Laying Down The Lore: Warhammer Old World

In this episode we look at three of the greatest of Ulthuan?s heroes. We start with Eltharion the Grim, Prince of Yvresse, he who finally brought about the defeat of Waaagh! Grom and who holds two destinies and two miniatures. We then turn to the twin princes Teclis, High Loremaster of Hoeth and Warden of the White Tower, and Tyrion, Defender of Ulthuan, the greatest living High Elven warrior of this age, perhaps even Aenarion reborn.

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Join us as we dive into the heroes of Ulthuan. We look at former douchebag, Caradryan of the Flame, the current Captain of the Phoenix Guard and Korhil, Hunter-Captain of the White Lions of Chrace. We then have a glance at Prince Imrik, Crown Prince of Caledor and Lord of Dragons before finally discussing the Shadow King and Prince of Nagarythe, Alith Anar, the last of the noble line of House Anar.

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In this episode we look at the three most recent Phoenix Kings; Morvael the Impetuous, Bel-Hathor the Sage and Finubar the Seafarer. We explore the implications of Ulthuan looking outward once more and the drastic increase in trade and exploration with the opening of Lothern to humanity under Bel-Hathor. We follow Finubar as he travels the world making alliances with those he sees and beneficial to Ulthuan and whatever future it can now forge for itself. We compare Finubar with Malekith and that dark soul?s own period of exploration at the dawn of Ulthuan. We close out the episode with a  look at the current state of the High Elves and their place in the world.

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In this episode we start with the great Scouring of the Dark Elves by the Phoenix King Tethlis and his descent into bloodlust and scorched earth tactics. This is followed by a dissection of the reign of Bel-Korhadris who with the creation of both the White Tower and the Great Hunt shaped the culture and society of Ulthuan, perhaps more than any other king, into what it is today. We define their relationship to the winds of magic and what makes their mages so powerful. We look at the reign of the artist king Aethis who beautified Ulthuan to an extreme degree and neglected all else allowing the Cults of excess to resurge.

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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR OLD WORLD LORE CRASH COURSE NOW!

In this episode we follow the deceitful plans of Malekith and this cadre of assassins as they attempt to seize power on Ulthuan. We see how they are opposed at every turn by the mighty phoenix king Caledor the First and ultimately the very mages who created the Great Vortex. The resulting sundering destroys 20% of Ulthuan and gives birth to the Dark Elves. Malekith?s evil machinations continue with the instigation of the War of the Beard resulting in both the death of Caledor the Second but also the loss of the Phoenix crown. Finally we look at the Exodus, the great migration of most elves back the safety and protection of Ulthuan, that tangentially gave birth to the wood Elves of Athel Loren.

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In this episode we start with the collapse of the polar gates that sent the world into turmoil! We examine its impact, especially on the Elves of Ulthuan (it?s their episode after all) and their reaction to it. We see the rise of Aenarion and rule as the first Phoenix king and his war to save the world resulting in his BFF Caledor creating the Great Vortex. We then turn our gaze to the rule of his successor the great coloniser Bel-Shanaar. We then dissect the travels, alliances, and discoveries of Malekith. Ulthuan?s greatest adventurer. We close out with the fall of Ulthuan and the rise of the Cults of Excess.

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In this episode we introduce the race and culture of the High Elves. We examine what makes a high elf a high elf and look at their origins and beliefs; Were they manipulated or Created? ? we don?t know either? We explore their floating Island kingdom of Ulthuan and its ten kingdoms, each of which reflects an aspect of the High Elf psyche. We get distracted by the bedazzled tower of tackiness that marks the entrance to their inner kingdoms and discover that Ben wants ten percent of paradise. We look some of the major shrines and sites that play such a pivotal role in Ulthuan?s history such as the Isle of the Dead, the Island of rebirth, and the Shrine of Asuryan.

