We have 2 Total War: Warhamers out there, and while the table top seems to be getting more expensive and less player friendly, save for an very streamlined rule set that doesn't really take the fact older gamer had plenty of time to amass a hoard until the General's handbook came out, and some other decisions that seem like a dumpster fire waiting to happen in a recession.
But overall I had some good memories, and I thought it would be cool to look at the origins and inspirations for some of the armies, both official and in lore.
So lets start with my Army: Dark Elves.
Yes, the Mormon is playing the token so evil they kick puppies and eat kittens, but I was sold on the faceless guy with glowing green eyes on the 6th ed cover and one of them was riding a dinosaur. Repeat: they have dinosaur knights. I'm a simple man and eternally 5 in some aspects; any of you who have read my posts in Religion and Politics know this by now.
In any case, here are some basics.
A large chunk can easily be both Greek and Roman, with the darker aspects of their cultures and then some uped to 11.
Let us start with some of the Gods.
Khela Musla Khaine, the Bloody Handed and the most important god to the dark elves (infact the only one for the Druchii for a long time) is a war god who only lives for wanton destruction for fighting and slaughter's sake. This falls in line with Ares, God of war. The Greeks rarely worshiped him, save for Sparta, as they prefered Athena's wisdom and genious plans vs Areas brutish and rage filled antics.
The Savage Huntress Aneth Raema is a vicious hunter who cares not who she slaughters. While a surface glance of a chick with a bow that likes to hunt would get an easy Artemis comparison, but her vengeful aspect has more in common with the furies, winged goddesses of the underworld that attacked those that wronged others. There are elements of Hindu's Kali as she wears a belt of hands of those that failed to thank her for calling upon her then reaping the rewards of her help.
Others have easy Parallels: Drakia, a vengeful sort that often has the pride of others fight each other has the goddess of Discord and Strife Eris for her mold. Manthlan, King of Seas and Storms is just as temperamental as Posiden; Nethu, who has changed a bit from his introduction from 7th to 8th went from Grim Reaper to gate keeper to the underworld. In the former, and my preferred interpretation of him, he is like Thanatos, a old god before the Olympions that stayed on was the grim reaper of Ancient Greece.
Hekate, goddess of black magic and dark pacts is similar to Hekatate, who was associated with magic and curses. The only difference is Hekate looks like a mix between Ecidna: mother of Monsters (you know, the half snake lady that was wife to Typhon and one of the few mythological parings that were mostly loyal) and a Hindu goddess with her many arms.
The most divisive of the new gods was Atharti, a hedonist goddess of lust and self indulgence who best represents Venus (Don't ask me to do the Greek name, the spell check is doing its best as is) who was a Goddess of sex and beauty. Divisive as this replaces some of the chaos cults that have been part of dark elf fluffy background for a long time, because of course elves are smarter to worship the ruinous powers (WINK).
Monsters are another clue to this Mediterranean Heritage.
One of the classic ones is the tank of the army: The hydra. Based on an aquatic dragon like beast, it was one of Hercules' many trials to slay it, only for its heads to regrow with each decapitation.
Harpies are another popular choice. Like the vicious little lovlies in the game (espesiay if you kit bash with witch elves, hint hint, nudge nudge) are based on a trio of sisters (sometimes a foursome) that would act as both Zeus' attack dogs to torment, or to torment souls as they carry them down to Greek Hell: Tartarous.
Even the Dark Steeds have something actin to a Greek myth. As of 7th and 8th edition, they are warped by black magic to give these wicked steed their legendary speed the Dark Riders use for scouting, relaying messages, or in hte game, harassing our opponent. However, one of the side effects, are they are now also have a carnivorous streak, similar to the man eating mares f a Thrasian king Diomdese, who Hercules had to capture for one of his labors.
Kharybdyss may not be Greek, though it is a mouthful, is simalar in structure to Charybdiss. While the game variant was a lovecraftian horror that was made to take out other monsters, the one of the Iliade was a sea monster so large, it created whirlpools just by opening its mouth. It was pared with Scilla on the opposite side of a notoriously dangerous strait,, and there was a Greek Saying: To choose between Scilla and Charibdyss or to choose between two bad choices.
The one monster of myth that took the most liberties are the medusa. Not one but a whole race of them (Gorgon having been used for the Ghorgon, and oversized minotour with a literal bottomless stomach...don't ask).
