High Elves (Warhammer)
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In Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy setting, the High Elves are a race of Elves who live on the Isle of Ulthuan, analogous to Atlantis. They are nearly immortal, and their Mages are among the best in the world.
They are related too but as a nation distinct from the Dark Elves of the New World and the Wood Elves of the Old World. In the Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop wargame, Elf armies are generally small and although lightly armoured their soldiers are generally braver, quicker and more skilled than those of other armies.
The High Elves for the main part confine themselves to Ulthuan though they have a few colonies across the known world their ships being the best upon the oceans. Ulthuan is itself split into a number of smaller kingdoms from whom one is picked as the Phoenix King to rule all High elves.
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[edit] History
Many thousands of years ago on Ulthuan there was Malekith who was the son of Aenarion, the first Phoenix King, and hence according to birthright, the next in line to the throne after his elder half-brother Morelion. However Malekith was warlike and headstrong like his father, while the elves had just been through a time of war and desired a peaceful ruler who would help them re-build their strength. So instead a different king was chosen - Bel-Shanaar, from the kingdom of Tiranoc. Malekith sought the blessing of Asuryan to prove that he was the rightful Phoenix King after slaying the Council of Princes as a part of the events surrounding the hunt to destroy the Cult of Slaanesh, but when he crossed the sacred eternal flame he was burned - proving that he was not the rightful Phoenix King. The ensuing dissent led to a civil war that raged across Ulthuan and eventually brought about the exile of Malekith, his mother Morathi, and those loyal to his cause. This group settled in the area known as Naggaroth, the Land of Chill, and founded the Six Cities (Naggarond, Hag Graef, Ghrond, Karond Kar, Clar Karond, Har Ganeth).
Since then the High elves have been at war with the Dark elves, they also had the War of the Beard with the dwarfs before humans first left their tribes and began to build cities.
[edit] Citizen Militia
[edit] Spearmen & Archers
The majority of warriors in the armies of the Asur are citizen militia rather than professional soldiers. This militia is a form of part-time army in which all take their turn to serve, every Elf providing his own wargear in defence of his home and his country. When he is inducted into the citizen levy, a keen-eyed Elf will begin his training in the ranks of archers. Lacking the battle experience of his older brethren, he fights from a distance - experiencing the carnage of war from a relatively safe place.
As his familiarity with the horrors of war grow, he will eventually be promoted to the rank of spearman. This is the senior arm of the militia, and is expected to fight bravely in the main line of battle. With the decades of battle experience behind him, an Elf can don the famous armour of a spearman and join his fellow Elves in the rigorous training needed to fight efficiently as one body with one mind.
[edit] Lothern Sea Guard
The Eataine province does not field a citizen militia as all the other provinces do, instead contributing the Lothern Seaguard to the Phoenix King's army. Unlike the normal levy, they are not only called up in times of need, but remain at arms at all times.
The riches of the High Elves are great, and the legends greater still, so there is never a shortage of villainous cut-throats who will stoop to any depth to steal their way into its fair capital and plunder its ancestral wealth. The Seaguard patrol the shores around Lothern and man the batteries of "Eagle's Claw" bolt throwers that overlook the harbour. They also form a corps of marines to crew the many sleek vessels of our fleet that circle the world in its long patrols. As space is always at a premium on board ship, the Seaguard are traditionally armed with both bow and spear, allowing their commanders to fight with twice the strength their small numbers might suggest by appearance.
[edit] Cavalry of the Asur
[edit] Silver Helm Knights
Silver Helms are the sons and daughters of High Elven nobles. They fight on horseback in defence of their nation. They are traditionally medium cavalry, fighting with light armour and lances on barded elven steeds, however they can be upgraded to have heavy armour, and shields. Their strength lies in the number of men that they can bring to the battlefield and the speed in which they strike. They are best used in a frontal assault while other units attack from the flanks.
[edit] Ellyrian Reavers
Light cavalry from the province of Ellyrion. They frequently use bows (albeit as a replacement or addition to their spears) to harass their foes, on unbarded elven steeds. They are exceptionally skilled riders and can fire their bow in all directions, including behind. This makes them excellent in game terms for causing general disruption in a hit and run style.
