Albion (Warhammer)
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In the fictional world of the Games Workshop's Warhammer, Albion (also the ancient name for Britain) is a little-known island which was the setting for the "Dark Shadows" campaign. New background, rules, models, and scenarios were introduced as a part of the campaign and the final resolution was determined by the results of games played across the world.
[edit] The Island Itself
Albion is based heavily on real world Britain and Ireland, drawing upon celtic mythology and older prehistoric aspects, such as Stonehenge. It has a similar temperate climate, although it is said that it rains every day in Albion (an exaggeration of the common perception of the British and Irish climate). Albion is full of marshes, mires and fens and inhabited by giants, fimir and woad wearing tribes of humans. The tribes are led by Truthsayers who protect stone 'Ogham' circles. Truthsayers are largely based upon romantic notions of real-world Druids ( 'Ogham' was the written language used by Druids in the late Iron Age).
Lizardmen are said to dwell in a lush valley in the north of Albion, which is kept tropically warm by unknown means.
The most well known Albion pieces are the Giants of Albion and Hengus the Druid, a trio from the Dogs of War range.
[edit] The Dark Shadows Campaign Setting
When the Old Ones polar gate collapsed, magic was allowed to flow freely all over the world, and with it came the forces of Chaos. Standing stones were constructed both in Albion (known as 'Ogham circles') and Ulthuan in order to bind this magic the poles and restrict Chaos's dominion away from the realms of mortals.
In ancient times the Chaos champion, Be'lakor (having been elevated to the status of a Daemon prince), tried to gain the ultimate blessing of the Chaos gods and don the Crown of Dominion. His hand went through the insubstantial crown and the Chaos god Tzeentch, cursed Be'lakor to an insubstantial existence. Each time a new champion was granted the Crown of Dominion, Be'lakor was compelled to crown him; an eternal punishment for daring to don that which could only be worn by a mortal.
Be'lakor, after much scheming, came up with a plan to free himself. The stone circles of Albion were guarded in by the mighty Truthsayers, powerful and energetic wizards. These mighty Truthsayers bound giants and strange beasts, composed of decomposing fen, to protect the island. In the current age, however, the Truthsayers have lost their potency, and their power cannot bind the creatures for too long.
Be'lakor saw his chance here, and corrupted roughly half of the Truthsayers to his cause. Physically weaker, but magically stronger, these Dark Emissaries learned Be'lakor's unique lore of evil magic and quickly travelled throughout the world. They found many lords and persuaded them to travel to Albion in order that they might bring back a vast horde of treasure. The true aim of the Dark Emissaries was to get the mortals to corrupt the Ogham circles and siphon power away to Be'Lakor so that he may regain his corporeal form. Realising what was happening, the Truthsayers appealed to the mortal realms as well. They also garnered support from the more ancient races such as Lizardmen and the Elves, as well as any sensible mortals who could both see the urgent need for keeping the stones intact.
The two sides clashed in many battles on the island: on one side, the greedy forces of the Dark Master, and on the other, the desperate defenders of light. At the end of the Campaign it was the Dark Elves who had the strongest hold on the isle, followed by the forces of the High Elves and The Empire. Be'lakor's plans were thwarted for the most part, and soon he was once again called to crown Archaon, the Everchosen, Lord of the End Times, and Chieftain of the Swords of Chaos. After the coronation, Be'lakor found he had gained an ethereal form, and he was now free. The Isle of Albion still retained enough power to keep the realm of Chaos at bay.
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| Major Games: | Warhammer Fantasy Battle, Warmaster, Mordheim, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Man O' War, Warhammer Ancient Battles |
| Nations and races: | Bretonnia, Chaos, Chaos Dwarfs, Dark Elves, Dogs of War, Dwarfs, The Empire, High Elves, Kislev, Lizardmen, Ogres, Orcs & Goblins, Skaven, Undead (Tomb Kings & Vampire Counts), Wood Elves |
| Places: | The Old World, Araby, Cathay, Lustria, Ulthuan, Southlands, Naggaroth, Dark Lands, Albion, |
| People: | List of major characters |
| More: | List of creatures in Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer Fantasy deities, Lores of Magic |