In the game universe, they were once 10 out of 10 hot sorceressess that tried to surpass the Atharti in beuty. the GOddess of Self Endulence didn't want the competitio so warped them into beings that have their lower half as a massive snake, replace their hair with snakes, dropped their intelect save for a glimmer of a memory of their past lives, and a deadly stare that does not turn you to stone but makes your outsides your insides. Also they are gorgeous gorgons. In the most popular telling of the Greek Mythe, Madusa was a beautiful woman and a devoted priestess of the Virgin war goddess Athena. She had the bad luck to be so beautiful that Posiden chased her into Athena's temple and raped her there. For the gaul to be taken advantage of, something that ruined the devoted priestess' world as only virgins girls and women could marry in Greek society or be a priestess of Athena, her patron deity cursed her to the more hideous form we know of, with the snakes and the stare that turns you to stone.
Is it wrong if I like this one better?
Some weapons are also Greeks.
Balista, giant crossbows used in seiges and for takeing out tightly packed troops, was a weapon used by the Greeks, then adopted and perfected by the Romans. Other cultures also used them, but it was Rome that really set the standard with the Scorpion, which a couple of men could launch vicious darts quickly, and even designs for a repeating fire one that the Mythbusters built and tested one. With a steady rhythm they found it to be a wonderful weapon.
Other units bare vague similarity.
The Black Guard are essential a Praetorian Guard. Unlike the Roman Praetorian, the Black Guard have done a good job Keeping the Witch King alive for 5000+ years.
Speaking of which, Malektith has some elements of Alexander the Great. Son of a Great warrior King, and a darkly enchanting woman, he grew up to be a great warrior and stratagist, but his arrogance would proove to be his own undoing.
Rakarth, a Beastaster lord has a background story that also hints at a similar vein. Alexander got his warhorse, a stallion too wild and ferocious to be tamed, simply by realizing it was scared of its shadow and reacting to it. So he moved him to a position where he wouldn't see it and the rest is history. Rakarth did something similar as a child, makeing a bet with his father that if he could tame an untamable and vicious stallion he could keep it. One look and the two found a kindred spirit. A bond so strong when the horse died he bestowed the name upon his very own black dragon.
Romans loved their gladiatorial games, but there was little if any evidence they had women fighters (they didn't want girls getting any ideas) so while girls in fantasy armor fighting monsters is awesome, probably just that.
From here on out, its largely other cultures.
Going back to the Witch King and the Hag Queen., there is some authurian stuff as he could be a Mordrd and Morothi could be Morgan Le Fay. Others are more obvious to a couple other obvious to nerd culture and even norm culture.
If ou think Malekeith survivng being turning to the dark side, getting third degree burns all over his body, and encased in a suit of armor to sustain him sound familiar, have a cookie because you aint the first to notice the Darth Vader analaog.
Lord of the Rings is also pretty heavy. Both have a Witch King: a powerful sell caster that can throw down in close combat; usually a death sentence for most wizards in the game with other wizards.
Then the Name of the Continent the Dark Elves live on. Naggaroth. Replace Nag with Gor and you have a desolate area of Mordor. I guess we can't fault them to much: A Norwegian Death Metal Band call themselves Gororoth. Why not Fantasy Romans?
Chariots were a popular mode of transportation for Greeks and Romans, but rarely a weapon of war. This was the weapon of choice for Pics, Egyptians, Persians, and so on but rarely if at all for the Greeks and Romans.
The witch elves and their cauldrons of blood are less along the lines of Romans, who saw human sacrifice and cannibalism as taboo, but ancient Welsh and Celt who used them for a number of ceremonies. There are also tales of these people going to battle with nothing more on than the longsword in their hands and the short sword dangling between their legs, an in a frenzy most likly from the Woad: Blue facepant with supposed hallucinogen properties.
Assassins are Ninja, and while it an be argued everyone had their own variation of rouges and cut throats, these guys are ninja. Although you can see a katar, an Indian punch Dagger, on some of the Assassin models and some of the corsairs.
While historically the Middle Eastern Pirates of the same names lacked cloaks made from the hide of dragons, they were both slavers and skilled sea men all the same.
Further east, we have to go to the Asian kingdoms and empires.
The main range weapon of the wicked dark elves is of course the repeating crossbow. While a version was rocked in the film Lady Hawk, historic the one most historians will think of was created by the Chinese as the ye olden machine gun. The earliest crossbows were created by the chines as a simple weapon so an idiot could use, and the repeating version was no different. What is lacks in accuracy or stopping power of the crossbow, it made up for this by a combination of getting 8 shots out and reload in the time it took a normal crossbow to shoot and reload. it. Also, if Deadliest Warrior is any indication, the tips were often dipped in poison made from wolfs bane (yes, it works on men as well as wolf men).
Carrying duel swords is a symbol of Dark Elf nobles of high rank in both the Malus Dark Blade Novels, and at least mentioned int he fluff of 6th edition book. However in Japan, carrying duel swords was a symbol of the samurai, and wherever they go they must carry their twin swords by law.
