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wood elfs are the best :''For a non-Warhammer-specific description of Wood Elves, see Wood-elves . For an article on elves in general, see Elves . In Games Workshop's '' Warhammer Fantasy '' Fictional Universe , the Wood Elves are a variety of Elves who live in an enchanted forest, referred to (by the elves- in their own language) as Athel Loren. The Wood Elves are inspired by chiefly by the elves of Mirkwood and Lothlórien from the works of J. R. R. Tolkien . BACKGROUND AND HISTORY The Wood Elves (known as Asrai to themselves) were once a Colony of the High Elves . After political struggles between the High Elves and warring nations, the High Elves called all colonies of elves to return to Ulthuan . Feeling attached to their new Woodland homes, the Wood Elves refused to return, and became outcasts of elven Society . The Wood Elves created their own home deep in the woods of Athel Loren , and, eventually, created a close bond between themselves and the other woodland spirits that live there. Wood Elves are completely in tune with Nature , to a point that their magic is essentially just "speaking the language of the trees", causing them to move or attack. Even when the elves use animals for war, the animals are treated like equals, growing strong bonds with their masters (though the elves would surely not use this word). The Wood Elves are unusual in that they are neither ' Good ' nor ' Bad ', (like the High Elves and the Dark Elves ), respectively. They are completely Neutral - like nature itself, their only goal is to survive. This makes their behavior seem fickle, capricious, even wicked to those who do not understand their society. Athel Loren is ruled by two god-possessed elven avatars called Ariel and Orion, which are manifestations of aspects of nature. THE WOOD ELVEN ARMY War is an important part of the Wood Elven life. Because the forest the elves live in is surrounded by threats, all elves, male and female, learn the art of war. The Longbow is a critical part of the wood elf arsenal- essentially every elf in an Army is equipped with a long bow. The wood elves are also notorious among players for being the most lethal Archers in the entire game of Warhammer Fantasy Battle . A Wood Elven , and the Forest itself. 'Forest Spirits' can and will be awakened in a time of need to fight for the well-being of the forest. They can also include 'Spites'- the lowest form of spirits Athel Loren has to offer, which are equipped to a single character to provide that character with a variety of unusual benefits. Lords
Highborns are the upper, ruling class of Elven society. They lead the Wood Elves in time of peace, and it is expected of them to be equally capable generals in times of war. They are far more skilled then the average elven foot troop. Highborns can take up special areas of training (called kindreds), which give them various skills and abilities. They, like any general in Warhammer, can use magical equipment and ride on war animals. Highborns can also choose to use any kind of spite (but only some will be significantly useful). Athel Loren has a wide variety of steeds to chose from- a Highborn could ride on anything from a well-trained horse to an enchanted forest Dragon
The Lord-level Mage is similar to mages in every other army, with the exception that mages in the Wood Elf army use the Lore Of Athel Loren - a set of magical skills which allow Spellweaver and Spellsingers to communicate with the forest for a variety of offensive and defensive benefits. The spellweaver can also cast spells from the Lore Of Beasts or the Lore Of Life . Spellweavers can, like the Highborns, 'purchase' certain kindreds, have access to all spites, and have a variety of mounts to choose from.
Ancients are the oldest spirits in Athel Loren. They can remember a time before Elves ever existed. Heroes
The basic Wood Elf Hero Choice. He is similar to a Highborn, but with lower status, both on the battlefield and off. He can also choose a kindred for an additional points cost, but he cannot be mounted on a Dragon , and can't take as many magical items or spites as the Highborn. However, he is still a valuable addition to an army. Also, he can be chosen to carry the army battle standard, becoming a beacon for the elves in the near vicinity.
The basic mage of the Wood Elf army. Can only use spells from the lore of Athel Loren.
Branchwraiths are the most powerful dryads. They only are slightly more proficient than dryads in combat, but they can use low-level magic and purchase spites, making them very balanced fighter/caster heroes. Core Units
Forming a friendship of trust and understanding with their horses, Glade Riders move swiftly through the forest branches to bring their deadly bows to bear on the less mobile intruders. Glade Riders are capable of both ranged combat and close combat, though it is often better for them to weaken a target for another unit to better assault.
Renowned for their impressive longbows, the Glade Guard are skilled bowmen whose understanding of the woods allows them to move seemingly unhindered through thick brush and dense undergrowth. Both Scout and Glade Guard are best suited to ranged combat. Storywise they are feared throughout the whole world for the deadlyness of their archery and rightly so.
