Founding of the Empire

Lore & Background

Before this unification, humanity in the Old World was fractured into warring clans constantly threatened by Greenskin warbands. Sigmar emerged during this turbulent time, bringing not only martial prowess but also a vision of order that transcended tribal loyalties. His unification was primarily military and tribal, culminating in the founding of the Empire and his coronation as its first Emperor. The decisive Battle of Black Fire Pass occurred during Sigmar's lifetime against a massive Waaagh! led by the Orc warlord Gorkil, not Gorbad Ironclaw, whose invasion happened centuries later. The capital city, Altdorf, was not a new settlement founded by Sigmar; it was the existing Unberogen tribal capital of Reikdorf, which Sigmar renamed Altdorf after the Empire's founding, and it became the capital later. Over time, stories of his deeds grew into myths, blurring the line between mortal hero and divine protector. Scholars debate whether he was truly a god who walked among men or a great leader whose legacy was sanctified by history. This founding created a bulwark against the forces of Chaos to the north and east, allowing human culture to flourish despite constant existential threats. The religious order that followed, the Cult of Sigmar, was formally established centuries after Sigmar's disappearance, not immediately after the founding, ensuring his influence remained central to Imperial identity long after his physical departure from the mortal realm.

In Their Own Story

Rain lashes the stone circle atop Heldenhammer Peak as chieftains grip their spears, eyes wary of one another. Thunder rolls across the valley, drowning out the murmurs of suspicion. Sigmar steps forward, rainwater streaming down his iron helm, raising a massive warhammer that glints with unnatural light. He speaks not of conquest, but of survival against the shadows gathering in the east. Silence falls over the gathered tribes as they witness the hammer strike the earth, sending a shockwave that silences the storm itself.

Reader's Guide

The narrative begins with humanity scattered across the Old World, vulnerable to daemonic incursions and internal tribal strife. Sigmar Heldenhammer emerges as a charismatic warlord and visionary leader during this chaotic Age of Myth. He rallies disparate Germanic tribes under a single banner, promising protection through unity rather than isolation. Through decisive military campaigns, Sigmar defeats dark cults and monstrous threats that sought to enslave the mortal races. Following these victories, he establishes a codified legal system known as Sigmar's Law to replace blood feuds with justice. The capital city of Altdorf rises from the ruins of previous settlements, becoming the heart of this new nation. This political consolidation creates the first stable human civilization capable of resisting the corruption of Chaos for centuries. The impact resonates through history, defining the cultural identity of the Empire and its people. Even millennia later, the legacy of Sigmar influences politics, religion, and warfare across the realm. His ascension to godhood cements his status as a divine protector, though scholars debate the truth behind the legends surrounding his mortal life.

Did You Know?

• The Imperial Calendar counts its years from this specific founding event.
• Sigmar's Hammer is considered one of the most legendary artifacts in history.
• Historians argue over whether Sigmar was a man who became a god or vice versa.
• The Battle of Black Fire Pass was a victory during Sigmar's lifetime against the Orc warlord Gorkil, not Gorbad Ironclaw.

Cosmic Origins and Ancient Architects

The foundational mythology of this grim fantasy realm traces back to the Old Ones, enigmatic star-traveling deities who engineered most sentient life within the setting. These cosmic architects crafted diverse factions including Elves, Lizardmen, Ogres, and Halflings before their own downfall. Their demise was precipitated by a catastrophic failure involving Warp Gates located at both poles of the world, which inadvertently unleashed daemonic forces that destroyed their civilization. This ancient tragedy left their creations to survive alone in a hostile universe, providing a logical narrative framework for the existence of familiar fantasy races. Notably, Ogres and Halflings share a biological lineage from these creators; despite their opposing physical forms, both possess unique metabolic traits granting them resistance against the mutating energies of Chaos. The Lizardmen, specifically created to assist in grand projects, now wander blindly under the guidance of Slann priests who follow ancient prophecies. This deep history establishes a world where magic and biology are intertwined with cosmic failure.

Cultural Tapestry and Historical Parallels

The setting leans hard on 'dark and gritty' tones, pulling from real European history while dropping in bits from Mesoamerica and ancient Egypt. Specific human nations mirror past eras: the Empire channels the Renaissance-era Holy Roman Empire, Bretonnia blends medieval France with Arthurian myth, and Kislev reflects Slavic Eastern Europe. Beyond those borders sit Grand Cathay (China), Nippon (Japan), and Araby (loosely inspired by Ottoman-style Middle Eastern powers). Real-world events get rewritten into fantasy fiction, like the Black Plague and the Moorish invasion of Spain showing up in altered forms. This mix gives the world a grounded historical feel while keeping its own fictional edge through Renaissance politics, medieval combat, and ancient mysticism.

The Sundering of Elves and Dwarven Industry

Elves were the first civilized race created by the Old Ones, possessing innate magical talents and superior martial abilities. However, their once-unified civilization was shattered millennia ago by a bitter civil war known as the sundering, which fractured them into three distinct kindreds. The noble High Elves retreated to the magical island of Ulthuan, preserving ancient traditions, while the cruel Dark Elves established a slave-trading society in the icy wilderness of Naggaroth. A third group, the Wood Elves, chose a rustic existence deep within the forests of Athel Loren. Parallel to this elven history, Dwarfs stand as an ancient and determined race integral to the founding of the human Empire. Renowned as the greatest craftsmen in the world, they provided much of the Empire's industrial machinery and mechanisms. Their society uses the Khazalid language written in Klinkarhun runes, though a faction known as Chaos Dwarfs split from their kin after succumbing to corruption.

The Inevitability of Chaos and World Endings

A central theme of this universe is the corrupting influence of Chaos, which represents the personified flaws of sapient beings. These inner daemons manifest literally through a magical medium to torment and destroy civilization. Barbaric Warriors of Chaos invade from the northern wastes, while Beastmen, hybrid products of these forces, lurk in dark forests worldwide. The narrative often hints that sentient life is fundamentally flawed, suggesting an eventual self-destruction via these chaotic entities. This grim outlook culminated in 2014 with 'The End Times,' a setting-wide event leading to the total destruction of the Warhammer world. Following this cataclysm, the setting underwent a soft reboot into Age of Sigmar in 2015. However, the original fantasy realm was revived in 2024 as 'Warhammer: The Old World,' offering updated rules and models while retaining the core history where Chaos remains an ever-present threat to all races.