Xirkaali: Introduction and Pre-Orders

A storm brews on the eastern horizon of Pannithor.

The Xirkaali Empire, long isolated and self-sufficient, has begun its march westward – not for conquest, but for containment.

Their armies are vast, their culture ancient, and their motivations rooted in divine mandate. For players of Kings of War, the Xirkaali represent a new kind of threat: disciplined, pragmatic, and utterly convinced of their righteous cause.

From Slavery to Sovereignty

The Xirkaali Empire is ruled by the hemicyons, a species of dog-headed humanoids born of dark magic. Originally created by the serpentine uraeus in the deserts of Ophidia, the hemicyons were slaves, bred to serve and toil.

But centuries of oppression bred cunning and resentment. When the uraeus tried to manipulate the Ahmunite Empire into war with the elves, elven spies infiltrated the hemicyon ranks and sowed rebellion. The uprising coincided with a human invasion, and the uraeus were crushed.

The hemicyons fled north, rejected and attacked, until they reached the shores of Lake Mirkaali. There, they founded Kaali – a land of open cities, animist magic, and democratic governance. The hemicyons ruled with pragmatism, not cruelty.

Gods, War, and Betrayal

Kaali remained hidden until discovered by Kyron, the Celestian Huntsman. He admired their society and kept their existence secret. But when the Fenulian Mirror shattered, Kyron split into Brave and Dark aspects. Dark Kyron betrayed Kaali to Ba’el, who unleashed demons upon the hemicyons. Their animist magic backfired, empowering the invaders. The survivors were enslaved by the Dark Smith and forced to create monstrous war-beasts.

Liberation came when Brave Kyron, aided by the neutral twins Arlan and Indra, stormed the caverns of Feralyss. The hemicyons were freed but chose not to follow Kyron. Instead, they marched east, seeking a new homeland.

The Rise of the Empire

Their journey led them to the Steppes of Shun and eventually to the five kingdoms of Xiryan. Initially manipulated by King Shang-lo of Yao, the hemicyons were betrayed and nearly destroyed. But they learned from this defeat, reorganizing into tribes, clans, and hordes under the leadership of the Khatun. They adopted material philosophy, revering stone, bone, wood, and especially steel.

Over centuries, they raided and studied the Yan kingdoms, absorbing their strengths. Their gods – Sidurgu and Sokhatai, the Four-Who-Are-Two – revealed themselves and forbade magic. When the oni of Blight attacked, the hemicyons manipulated the Yan kings into civil war, then conquered the weakened realms. Thus was born the Xirkaali Empire.

Isolation and Expansion

The Empire remained aloof from western Pannithor's affairs, surviving Winter’s War and the deluge that devastated its neighbours. It expanded through alliances with dwarfs, vanaras, ogres, and even some orc tribes. Trade with Ophidia resumed, but suspicion lingered.

When a disguised uraeus infiltrated a diplomatic mission, Khatun Temulun executed it publicly and consulted the gods. The Empire erased all records of the encounter and began studying the west more closely.

The Rift and the Call to War

The opening of Halpi’s Rift by the Abyssal Dwarfs sent arcane shockwaves eastward. Fractures flared, demons surged, and monsters emerged into the world.

The Xirkaali saw the cause, reckless western magic. Even within their own lands, the Empire's disdain for such unbridled power is acted upon with terrifying efficiency. Sorcerers of all kinds are actively hunted, and put to new purpose as arcane dampeners and controlled weapons.

On the matter of the Rift, Temulun again consulted the gods. Their verdict was clear: only the Xirkaali had the discipline to contain such power.

The Empire must march west, not to conquer, but to safeguard the world.

The Claws of War

Temulun assembled four massive armies, each named after a divine beast: Phoenix, Dragon, Tiger, and Tortoise. These “Claws” are perhaps the largest forces seen since the God War. Each has a distinct objective, but all share the same mission: secure arcane sites, suppress magical threats, and impose Xirkaali order.

The Empire's armies are composed of:

Hemicyon warriors: Towering, steel-clad fighters with sacred reverence for metal and a fierce sense of honour.

Spearwardens: Elite vanguard troops wielding massive steel spears for lethal extended reach.

Yan Soldiers: The Empire's human auxiliaries, comprised of disciplined monk fighters and chakram throwers.

Plainstalkers: Scouts and hunters with enhanced senses and bows, stalking the forests in search of the Empire's enemies.

Wildfangs: Frenzied berserkers, with a potent combination of huge muscular strength and animal reflexes, who fight with claws alone.

Lionsnarl Cavalry: Shock troops mounted on mighty, oversized, hunting cats from the Chinlun region thunder into battle!

Beasts of Chinlun: Revered creatures like the Gokluu dragon, which inspires courage in the Empire's warriors...

...and the highly-skilled shaoquan apes, who will grapple with the mightiest foes without hesitation.

Alchemical Artillery: Mortars and rocket batteries devised by human alchemists, wreaking a gruesome toll on the enemy lines.

Peace or War

Temulun’s command is clear: offer peace, but be ready for war. The Xirkaali do not seek conquest for its own sake. They seek stability, order, and the suppression of dangerous magic.

Honour dictates peace and submission to the Empire is offered three times. But if the nations of the west will not listen, the Claws will bring them to heel...

Begin Your Journey!

So, where's the best place to start your Xirkaali collection?

We'd recommend the Xirkaali Battalion box - including a great mix of heroes and units to begin your invasion of western Pannithor!

Or, alternatively dive fully into the whole of the new range for both a bundle saving and a free early-release Xorxoi Prowlmaster!