Storm of Chaos

"Forged from the other world, six treasures shall he posses....Upon his head the crown shall see all, and open eyes will prove woe to mortal kind.....Then shall he ride unto the World...Then will the World know that the last war has begun....With the coming of doom will march a lowly boy. Anger his nourisment and blood his wine....And from the Land tamed will rise a Champion. Disease shall be his downfall and savior divine.....A King's son shall be chosen. In power will he thrive and glory in is name....And with the coming of the end the old will fall by the hand of the new...."

- The Prophecy of Fate, taken from the Celestine Book of Divination by Necrodomo the Insane

The Storm of Chaos (2521-2522 IC) was the great Chaotic assault intended to conquer first Kislev and the Empire, and then the rest of the Old World, launched by the Forces of Chaos under the leadership of the Champion of Chaos Undivided known as Archaon the Everchosen, the "Lord of the End Times." The Storm of Chaos broke over the northern territories of Kislev and the Empire of Man in 2521 IC and was finally broken by a potent grand alliance of Men, High Elves and the Dwarfs at the Battle of Middenheim in 2522 IC.

The Invasion involved nearly every major faction in every nation of the Old World, an invasion that would herald the End Times as was prophesied by the Dark Gods. From the northern waste, Archaon Lord of the End Times has begun his invasion of the northern portion of Kislev, laying waste to entire villages and towns along the river Lynsk. His vast horde swept south, laying siege to Praag, and sacking the port city of Erengrad. From there Archaon's horde surge through the war-torn province Ostland and began laying the entire northern portion of the Empire to ashes. To the East, Archaon's herald, Crom the Conqueror, has already smashed his way through the treacherous roads of Peak Pass and as we speak is breaking through the Eastern Border's of the Empire, laying siege to Karak Kadrin and invading the sinister lands of Sylvania. To the West, the Witch King Malekith has made an unholy pact with the Runious Power's. While the High Elves send's troops into the Empire to aid in their efforts, Malekith launched his massive invasion force towards the shores Ulthuan, breaking through the impenetrable High Elven fleet's blockading the coast, and moving into the The Blighted Isle, in hopes of recovering the lost Altar of Khaine and claim the legendary sword as his own.

The sheer size of this invasion force is beyond imagination, on all sides, Chaos is once again surging into the lands of Man, Elves, and Dwarves, and if the Empire falls, then the whole Old World will be lost to Chaos. Yet all is not lost, for with this coming invasion, came a common goal, the whole of the Old World has finally united under the Banner of Order, Man, Dwarves, and High Elves have met in the Conclave of Light and together they fight side by side in a war that will forever decide the fate of the Three Kingdoms.

The Storm of Chaos was also a massive narrative campaign created by Games Workshop for the Warhammer Fantasy Battles tabletop miniatures wargame setting, played as an international tournament in the summer of 2004.

Origins
"Every beginning, comes from some other beginnings end."

- Senectra the Younger

The World stands in the brink of Annihilation. It has done so since the beginning of time itself, when the great Old Ones of the ancient times were destroyed long ago. The Polar Gates of the Old Ones, once a marvel of technology, have collapsed and with it, Chaos flowed like water into the cold harsh lands of the northern and southern waste. Since then, every few hundreds years, the Gods of Chaos will reach out their hands towards this dying world and demand a claim of it as their own. So it is fitting that a Champion of Chaos shall unite the warring tribes of the North and put about the End of Times as we know it.

The threat of Chaos comes in many guises, from the mutating winds of magic that pours across the known world, to the vile beastmen tribes that lurks within the dark forest of the Old World, and the numberless hordes of barbaric warriors who lives within the Chaos Wastes. However, it is the corruption of souls, the pollution of ideals and dreams that is its most subtle and deadliest weapons, for within every person lurks the heart of Chaos. It is perhaps fitting then that the greatest threat to the Empire came not from a Kurgan Warlord, nor a Beastmen Chiefian, but from one of their very own.

