W'soran
W'soran who would eventually possess and become known as Melkhior and finally, Zacharias the Everliving was one of the first vampires and founder of the vile Necrarch bloodline.
Contents
History
Originally a priest in the holy city of Mahrak, W'soran joined the cabal of Lamashizzar, king of Lahmia in the aftermath of the war between the priest kings of Nehekhara and Nagash. This group sought to use the books of Nagash (as well as the knowledge of the captured Arkhan the Black) to discover Nagash's secret to immortality. Though initially loyal to the king, W'soran later supported, albeit reluctantly, Queen Neferata instead when she demonstrated a greater understanding of Nagash's works. When Neferata became the first vampire W'soran was one of those she chose to share the secret of immortality with.
Eventually becoming disenfranchised with Neferata's rule, W'soran sought out Nagash himself instead. This betrayal caused Neferata to imprison him but despite this his actions still eventually brought the attention of the various Priest Kings of Nehekhara on Lahmia. They attacked and destroyed the city, despite W'soran being released to use his necromantic ability in the city's defense.
After Lahmia's fall W'soran fled north to join Nagash who by now was ready to take his vengeance on Nehekhara. He led an army of undead warriors at the behest of Nagash with his rival Arkhan against the army gathered by Alcadizaar but was defeated. When Nagash instead used a plague to cripple Nehekhara the two led another force which destroyed the last armies of that land, taking Alcadizaar prisoner. This proved to be a mistake when Alcadizaar broke free and slayed Nagash.
After this he spent some time in Mourkain, capital of the Stygos Empire under it's vampiric king Ushoran.
Melkhior
When W'soran came to Mourkain he gathered a cabal of the mystically gifted around him and gave them the gift of unlife. Foremost among these was Melkhior, who became W'soran's prize pupil, a position he gained through incredible necromantic ability and a tendency to destroy any rival to his master's attention.
Eventually however Melkhior's lust for knowledge grew. After centuries of mistreatment at the hands of his master, Melkhior slew his master while he was in a trance and consumed him over several days. Taking his master's prized Book of Nagash, Melkhior fled north and established a fortess for himself in the Forest of Shadows where he carried our horrific experiments on the living, occasionally venturing forth with small armies to claim new subjects. [2a] It was later revealed that W'soran was never destroyed by Melkhior and instead posessed his apprentice's body before destroying his own.
At some point prior to the outbreak of the Vampire Wars W'soran, now known as Melkhior, was hired by Vlad von Carstein to teach necromancy to the new vampiric aristocracy he had established in Sylvania. One of his most promising pupils was Mannfred von Carstein.
Zacharias the "Everliving"
The ancient Vampire was murdered again at the hands of his new apprentice Zacharias. One day when secretly reading his master's forbidden tomes Zacharias was discovered by Melkhior and barely escaped with his life. Fleeing to a cave to recuperate he came across a sleeping black dragon. Nourishing himself on it's blood gave him incredible power and after taking the corpse of the beast as a mount he returned to his master's stronghold and killed him, only to be possessed and destroyed by W'sorans spirit. When Zacharias did this to his master, it was not the ironic twist of fate it appeared, but rather history repeating itself, with W'soran once again killing his apprentice and gaining a new body.
Now known as Zacharias the Everliving, W'soran would feast once again on his old body. Now commanding the mighty Zombie Dragon Zacharis had raised. W'soran was more powerful than ever, having added the power of both Melkhior and Zacharias to his own. This would be W'sorans final form, either because he took no more apprentices or because no Necrarch was ever again foolish enough to usurp him.
End Times
In his form as Zacharias the Everliving, the now desperate W'soran would lead attacks on the fortress of Mannfred von Carstein, supported by Mannfreds greatest rivals. Zacharias intended to invade Mannfreds castle, gaining all his necromantic tomes and stopping the resurrection of Nagash, the only being more powerful in necromancy than himself. Nagash would eventually rise, destroying Zacharias when he refused to serve him.
W'soran, first and greatest of the Necrarchs, was finally dead.
Grimoire Necronium
He wrote this infamous tome, btth a book of spells and a collection of doom laden prophesies of the end of the world where Vampires rule over the living, hunting them for sport under a sunless sky. Those who read it risk falling into depression and insanity. [1a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 5th Edition: Melkhoir: Black Cloak of Lahmia, Grimoire Necronium, Painbringer Staff, Sword, Winged Nightmare. [2a]
- Black Cloak of Lamia: Ancient treasure of Lahmia, it can make onlookers eyes bleed and their sanity melt providing protection against missile fire. [2a]
- Grimoire Necronium: Written by Melhoir, it contains necromantic spells and horrific prophercy. [2a]
- Painbringer: A black sword made from the life force of the living whose touch brings insanity and pain. [2a]
Quotes
| Death will only be the beginning of your eternal pain, mortal. Beyond the grave awaits a world of horrors that you could scarcely begin to imagine.
~ Melkhoir.[2a] |
Miniatures
Melkhior
Zacharias
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (5th Edition)
- 1a: The Books of the Forbidden Arts, pg. 8
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (5th Edition)
- 2a: Aristocracy of the Night, pg. 74
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