The Dark Times
An age of anarchy where Chaos ruled and humanity nearly perished before Sigmar's light.
The Dark Times represent a tumultuous and shadowed era in the history of the Old World, occurring roughly centuries before the founding of the Empire. This period is defined by the collapse of ancient civilizations, particularly the Dwarfen Empire, and the unchecked dominance of Chaos warlords over scattered human tribes who spoke their own evolving dialects rather than a unified tongue. Historians within the setting often regard this epoch as a time when civilization teetered on the brink of extinction due to constant warfare and supernatural corruption. It serves as the crucial backdrop for the rise of Sigmar Heldenhammer. Without the desperation and anarchy that characterized these dark years, there would have been no need for the unification of the tribes or the establishment of a centralized human power capable of resisting the forces of Chaos.
- Era Classification
- Pre-Empire History
- Key Antagonists
- Chaos Warlords and Daemons
- Primary Region
- The Old World
- Ending Event
- Founding of the Empire by Sigmar
- Status
- Historical Period (Concluded)
- Major Losses
- Fall of Dwarfen Holds
Lore & Background
During this epoch, the Old World was fractured into warring tribes with no central authority. Magic was wild and often dangerous, flowing freely from the Winds of Magic (Aethyr) without the containment structures later built by human scholars to channel these distinct metaphysical currents. The Dwarfs, once masters of stone and steel, suffered catastrophic losses as their empire crumbled under internal strife and external pressure from Greenskins and Chaos cults. Humanity survived only through sheer resilience and tribal loyalty, speaking diverse dialects that would eventually evolve into the Common Tongue, while the Dwarfen language remained isolated within their holds. Warlords who pledged themselves to the Dark Gods rose to power, demanding blood sacrifices in exchange for strength against rival tribes. This era was marked by a lack of written records, as scribes were rare and libraries burned frequently. It is remembered as a time when the gods of Chaos walked more openly among mortals than at any other point prior to their eventual return during the End Times. The conclusion of this period is legendary. As chaos warlords threatened to consume all human life, the hero Sigmar emerged from the mountains with his axe and hammer. He united the disparate tribes through force and diplomacy, establishing laws that pushed back the darkness. This unification marked the end of the Dark Times and the beginning of a new age where order could be imposed upon the wild lands.
In Their Own Story
The rain tasted like ash on Kael's lips as he watched the smoke rise from the valley below. His tribe had fled their village for these high crags, but the horn calls of the Chaos raiders echoed up through the mist. They sought not just gold or grain; they sought souls to feed their masters in the north. Kael gripped his iron axe, looking at the frightened faces of his kin. There was no king here, no empire to save them, only the cold dark and the choice between death or defiance.
Reader's Guide
The era begins with the fragmentation of established powers following the decline of ancient dwarfen and human kingdoms. Chaos warlords exploit this power vacuum, forming cults that demand blood and sacrifice in exchange for military dominance over local tribes. Humanity is scattered into isolated groups, constantly fighting each other while Chaos forces grow stronger in the north and east. The Dwarfs lose significant territories during this time, retreating to their remaining mountain holds as their civilization suffers a dark age. Sigmar Heldenhammer eventually arrives from the mountains, uniting the tribes through martial prowess and political vision. His founding of the Empire establishes borders and laws that finally push back the Chaos warlords, ending the period of anarchy.
Did You Know?
- Historical records from this era are extremely scarce due to frequent destruction of written knowledge.
- Human tribes spoke various dialects during this time that eventually evolved into the Common Tongue, while Dwarfen remained isolated and was not widely spoken by humans.
- Many human tribes worshipped different gods, leading to religious conflict alongside warfare.
- This period is often cited as the reason magic became regulated in later Empire law, following its wild flow from the Winds of Magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dark Times in Warhammer Fantasy?
The Dark Times is the name given to the chaotic pre-Empire era of the Old World, a stretch of history in which no single human power held authority and Chaos warlords dominated the land. It marks the period between the collapse of the Dwarven Empire and the rise of Sigmar.
When did The Dark Times occur?
This era took place roughly centuries before Sigmar founded the Empire, following the fall of the great Dwarven holds. In-universe historians classify it as pre-Empire history, a gap between the age of dwarven civilization and the birth of human nationhood.
What defined daily life during The Dark Times?
Human tribes survived in scattered, isolated groups, each developing its own evolving dialect rather than sharing a common tongue, while Chaos daemons and their mortal warlords held unchecked power across the Old World. In-universe scholars describe it as an age when survival was the only constant and civilization hovered on the edge of total collapse.
How did The Dark Times come to an end?
The period concluded when the hero Sigmar united the warring human tribes under a single banner and established the Empire, breaking the back of Chaos warlord dominance. This founding act is treated in canon as the definitive closing event of the Dark Times.
Why is The Dark Times important to broader Warhammer Fantasy lore?
It provides the foundational backstory for the Empire's existence and explains why humanity entered the later ages so fragmented and culturally divided. Nearly every major faction rivalry, dialect split, and lingering vulnerability in the Old World can be traced back to the pressures and losses of this era.
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