[edit] Dragon Princes of Caledor
Once upon a time they ruled the skies atop on the backs of the great drakes. But now that the dragons are asleep, they go to battle on horses, instead. Proud, arrogant, extremely skilled heavy cavalry from the province of Caledor. They wear suits of Dragon Armour which are resilient against heat, as they are dragon's hide. Their steeds are covered with ithilmar barding which is light in addition to being highly resilient. Due to this they are every bit as fast as light cavalry, and every bit as powerful as heavy cavalry.
[edit] Elites of the Asur
[edit] Swordmasters of Hoeth
There are many ways to travel the path of wisdom. Some fast and mediate for years, others study obscure and arcane tomes, but for a few their true path lies in martial prowess. These are the Swordmasters, though they are not only experts with a blade; they also learn to fight with their bare hands or with any other weapon they can reach, especially their finely balanced ceremonial greatswords.
The centre of their cult is the White Tower Of Hoeth, at the heart of ancient Saphery. Here they study the secret ways of battle, honing their bodies and skills to unbelievable levels. Some say they can cut a candle in half without disturbing the flame, others that they can fight in complete darkness, guided only by the faint whisper of their foe's breathing.
These expert warriors are the Guardians Of The White Tower and serve as protectors of the mages and scholars who live and study there. But the Swordmasters are not hermits; part of their duties is to serve as messengers for the Tower's masters, and to this end they travel regularly throughout Ultuan, guarding travelling scholars or seeking out information to enrich the vast store that resides in the White Tower.
In battle they are deadly opponents, eager to practise their legendary skills on real enemies, in an arena where their is no room for second best. This is the true test of mettle, skill and honour that they eagerly seek out.
[edit] Shadow Warriors
Even in times of relative peace, the Shadow Warriors are never at rest. They constantly patrol the barren shores and bleakest hills as they watch for the inevitable Dark Elf raiders; the evil Druchii who sank their homeland beneath the waves and who slaughter their kin. It is little wonder then that battles between the two races are bitterly fought with no quarter asked or given.
Tainted by their association with the Witch King and the violent madness of Aenarion, the survivors of Nagarythe are a very different type of Asur. Since the destruction of their lands, they have been a rootless people, drawn to fighting and unable to settle down to more peaceful tasks. They are intense and brooding, proud and warlike, and this has made them little trusted by their fellow kin of Ulthuan. Despite this, they are among the most loyal subjects of the Phoenix King and the tales of their daring and dangerous exploits are many in number. It is an unusual Elf indeed who has not heard of their valour. Though they are wilder and perhaps more vicious than the rest of the High Elves, it is because of their truly tragic past rather than innate cruelty. Given the bitter and war-wrecked times through which they have lived, this is a flaw that is easy to understand.
[edit] Phoenix Guard
Of the many great warriors of the High Elves, the most fearsome are the silent guardians of the Shrine Of Asuryan. Known as the Phoenix Guard, the main duty of these warrior monks is to protect the island shrine and all those who make their pilgrimage there. Particularly important is the eternal flame, through which the chosen candidate for Phoenix King must walk in order the receive the Asuryan's blessing.
The secret behind the unnatural silence lies the Chamber Of Days, a secret room whose walls blaze with words of flame, written on the naked walls thereselves. These tell the histories of all the Phoenix Kings who have ever lived, and also those who yet to come. It foretells the death of each, and their successors and predecessors. Any who gaze upon these terrible words must swear a magical oath of complete silence from which they can never be released. This knowledge of their fate wipes away any joy or other expressions from these warrior priests, their faces set instead in grim expressions of doom. In battle, they can always be found where the fighting in its most desperate state, knowing in advance if they shall fall or if they shall be victorious.
When a Phoenix King dies, the Phoenix Guard are always there, appearing suddenly and without warning to bear away the body of their king to the White Ship. Once a new candidate for the Phoenix King has been selected, they escort him safely to the Shrine Of Asuryan to undertake the ritual of rebirth as the new Phoenix King.
