Post by Zeli on Nov 29, 2006 12:31:26 GMT -5
source: Warhammer Vault
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Lore and Gore - A basic role-player's guide to the glorious Empire!
By Jesswar
Johan Steinhauer cried in pain and fell to his knees. The northman howled something in his savage tongue and raised his blade for the killing blow. The blade never fell; the northman was struck by a bright flash and was immolated on the spot. The smouldering, charred remains fell to the ground near Johan with a crispy thud. Johan looked up and saw Amalfried the Bright Wizard cackling with glee. "Ha! Get up Herr Steinhauer, or I'll have to cauterise that wound for you myself!" Seeing the maniacal glare in the wizard's eyes with no sign of jest, Johan picked up his sword and charged into the enemy as if all the daemons of Chaos were on his heels.
Warhammer, to newcomers, may seem on the surface to be just another generic fantasy setting. Oh how they are wrong! This series of articles will have two goals: The first, is to give role-players tips on really playing their characters as they should be in the Warhammer world. The second goal is to showcase how different all the Warhammer races are from their other fantasy counterparts.
Names
The Empire is strongly inspired by the Holy Roman Empire of our own history. All Empire names are Germanic in sound and composition. If it's German or Austrian, then it works for a name. A fun thing to try is to find the German translation of your own name or come up with a creative way to make your name sound Germanic.
Values
Citizens of the Empire value many different things depending on their position in society. Universal values, however, do exist and the most common are: valour, honour, wealth, land and title. Some, such as the Church of Sigmar, have two distinct groups with very different values. The upper clergy are more politicians than priests who value wealth, power, prestige and comfort more than most. In contrast, the rough Warrior-Priests of Sigmar care little for anything other that purity, faith and of course, violence in Sigmar's name!
Likes
Dwarfs: Citizens of the Empire have a strong alliance with the Dwarfs. In fact, it is one of, if not the longest standing alliance in the history of the Warhammer world. It was the Dwarfs, after all, who gave men the secrets of shaping metal and creating black powder. There may always be a little "rough and tumble" at the local tavern or outpost, but generally the two species are faithful allies.
Dislikes
Witchcraft: The paranoia over witchcraft in the Empire is outrageous; there is no other word. Witch Hunters scour every corner of the Empire after the slightest rumours of taint amongst her people. Hundreds of heretics, witches, mutants and innocents are burned at the stake on a regular basis across the Empire. In many places, even the Empire's vast and sprawling cities, everyone is a suspect and no one is safe from the Witch Hunter's scrutiny.
Religion
Although a polytheistic society, two gods are worshiped above the others across the Empire. First and foremost is Sigmar Heldenhammer. Sigmar's symbols are the Hammer and the Twin-tailed Comet. Followers of Sigmar are warrior-clergymen and wield the holy hammer as their weapon of choice. The Church of Sigmar forms the official religion of the Empire and holds great amounts power in nearly every city. The only exception to this is Middenheim, city of the White Wolf.
The only god that nears Sigmar in power and reverence is Ulric, the fierce god of winter and battle. Ulric's symbol is the White Wolf. Ulric is the god if the Teutogens and the mighty city of Middenheim, its white cloud-breaking spires a sight to humble even the most devout follower of Sigmar. Followers of Ulric are arguably the most fierce warriors in all the Empire. Templars of Ulric known as the Knights of the White Wolf discard helmets and shields in favour of long hair, savage beards and great hammers.
There is a harsh rivalry between the Church of Sigmar and the Cult of Ulric; both are warrior religions and both have advantages over the other. The Church of Sigmar is the established religion of the Empire and thus the most popular. The Cult of Ulric, however, is older than the Empire and Ulric is as old as winter itself. Naturally in times of war these rivalries are thrown aside and both religions take to the field of battle against the common enemy, often trying to out-perform each other on the field.
Battle Cries
Note: replace "Sigmar" with "Ulric" when appropriate.
Have fun, good luck and I'll see you on the field!