This was fun for me. What do you think, and what army should I cover next?
High Elves? Empire? Or Orcs and Goblins.
To help with the decision process, here are my favorite units of them in order
But overall I had some good memories, and I thought it would be cool to look at the origins and inspirations for some of the armies, both official and in lore.
So lets start with my Army: Dark Elves.
Yes, the Mormon is playing the token so evil they kick puppies and eat kittens, but I was sold on the faceless guy with glowing green eyes on the 6th ed cover and one of them was riding a dinosaur. Repeat: they have dinosaur knights. I'm a simple man and eternally 5 in some aspects; any of you who have read my posts in Religion and Politics know this by now.
In any case, here are some basics.
A large chunk can easily be both Greek and Roman, with the darker aspects of their cultures and then some uped to 11.
Let us start with some of the Gods.
Khela Musla Khaine, the Bloody Handed and the most important god to the dark elves (infact the only one for the Druchii for a long time) is a war god who only lives for wanton destruction for fighting and slaughter's sake. This falls in line with Ares, God of war. The Greeks rarely worshiped him, save for Sparta, as they prefered Athena's wisdom and genious plans vs Areas brutish and rage filled antics.
The Savage Huntress Aneth Raema is a vicious hunter who cares not who she slaughters. While a surface glance of a chick with a bow that likes to hunt would get an easy Artemis comparison, but her vengeful aspect has more in common with the furies, winged goddesses of the underworld that attacked those that wronged others. There are elements of Hindu's Kali as she wears a belt of hands of those that failed to thank her for calling upon her then reaping the rewards of her help.
Others have easy Parallels: Drakia, a vengeful sort that often has the pride of others fight each other has the goddess of Discord and Strife Eris for her mold. Manthlan, King of Seas and Storms is just as temperamental as Posiden; Nethu, who has changed a bit from his introduction from 7th to 8th went from Grim Reaper to gate keeper to the underworld. In the former, and my preferred interpretation of him, he is like Thanatos, a old god before the Olympions that stayed on was the grim reaper of Ancient Greece.
Hekate, goddess of black magic and dark pacts is similar to Hekatate, who was associated with magic and curses. The only difference is Hekate looks like a mix between Ecidna: mother of Monsters (you know, the half snake lady that was wife to Typhon and one of the few mythological parings that were mostly loyal) and a Hindu goddess with her many arms.
The most divisive of the new gods was Atharti, a hedonist goddess of lust and self indulgence who best represents Venus (Don't ask me to do the Greek name, the spell check is doing its best as is) who was a Goddess of sex and beauty. Divisive as this replaces some of the chaos cults that have been part of dark elf fluffy background for a long time, because of course elves are smarter to worship the ruinous powers (WINK).
Monsters are another clue to this Mediterranean Heritage.
One of the classic ones is the tank of the army: The hydra. Based on an aquatic dragon like beast, it was one of Hercules' many trials to slay it, only for its heads to regrow with each decapitation.
Harpies are another popular choice. Like the vicious little lovlies in the game (espesiay if you kit bash with witch elves, hint hint, nudge nudge) are based on a trio of sisters (sometimes a foursome) that would act as both Zeus' attack dogs to torment, or to torment souls as they carry them down to Greek Hell: Tartarous.
Even the Dark Steeds have something actin to a Greek myth. As of 7th and 8th edition, they are warped by black magic to give these wicked steed their legendary speed the Dark Riders use for scouting, relaying messages, or in hte game, harassing our opponent. However, one of the side effects, are they are now also have a carnivorous streak, similar to the man eating mares f a Thrasian king Diomdese, who Hercules had to capture for one of his labors.
Kharybdyss may not be Greek, though it is a mouthful, is simalar in structure to Charybdiss. While the game variant was a lovecraftian horror that was made to take out other monsters, the one of the Iliade was a sea monster so large, it created whirlpools just by opening its mouth. It was pared with Scilla on the opposite side of a notoriously dangerous strait,, and there was a Greek Saying: To choose between Scilla and Charibdyss or to choose between two bad choices.
The one monster of myth that took the most liberties are the medusa. Not one but a whole race of them (Gorgon having been used for the Ghorgon, and oversized minotour with a literal bottomless stomach...don't ask).
In the game universe, they were once 10 out of 10 hot sorceressess that tried to surpass the Atharti in beuty. the GOddess of Self Endulence didn't want the competitio so warped them into beings that have their lower half as a massive snake, replace their hair with snakes, dropped their intelect save for a glimmer of a memory of their past lives, and a deadly stare that does not turn you to stone but makes your outsides your insides. Also they are gorgeous gorgons. In the most popular telling of the Greek Mythe, Madusa was a beautiful woman and a devoted priestess of the Virgin war goddess Athena. She had the bad luck to be so beautiful that Posiden chased her into Athena's temple and raped her there. For the gaul to be taken advantage of, something that ruined the devoted priestess' world as only virgins girls and women could marry in Greek society or be a priestess of Athena, her patron deity cursed her to the more hideous form we know of, with the snakes and the stare that turns you to stone.
