Nemesor Zahndrekh is one of the Sautekh Dynasty’s finest tacticians, and he has no idea he’s a robot. His mind broke during the Great Sleep, leaving him convinced he’s still a flesh-and-blood Necrontyr fighting ancient rebellions, while he wins wars for the Necrons in the 41st millennium.
Who is Zahndrekh?
Zahndrekh rules the Sautekh tomb world of Gidrim, a planet he was granted as a reward for crushing separatists on Yama during the Wars of Secession. Back then he was a Necrontyr noble, educated at a celebrated military academy and commissioned into the dynastic armies.
He was born around 65 million years before the 41st millennium, and he’s still fighting. His reputation as a strategist is close to peerless, and his campaigns have turned Gidrim from a backwater into a power that controls a dozen star systems.
- Nemesor of the Sautekh Dynasty, based on Gidrim
- Born into the Necrontyr elite around 65 million B.C.
- Served alongside the rival-turned-confidant Setekh at the academy
- Given Gidrim as a reward for his victory at Yama
The madness that defines him
The Great Sleep did a number on Zahndrekh’s mind. He genuinely believes he’s still a living Necrontyr, and that the wars he’s fighting are the secession conflicts of his youth. Orks, Aeldari, and humans all look like rebellious Necrontyr to him, not aliens.
That delusion doesn’t make him harmless. It makes him unpredictable. He treats captured enemy commanders as honoured Necrontyr lords, refuses to deploy assassins like Deathmarks or Wraiths against worthy foes, and lives by the motto “Will without honour is nothing.”
- Believes he’s still a flesh-and-blood Necrontyr
- Sees every enemy as a rebel against the Triarch
- Refuses to use assassins against honourable foes
- Prefers capturing enemy commanders over killing them
Obyron and the threat from within
Plenty of Necron Lords, including members of Zahndrekh’s own royal court, would rather see him removed from power. His grip on reality is shaky and his beliefs are anachronistic, which makes him a liability in their eyes.
So he’s surrounded himself with formidable defences, chief among them Vargard Obyron, his personal bodyguard. Obyron has served him for millions of years and is fiercely loyal, even as others plot.
On the tabletop
In 10th edition, Zahndrekh is a Leader character with a 4+ invulnerable save and the Reanimation Protocols faction rule. His signature ability, Transient Madness, rolls a D6 at the start of your Command phase to give his unit a random buff until your next Command phase.
He carries a Staff of Light, matching his old rival Setekh’s except for the green glow of its power core, and he wears a Phase Shifter for protection.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Move | 5″ |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Save | 2+ |
| Wounds | 6 |
| Leadership | 7+ |
| Invulnerable save | 4+ |
Key facts
- Nemesor Zahndrekh rules the Sautekh tomb world of Gidrim and commands a dozen star systems
- He was born around 65 million B.C. into the Necrontyr nobility
- The Great Sleep broke his mind, leaving him convinced he’s still a living Necrontyr
- His personal bodyguard is Vargard Obyron, who has served him for millions of years
- He wields a Staff of Light with a green power core and a Phase Shifter
- In 10th edition his Transient Madness ability grants a random buff each Command phase
FAQ
Is Zahndrekh actually insane?
Yes, in a functional way. The Great Sleep damaged his mind, and he sincerely believes he’s still a living Necrontyr fighting ancient secession wars. He’s still a brilliant commander, just one operating on a completely wrong set of assumptions.
Who is Vargard Obyron?
Obyron is Zahndrekh’s personal bodyguard and one of the deadliest Necron warriors alive. He’s been at Zahndrekh’s side for millions of years and protects him from the many lords who’d like to see him deposed.
What dynasty does Zahndrekh belong to?
He’s a Nemesor of the Sautekh Dynasty, the same dynasty as Imotekh the Stormlord. His power base is the tomb world of Gidrim.