Jesswar
By Jesswar
Johan Steinhauer cried in pain and fell to his knees. The northman howled something in his savage tongue and raised his blade for the killing blow. The blade never fell; the northman was struck by a bright flash and was immolated on the spot. The smouldering, charred remains fell to the ground near Johan with a crispy thud. Johan looked up and saw Amalfried the Bright Wizard cackling with glee. "Ha! Get up Herr Steinhauer, or I'll have to cauterise that wound for you myself!" Seeing the maniacal glare in the wizard's eyes with no sign of jest, Johan picked up his sword and charged into the enemy as if all the daemons of Chaos were on his heels.
Warhammer, to newcomers, may seem on the surface to be just another generic fantasy setting. Oh how they are wrong! This series of articles will have two goals: The first, is to give role-players tips on really playing their characters as they should be in the Warhammer world. The second goal is to showcase how different all the Warhammer races are from their other fantasy counterparts.
Names
The Empire is strongly inspired by the Holy Roman Empire of our own history. All Empire names are Germanic in sound and composition. If it's German or Austrian, then it works for a name. A fun thing to try is to find the German translation of your own name or come up with a creative way to make your name sound Germanic.
Values
Citizens of the Empire value many different things depending on their position in society. Universal values, however, do exist and the most common are: valour, honour, wealth, land and title. Some, such as the Church of Sigmar, have two distinct groups with very different values. The upper clergy are more politicians than priests who value wealth, power, prestige and comfort more than most. In contrast, the rough Warrior-Priests of Sigmar care little for anything other that purity, faith and of course, violence in Sigmar's name!
Likes
Dwarfs: Citizens of the Empire have a strong alliance with the Dwarfs. In fact, it is one of, if not the longest standing alliance in the history of the Warhammer world. It was the Dwarfs, after all, who gave men the secrets of shaping metal and creating black powder. There may always be a little "rough and tumble" at the local tavern or outpost, but generally the two species are faithful allies.
Dislikes
Witchcraft: The paranoia over witchcraft in the Empire is outrageous; there is no other word. Witch Hunters scour every corner of the Empire after the slightest rumours of taint amongst her people. Hundreds of heretics, witches, mutants and innocents are burned at the stake on a regular basis across the Empire. In many places, even the Empire's vast and sprawling cities, everyone is a suspect and no one is safe from the Witch Hunter's scrutiny.
Religion
Although a polytheistic society, two gods are worshiped above the others across the Empire. First and foremost is Sigmar Heldenhammer. Sigmar's symbols are the Hammer and the Twin-tailed Comet. Followers of Sigmar are warrior-clergymen and wield the holy hammer as their weapon of choice. The Church of Sigmar forms the official religion of the Empire and holds great amounts power in nearly every city. The only exception to this is Middenheim, city of the White Wolf.
The only god that nears Sigmar in power and reverence is Ulric, the fierce god of winter and battle. Ulric's symbol is the White Wolf. Ulric is the god if the Teutogens and the mighty city of Middenheim, its white cloud-breaking spires a sight to humble even the most devout follower of Sigmar. Followers of Ulric are arguably the most fierce warriors in all the Empire. Templars of Ulric known as the Knights of the White Wolf discard helmets and shields in favour of long hair, savage beards and great hammers.
There is a harsh rivalry between the Church of Sigmar and the Cult of Ulric; both are warrior religions and both have advantages over the other. The Church of Sigmar is the established religion of the Empire and thus the most popular. The Cult of Ulric, however, is older than the Empire and Ulric is as old as winter itself. Naturally in times of war these rivalries are thrown aside and both religions take to the field of battle against the common enemy, often trying to out-perform each other on the field.
Battle Cries
- In Sigmar's name!
- For Sigmar!
- For the Empire!
- For Karl Franz!
- Onwards sons of the Empire!
Note: replace "Sigmar" with "Ulric" when appropriate.
Have fun, good luck and I'll see you on the field!
Jesswar