The Alliances

The Dark Hordes

Armies: Beasts of Chaos, Hordes of Chaos, Skaven, Dark Elves, Chaos Dwarfs

The powerful warlocks of Chaos have heard Famine’s call. From the beasts of Achaes to the hordes that rules the Crippled Hills and beyond, the gods of Chaos have united their forces. So to have the Dark Elves who rule the coastline and the Skaven hordes who scuttle beneath the land. Of course petty rivalries will flare up, but all come together with one goal - the doom of civilised lands.

The Old Alliance

Armies: Empire, Dwarfs, Bretonnia

The men who have settled the Border Princes hold on to their villages and towns, determined to protect civilisation against the hordes. To the north, the Dwarfs keep dark forces at bay from their mountain realms. Men and Dwarfs must band together in these dark times, as they have done so many times before, and repel those that seek their destruction.

The Forces of Light

Races: High Elves, Lizardmen

These two forces know, above all else, that Chaos must not be allowed to rule the Border Princes and find a way to unleash the Avatar’s energies. The dark hordes must be kept back whilst the wiser races seek ways to contain or destroy Famine. This brings them into frequent clashes with men and Dwarfs, who do not understand or respect the magics of the land.

The Restless Dead

Races: Vampire Counts, Tomb Kings

Recently the unholy alliance between the Liche Priests and Vampire Counts has been quiet, content to wait whilst other forces fight and die - all the better to serve the Undead cause. The Tomb Kings controlling the barren wastes around Carmargh, can wait the 500 years until the Avatar of Famine rises again. But it is said the Vampire counts of Kendrenek are becoming impatient, and will soon ride out against their foes.

Waaaagh!

Races: Orcs & Goblins

The greenskins have no need for alliances. They have not heard any specific call to crush humanity and they do not have a desire for the powers of the Avatar. But they do know they have been stirred like never before. The Border Princes has never seen such a tide of green as is approaching, and they care not for who is in their way.

The Defenders of the Forest

Races: Wood Elves

Isolationist and angry, the Elves of the Caledonian Forest have been stirred in recent years. Forest spirits have multiplied, and the Elves have expanded the forest at an astonishing rate. Though they despise the dark hordes, they have no time for men either. They dream of nothing more than covering the Border Princes in trees.

Mercenary Forces

Races: Dogs of War, Ogre Kingdoms

Some armies care not for the power of the Avatar, and are not affected by the magics that flow through the lands. Mercenary forces fight for money, or sometimes the simple joy of fighting.

THE BORDER PRINCES

Ancient History

Before the Slann even arrived in the world an ancient civilisation waged war against its own god. Unable to defeat it, the most powerful shaman split the god into four parts, known as the Avatars of Death, War, Famine and Pestilence. These were imprisoned across the planet, but the cost was the wiping out of all life.

Through the upheaval of land by the Slaan, the Avatar of Famine’s prison became located in the lands now known by human as the Border Princes, though no-one knew it. As ages passed first Elves as they explored the world, then the Nehekhara at the height of their civilisation, and finally imperial settlers hoping to tame the wild lands, founded settlements over Famine’s tomb.

Each settlement prospered at first, but reached a tragic end through a series of catastrophes. The most recent, called Camargh by the imperials, still lies in ruins as it has for a hundred years.

Recent History

Every 500 years, at a mystical alignment of the moons and planets, the Avatar of Famine awakens and tries desperately to break free of its cage. The last alignment was only two years ago, and the forces of good and evil descended on the Border Princes, sensing a great power wishing to be unleashed.

The forces of good realised letting loose the Avatar would reek a terrible disaster on the world. In a titanic battle they arrayed their forces to fight the evil armies who wished to locate the Avatar’s tomb and free the dark power. Though ultimately the forces of good were overwhelmed and fled the battle they had bought enough time. The moons and planets continued their journeys across the sky and the mystical alignment was lost. The forces of darkness were unable to free the Avatar.

It would be another 500 years until they had another chance to control the Avatar, but by this time many armies were scattered around the Border Princes. The intervening years have been spent establishing kingdoms and settlements. Camargh and the surrounding wastes are controlled by the undead Nehekhara. Each race has had its own objectives, the Avatar of Famine forgotten. Until now…

Now

The Border Princes seep with magic. The tomb of Famine came so close to being unleashed that dark energies spilled out into the lands. Every wizard senses it, a time of epic battles has arisen. The Avatar of Famine whispers to the dark forces that control so much of the lands, telling them they must destroy the civilised races and any that get in their way. As forces of Chaos put aside their squabbles and unite in a common cause of bloodshed, alliances between those that would oppose them have to be formed. Battle lines are drawn, armies mustered. The final months are upon the Border Princes.