From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please rewrite this article to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective.

For a non-Warhammer-specific description of Wood Elves, see Wood-elves. For an article on elves in general, see Elves.

In Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy fictional universe, the Wood Elves are a variety of Elves (Tall slender human-like beings) who live in an enchanted forest, referred to (by the elves, in their own language) as "Athel Loren". The most common iteration the Wood Elves are seen in is in the scale miniatures produced by Citadel Miniatures for the Warhammer Fantasy Battle Table Top battle game, which involves pitting fantasy armies together in the form of highly detailed models. The Wood Elves in Warhammer are inspired chiefly by the elves of Mirkwood and Lothlórien from the works of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Contents 1 Background and History 2 The Wood Elven Army 2.1 Lords 2.2 Heroes 2.3 Core Units 2.4 Special Units 2.5 Rare Units 2.6 Notable Characters 3 External links

The Wood Elves (known as "Asrai" to themselves) were once a colony of the High Elves, the original group of elves in the Warhammer world. After political struggles between the High Elves and other warring nations, the High Elves called all colonies of elves to return to Ulthuan, an island-continent in the ocean to the west of Athel Loren, and the ancestral home of all elves. Feeling attached to their new woodland homes, the Wood Elves refused to return, and became outcasts of elven society. The Wood Elves created their own home deep in the woods of Athel Loren, and, eventually, created a close bond between themselves and the other woodland spirits and native animals that live there.

The Warhammer world has geography that is roughly analogous to the real world, with some minor differences. Therefore, if we use that comparison, Athel Loren would be a huge forest taking up a large portion of eastern France and that region of the world, while Ulthuan would be a large island continent in the mid-north Atlantic Ocean. The medieval Arthurian nation of Bretonnia lies to the west of Athel Loren and is perhaps the only nation to have an agreement with the Wood Elves.

Wood Elves are completely in tune with nature, when Wood Elves use "magic" to elicit supernatural happenings, it is essentially just the elves "speaking the language of the trees" and communing with the spirits of nature, asking them to do the elves bidding. Even when the elves use animals for war, the animals are treated like equals, growing strong bonds with their masters (though the elves would surely not use this word, as it does not accurately describe the partnership between an elf and his beast).

The Wood Elves are unusual in that they are neither morally 'good' nor 'bad', (like the High Elves and the Dark Elves), respectively. They are not neutral either; just in the middle- like nature itself, their only goal is to survive. This makes their behaviour seem fickle, capricious, even wicked to those who do not understand their society. This unfortunately includes most of the other races in the Warhammer fantasy setting.

Athel Loren, the enchanted forest of the Wood Elves, is ruled by two powerful elves called Ariel and Orion who are possessed by deities which are manifestations of aspects of nature. Ariel being the peaceful regenerative representation of nature, and Orion is the warlike unpredictable side.

A Wood Elven army is made of two major groups: Elven soldiers, and the forest itself. 'Forest Spirits' can and will be awakened in a time of need to fight for the well-being of the entire forest. These Forest Spirits usually take the form of leafy tree-like creatures (called Dryads, Tree Kin and Treeman). Dryads present themselves as lithe and lovely maidens who entice the unwary into entering the forest. At a time that the dryads find amusing, the lovely, near-human aspect is shed and the violent aspect manifests as a tree-like vengeful monster that tears the erstwhile guest to shreds. Tree Kin are more nebulous spirits that normally move freely through the forst, unbound to any physical instrumentality. When the need arises, however, the Tree Kin embody a collection of dead limbs and trunks, which then shambles along with the elven horde, smashing and crushing all that it meets. Most terrible of all the forst spirits, however, is the Treeman, which results when an exalted spirit makes the choice the bind itself permanently to as tree. The resulting creature lives for centuries: indeed, the eldest of Treemen, the Ancients, recall a time when the meaty nuisances of elves and men, orcs and dwarfs, did not trouble and pollute (and, worst of all, cut down) the forest. Also found in the forest are 'Spites'- the lowest form of spirits Athel Loren has to offer, who attach themselves to a unit, place or character and which confer a wide variety of unusual benefits.

