Swordmaster
The Swordmasters of Hoeth are the guardians of the Tower of Hoeth. They also act as the agents and bodyguards of the Loremasters and travel the world to do their bidding.[5a]
Contents
Overview
The Swordmasters of Hoeth are exemplars of the Elven martial arts. Each has studied warfare and personal combat for decades, or even centuries. It is even said that highest masters of the order can slay a foe with but a touch, or kill with a single precisely-pitched whistle. When Ulthuan marches to war, none go more eagerly than the Swordsmasters of Hoeth, for only in war can they truly unleash the full extent of their deadly art. As the Swordmasters advance, their blades blur and weave, knocking aside arrows in mid-flight and leaving trails of bloody spray wherever Hoeth-forged steel tastes flesh.[2]
The Swordmasters' great swords are forged beneath the Tower of Hoeth, by smiths whose secrets are the envy of even the priests of Vaul. Each elegant blade is as long as an Elf is tall, yet is balanced so perfectly that, to a warrior skilled in its use, it seems as light as a feather. So keen is the greatsword's edge, and so enduring are the enchantments woven into its blade, that its sharpness is never dulled, no matter how many helms or skulls are cloven by its strikes.[2] Every blade is forged and made individually taking their stance and height into account - the tang, pommel and hilt decorated with gemstone and cloth linked with the wielder's hour of birth. [3a]
These legendary elves are not only martially proficient but spiritually wise. Each one must be considered enlightened by the loremasters before attaining the rank of swordmaster. Only then do they realise how sacred uncorrupted life is and why they should protect it at all costs.[1a]
Duties
The Swordmasters serve in army of the Phoenix King, they escort important Elves and guard vital locations throughout the world. In addition, they operate as agents of the king hunting cultists within Ulthuan - these are esteemed Blademasters and are referred to as Blades. However, due to their lifestyle, Swordmasters are often socially awkward, finding covert work especially difficult and so work with or recruit others to investigate their inventigations.[9]
History
When the Order was established, it was considered that hubris and pride were the greatest weakness of the Elf race. Consequently, the Swordmasters were determined to follow an (unwritten) code of conduct which promoted bravery, discipline, honour, loyalty, obedience and self-sacrifice.[9]
One of the first Swordmasters was Aren for whom the White Sword was forged. [1c]
In 1101 IC the Phoenix King Aethis asked for assistance against the various cults and after deliberating on the issue, the High Loremaster dispatched Swordmasters to hunt them down.[9] Since that time and by order of the loremasters and the subsequent Phoenix Kings the Sword Masters have waged a long secret war against the followers of the Cults of Pleasure, eliminating the cancerous heart of Asur society before it can spread further.[1a]
Since their inception during the reign of Bel-Korhadris, the Sword Masters have distinguished themselves on thousands of occasions. At the Battle of Hathar Ford, a single regiment of Sword Masters guarded the only river crossing for miles around. Commanded by the feared sorcerers, the Coven of Ten, a vast Dark Elf army sought swift passage across the river, but the Sword Masters denied them at every turn. Fighting knee-deep in the swirling river, the Sword Masters inflicted grievous casualties on the Dark Elves, despite the blistering barrage of spells cast by the Coven. After hours of ceaseless combat, the river became so choked with the bodies of the Dark Elf dead, that the corpses blocked the flow of the river, which soon burst its banks. The timely arrival of the legendary High Elf Mage, Teclis to the battlefield brought much needed respite from the magical assault launched by the Coven of Ten, and the Sword Masters swiftly counter attacked, driving the Dark Elves from the field. [1a]
Life of a Swordmaster
Plain food is preferred to indulgence for a Swordmaster with a clear mind favoured over the pleasures of wine with the Elf devoted to training their mind and body to perfection. Although they do wear fine embroidered robes, they do not have combs adorning their long hair. When they are not learning or training they can relax with art, painting, poetry or sculpture. [9]
Travellers
Swordmasters can be found throughout the world, seeking wisdom for themselves or the Loremasters. [5a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 4th Edition: Double-Handed Sword, Light Armour, may have a Magic Standard. [4a]
- 5th Edition: Double-Handed Sword, Heavy Armour, may have a Magic Standard and Shield. [5b]
- 6th Edition: Two-Handed Sword, Hand Weapon, Heavy Armour, may have Blademaster, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard. [6a]
- 7th Edition: Two-Handed Sword, Hand Weapon, Heavy Armour, may have Bladelord, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard. [1b]
- 8th Edition: Great Weapon, Heavy Armour, may have Bladelord, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard. [7]
- W:TOW: Hand Weapon, Heavy Ithilmar Armour, Sword of Hoeth. May have Bladelord, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard. Bladelord may have Magic Items. [8]
Quotes
| From darkness I cry for you the tears you shed for us are the blood of the elven kind. O Isha Here I stand on the last shore a sword in my hand. Ulthuan shall never fall.
~ The Sword Masters of Hoeth. [5a] |
Gallery
Swordmaster
A Bladelord
A Swordmaster
Warhammer Online Swordmaster
Swordmaster
Swordmaster
Swordmasters in battle
Swordmasters vs Black Guard
Miniatures
6th Edition Swordmasters
Swordmasters regiment
Swordmasters
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition)
- 2: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (8th Edition)
- 3: Uniforms & Heraldry of the High Elves
- 3a: Swordmasters of Hoeth, pg. 63
- 4: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition)
- 4: High Elf Army List, pg. 67
- 5: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 6: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition)
- 6a: Defenders of Ulthuan, pg. 29
- 7: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition): High Elf Army List, pg. 93
- 8: Forces of Fantasy (TOW): The High Elf Realms, pg. 164
- 9: High Elf Players Guide: Swordmaster, pg. 66-67
