Ashniel is the daughter of Caenthras, a Nagarythe noble during the Sundering. She was betrothed to Alith Anar, known as The Shadow-King, but spurned him before she was taken to Anlec to learn the arts of murder in the temple of Khaine. Thousands of years later, she and two others would be shipwrecked on the coast of Nehekhara, ending up as prisoners in the possession of Nagash. From them Nagash got information of Dark magic and eventually perfected his mastery in necromancy.