Wood Elves

Lore & Background

The Elven race was originally brought into creation by the Old Ones as the first civilised beings to walk the Warhammer world. However, a bitter civil war thousands of years ago sundered them into three distinct groups: the proud High Elves, the cruel Dark Elves, and the rustic Wood Elves. The High Elves continued ancient traditions from Ulthuan, while the Dark Elves turned to slavery and cruelty in Naggaroth. The Wood Elves, conversely, became a group defined by their sylvan nature, living in Athel Loren. Like Middle-earth's elves, they have mostly departed for homelands in the West or retreated into isolation; specifically, the High Elves inhabit Ulthuan while the Dark Elves occupy the desolate icy wilderness of Naggaroth. The Wood Elves remain as a third group, distinct from both, rooted deeply in the Old World's forests rather than stone cities or grand islands.

In Their Own Story

The only specific moment recorded is the ancient civil war that split the once-thriving Elven civilization, resulting in the separation of the High Elves to Ulthuan, the Dark Elves to Naggaroth, and the Wood Elves to Athel Loren.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Wood Elves, one must recognize them as a product of the ancient Elven sundering. The source confirms they are part of the Elven race created by the Old Ones and notes they are rustic and sylvan. Their location is strictly defined as the forests of Athel Loren within the Old World. Unlike the High Elves who hold to ancient traditions or the Dark Elves who trade slaves, the Wood Elves' specific cultural practices, military tactics, or magical abilities beyond general Elven traits are not detailed in this source. The only broader context is that all elves were created by the Old Ones before their gods were brought low by daemonic forces unleashed from collapsing Warp Gates.

Did You Know?

• The Elven race was the first civilised race to walk the Warhammer world.
• A bitter civil war thousands of years ago split the Elves into High, Dark, and Wood kindreds.
• Wood Elves are described specifically as rustic, sylvan, and mysterious.
• All Elven races were created by the Old Ones, star-travelling gods responsible for most sentient races.
• The High Elves inhabit Ulthuan, the Dark Elves inhabit Naggaroth, and Wood Elves live in Athel Loren.