Ask the Longbeards about the good old days of Fantasy Background

[Rathgar]

Got a question about the Background of Warhammer?

Who, what, when or where; post it in this thread and one of the venerable Longbeards will make all clear!

If you ask a question can you please tag it. For example; if your question is about Orcs put [Orcs] at the top of your post.

There are several topics and questions that come up a lot and the Fantasy Background Old-timers get grouchy if they see the same thing too much. This tread has been created to manage these questions, so the regulars don’t start moaning loudly about how “Threads were better back in the day…”

[EvC]

How far did the Reman Empire stretch out?

[N0-1_H3r3]

How far did the Reman Empire stretch out?

As far as I know, the Reman Empire is either entirely a fan-creation, or something only mentioned in passing in later background; certainly, no official background I've come across contains any mention of the Reman Empire.

[prince olthin]

A question that's bug me for HE. What sort of influence does the High Loremaster have, does he sit on the council of princes, does govern over any amount of land, what is the relationship between him and the HIgh Prince ( or king) of Saphery and just general stuff like that.

On a totaly diferent topic ( still HE) what does the warden of Tor Yvresse actualy do?

[Rathgar]

[High Elves]

A question that's bug me for HE. What sort of influence does the High Loremaster have, does he sit on the council of princes, does govern over any amount of land, what is the relationship between him and the HIgh Prince ( or king) of Saphery and just general stuff like that.

Good question. Teclis and his predecessors certainly carry (carried) a fair amount of political punch. However, the nature of High Elf politics isn’t covered in extensive detail anyplace I can find. All we know for certain is that there are many complicated factions, and the princes’ council elect Phoenix Kings from amongst there number. I think it’s safe to assume that The White Tower is a somewhat standalone entity, a mix between a university, MI6 and the Gestapo. We know the Phoenix King (And possibly the Everqueen) can give direct orders to the Tower, and that it supplies Mages and a spy/intelligence network in the form of the Sword Masters.

So the HighLoremaster probably acts somewhat like a special adviser to the council. He’ll be involved in decision making and governs the affairs of the tower etc, but I don’t think he gets a say in who’s the next King.

Nor does he own any land save for tower and magical area in sits within. Unless of course he was a prince before or is the heir to family land. We know most of the princes/landowners within Saphery are scholars or mages (a few are listed) and its safe to assume that the high prince will be. Saphery had a tradition of magic use even before the Tower was built, think Bel-Korhadris. So It’s safe to assume that the High Prince is a mage, and although technically he’ll be an independent. He’ll have studied at the Tower most probably and will be the de facto political tool of it.

At least that’s my understanding/speculation on it. If anyone has better information feel free to overrule me.


References:

High Elf army book, Warhammer 5th edition.
The depths of Rathgar's twisted brain. 1st edition.

On a totaly diferent topic ( still HE) what does the warden of Tor Yvresse actualy do?

He guards the wellbeing of the people of course! Again, my understanding of it is that he’s the head of the city council and “Commander in Chief” of the rangers. He’s a bit like a mayor crossed with a king.


References:

High Elf army book, Warhammer 5th edition.

[prince olthin]

but if the warden is " king" of the town then what does the High Prince of Yvresse do or are they one and the same? thanks for the replies

[Eldacar]

As I understand it, the Warden of Tor Yvresse protects Tor Yvresse. The High Prince of Yvresse protects/rules Yvresse.

A question that's bug me for HE. What sort of influence does the High Loremaster have, does he sit on the council of princes, does govern over any amount of land, what is the relationship between him and the HIgh Prince ( or king) of Saphery and just general stuff like that.

My guess is that Teclis (and other High Loremasters) has the influence of a High Prince, but he can choose (for whatever reason) not to use it. However, that influence doesn't mean he gets a vote in who becomes the Phoenix King. It does mean that he would be an incredibly powerful political ally, though.

Land governed: The White Tower and surrounding area. Anything else would have to belong to him personally and not to his "position" as High Loremaster.

Relationship with the High Prince: Would vary depending on the political climate in Saphery at the time.

I think it’s safe to assume that The White Tower is a somewhat standalone entity, a mix between a university, MI6 and the Gestapo.

If you're interested in speculating, then there's always that "New Thread" option.

[prince olthin]

ok thanks everyone

[Kodamas]

Hello Longbeards.

A Tasty Ale to anyone who can provide background info about the Dragon Isles. Are there Dragons living on them? What edition did the Isles appear? Do we know anything really about them?