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In this, our final look into the Vampire Counts, we explore the undead lawnmower that is their capacity to make war. We take a gander at the motive force of the Army, the dark wind of Dhar, and how it is used within the Vampire Counts Army. Then we explore some abilities that are associated with each of the bloodlines and how they have changed over the editions. We take an unusual tactic of not discussing either Zombies of Skeletons. Instead, we look at the frankly terrifying units available to these master of the undead such as the bestial Vargheists and Crypt Horrors together with units such as Grave Guard and Banshees. We close out the episode with a discussion of the undead monsters and ethereal chariots that great lord ride into battle.

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YAARRRRRR! In this episode we discover the totally original idea of ?undead? pirates and their fleets, specifically those of Lustria?s Vampire Coast. We look at the life, death, and unlife of Luthor Harkon the leader of ?The Zombie Pirates of the Vampire Coast?, That?s one hell of a faction name? We follow his buckleswashing adventures in the jungles of Lustria as he battles Lizardmen and colonists from the Old World. His desire for treasure leads to both his insanity and profound anti-magical status. We look at his brief but fruitless alliance with Morathi before diving (get it?) into some of the more esoteric troop types and warmachines such as the Rotting Leviathans and the terrifying Necrofex Collossus.

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INFAMY, INFAMY, they all have it in for me! (No? Please yourselves) In this episode we look at the practitioners of the dark art of Necromancy, the ? eh, Necromancers. Who are they? Why do they raise the dead? What is the difference between them and Necrarchs? We look at these and other questions before focusing on two of the most dangerous necromancers in Warhammer Lore. First we tell the tale of the insane ?Lichemaster? Heinrich Kemmler who,with the wight lord Krell, are characters almost as old as the Warhammer game itself. We then delve into the history and machinations of possibly the oldest character in Warhammer lore, Constant Drachenfels, a malevolent warlock who predates the arrival of the old ones.

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In this episode we discover that while Konrad von Carstein ravaged the Empire his mysterious brother, Mannfred, studied the art of necromancy within the bleak sands of Nehekhara. We look at the Machiavellian plans of Mannfred and his role in the downfall of Vlad. So effective were his deceptions that Dhar keeps calling him Vlad. We look at Mannfred?s campaign to become the Emperor, marching to Altdorf itself where he is confronted by Grand Theoginist, and surfer-bro, Kurt III. We follow his siege of Marienburg and his cat-and-mouse evasion until he is involved in a Griffon mounting incident at the battle of Hell Fen.

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In this our fifth Vampire Counts episode we examine the aftermath of the First Vampire War and the death of Vlad von Carstein. We follow the machinations of his five surviving sons and the fratricide that ensues resulting in Konrad von Carstein, an irredeemable psychopath, taking the throne of Sylvania and the start of the Second Vampire War. We look at this bloody crusade of violence as it faces off against both Dwarf and Human armies. The alliance of the elector Counts of the Empire, their treachery and the very brief reign of a zombie emperor. We end with the battle of Grim Moor and the fall of Konrad under a Runefang wielded by a vengeful son.

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Our fourth episode starts with the end ? of Mordheim! We explore the destruction of the city, its cause, the warbands that flock to the city for Wyrdstone (TM), some of the more notable locations, and what, if any, benefits this all provides to Vlad von Carstien, the Vampire Count of Sylvania. We then pivot into the story of the First Vampire War, where the Empire is once again brought to the brink of destruction! We look at the impact this has on both the Living and the Dead as Vlad goes on his happy-funtime tour of zombie recruitment being destroyed and returning to ?life? several times. We close out with the story of Felix Mann, the Empire's greatest thief who *spoiler warning* steals something of great importance from the vampire's nap camp leading ultimately to Vlad's true death.

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Our third episode launches with the explosive return of Nagash and his titanic clash with Sigmar as he tries to regain the lost Crown of Sorcery. We then trace the hidden paths of Vampires and Necromancers over the millennia touching on some of the most notable events such as the creation of the Vampire Coast, The Necromancer Vanhal and the warpstone showers in Sylvania, The rise of the necromantic Doomlord of Middenhiem Deiter Helsnicht. We closed out with the fabled Total Dragon Drainage of Abborash, the birth of the Ordo Draconis, and the return, again, of Nagash!

