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.

Many thousands of years ago, the dark elves were once High Elves, and lived in Ulthuan. Malekith was the son of Aenarion, the first Phoenix King, and thus was, according to birthright, the rightful successor to the throne. However Malekeith was, like his father, warlike and 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. The ensuing dissent led to a civil war that raged across Ulthuan and eventually brought about the exile of Malekith, his mother Morathi, and his followers from Ulthuan. This group relocated to Naggaroth, the Land of Chill, and founded the Six Cities (Naggarond, Hag Graef, Ghrond, Karond Kar, Clar Karond, Har Ganeth).

Malekith was also a corrupt follower of "The Cult of Pleasure". This cult was actually a secret society of chaos worshiping elves who could have been anyone. It was hard to tell who was in the cult and who wasn't. This is the reason that Malekith wasn't chosen for the throne. Malekith and other followers of the cult broke off and became dark elves.

While playing the Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop wargame, Elves are generally expensive, but have high Leadership, Initiative and Movement. Their most successful tactics are similar to those of the Roman army. Though usually considered a strictly defensive army, they are highly adaptable and, although difficult for any beginner, are one of the most rewarding armies for a cunning player.

The High Elven Army

Archers

As high elves they have to spend part of there invinent life in there form of military those with good eyes join what they call archers. When they are first called upon to join the Citizen Levy, young High Elves join the ranks of the Archers, learning about war from a relatively safe distance. Archers attack from range using exquisite longbows. In game terms, their effectiveness is disputed. Thus, they are rarely relied on by wise players.

Spearmen

After they have spent some time as Archers, new additions to the Citizen Levy will be promoted to the Spearmen. They fight with shields and spears. All High Elves fighting with spears may fight in three ranks, making them some of the most effective spearmen (albeit expensive points wise) in the game.

Lothern Sea Guard

The Lothern Sea Guard are a special corps from the High Elven capital, Lothern. They fight using not only the bow, but the spear as well; in this way, they something of a hybrid between Archer and Spearman. The Lothern Sea Guard form the bulk of the Elven naval infantry.

Silver Helms

The sons of High Elven nobles. They fight on horseback in defence of their nation. They are traditional heavy cavalry, fighting with full suits of heavy armour and lances. 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.

Ellyrian Reavers

Light cavalry from the province of Ellyrion. They frequently use bows to harass their foes. 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.

Dragon Princes of Caledor

Once upon a time they ruled the sky by flying on the backs of the dragons. But now 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 as resilient against heat as it is dragons hide.

Swordmasters of Hoeth

Main Article: Sword Masters

The most skilled swordfighters in the Warhammer World. Fight using their massive ceremonial greatswords. Hail from the White Tower of Hoeth in the province of Saphery. Tales are told of the master swordsmen of the White Tower who can decapitate a man with one stroke of their blade - their victims barely registering the sword leaving its scabbard.

Shadow Warriors

Skirmishing, scouting fighters from the province of Nagarythe, which the Dark Elves are constantly raiding. The Shadow Warriors despise the Dark Elves, as many of those who followed Malekith came from Nagarythe. Also, as a last act of spite the Dark elves shattered Nagarythe with magic.

Tiranoc Chariots

Chariots from the province of Tiranoc (which was almost completely destroyed when Malekith sunk a third of Ulthuan under the sea). They mostly consist of two horses and two crew members but sometimes have up to four horses. The crew members have bows and spears for weapons. Cheap (comparatively) and fairly fast. Good for flanking but need support.

Phoenix Guard

Sworn to guard the Shrine and Flame of Asuryan. Fight using halberds. Because they have seen what is written in the Chamber of Days that foretells with infinite certainty the future, they must take a magical oath of silence that prevents them from speaking ever again. In addition they have seen, in that Chamber, their own fates, and so an aura of grim determination hangs over them. They are rarely used in the game due to their many flaws. For instance, they are expensive, fear-causing troops with limited combat effectiveness and limited armour.

Repeater Bolt Throwers

One of the prides of the Elven race; a very effective war machine that fires massed barbed arrows, or single tree-like bolts into its target.This is the best rare unit that High Elves can take, and is very versitile.

White Lions of Chrace

The Phoenix King's personal bodyguards. They fight with large axes. In battle, they wear cloaks from the pelts of white lions. To become a White Lion, an Elf must first hunt down and kill one of these beasts, whose pelt then becomes his badge of honour.

Great Eagles

Eagles from the Anulii, who speak with the Loremasters of Hoeth. The eagles sometime bear heros on their backs into battle but somtimes they come into battle on their own.

Magic

High Elves are considered to be among the best magical armies in the game. The reason for this is threefold. Firstly, they receive bonuses to dispel enemy spells. Secondly, they have access not only to the standard Eight Lores of Magic, but also to their own lore, called High Magic. This consists mainly of destructive spells and spells to augment their own shooting. Lastly, and arguably most importantly, they have access to extremely powerful and cheap magic items to use in their Magic Phase.

External links

• [Asur.org]
• [High Elf Forum]

Phoenix Kings of Ulthuan Aenarion | Bel Shanaar | Caledor | Caledor II | Caradryel Tethlis | Bel-Korhadris | Aethis | Morvael | Bel-Hathor | Finubar

Gods of Ulthuan Asuryan | Vaul | Kurnous | Morai-Heg | Isha

 

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