friendly Lumineth Realm-lords units for each instance of this rune depicted on your battle scripture to be the targets. Each target has Ward (5+).
Oreali, Rune of the Wind
Oreali calls on spirits of the ephemeral winds to speed your allies and impede your enemies. Depict this rune once the enemy is close to disrupt their attacks with violent gusts.
Pick up to 2 friendly Lumineth Realm-lords units for each instance of this rune depicted on your battle scripture to be the targets. Subtract 1 from hit rolls for attacks made by enemy units while they are in combat with any of the targets.
Ydriliqi, Rune of the River
Ydriliqi draws power from the rivers to increase your warriors’ dexterity and agility. Depict this rune when you need to change the flow of the battle.
Pick up to 2 friendly Lumineth Realm-lords units for each instance of this rune depicted on your battle scripture to be the targets. Subtract 2 from charge rolls for enemy units while they are within 12" of any of the targets.
Harmony in Difference
The true power of the runes is unlocked as you begin to depict a variety of runes onto your battle scripture. Each rune draws power from others depicted in earlier battle rounds for enhanced effects.
Let’s use the example below:
In battle round four, I have chosen to depict Varinor, Rune of Strength, on my battle scripture. As it is the first time I have depicted this rune during this battle, only two friendly units can benefit from its effect. However, Varinor harmonises with Ydriliqi and Oreali to create an even greater effect.
Varinor, Rune of Strength
Pick up to 2 friendly Lumineth Realm-lords units for each instance of this rune depicted on your battle scripture to be the targets. Add 1 to run rolls and charge rolls for each target.
In addition, the following enhanced effects apply:
While Ydriliqi, Rune of the River, is depicted on your battle scripture, add 1 to wound rolls for each target’s combat attacks.
While Oreali, Rune of the Wind, is depicted on your battle scripture, each target can use Shoot and/or Charge abilities even if it used a Retreat ability in the same turn.
When assembling your army, it is important to remember the different ways each of the five runes complement each other, and it will be key to plan how the runes you depict in the early battle rounds will affect your army in later rounds.
Masters of the Runes
Some of our fellow Lumineth dedicate their lives to the study of one particular rune. Those enlightened souls gain a permanent boon when the presence of their chosen rune increases.
ALARITH STONEGUARD
MOVE | HEALTH | CONTROL | SAVE |
5" | 2 | 1 | 4+ |
FORTITUDE OF THE EARTH
When the Stoneguard adopt this unyielding martial stance, even the most ferocious assaults cannot break them.
Effect: While you have 2 or more instances of Alaithi, Rune of the Mountain depicted on your battle scripture, this unit’s Save characteristic is 3+.
In addition, our aelementor companions are manifestations of the very magical forces that empower the Hyshian runes. Their presence inevitably changes the flow of power upon the battlefield.
AVALENOR, THE STONEHEART KING
CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS
In the presence of Avalenor, the mountains awaken to give protection to their allies.
Effect: While a visible friendly Alarith unit is wholly within 12" of this unit:
You are treated as having 1 additional instance of Alaithi, Rune of the Mountain depicted on your battle scripture for the purposes of the abilities on that unit’s warscroll.
If that unit is picked to be a target of the ‘Depict Rune’ ability, you can apply the enhanced effects of that ability to that unit as if you had an instance of Alaithi, Rune of the Mountain depicted on your battle scripture.
It will take discipline and focus for you to become a master Calligrave. Yet with time, practice, and patience, you will learn to truly shape the magics of the realms to dominate the battlefield.
For your first steps, I recommend depicting the Alaithi rune each battle round. This will keep your forces protected while you familiarise yourself with these new magics.
In subsequent battles, you can start to experiment with combinations of different runes – and over time, you will discover how to depict your own path to victory…
There you have it! This new battle trait is the Lumineth Realm-lords at their most flexible, a cornucopia of options that you are encouraged to use in harmony to eke the most out of your forces. Battletome: Lumineth Realm-lords has lots more in store too, like updated spell lores, a brand new warscroll for Teclis, and the new Vanari Lord Regent – we’ll be taking a look at all three of those next.
