Difference between revisions of "Albion"

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[[Image:Albion.jpg|thumb|400px|The island of '''Albion''']]
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{{cite}}
'''Albion''' is a small island located in the [[Great Ocean]], near the [[Old World]]. It is said that it rains every day in Albion, and the islands are shrouded in mist and heavy fog and the land is predominantly bogs, marshes and fens. This damp and gloomy environment is roamed by human tribes, led by [[Truthsayer]s], guardians of the mysterious [[Ogham Stones]], and inhabited by creatures such as [[Giant]]s and the strange [[Fimir]].
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[[File:Giants of Albion A3.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Giants in the marshes of Albion]]
  
An [[Tilea]]n explorer and conqueror - Curious Gesar, the so-called First Citizen of [[Remas]] - one time reached the shores of the misty islands and tried to bring the native barbarians his view of Tilean culture. He wasn't sucessfull, taking [[Hengus, the Druid]] and the two biggest [[Giants of Albion]] with him as hostages. Back in Tilea he was assassinated and the giants roam now the Old World as [[mercenaries]].
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'''Albion''' is a small island located in the [[Great Ocean]], near and to the west of the [[Old World]]. {{Fn|3a}}
  
The stone circles - errected by the [[Lizardmen]] and the [[High Elves]] during the [[First Great War against Chaos]] - are part of ancient magical devices, that work to calm down the [[Winds of Magic]] that blow from the [[Realm of Chaos]] at the north pole of the [[Warhammer World]]. The realy awfull weather and the degeneration of man on the island to [[Barbarian]]s of the stone age or - at best - early iron age are consequences of this magical influx.  
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It is said that it rains every day in Albion, and the islands are shrouded in mist and heavy fog and the land is predominantly bogs, marshes and fens. This damp and gloomy environment is roamed by [[human]] tribes, led by [[Truthsayer]]s, guardians of the mysterious [[Ogham Stone]]s, and inhabited by creatures such as [[Giant]]s and the strange [[Fimir]].
  
After the second [[Great War against Chaos]] the cursed [[Demon Prince]] [[Be'lakor]] managed to escape his fate of madness and imprisonment and started to materialisize in the [[Citadel of Lead]] in the north eastern Albion. He misguided some of the Truthsayers, that became his [[Dark Emissary|Dark Emissaries]], that tried to help him, to get corporal form again. The Dark Emissaries roamed the Warhammer World, to guide any evil, warmongering, ambitious or at least greedy General, Army Leader, King or [[Orc Warlord]] to the Islands of Albion, to weaken those powers, that tried to stop their [[Dark Master]] from materialisation. On the other hand those Truthsayers, that weren't corrupted, travelled also the world to find help against their fallen brothers. So fleets of all States and Races set sail to reach the shores of Albion to help or to stop the Dark Master and to earn the artifacts of the [[Old Ones]]. Both - Dark Emissaries and Truthsayers - summoned the mindless [[Fen Beast]]s to do their biddings.  
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==History==
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Truthsayer legends claim that that the isle of Albion was a bright and sunny island, where crops grew and the ancestors of the [[Elves]], [[Dwarfs]], [[Humans]], and [[Giant]]s received tutelage from godlike beings guiding theem towards enlightenment and their plans for the development of the world. {{Fn|3a}}
  
So the events of [[Shadows over Albion]] took place.  
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A [[Tilea]]n explorer and conqueror, [[Curious Gesar]], the so-called First Citizen of [[Remas]], at one time reached the shores of the misty islands and tried to bring the native barbarians his view of Tilean culture. He was unsuccessful, instead taking [[Hengus]] the [[Druid]] and the two biggest [[Giants of Albion]] with him as hostages. Back in Tilea he was assassinated and the giants roam now the Old World as [[mercenaries]].
  
The [[Orcs and Goblins]] made landfall at the Muddy Point on southern Albion and the cursed [[Vampire]] [[Trashlar]] of the [[Strigoi]] bloodline started his campaign of terror while the [[Dark Elves]] beached two of their [[Black Ark]]s onto the northern shores of Albion and created [[Nagronath]] - a new, black city. Men of [[the Empire]] successfully conquered some territory and established the new province of [[Neuland]]. At the end the [[Slann]] changed magically the weather on the island and the [[Lizardmen]] started to grow a new jungle around the Forge of the Old Ones in a deep valley in the center of Albion and founded a new city, called [[Konquata]].  
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The [[Ogham Circle]]s that dot Albion were erected by the giants of the land, under instruction from the Truthsayers during the [[Coming of Chaos]], and work to calm down the [[Winds of Magic]] that blow from the [[Realm of Chaos]] at the north pole of the [[Warhammer world|world]]. The awful weather and the degeneration of men on the island to barbarians are consequences of this magical influx, whilst centuries of inbreeding dulled the minds of the local giants. {{Fn|3a}}
  