Echos.

[RobC]

[Geography]

The Dragon Isles first appeared in 4th edition in the Undead army book map; an expanded version of the map was given away free in White Dwarf around the same time.

Some other hairy-faced type is going to have to answer the rest of your questions - I don't know of any background for these islands.

[Bubble Ghost]

The Dragon Isles have Lizardmen living on them. There are no Slann left there to guide them, though, and consequently they've regressed to a state of savagery. The other Lizardman population centres, in Lustria and the Southlands, seem content to leave them to it rather than bring them back into the fold. Don't worry about the ale, though, I'm a lager man really.

[Kodamas]

Thanks.

I am just trying to put together my Lizardmen and want them from the dragon Isles. Not much fluff on the Islands themselves so I may just make something up.

Echos

[Giladis]

So the HighLoremaster probably acts somewhat like a special adviser to the council. He’ll be involved in decision making and governs the affairs of the tower etc, but I don’t think he gets a say in who’s the next King.

I am not certain of that since Morvael of Yvresse the IX Phoenix King was the High Loremaster of Hoeth before he became the king.

[Rathgar]

[High Elves]

I am not certain of that since Morvael of Yvresse the IX Phoenix King was the High Loremaster of Hoeth before he became the king.

I just checked up on it and yep, you’re right. Possible reasons; he was a rare occasion when a high prince (notice he wasn’t Prince of Saphery) was also High Loremaster.

[Sylass]

Hi,

would it be possible that you "tag" your questions and answers with the topic it's about? So if it's a High Elf related question, just add the [High Elves] tag to the top of your post:

[High Elves]

Question: Are the High Elves really Aliens?

Answer: No.

Ok,stupid example, but I hope you get what I mean.

That way it'll be a lot easier to add the questions & answers from this thread to a planned (structured) WHF Background FAQ.

Thanks.

-Sylass,
WarSeer admin.

[Rathgar]

Hi,

would it be possible that you "tag" your questions and answers with the topic it's about? So if it's a High Elf related question, just add the [High Elves] tag to the top of your post

Edited my posts to conform.

[LionoftheBegs]

Are their Steppes in the Warhammer world like in ours ala Mongolia, and do they have humans?

I recieved information from somewhere, I don't know exactly, that there was a land called Arabia or something like that. Whats the history behind that?

[Minister]

Stepes and Arabia

The Stepes are inhabited by both Marauders (horsemen for the most part) and Hobgoblins (dominated by the great Hobgobla Khan). Unsurprisingly, Imperial Cathay maintains the Great Bastion to keep them out.

Arabia would be a desert country to the south. Oddly enough, it bears some resemblance to the Arabian Peninsula on a certain other world (or at least to a fantasised version of its history), including Crusades against it from the Old World.

[N0-1_H3r3]

Arabia would be a desert country to the south. Oddly enough, it bears some resemblance to the Arabian Peninsula on a certain other world (or at least to a fantasised version of its history), including Crusades against it from the Old World.

The nation in question is called Araby; an armylist and basic background are currently available as a playtest document for Warmaster, and apparently the forthcoming Liber Necris will touch briefly on Arabyan culture, given that Araby itself borders what used to be the ancient, undead-infested realm of Khemri.

[CommanderCax]

Are their Steppes in the Warhammer world like in ours ala Mongolia, and do they have humans?

I recieved information from somewhere, I don't know exactly, that there was a land called Arabia or something like that. Whats the history behind that?

Araby is similiar to the near or middle east in our own world, more about it here.

Steppes like Mongolia can be found east of Kislev beyond the Foothills (northern World Edge Mountains).
They are mostly inhabited by the Dolgans, who are a Kurgan tribe. Fierce horse warrior nomads living in clan like structures and worshipping alien gods.
Originally the Gospodari as well as some Ungol tribes also came from these eastern parts, but settled in Kislev and merged to those now known as Kislevites (after fighting each other).

Apart from them there are a couple of non-humans living in this region. South and east of the Dolgan territory is probably the Hobgoblin Hegemony situated, ruled by the iron fist of the Hobgobla Khan. The Hobgobla Khan and his wolf riding Hobgoblins rule over huge regions going as far as distant Cathay.
Further south is the Plain of Zharr, where the Dawi-Zharr (aka Chaos Dwarves) live. East of the Plain of Zharr are the Mountains of Mourn, where the Ogre Kingdoms are situated. Further east is again the Hobgoblin Hegemony and then Cathay...