In battle, the Phoenix Guard fight with their ceremonial halberds, clad in cloaks of embroidered fire that echo the sacred flame of Asuryan. They move throughout the battlefield in utter silence, accompanied only by the beat of a solemn drum. This unnatural manner is deeply disturbing for their enemies as even the direst of wounds will not make them cry out.
[edit] White Lions of Chrace
Ever since the time of Calendor the First, the closest bodyguards of the Phoenix Kings have come from the wildest forests of Chrace. The people found here are the bravest of the young Elves of Chrace, chosen for the honour of serving the Phoenix King by ancient rites. Not all are considered worthy to serve, and each must demonstrate his skill and bravery by tracking down on the fierce beasts that roam the barren mountains and dark forests of the land, the white lions. When they find one they must kill it through hand-to-hand combat and takes its pelt. Those that have proved themselves wear the cloak of the white lion as a sign of their undoubted courage and may serve the Phoenix King as one of his bodyguard.
In battle, the White Lions use the traditional woodsman's axe of Chrace, a finely crafted weapon which is said to be sharp enough to hew a tree in half, or a man, with a single strike.
[edit] Machines of Ulthuan
[edit] Tiranoc Chariots
A few charioteers are all that remain of the ancient way of war of the Tiranoc nobility. In ages passed past, the coastal plains of their realm were full of herds of noble steeds and racing charioteers. The warriors competed with each other to see who could ride the fastest, or loose the most accurate arrow from the back of their speeding chariot. Then the Sundering came, and the once fair land of Tiranoc sank below the waves of Ulthuan's sea.
Not all was lost however. Indeed, many of their finest warriors were elsewhere, fighting against the evil minions of the Witch King. In this way they were able to preserve their traditions and skills, but it was an embittered few that returned to their drowned land. Since then, they have spent their time tending their herds and preparing for battles. They serve in any of Asur's armies, especially those that fight the Dark Elf kin, and will travel many days and nights to join a force on the road to war.
[edit] Repeater Bolt Throwers
The High Elves have no need for the crude Black Powder weapons of other races. Instead, the High Elves use simple torsion bolt throwers as used by their forefathers, content with weapons that will not randomly blow up in front of its crew's face.
The "Eagle's Claw" bolt thrower, as the repeater is usually called, is a versatile weapon and by far the most common of these devices. It is lightly made, though sturdy and strong, and is practical and portable. This makes it highly adaptable and it is widely used both on ship and on shore. In fact, the same individual weapon can be used in either location as they are designed to be taken from their mountings and carried with the Lothern Seaguard when ever they venture forth.
In battle, the "Eagle's Claw" can fire either a single bolt or a hail of steel-tipped death. This flexibility allows the armies of Ulthuan to halt enemies, whether they are heavily armoured knights or teeming hordes of rabble.
[edit] Creatures of Ulthuan
[edit] Great Eagles
These creatures are the last of a noble race that has lived high in the mountain peaks since before the rise of Men. They are haughty and proud, and the High Elves have an instinctive kinship with them. Caradinor rode Sulinash the Great Eagle into battle in times of The Sundering, and such were the heroic deeds that songs are still sung of them. Great Eagles have been allies with the High Elves since this time, and the sight of one soaring high above a battle is still considered a sign of victory.
Some of the wisest of the Asur are said to be able to talk with the Great Eagles of the Anulii as easily as if they were passing the time of day with their own brethren. The Eagles soar over the mist-shrouded peaks and rocky spires and when they return they speak with the Loremasters. In this way, the dire forces of Chaos can never make their way down from the Anulii without finding the warriors of Ulthuan waiting for them.
[edit] Griffons
Griffons are noble beasts, as beasts go, though they are far from tame and placid. Their heads are like that of a huge bird of prey, whilst their bodies resemble that of a lion or any other great cat. All this is borne aloft by a pair of mighty wings that carry the Griffon across the high mountains and peaks where it dwells.
A patiently hand-reared hatchling can be trained to bear a noble upon its back, making a formidable mount in times of battle and war. The people of Chrace, renowned hunters and scouts of Ulthuan, are particularly famed for their skills at raising and training the Griffons that circle above the high mountains of their land.