No one knows his original name, all that was known was that he was once a very devout and zealous Templar of Sigmar, born scant few years after Magnus the Pious and the first Great War against Chaos. The Templar, known by many as the Witch Hunters, were sworn to protect the Empire from the sinister lure of Chaos in all its form. This Templar had enacted these deeds for many years, ever believing in the divination of his god, and the righteousness of his cause. However, the threads of fate were moving, leading this lone Templar to betray his own people and the god his people worshiped.

There are a great many books and teachings, treatises and scrolls that kept by these Templars from the stray eye of the common masses, for these books hold heretical and blasphemous text that tells the truth about Chaos and the truth of the World. The Zealous Templar read these very manuscripts written from the Book of Divination from the words of Necrodomo the Insane. Driven with a sense of revelation and utter rage, he burned down the Cathedral that held these sacred books and threw his fist towards the sky, calling the Gods liars and a fraud, and with his last deed, he hunted down his very own family one by one, without remorse nor regret for their loss. From there he traveled to the True North, where his destiny finally lie. There he offered himself to the Chaos Gods as a tool of their own destruction. His lifespan was unnaturally extended by his Chaos patrons, and thus Archaon spent the next century gathering the legendary six artifacts of Chaos.

The Six Treasures of Chaos (??? to 2520 IC)
"Forged from the other world, six treasures shall he posses....Upon his head the crown shall see all, and open eyes will prove woe to mortal kind"

- Part of the Prophecy of Fate, taken from the Celestine Book of Divination by Necrodomo the Insane

So it was that Archaon journeyed the waste for nearly 100 years, searching for the legendary Artifact that would exalt him to his true destiny. The first treasure he sought was a unique "Mark of Chaos", that bears the blessings of all four powers in unison. It combines all of the advantages of the individual Marks of Chaos, and blesses the bearer with all their power. The first part of Archaon's dark quest was to go to the Altar of True Darkness in Naggaroth and offer himself to the Gods to gain their favour and recognition. He gathered a small band of Chaos Warriors called the Swords of Chaos and battled his way to a citadel so tall it appeared to pierce Morrslieb itself. Inside the citadel, it was said to be blacker than even the heart of a Dark Elves soul, for when one of Archaon's followers attempted to light a torch, it was snuffed out instead by the darkness. Archaon was unafraid, and marched off alone into the darkness. Such was his skill in combat that he was able to slay hundreds of the misshapen monsters that infested the mighty citadel. Archaon reconsecrated the altar for the Gods of Chaos, offering up the hearts of the creatures that had crawled in and defiled it. When he emerged he bore the eternally burning Mark of Chaos on his forehead.

The next artifact he sought was the "Armour of Morkar" the armour wore by the very first Everchosen. It makes the wearer invulnerable to all but the most powerful of attacks, making the wearer nigh-unstoppable. After leaving Naggaroth on a stolen ship made of black metal and pulled by a massive sea-drake, Archaon took leadership of a seafaring war band on his way to his destination. They sailed to a mysterious land populated with savage half-humans. Neither sun nor moon had ever touched their pallid skin and after six days and six nights of battle after battle, the city of these creatures had been reduced to rubble. Archaon delved deep into their necropolis until he found the Tomb of Morkar and the armor he sought. However, as Archaon reached out to take it, the spirit of Morkar animated the armour and attacked him. The vengeful spirit laid down a relentless flurry of blows until Archaon cursed it in the language of the Unberogen tribe. The attack ceased for a moment, and Archaon smashed him aside, banishing the spirit of Morkar and allowing him to claim the armour as his own.