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In our second Vampire episode, we look at the aftermath of the death of Nagash and the scattering of the Vampires. We look at the ignoble fate of Alcidizzar and the items he claimed from Nagah's corpse. The rise of Kadon and the kingdom of Mourkain are explored as well as the state of Vampires around the Warhammer world. We follow the conquests of the Strigoi vampires Ushoran and Vorag Bloodytooth and the creation of the Ghoul Kings. We touch on Neferata and her hatred for Ushoran and his kingdom, eventually orchestrating the downfall of both. We round out the episode with the rebirth of a very important necromancer....

Big thanks to Matt Rashid for voicing the announcer in this month's advert, you're a legend sir!

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In this, our first vampire counts episode, we unveiled Dhar's total love, and not at all sexual desire, for the dead. We looked at their origins and their sudden and inexplicable division between the wet dead and dry dead. We looked at the 5 main bloodlines of vampire vounts, some of the regions of Warhammer that they infest, and their relations with the living. We then cast our minds back to the origins of the dead, the first glorious empire of man, Nehekhara. We looked at the events of Khemri and Lhamia and the life and ambitions of Nagash and the vampiric queen Neferatum. Returning from death, Nagash kills all but one of the mortal beings of Nehekhara and curses the surviving vampires as they flee before his power.

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In this, our final look into Dwarfen culture, we explore the incredible capacity the Dwarfs have for making war. We start with a list of dwarf warriors and regiments, from Thunderers and Longbeards, to Ironbreakers and Slayers, and the function they fill within the armies of each hold. We continue on into their war machines, both artillery such as the very aptly named Grudgethrower and the Gyrocopter and Gyrobomber airships, and discuss the engineering runes. Finally, we explore the three types of heroic Dwarf that occupy leadership positions in the Karak Ankor; Nobles (Kings and Thanes), Runesmiths, and Engineers.

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In this fifth Dwarf episode, High King Alriksson needs to secure the future of his people following the Great War against Chaos. Calling an assembly of kings he charges the assembled dwarfs to re-enact the glorious sagas of old, the Dwarf with the greatest list of deeds would be his successor. We explore the deeds of the great dwarfen lords and the renewal of racial pride that swells from the populace. In particular, we look at Thorgrim Grudgebearer, cousin to the High King, and the list of deeds and oaths that ultimately leads to his unanimous election as the High King. we then look at how he begins to fulfil his oaths to his people.

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In our fourth Dwarf episode, the time of woes continues with the fall of many Dwarf holds. King Baragor of Karak Kadrin becomes the first slayer king and the holds of Karak Eight Peaks, Karak Azgal and Karak Drazh all fall to the Greenskin and Skaven menace. This degradation continues until the Dwarfs come across a potential race of allies dwelling on the surface, MANKIND! Negotiations are held in a halting fashion once Sigmar frees their High King and the Dwarfs view them as steadfast and honourable allies. Thus begins the Silver Age where Dwarfs regain some of their lost holdings and rediscover the faded arts of rune magic and engineering. The end of the Great War against Chaos however sees a hunger for a more traditional and heroic vein of Dwarf leadership.

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In our third episode on Dwarfs we see that the creation of the great Vortex was successful and heralds the Golden age of the Dwarfs. We look at the trade between the Dwarfs and their new allies the Elves, respect, in particular, grew for Malekith and there was the expansion of the Karaz Ankor, their everlasting realm. But then BETRAYAL and DESTRUCTION as the Great War of Vengeance begins between these allies ended with the withdrawal of the elves and the quakes and eruptions that devastated the dwarven empire heralding the Time of Woes and the horrific events of the Goblin Wars.

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The LDTL: Old World series in a nutshell.

In this our second Dwarf episode, we explored the early history of the Dwarven race, their creation in the jungle caves of the Southlands, their exploration northwards and the establishment of fortresses and holds as they move through the Worlds Edge Mountains. Guided as they were by the Ancestor Gods Grungni, Valaya, Grimnir, and their incestuous offspring the culture was formed and then BOOM! The Polar Gates collapsed and chaos washed over the land.  Suddenly there are elves, mohawks and mysteries aplenty at Mount Nordberg. 

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DWARFS! DWARFS! DWARFS!

