As we know from earlier books, Manfred Von Carstein have returned and as we learn in story, having been causing a magical darkness to enshroud Sylvannia and draining the life from the land itself.
After delivering a challenge to the Emperor, its quickly discovered that the Crown of Sorcery have been stolen by the minions of the vampire, and setting off a desperate crusade into Sylvannia. Led by Volkmar the Grim, lots of zealots and the armsmen that could be spared, as well a very dedicated witch hunter with a checkered past.
But as it turns out, Manfred have far more up his sleeve, having gathered the Claw of Nagash and one of the nine books of nagash as well, giving him a terrifying level of power. Enabling him to shroud the whole of Sylvannia, something on a magnitude that hadnt been possible since the heydays of ancient Nehekara.
And by the end, Volkmar finds himself captured along with other powerful religious figures to be the centerpieces in an awful necromantic ritual to banish the favor of the gods from the world. Manfred claiming Volkmar was the last piece he needed as he had the blood of Sigmar. And as their blood is spilled and the foul spell begins to build up, the novella ends on that galactic cliffhanger.
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