• Highborn

Highborns are the upper, ruling class of Elven society. They lead the Wood Elves in time of peace, and it is expected of them to be equally capable generals in times of war. They are far more skilled then the average elven foot troop. Highborns (and nobles) can take up special areas of training (called kindreds), which give them various skills and abilities. Most notably, the kindreds include the "Alters," who are characters that have been changed by the forest. They take on the aspects of the creatures of the forest, through which they move as rapidly as cavalry, and when they come upon the intruder they visit it with a torrent of attacks. Highborns, like most characters in Warhammer, can use magical equipment and ride on war animals. Highborns can also choose to use any kind of spite (but only some will be significantly useful). Athel Loren has a wide variety of steeds to chose from- a Highborn could ride on anything from a well-trained horse to an enchanted forest dragon

• Spellweaver

The Lord-level Mage is similar to mages in every other army, with the exception that mages in the Wood Elf army use the Lore of Athel Loren- a set of magical skills which allow Spellweaver and Spellsingers to communicate with the forest for a variety of offensive and defensive benefits. The spellweaver can also cast spells from the Lore of Beasts or the Lore of Life. Spellweavers can, like the Highborns, 'purchase' certain kindreds, have access to all spites, and have a variety of mounts to choose from.

• Treeman Ancient

Ancients are the oldest spirits in Athel Loren. They can remember a time before Elves ever existed.

• Noble

The basic Wood Elf Hero Choice. He is similar to a Highborn, but with lower status, both on the battlefield and off. He can also choose a kindred for an additional points cost, but he cannot be mounted on a dragon, and can't take as many magical items or spites as the Highborn. However, he is still a valuable addition to an army. Also, he can be chosen to carry the army battle standard, becoming a beacon for the elves in the near vicinity.

• Spellsinger

The basic mage of the Wood Elf army. Can only use spells from the lore of Athel Loren.

• Branchwraith

Branchwraiths are the most powerful dryads. They are only slightly more proficient than dryads in combat, but they can use low-level magic and purchase spites, making them very balanced fighter/caster heroes.

Please help improve this article by expanding this section. See talk page for details. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded.

• Glade Riders

Forming a friendship of trust and understanding with their horses, Glade Riders move swiftly through the forest branches to bring their deadly bows to bear on the less mobile intruders. Glade Riders are capable of both ranged combat and close combat, though it is often better for them to weaken a target for another unit to better assault. They often provide a curtain force on the front ranks, to delay and channel the intruder into a prepared devastating attack by wardancers, dryads, treekin and treemen.

• Glade Guard/Scouts

Renowned for their impressive longbows, the Glade Guard are skilled bowmen whose understanding of the woods allows them to move seemingly unhindered through thick brush and dense undergrowth. Both Scout and Glade Guard are best suited to ranged combat. Storywise they are feared throughout the whole world for the deadlyness of their archery and rightly so. They also benefit from special rules that allow wood elves to move and fire on the same turn without penalty.

• Eternal Guard

Using a unique fighting form with their spears and shields, Eternal Guard will solidly stand against any who threaten Athel Loren. Eternal Guard are frequently utilised as bodyguards for Highborn and Noble Elves. They are the only ones standing between the enemy and the destruction of the forest during winter time. During other seasons they have mostly ceremonial roles and of course, the right hand of the royals.

• Dryads

Forest spirits that are the embodiment of nature's duality: Beauty and Ferocity. Dryads will lure intruders off roads and trails, then let their sharp branches and thorns teach the intruder their lesson. Dryads are some of the most capable assault troops in the Wood Elf host, being fast, strong, tough, fear causing and nigh unstoppable.

• Wardancers

Wardancers are the elven equivalent of berserkers--they have no armor, move fluidly, weave 'dances of death' around their opponents, and are immune to psychological effects such as fear and terror. In Wood Elf folklore, Wardancers are treated with the utmost respect. Wardancer Kindreds are known for dancing at great feasts and banquets.

• Warhawk Riders

Warhawk Riders are light, flying units used mostly for march-blocking and hit-and-run tactics. They are highly skilled elves riding agile, giant hawks, and resemble a sort of 'flying cavalry.'

• Tree Kin

Tree Kin is the name given to the spirits of Athel Loren that bond themselves with dead trees to create an abominable, moving tree monster. They are, in essence, lesser forms of Treemen. Tree Kin tactics closely resemble that of other monsters its size, like a Troll. They are great monsters that induce fear.

• Wild Riders

As the personal guard of Orion, Wild Riders are aggressive and impulsive cavalry and much tougher than Glade Riders. They have transcended the status of elf and, through Orion have become akin to the forest spirits. They, like all forest spirits, become dormant during the winter but experience a violent rebirth in the spring, raiding lands from allied Bretonnia to the far north. Killing everyone from Bretonians, Orcs, Beastman, and even Wood Elves who accidentally cross paths with the wild hunt.

• Great Eagle

A Great Eagle is just that--an eagle of epic proportions. They live in the Grey Mountains, or on the very hightest treetops of Athel Loren and have a special connection with elves. Wood elves use eagles as deadly flying monsters. Some heroes of the Wood Elf race are even known to ride them to battle.