Is it wrong if I like this one better?
Some weapons are also Greeks.
Balista, giant crossbows used in seiges and for takeing out tightly packed troops, was a weapon used by the Greeks, then adopted and perfected by the Romans. Other cultures also used them, but it was Rome that really set the standard with the Scorpion, which a couple of men could launch vicious darts quickly, and even designs for a repeating fire one that the Mythbusters built and tested one. With a steady rhythm they found it to be a wonderful weapon.
Other units bare vague similarity.
The Black Guard are essential a Praetorian Guard. Unlike the Roman Praetorian, the Black Guard have done a good job Keeping the Witch King alive for 5000+ years.
Speaking of which, Malektith has some elements of Alexander the Great. Son of a Great warrior King, and a darkly enchanting woman, he grew up to be a great warrior and stratagist, but his arrogance would proove to be his own undoing.
Rakarth, a Beastaster lord has a background story that also hints at a similar vein. Alexander got his warhorse, a stallion too wild and ferocious to be tamed, simply by realizing it was scared of its shadow and reacting to it. So he moved him to a position where he wouldn't see it and the rest is history. Rakarth did something similar as a child, makeing a bet with his father that if he could tame an untamable and vicious stallion he could keep it. One look and the two found a kindred spirit. A bond so strong when the horse died he bestowed the name upon his very own black dragon.
Romans loved their gladiatorial games, but there was little if any evidence they had women fighters (they didn't want girls getting any ideas) so while girls in fantasy armor fighting monsters is awesome, probably just that.
From here on out, its largely other cultures.
Going back to the Witch King and the Hag Queen., there is some authurian stuff as he could be a Mordrd and Morothi could be Morgan Le Fay. Others are more obvious to a couple other obvious to nerd culture and even norm culture.
If ou think Malekeith survivng being turning to the dark side, getting third degree burns all over his body, and encased in a suit of armor to sustain him sound familiar, have a cookie because you aint the first to notice the Darth Vader analaog.
Lord of the Rings is also pretty heavy. Both have a Witch King: a powerful sell caster that can throw down in close combat; usually a death sentence for most wizards in the game with other wizards.
Then the Name of the Continent the Dark Elves live on. Naggaroth. Replace Nag with Gor and you have a desolate area of Mordor. I guess we can't fault them to much: A Norwegian Death Metal Band call themselves Gororoth. Why not Fantasy Romans?
Chariots were a popular mode of transportation for Greeks and Romans, but rarely a weapon of war. This was the weapon of choice for Pics, Egyptians, Persians, and so on but rarely if at all for the Greeks and Romans.
The witch elves and their cauldrons of blood are less along the lines of Romans, who saw human sacrifice and cannibalism as taboo, but ancient Welsh and Celt who used them for a number of ceremonies. There are also tales of these people going to battle with nothing more on than the longsword in their hands and the short sword dangling between their legs, an in a frenzy most likly from the Woad: Blue facepant with supposed hallucinogen properties.
Assassins are Ninja, and while it an be argued everyone had their own variation of rouges and cut throats, these guys are ninja. Although you can see a katar, an Indian punch Dagger, on some of the Assassin models and some of the corsairs.
While historically the Middle Eastern Pirates of the same names lacked cloaks made from the hide of dragons, they were both slavers and skilled sea men all the same.
Further east, we have to go to the Asian kingdoms and empires.
The main range weapon of the wicked dark elves is of course the repeating crossbow. While a version was rocked in the film Lady Hawk, historic the one most historians will think of was created by the Chinese as the ye olden machine gun. The earliest crossbows were created by the chines as a simple weapon so an idiot could use, and the repeating version was no different. What is lacks in accuracy or stopping power of the crossbow, it made up for this by a combination of getting 8 shots out and reload in the time it took a normal crossbow to shoot and reload. it. Also, if Deadliest Warrior is any indication, the tips were often dipped in poison made from wolfs bane (yes, it works on men as well as wolf men).
Carrying duel swords is a symbol of Dark Elf nobles of high rank in both the Malus Dark Blade Novels, and at least mentioned int he fluff of 6th edition book. However in Japan, carrying duel swords was a symbol of the samurai, and wherever they go they must carry their twin swords by law.
This was fun for me. What do you think, and what army should I cover next?
High Elves? Empire? Or Orcs and Goblins.
To help with the decision process, here are my favorite units of them in order