In this our first look at the glorious Dwarven race we take a look at what makes a Dwarf so great? Their age! (Dhar approves). We look at the stages of a Dwarf?s life and the role they fill during each phase. We follow this up with an examination of their clan structure, and their guilds, including the mighty runesmiths, before examining the types of Dwarf out there and what happens when they break one of their three laws. We also look into what happens when things go wrong in a dwarf?s life... The Slayer Vow and the Great Book of Grudges. 

DWARFS! DWARFS! DWARFS!

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In this our final look into Greenskins, we explore the Greenskins capacity for making war. We start with an exploration of the powers of the Waaagh, its psycho-social origins and the spells available to orc and goblin shamans. We saunter through both the Common and Savage Orc warbands and their hilariously named cavalry units. Next up are the three flavours of goblins, their units and a deeper exploration of Squig based warfare. Finally, we look at the auxiliary units, war machines and monsters resulting in old man Dhar regaling us with tales of old orc miniatures interspersed with Werther's Originals and smelling like pee?

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In this our fifth look into Greenskins we explore the stories of two of the greatest contemporary warbosses. Skarsnik rose to power within the crooked Moon tribe through savvy leadership and quick dealing with both enemies and allies. Exiled for his mercantile nature he fought his way back to the very heart of Karak Eight Peaks to face a former ally to claim the title of King of Eight Peaks. Grimgor Ironhide led his Immortulz across the northern old world decimating everything he could get his hands on. Interested only in besting the greatest foes he was brought to heal by a chaos warlord and suffered what can only be described as an existential crisis before beginning the journey to prove he was ?Da Best Scrappa Evaa!?

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Our fourth episode on Greenskins we look at two very different warlords both of whom were influenced by external sources. The legendary brutality of the Greenskins was often used as a weapon by manipulative foes. Azhag the Slaughterer rose to prominence in Kislev after the discovery of a mysterious crown, one that imbued him with magical powers at the expense of invidious directives. Grom the Pauch, the greatest goblin warlord in history brought the empire to its knees before being driven, through omens and portents, to sail his entire army to a mist covered continent.

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In this our third dive into Greenskins, we look at the concept of the Orc Waaagh (always three a?s), specifically the rise and fall of Gorbad Ironclaw, the greatest Orc warlord since the founding of the Empire. With the judicious use of colossal squigs he brought his neighbouring warlords to heal before wreaking havoc on the dwarves of the Middle and Worlds Edge Mountains. With the Dwarves cowering in their Holds, he fights his way through Blackfire pass before ravaging the empire, and decimating Solland and the Moot. Truly a warboss to be feared.

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In this, our second Greenskins episode, we look at the early Migrations of the orcs and goblin tribes as they spread over the world. Arriving in the worlds Edge Mountains they encounter the Dwarfs and thus begin the millennia long Goblin Wars. Finally we look at the War against Humanity which culminates in the apocalyptic battle at Blackfire Pass (among the sideways skyscrapers Ben!). Their foe Sigmar and the newly united tribes of humanity blunt their invasion and found the Empire itself.

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In this our first Greenskins episode, we explore the general history of the many types of Orcs and Goblins and set the stage for their further deep dives. We look at their mysterious arrival and early pre-history together with establishing the myriad species of Greenskins, their oddly fungal reproduction cycle, and their love of both caves and psychedelic mushrooms. Finally, we touch on the many beasts that are found within their encampments and armies including that most ubiquitous of beasts, the Squig.

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In this, our final look at the Skaven race, we dive into what makes them so compelling, the four great clans! We examine the techno-warlocks of Clan Skryre and their horrific engines of war; The suppurating monks of Clan Pestilens and the many diseases they carry; The Frankensteinesque beastmasters of Clan Moulder with their Rat Ogres and Abominations leading the charge; and the stealthy assassins and informational-warriors (it?s a phrase!) of Clan Eshin. All of this and more as we turn our back on a race that should never be at your back!

