The Fall of the Old World and the Rise of the Mortal Realms: What Happened to Warhammer Fantasy?
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The Old World of Warhammer Fantasy, a setting steeped in grim darkness, fantastical battles, and centuries of conflict, met a cataclysmic end, paving the way for the Age of Sigmar. The destruction wasn’t a gradual decline but a full-scale apocalypse known as the End Times, orchestrated by the forces of Chaos. In essence, the Old World was obliterated by a massive Chaos Incursion, led by the formidable Archaon, who successfully managed to unite the disparate Chaos warbands and launch a final, devastating assault on the world. This event marked a definitive conclusion to the familiar setting of Warhammer Fantasy, with the vast majority of its population meeting their doom and the world itself shattered beyond recognition. From the ashes of the Old World, the Mortal Realms were born, setting the stage for the distinct, high-fantasy setting of Age of Sigmar. It was a hard reset, a complete transformation of the Warhammer universe, moving away from the low-fantasy historical feel to a more epic, almost mythological landscape.
The Cataclysmic End Times
Archaon’s Unholy Triumph
The End Times, which unfolded between 2519 and 2528 Imperial Calendar (IC), was a period of unprecedented upheaval across the Warhammer World. Archaon, the Everchosen of Chaos, finally accomplished what countless other Chaos champions had failed to achieve: a unified assault upon the civilized world. This was not a mere raid or incursion; it was a full-blown invasion, a torrent of daemonic legions and corrupted mortals that swept across the lands. Every major civilization, from the Empire to Bretonnia, to the Elves and Dwarves, was overwhelmed, their cities razed, their armies slaughtered.
The Shattering of the World
The sheer scale of the Chaos invasion caused immense damage to the very fabric of the Old World. The magical energies released during the conflict further fractured the land and the very nature of reality was changed. Ultimately, the Warhammer World, as it was known, ceased to exist, ripped apart by the forces of Chaos and the immense magical energies unleashed during the apocalyptic events. This demise paved the way for a new cosmological structure, the Mortal Realms, which were born from the magical remnants of the old world, taking on a more high-fantasy, operatic tone.
The Rise of the Mortal Realms
After the dust settled, and the Old World was utterly destroyed, the remnants of the old reality coalesced into the eight Mortal Realms. Each of these realms is unique, featuring distinct environments, races, and magical properties. These realms, which now form the core setting of Age of Sigmar, are the foundation of the new universe and the stage for the ongoing conflicts between order, chaos, death, and destruction. The surviving populations of the Old World were scattered and reborn within these new realms, facing new challenges and dangers.
Age of Sigmar: A New Beginning
The transition from the Old World to the Mortal Realms marked a significant change in the lore and gameplay of Warhammer. The focus shifted from gritty, low-fantasy warfare to large-scale, epic battles featuring gods, demigods, and colossal monsters. The narrative expanded to incorporate more fantastical elements, a more overt pantheon of gods, and realms shaped by magical energies.
While the Old World is no more, remnants of it remain within the lore of the Mortal Realms. Some characters and factions of the Old World survived the cataclysmic events and have become major players in Age of Sigmar. However, their world is gone, replaced by a more imaginative and expansive setting. The old setting and the new are inherently connected, but the overall tone and scope are different, creating two separate experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was responsible for destroying the Old World?
The Chaos Incursion, led by Archaon, was directly responsible for the destruction of the Old World. Archaon, as the Everchosen, united the forces of Chaos and led them to victory, leaving no corner of the world untouched by his destructive crusade.
2. What is the End Times?
The End Times was a series of events spanning 2519-2528 IC that culminated in the complete destruction of the Warhammer Old World. It was an apocalyptic period of Chaos invasions, wars, and magical upheaval that forever altered the fabric of reality.
3. How did the Mortal Realms come into existence?
The Mortal Realms arose from the shattered remains of the Old World. The immense magical energies released during the destruction coalesced into distinct realms, each with unique properties and characteristics.
4. What happened to Sigmar in the End Times?
In the Old World’s final days, Sigmar was ultimately defeated by a corrupted Gerreon after suffering heavy losses. He was thrown into a river, weakened by poison. Sigmar was then propelled into the new universe through a magical means. He did not die.
5. Why did Games Workshop replace Warhammer Fantasy with Age of Sigmar?
Games Workshop replaced Warhammer Fantasy with Age of Sigmar to revitalize the setting and introduce a fresh narrative and gameplay experience. The move allowed them to expand the scope of the universe, introduce new factions, and evolve the story significantly.
6. Who killed Sigmar in the Old World?
Gerreon, who had a personal vendetta against Sigmar, struck Sigmar with a poisoned weapon, causing Sigmar to be swept into a river. He did not die, but this was his final event in the Old World.
7. What happened to the Chaos Gods in Age of Sigmar?
The Chaos Gods largely continued their existence after the destruction of the Old World, retaining their influence over the Mortal Realms. However, they are in a constant struggle with the forces of Order and are often hindered in their plans. One exception is Slaanesh, who was imprisoned after a fight with Aelven Gods after the Old World was destroyed.
8. What happened to Slaanesh?
Following the destruction of the Old World, Slaanesh became vulnerable after consuming many souls. He was ambushed and imprisoned by Aelven Gods.
9. Is there any connection between the Old World and the Mortal Realms?
Yes, there is a fundamental connection. The Mortal Realms are essentially the remnants of the Old World, remade and reshaped by magic and chaos. Several characters, races, and locations from the Old World have direct counterparts and histories within the Mortal Realms.
10. What is the oldest faction in Warhammer?
In the Warhammer 40k universe (not the Old World), the Necrons are considered the oldest faction.
11. Are Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40k in the same universe?
No, Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40k are separate and distinct universes, with no direct connection. The lore, characters, and settings are completely different.
12. Who was Azazel in the Old World?
Azazel was originally a tribal leader who betrayed Sigmar, after being one of the twelve tribes to swear to him. He was exiled to the Chaos Wastes for his treachery.
13. Who was the most evil god in the Old World?
While each Chaos God embodies a different form of evil, Khorne is often described as the most dangerous to the individual and Nurgle is often seen as the most dangerous to populations due to the indiscriminate nature of the diseases he spreads.
14. Are the Old Ones from 40k the same as in Warhammer Fantasy?
No, they share a similar name and are associated with ancient powerful creation and cosmic engineering, but they are different. The 40k Old Ones are more developed into the lore and the Old World Old Ones are not.
15. Was Sigmar ever one of the missing Primarchs from 40k?
No. Sigmar was never one of the missing Primarchs. He was a human warrior who became a god in the Old World, later becoming a god-king within the Mortal Realms of Age of Sigmar. His origins and story are completely separate from the Emperor’s Primarchs in the 40k universe.
The destruction of the Old World and the subsequent rise of the Mortal Realms mark a turning point in the history of Warhammer. While the familiar setting of Warhammer Fantasy is gone, its legacy lives on in the new universe of Age of Sigmar, bringing with it new adventures and stories that will continue to captivate players for years to come.