In the aftermath of the Shadows over Albion the Dark Emissaries fled from the island and the Truthsayers followed them to hunt them down. Both sold their service to other armies in the whole Warhammer World as [[mercenaries]], using their ability to raise and control Fen Beast for the benefit of their employers.  
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=== Shadows Over Albion ===
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After the [[Great War Against Chaos|Chaos Incursion]] in [[IC]] 2302, the cursed [[Daemon Prince]] [[Be'lakor]] managed to escape his fate of madness and imprisonment and started to materialize in the [[Citadel of Lead]] in northeastern Albion. He misguided some of the Truthsayers to became his [[Dark Emissaries]], to help him regain corporeal form. The Dark Emissaries roamed the World in search of any evil, warmongering, ambitious or at least greedy, leader who would come to the Islands of Albion to divert the energies of the Stone Circles and allow their [[Dark Master]] to materialise.
  
==Notes & sources==
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Those Truthsayers who were not corrupted also travelled the world, to find help against their fallen brothers.  Thanks to their efforts, fleets of all nations and races set sail to Albion, either to help or to stop the Dark Master and to earn the artefacts of the [[Old One]]s. Both Dark Emissaries and Truthsayers summoned the mindless [[Fen Beast]]s to do their bidding.
Albion is clearly inspired upon Celtic Britain:
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*Most tellingly, 'Albion' is an ancient name for Britain.
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*The [[Orcs and Goblins]] made landfall at the Muddy Point on southern Albion;
*The Truthsayers are sometimes described as druids, conforming to romantic notions of these priests.
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*The cursed [[Vampire]] [[Thrashlaar]] the Vile of the [[Strigoi]] bloodline started his campaign of terror;
*'It always rains in Albion' is an exaggeration of British temperate (and often wet) climate.
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*The [[Dark Elves]] beached two of their [[Black Ark]]s on the northern shores of Albion and created [[Nagronath]], a new, black city;
*'Ogham' is the name of the Druids written language used in the iron age.  
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*Men of [[the Empire]] successfully conquered some territory and established the new province of [[Neuland]].
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*At the end the [[Slann]] magically changed the weather on the island and the [[Lizardmen]] started to grow a new jungle around the Forge of the Old Ones in a deep valley in the centre of Albion and founded a new city, called [[Konquata]].
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In the aftermath of the campaign, the Dark Emissaries fled from the island and the Truthsayers followed to hunt them down. Both sold their service to other armies in the World as [[mercenaries]], using their ability to raise and control Fen Beasts for the benefit of their employers.
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Albion was also the site of a fierce battle between [[Gotrek Gurnisson]], [[Felix Jaeger]], [[Loremaster]] [[Teclis]] on one side, and the oldest [[Giant]] in the world.{{Fn|2}}
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==Gallery==
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<center><gallery>
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File:OldWorld3.jpg|This map shows the position of '''Albion''' in the [[Old World]] (upper left corner).
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File:Albion.jpg|The island of '''Albion'''
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File:Albion2.jpg|The recent incursions into '''Albion''' are shown in this map.
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File:AlbionStormWarriors.jpg|An outdated map of '''Albion'''.{{Fn|1}}
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</gallery></center>
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==Notes==
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Albion is clearly based upon Celtic Britain:
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*"Albion" is an ancient name for Britain;
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*The Truthsayers are sometimes described as [[Wikipedia:druid|druids]] and appear to be modeled on the romantic portrayals of these priests;
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*The saying "It always rains in Albion" is an exaggeration of a modern British saying;
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*"[[Wikipedia:Ogham|Ogham]]" is the name of the Druids' written language, used in the Iron Age.  
 
*Several geographic features have similar names and locations to real-world British counterparts:
 
*Several geographic features have similar names and locations to real-world British counterparts:
**The 'Isle of Wights' = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight Isle of Wight]
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**The "Isle of Wights' ([[Wikipedia:Isle of Wight|Isle of Wight]];
**The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway Giant's Causeway]
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**The [[Wikipedia:Giant's Causeway|Giant's Causeway]]
**The decoration "Here be Whales" is in an equivilent position to the country of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales Wales].
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**The decoration "Here be Whales" is in an equivalent position to the country of [[Wikipedia:Wales|Wales]].
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*"Curious Gesar, First Citizen of Remas" is likely a tribute to [[Wikipedia:Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], the one-time dictator of the [[Wikipedia:Roman Republic|Roman Republic]]:
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**During his campaigns in Gaul (present-day France), Caesar twice [[Wikipedia:Caesar's invasions of Britain|attempted to invade Britannia]], in BC 55 and BC 54, but was repulsed because his landings were heavily opposed.
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**Caesar was later [[Wikipedia:Assassination of Julius Caesar|assassinated]] after his return to Rome.
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== Sources ==
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*{{Endn|1}}: [[Storm Warriors (Novel)]], Frontspiece
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*{{Endn|2}}: [[Giantslayer (Novel)]] by [[William King]], {{Cite This}}
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* {{Endn|3}}: [[Archives of the Empire Vol III]]
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** {{Endn|3a}}: Chapter IV: Minor Gods, Folk Worship & Hedgecraft, pg. 57
  