• Treemen

Treemen are the most powerful spirits in Athel Loren. They, unlike Tree Kin, are permanently bound to a living tree, making a connection that only death can sever. Also, Treemen are ancient beings -some are old beyond mortal reckoning- of gigantic size and have many abilities that Tree Kin do not. One example is the mystical power of tree-singing, which can enable trees to walk or attack nearby enemies.

• Waywatchers

Waywatchers are elite scouts/rangers that have honed their skills to a point where they can remain concealed and unmoving for days on end and then let loose a volley of arrows instantly and with deadly precision. They are the best non-hero archers in the game and use similar tactics to scouts. They can pierce armour and even slay the most powerful heroes with just a single shot. If ever an unfortunate visitor comes to Althel Loren uninvited, he will likely already been spotted by waywatchers. If the visitor is lucky, the waywatchers will guide him out of the forest without showing themselves. If the visitor is unlucky, he will join the many skeletons on the outskirts of the forest. With arrows piercing from both his eyeholes.

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (April 2007)

• Orion, King in the Woods

The immortal Consort King of Athel Loren, Orion is the rampaging avatar of the elf god Kurnous. He is a terrifying sight to behold, standing over ten feet tall and his green skin ripples with muscle. Although he must die each winter, he is reborn each spring, and reaches the peak of his power in mid-summer. Such is the way of things, the "continuation of the never-ending process of death and rebirth" (wood elves army book). Orion is normally accompanied by his baying hounds and the Wild Riders of Kurnous. Orion counts as both a Lord and a Hero choice.

• Drycha

Drycha is the most powerful Branchwraith who has been driven mad when the blood of the powerful beastman Morghur was spilled in her glade. She hates all who enter into Athel Loren, and blames the Wood Elves for all the threats that threaten the enchanted forest. She is relentless in her attacks and ever thirsty for blood. It is rumoured that she is forming a resistance to exterminate the Asrai. She counts as a lord choice and any army led by Drycha may only contain "Forest spirits" (refer to the Wood Elves army book).

• Naestra and Arahan, the Sisters of Twilight

The Sister-Twins of Athel Loren are a mysterious pair who occupy the alpine slopes of the Pine Crags. The story of their existence has been retold throughout the ages by the wardancers. They tell that a small Asrai child, Naestarahan, was lured into the woods by glowing farie lights to a place where even the Waywatchers feared to tread. There she was split into two halves: identical in looks, save that one has hair as dark as night and the other has hair of the purest white. Both command the forest: Naestra, out of love, Arahan, out of fear. As long as one endures, both will endure. They always ride to battle either Ceithin-Har the forest dragon, or Gwindalor, the Great Eagle. Both sisters take up a single lord choice, while Ceithin-Har takes up an additional hero choice.

• Scarloc

Scarloc is a champion to the Asrai. He is known for his skill with the bow and his stealthy abilities. He is also the leader of the masterful scouts. In Imperial year 2007 he and his scouts slew Morghur, or Cyanathair, Child of Chaos, by piercing him with a hundred arrows.

• Ariel, Queen in the Woods

The opposite of Orion, she is the incarnation of Isha and represents the very nature of Athel Loren itself.

• Durthu

One of the eldest of the Treemen Ancients, he suffered at the hands of many races trying to desecrate the forest. As such he now hates all races, and only has limited trust of the Wood Elves

• Games Workshop (UK)
• Asrai.org
• Machiara's Battle Glade

v • d • e Warhammer Fantasy
Tabletop wargames	Warhammer Fantasy Battle · Warmaster · Mordheim · Blood Bowl · Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay · Man O' War
Video games	Shadow of the Horned Rat · Dark Omen · Mark of Chaos · Warhammer Online
Nations and races	Bretonnia · Chaos · Chaos Dwarfs · Dark Elves · Dogs of War · Dwarfs · The Empire · High Elves · Kislev · Lizardmen · Ogre Kingdoms · Orcs & Goblins · Skaven · Undead (Tomb Kings & Vampire Counts) · Wood Elves
Places	The Old World · Araby · Cathay · Lustria · Ulthuan · Southlands · Naggaroth · Dark Lands · Albion · Tilea · Estalia · Bretonnia · Kislev · Norsca · Khemri · Ind  · Khuresh · Athel Loren · Sylvania · Nippon · Badlands · Chaos Wastes · World's Edge Mountains
Other	List of major characters · Creatures · Lores of Magic  · Gods of the Old World