[edit] Dragons
In days long gone, there were many Dragons to be seen, riding the thermals of the mountain ranges, from Eataine in the south to Chrace in the north, and fighting alongside heroes of the age. The largest nests of Dragons were in the mountains of Calendor, and the Asur of that realm were known as Dragon Princes. And rightly so, as they rode these majestic and fearsome beasts to war and vanquished all who challenged them.
Now the Great Hall Of Dragons lies almost silent. It is filled with the great forms of wyrmkind, but all are deep in slumber, the sound of their rasping breath filling the air. When times of danger are upon the Asur of Calendor, they try to rouse a few from their sleep, but it is an ever greater task. 'Not in a Dragon's age' is a common phrase among the Asur, and is has been many years since more than a handful rode the skies into battle.
However, when they can be awoken from their deep slumber, they are terrible to behold. The light catches their glistening scales before they spread their mighty wings to blot out the sun and light the world with their fiery breath. They are huge and terrifying monsters with a cold, alien intelligence which fills sane folk with dread.
[edit] Magic of the Asur
Whilst lesser races must study magic in its corrupted, broken form, High Elf Mages harness its power as pure, mystical energy. The minor spells of the Asur, those Lores Of Magic taught to Men by the legendary High Elf Mage Teclis, are but a pale reflection of the power that can be wielded by an Asur fully trained in the magical arts at the White Tower.
The ebb and flow of the winds of magic are the Asur's to command, summoning great energy into themselves or denying it to the enemy. The tumultuous eddies of magic can be smoothed, and used to alter the High Elf's material realm, while the most accomplished Mages can enter the realm of magic and leave behind their physical shell.
Before a promising youngster is taught the dangerous path of a True Mage, he will be shown some simple prayers and enchantments to bring down the blessings of the divine Isha. These are far less dangerous for the caster and can be safely employed by even the most untutored talent.
These blessings are of no real use on the battlefield, intended as they are to help the apprentice in his daily tasks and to relieve the simple Elven folk of some of the drudgery of their daily chores. However, they allow the Mage tutors to easily assess the potential of their charges and show which of their number is favoured by the High Elven gods. So it is that Mages can perform all manner of tricks and illusions when in a lighter mood, and never need the help of mundane servants. It is even said that the Elevn farmers and labourers who live near the majestic White Tower Of Hoeth never plough their own fields as every year there is another crop of novices eager to test and demonstrate their skills.
[edit] Honours of the Asur
Elves are virtually immortal, and throughout their lives they spend considerable time mastering many skills and crafts. The achievements of an Elf are highly vaunted, and an Elf who possesses many different skills will be known by several honorific titles, known as Honours.
[edit] Pure Of Heart
Though the Golden Age of the High Elves is a distant memory and legend, there are still a few noble Elves whose mere presence reminds those about them of the heroic past of their proud race. They embody all that is glorious about the Elves from before the time of The Sundering and are bittersweet reminders of the former achievements of the Asur.
[edit] Lion Guard
A hero of the Asur is lauded amongst all Elvenkind for his total devotion to the protection of Ulthuan and his unswerving loyalty to the Phoenix King. As a result, he wears the Lion Cloak, worn by the White Lions Of Chrace, who's magical and near holy properties keep the wearer safe.
[edit] Loremaster
Sated by his training of the martial arts and the path of a warrior, this particular champion of the Asur has now embarked on the path of the Mage, giving him more options and powers to use in the service of the High Elves.
[edit] Swordmaster
Having been trained at the Tower of Hoeth, the lethal duelling and fighting skills of this warrior are justly fabled. The warrior carries the mighty Sword of the Swordmasters into battle, giving him unrivaled weaponry for his unrivaled skills.
[edit] Seer
The lores of magic hold no surprises for this Mage. Countless hours of painstaking study mean that no spell of worth has escaped his keen eye, giving him a clearer understanding and near control over the forces of magic.
[edit] Channeller
The Mage acts as a conduit through which the raw power of the magic of the Asur flows. This gives him more power and strength to utilise more of the energy of magic than normal.
[edit] External links
| Phoenix Kings of Ulthuan
Aenarion | Bel Shanaar | Caledor | Caledor II | Caradryel |
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| Gods of Ulthuan |
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