*Rules & background for the [[Giants of Albion]] in [[White Dwarf]] magazin.
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===Uncited===
*[[Warhammer: Shadows over Albion]]  
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[[Warhammer: Shadows over Albion]]  
  
[[Category: Albion]]
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[[Category: Albion| ]]
  
 
[[de:Albion]]
 
[[de:Albion]]

Revision as of 17:50, 11 December 2022

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Giants in the marshes of Albion

Albion is a small island located in the Great Ocean, near and to the west of the Old World. [3a]

It is said that it rains every day in Albion, and the islands are shrouded in mist and heavy fog and the land is predominantly bogs, marshes and fens. This damp and gloomy environment is roamed by human tribes, led by Truthsayers, guardians of the mysterious Ogham Stones, and inhabited by creatures such as Giants and the strange Fimir.

History

Truthsayer legends claim that that the isle of Albion was a bright and sunny island, where crops grew and the ancestors of the Elves, Dwarfs, Humans, and Giants received tutelage from godlike beings guiding theem towards enlightenment and their plans for the development of the world. [3a]

A Tilean explorer and conqueror, Curious Gesar, the so-called First Citizen of Remas, at one time reached the shores of the misty islands and tried to bring the native barbarians his view of Tilean culture. He was unsuccessful, instead taking Hengus the Druid and the two biggest Giants of Albion with him as hostages. Back in Tilea he was assassinated and the giants roam now the Old World as mercenaries.

The Ogham Circles that dot Albion were erected by the giants of the land, under instruction from the Truthsayers during the Coming of Chaos, and work to calm down the Winds of Magic that blow from the Realm of Chaos at the north pole of the world. The awful weather and the degeneration of men on the island to barbarians are consequences of this magical influx, whilst centuries of inbreeding dulled the minds of the local giants. [3a]

Shadows Over Albion

After the Chaos Incursion in IC 2302, the cursed Daemon Prince Be'lakor managed to escape his fate of madness and imprisonment and started to materialize in the Citadel of Lead in northeastern Albion. He misguided some of the Truthsayers to became his Dark Emissaries, to help him regain corporeal form. The Dark Emissaries roamed the World in search of any evil, warmongering, ambitious or at least greedy, leader who would come to the Islands of Albion to divert the energies of the Stone Circles and allow their Dark Master to materialise.

Those Truthsayers who were not corrupted also travelled the world, to find help against their fallen brothers. Thanks to their efforts, fleets of all nations and races set sail to Albion, either to help or to stop the Dark Master and to earn the artefacts of the Old Ones. Both Dark Emissaries and Truthsayers summoned the mindless Fen Beasts to do their bidding.

  • The Orcs and Goblins made landfall at the Muddy Point on southern Albion;
  • The cursed Vampire Thrashlaar the Vile of the Strigoi bloodline started his campaign of terror;
  • The Dark Elves beached two of their Black Arks on the northern shores of Albion and created Nagronath, a new, black city;
  • Men of the Empire successfully conquered some territory and established the new province of Neuland.
  • At the end the Slann magically changed the weather on the island and the Lizardmen started to grow a new jungle around the Forge of the Old Ones in a deep valley in the centre of Albion and founded a new city, called Konquata.

In the aftermath of the campaign, the Dark Emissaries fled from the island and the Truthsayers followed to hunt them down. Both sold their service to other armies in the World as mercenaries, using their ability to raise and control Fen Beasts for the benefit of their employers.

Albion was also the site of a fierce battle between Gotrek Gurnisson, Felix Jaeger, Loremaster Teclis on one side, and the oldest Giant in the world.[2]

Gallery

Notes

Albion is clearly based upon Celtic Britain:

  • "Albion" is an ancient name for Britain;
  • The Truthsayers are sometimes described as druids and appear to be modeled on the romantic portrayals of these priests;
  • The saying "It always rains in Albion" is an exaggeration of a modern British saying;
  • "Ogham" is the name of the Druids' written language, used in the Iron Age.
  • Several geographic features have similar names and locations to real-world British counterparts:
  • "Curious Gesar, First Citizen of Remas" is likely a tribute to Julius Caesar, the one-time dictator of the Roman Republic:
    • During his campaigns in Gaul (present-day France), Caesar twice attempted to invade Britannia, in BC 55 and BC 54, but was repulsed because his landings were heavily opposed.
    • Caesar was later assassinated after his return to Rome.

Sources

Uncited

Warhammer: Shadows over Albion