I have read two anthologies of Age of Sigmar short stories: Sacrosanct and Other Stories, and Hammerhal and Other Stories. The stories in Hammerhal were written from 2016 to 2017, while the stories in Sacrosanct were published from 2017 to 2020. The development and evolution of the Age of Sigmar lore is apparent in these two anthologies. Although there were several stories in Hammerhal that I enjoyed (that anthology still worth reading), Sacrosanct is a superior anthology, with many great stories that I could comment on.
C.L. Werner's novella "Sacrosanct" is an
intriguing story featuring the Hammers of Sigmar, the first host of the
Stormcast Eternals, and explores the relationship between Stormcast Eternals
and how their previous mortal lives haunt their reforging. Werner made me see how cool the Stormcast
Eternals actually are. The opening passage of this story, when the Hammers of
Sigmar arrive in Shyish, is so memorable. Werner's other stories,
"Shiprats" and "Witch Takers," are also great.
"Shiprats" explores an airship of the Kharadron Overlords, and
"The Witch Takers" explores the Order of Azyr (the Age of Sigmar
Inquisition). "Witch Takers" captures some of Werner's great Matthias
Thulmann atmospherics.
Josh Reynolds has several great stories in this anthology.
His "Dirge in Dust and Steel" explores the forays into Shyish by the
Hosts of Sigmar and introduces an intriguing new Duardin society and death deity.
"Prisoner of the Black Sun" by Reynolds reintroduces a fun character
from the Old World (no spoilers). Guy Haley's "The Volturung Road" was also great,
more of a novella than a short story. It is ambitious in scope, telling the
story of a Duardin lodge in Ghyran and their attempt to establish a new hold.
This anthology got me excited about Age of Sigmar
lore. It's fun to see this world from its beginning, and it's great to see it
becoming more fully realized. I was a little skeptical of Age of Sigmar in 2016. Now I'm in.
