The Prophecy of the Dragon King

Lore & Background

Across the Old World, tales persist of great beasts that predate humanity. While Sigmar is celebrated for slaying many such creatures to found his empire, darker verses suggest a debt was owed. The prophecy suggests that when the world grows old and magic wanes, these dragons shall rise again, not merely as monsters, but as kings seeking dominion over the broken lands of men. During the End Times, these legends took on a terrifying reality. As the Chaos Gods sought to consume the realm, ancient dragons emerged from their slumber, drawn by the surge of magical energy and the scent of blood. The prophecy's fulfillment was not a singular event but a series of catastrophes where dragon fire reshaped battlefields and toppled fortresses that had stood for centuries.

In Their Own Story

The candle flickered in the drafty scriptorium of Altdorf, casting long shadows against walls lined with rotting parchment. Brother Kaelen traced the faded ink of a manuscript that spoke of wings blotting out the sun. Outside, the wind howled like a dying beast, carrying ash from distant fires. He whispered the final verse aloud, his voice trembling as the sky above turned an unnatural shade of violet. The ground beneath him shuddered, not with earthquake, but with the heavy, rhythmic thrumming of wings beating against stone deep below. The King was waking.

Reader's Guide

Scholars treat these prophecies as cautionary tales rather than precise predictions. In Imperial universities, they are studied to understand the cyclical nature of history and magic. Common folk often fear the prophecy as a sign that their rulers will fall to dragon fire or that Chaos will use beasts to conquer them. In modern times, following the End Times, these stories serve as grim reminders of what was lost when the dragons returned. They influence how new leaders approach ancient ruins and magical sites.

Did You Know?

• Dragons in the Old World were known to sleep for centuries beneath mountains like the Grey Mountains.
• Sigmar's legends often include him slaying a dragon to establish his authority over the tribes.
• The return of dragons was one of the key signs heralding the End Times in Warhammer Fantasy lore.
• Some Bretonnian knights believe their ancestors fought alongside dragons before the age of men.