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From Skavenblight to the Hellpit we journey through the sprawling Under-empire of the Skaven race, stopping at notable points. We then transition to have a look at the hierarchy of the Skaven world. The dreaded Lords of Decay, The Council of 13, their advisors and priesthood of the Horned Rat, the Grey Seers. We deep dive into the convoluted system of secrets and manipulation that constitutes Skaven politics... looking at you Clan Scruten! Finally, we take a ratty gander at the warlord clans A.K.A. the meat shields of the Great Clans.

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Empire in ruins! We explore the aftermath of the Skaven releasing the Black Plague and razing  every settlement they can and enslaving the survivors. We discuss the redoubtable Mandred Skavenslayer, of the Middenheim Skavenslayer?s, defender of the Empire while Emperor Boris Goldgatherer leads debauched feasts. The Skaven try their luck again releasing the Red Pox in Bretonnia only to run afoul of the wood elves and Mousillonianses i.e. people of the dread city of Mousillon. Finally we look at the second Skaven civil war and the return of the Gnawer of the Outer Darkness ... that?s right ... Big Up The Horned Rat!

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Return to Cripple Peak! Our second episode delves into the most and yet least bloody tunnel fighting war of the Old World. The largest deposit of warpstone ever found is on the line and the Skaven hordes vie for control of it with the undead hordes legions of Nagash. We explore the sad life and undignified death of Alcadizzar and the terrifying Fellblade that allowed Clan Rikek to conquer the mighty fortress of Nagashizzar. We look at the shady and underhanded techniques of the Skaven at war including warpstone plumbing and the Tromboning of the Undead. The sad tale of the fall of Karak Eight Peak and the thoroughly inevitable and hilarious first Skaven civil war kicked off by the rise of Clan Pestilens.

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In this episode, the first of our 5 part Skaven exposé, we discuss Skaven origins encapsulated in the morbid poem ?Doom of Kavzar?. We discuss the Darwinist nature of their society, clans, and their ravenous obsession with warpstone. We explore whether the Horned Rat and Nurgle are brothers from another mother or just brothers in rotted and smelly arms? We join the first great expansions from Skavenblight, after the Great Machine malfunctions, as they come into conflict with Greenskins and Dwarves and finally the shambling hordes of Cripple Peak.

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In this episode, the last of our 5 part introduction to the World of Warhammer, we take another guided tour this time through the wider world. We stroll through the Badlands (and briefly look at Nagashizzar, Darren's favourite place in this, or any other, fantasy world), Land of the Dead, Araby, the Southlands, Ulthuan, Naggaroth, Lustria, the Dark Lands, and the Ogre Kingdoms. We also touch upon the mysterious lands of Ind, Cathay and Nippon. As we travel we take a look at the cultures of the Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Goblins, Ogres, and Lizardmen that call this world home.

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In this episode, we take a short, guided, tour through the kingdoms of the Old World, from the Empire through the Wastelands, Bretonnia, Estalia, Tilea, and finally on to the Border Princes and Kislev.  We take a look at the main realms of man and briefly explore their cultures and backgrounds. We also take a gander at some of the other races found in this part of the Warhammer World including the Wood Elves of Athel Loren and the Dwarfs of the mighty Karaz Ankor.

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In this episode, we finally extract ourselves from the Realms of Chaos and take a tour through the metaphysical manifestations of other races and cultures in the form of their deities. Old Ones, Elves, Dwarves, Greenskins, Ogres, and Halflings. We have a look at the whys and wherefores of their religions without judgment, except the Fimir because... yeah...

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In this, our second episode, we focus on the topic of Chaos ...aos ...aos and dive a bit deeper into the four chaos gods a.k.a The Happytime Funsters, their purviews and legions, and ponder the process of their design (we suspect a set random beast tables). We follow this with a brief discussion the Winds of Magic (Chamon-mutha***er!) and what happens when things get out of balance. We end with a nice lump of Dhar Warpstone.

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In this, the debut episode, Darren attempts to encapsulate the first 10,000 years of Warhammer history for Ben and Cral. This includes world formation, old ones, slann ... or flan ... or flange and the lizardmen (great band by the way), chaos, the polar gates, the collapse of the polar gates (boo!), magic, orcs, elves and their great vortex (woo!), and the onomatopoeic qualities of Nurgle... nurgle nurgle.

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