Using a unique form with their spears and shields, Eternal Guard will solidly stand against any who threaten Athel Loren. Eternal Guard are frequently utilised as bodyguards for Highborn and Noble Elves. They are the only ones standing between the enemy and the destruction of the forest during winter time. During other seasons they have mostly ceremonial roles and ofcourse, the right hand of the royals.
Forest spirits that are the embodiment of nature's duality: Beauty and Ferocity. Dryads will lure intruders off roads and trails, then let their sharp branches and thorns teach the intruder their lesson. Dryads are some of the most capable assault troops in the Wood Elf host. Being fast, strong, tough, fear causing and nigh unstoppable. Special Units
Wardancers are the elven equivalent of berserkers--they have no armor, move fluidly, weave 'dances of death' around their opponents, and are immune to psychological effects such as fear and terror. In Wood Elf folklore, Wardancers are treated with the utmost respect. Wardancer Kindreds are known for dancing at great feasts and banquets.
Warhawk Riders are light, flying units used mostly for march-blocking and hit-and-run tactics. They are highly skilled elves riding agile, giant hawks, and resemble a sort of 'flying cavalry.'
''Tree Kin'' is the name given to the spirits of Athel Loren that bond themselves with dead trees to create an abominable, moving tree monster. They are, in essence, lesser forms of Treemen. Tree Kin tactics closely resemble that of other monsters its size, like a Troll. They are great monsters that induce fear.
As the personal guard of Orion, Wild Riders are aggressive and impulsive cavalry and much tougher than Glade Riders. They have transcended the status of elf and, through Orion have become akin to the forest spirits. They, like all forest spirits, become dormant during the winter but experience a violent rebirth in the spring, raiding nearby Bretonnian territory. Rare Units
A Great Eagle is just that--an eagle of epic proportions. They live in the Grey Mountains, or on the very hightest treetops of Athel Loren and have a special connection with elves. Wood elves use eagles as deadly flying monsters. Some hero's of the Wood Elf race are even known of riding them to battle.
Treemen are the most powerful spirits in Athel Loren. They, unlike Tree Kin, are permanently bonded to a living tree, making a connection that only death can sever. Also, Treemen are ancient beings--some are old beyond mortal reckoning--of gigantic size and have many abilities that Tree Kin do not, such as the mystical ability of tree-singing.
Waywatchers are elite scouts/rangers that have honed their skills to a point where they can remain concealed and unmoving for days on end and then let loose a volley of arrows instantly and with deadly precision. They are the best non-hero archers in the game and use similar tactics as scouts. They can pierce armour and even slay the most powerfull hero's with just one shot. Notable Characters
The immortal Consort King of Athel Loren, Orion is the rampaging avatar of the the Elf god Kurnous. He is a terrifying sight to behold. he stands over ten feet tall and his green skin ripples with muscle. Although he must die each winter, he is reborn each spring, and reaches the peak of his power in mid-summer. such is the way of things, the "continuation of the never-ending process of death and rebirth" (wood elves army book). Orion is normally accompanied by his baying hounds and the Wild Riders of Kurnous. Orion counts as both a Lord and a Hero choice.
Drycha is the most powerful Branchwraith who has been driven mad when the blood of the powerful beastman Morghur was spilled in her glade. She hates all who enter into Athel Loren, and blames the Wood Elves for all the threats that threaten the enchanted forest. She is relentless in her attacks and ever thirsty for blood. It is rumoured that she is forming a resistance to exterminate the Asrai. She counts as a lord choice and any army led by Drycha may only contain "''Forest spirits''" (refer to the Wood Elves army book).
The Sister-Twins of Athel Loren are a mysterious pair who occupy the alpine slopes of the Pine Crags. The story of their existence has been retold throughout the ages by the wardancers. They tell that a small Asrai child, Naestarahan, was lured into the woods by glowing farie lights to a place where even the Waywatchers feared to tread. There she was split into two halves: identical in looks, save that one has hair as dark as night and the other has hair of the purest white. Both command the forest: Naestra, out of love, Arahan, out of fear. As long as one endures, both will endure. They always ride to battle either Ceithin-Har the forest dragon, or Gwindalor, the Great Eagle. Both sisters take up a single lord choice, while Ceithin-Har takes up an additional hero choice.
Scarloc is a champion to the Asrai. He is known for his skill with the bow and his stealthy abilities. He is also the leader of the masterfull scouts. In Imperial year 2007 he slew Morghur, or Cyanathair, Child of Chaos along with his scouts. Scarloc and the Asrai pierced him with a hundred arrows. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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