Sigmars toll is a three episode mini series on Warhammer TV. It is the second Age of Sigmar show and the first to be depicted in a realistic animated style. The mini series was made to help tell a story within Age of Sigmar while promoting the tabletop wargame and book series.
Age of Sigmar is a fantasy world focusing on magic and warfare. Humanity is led by god king Sigmar where they face off against monsters and chaos god factions. The wargame is all about strategy while the books are all about the lore.
The series is good for long term and new fans alike, however it doesn’t explain parts of the lore so many people may be confused. The show immediately throws you into the world without explaining who any of the characters are or how the world works. It seems like the show expects you to read one of the books before watching.
Episode one starts off with a city called Embergard in the midst of a Skaven invasion. Embergard is a medieval-like city with humans while the Skavens are essentially super evolved, intelligent humanoid rats. Embergard has been under constant assault and is on its last legs.
The main character is a knight-questor named Leodus. As a knight, he was chosen by the King and was given visions. After receiving one of these visions he decides to leave the city in order to find what the vision showed.
The rest of the series focuses on a group of Reclusians (a person who lost their humanity after dying then being revived) at a Ruination chamber and the Skavens development on a new weapon. A ruination chamber will bring a knight back to life but at the cost of their humanity and memories.
The animation is decent as it keeps the standard 3D warhammer animation style. Some scenes appear too dark but it saves the brightness until the scene requires it. Episode 2 shows this perfectly as its dark until the prosecutors come in to save Leodus.
The show balances action with fantasy. It also explores themes like final death as the soul is inevitably too diminished to be restored.
Although the series is short, it is still worth the watch. For longtime fans it is a faithful representation of familiar lore, while for new fans it is a good introduction to the world of Age of Sigmar and warhammers’ story of endless wars.
