Liane Merciel’s Age of Sigmar short story Oracle, part of the wider Broken Realms narrative and a sequel of sorts to Red Claw and Ruin (from Covens of Blood), starts with an investigation and ends with an invasion. Posted to the city of Anvilguard to support the Anvils of the Heldenhammer, most of whom have been redeployed elsewhere, Etanios of the Hammers of Sigmar finds himself in the unusual position of assisting with a murder investigation, after several deaths among the city’s prominent citizens. When he’s contacted by an old ally with a dire warning of Morathi’s duplicity, however, he finds himself pulled in different directions trying to do his duty.
Merciel builds a sinister atmosphere for Anvilgard, all gaunt, gloomy streets and dense fog, that lingers throughout, giving proceedings an enjoyably grim tone whether Etanios is attempting to interrogate a suspect or immersed in close combat. His discomfort at his unexpected role – first as an investigator and then a willing, if reluctant tool of an ambiguous ally – provides a great opportunity for Merciel to explore the loneliness of Sigmar’s heroes, and the difficulty of doing his duty when caught between conflicting responsibilities. Although Etanios provides a Stormcast viewpoint, this is just as much a Daughters of Khaine story. Don’t expect Morathi to be front and centre, but her constant but (largely) distant presence looms over Etanios’ internal conflict, nicely grounding the story as a small but powerful glimpse of an interesting moment in the ongoing narrative of the Mortal Realms.
See also: the main Age of Sigmar reviews page on Track of Words.
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