Settra, the Imperishable
The founder of Nehekhara, and thus the oldest of all Tomb Kings, is Settra, “the Imperishable” (you can see him in the title image as well). He has many other titles – truly an absurd number. Therefore, we will not list them all individually here.
He was one of the last to be resurrected by Nagash’s ritual. No sooner was he back than he reclaimed his old kingdom and sent the other Tomb Kings back to their graves – almost like a parent sending their children to their rooms. Although Settra is a ruthless and tyrannical ruler, the Tomb Kings under him are a rather neutral power.
The mightiest of all Tomb Kings can also be seen in the faction trailer for Total War: Warhammer 2:
At his command, the Tomb Kings live secluded in their realm. They usually do not launch great campaigns of conquest and leave their undead realm only when they want to retrieve a stolen relic.
Yet, although they do not wish to interact much with the living, they also know when it is time for alliances. Settra even allied with the High Elves (if only reluctantly) to repel a Chaos invasion into his realm.
One thing remains constant: Settra does not serve. It does not matter whether his opponent has ascended to become a god, as was the case with Nagash during the End Times – the literal end of the world. The necromancer offered Settra to become one of his mightiest servants, one of his Mortarchs. Settra stood up to him nonetheless, even though he was obliterated on the spot for it.
Settra was subsequently resurrected by the Chaos Gods to take revenge on Nagash. They wanted to get rid of him anyway, as he had become a real danger to them. But when Settra confronted his arch-nemesis once more, he charged at him and … beheaded a demon behind him.
Settra claimed he would retrieve Nagash’s head – but only after he had killed the Chaos Gods. They actually believed they could make him their servant. As already mentioned: Settra does not serve.