Then there was the "Eye of Sheerian", which is named after the Tzeentchian Sorcerer who discovered it. Although on its own it grants the bearer prophetic powers, when placed in the Crown of Domination its prophetic powers can be used to their true ability and allow the bearer to predict and avoid the attacks of the enemy. After claiming the Armour of Morkar, Archaon set out to retrieve the Eye of Sheerian. At that time it lay in the lair of the Chaos Dragon Flamefang, who valued the Eye above all of it's other treasures. Archaon placed his claim for the Eye by smashing his axe into Flamefang's head. Long did man and monster battle at the base of the Cliff of Beasts. Flamefang breathed fire and even swallowed Archaon whole, but the Armour of Morkar protected him from its acidic stomach. Archaon hacked his way out of the Dragon's gullet with the ferocity of a Flesh Hound, until Flamefang's throat was hacked to shreds and it died of exhaustion and blood loss. Archaon plucked the Eye of Sheerian from its place on the belly of the Dragon and hung it around his neck as his rightful reward.

Alternatively known as "Dorghar", "Ghurshy'ish'phak", "Yrontalie" or the "Steed of the Apocalypse", this daemonic beast was stolen from the menagerie of the Daemon Prince Agrammon in the Realm of Chaos. Archaon battled his way past the Daemons guarding Agrammon's palace and sneaked inside, hiding beneath a beast that was part man, part mammoth and part insect. Inside was every beast imaginable, and some that are not. Archaon tracked Dorghar through the menagerie by its sulphurous stench. When he found it he vaulted on to its back. The Steed of the Apocalypse changed shape and burst into flames, but Archaon was able to break it like a wayward stallion and escape from the Realm of Chaos.

Eventually he sought the Chaos Blade, known by many as the "Slayer of Kings" which was the sacred blade of Vangel, the second Everchosen. He bound the Greater Daemon U'zuhl into the blade, and the millennia of imprisonment have sent it insane with rage and fury. It was said to rest at the top of Chimera Plateau, located near the roof of the world, where Archaon and his steed Dorghar has journeyed. The warriors battling around the plateau saw the determination and destiny of Archaon, and he quickly gathered a huge horde of followers to wage war against the Chimera's. They swiftly defeated the Chimera hordes guarding the higher passes where Archaon and his three companions climbed to the top of the plateau. From the top, Archaon looked down on the world, swearing that he would one day rule over all of it. Suddenly, what he had taken for a mountain behind him turned over in its sleep, causing a series of earthquakes in the lands below. Archaon soon realised that the mountain was actually the father of the Dragon Ogre race, Krakanrok the Black. Even he could not defeat such a foe, so instead he and his companions sneaked past the titanic monster, only to find that the Slayer of Kings was clasped into its chest. Prince Ograx the Great, the strongest of Archaon's companions, was able to lift up one of Krakanrok's talons high enough for Archaon to retrieve the Daemonsword. However, the Daemon bound inside began to shriek with deafening volume. As Krakanrok began to stir, Archaon thought fast and plunged the Slayer of Kings into Prince Ograx's chest. With the blade's thirst quenched with royal blood, Archaon was able to sheath it and return from the plateau to the cheers of his followers, carrying his blade with him throughout all his battles.

After many years of endless journeying, Archaon has finally gathered all Five of the Artifacts except one. Forged before the dawn of man, the "Crown of Domination" once held the Eye of Sheerian, but had since been lost to history. It strikes terror into the bearer's foes and gives strength to his very allies. Decades after finding the Slayer of Kings, Archaon still had no clue as to the whereabouts of this ancient battle-helm. Eventually Be'lakor revealed its location, planning to steal the crown after Archaon found it. The crown lay in the First Shrine to Chaos, high on an icy peak in the Worlds Edge Mountains. Be'lakor led Archaon up the mountain, the Steed of the Apocalypse carrying him over the most difficult terrain. After a day and a half of ceaseless climbing, Archaon stood before the massive double gate that was the entrance to the Shrine. Through the gateway was a labyrinth filled with dire beasts and vengeful Daemons. Archaon was tested by each of the Chaos Gods to see if he was truely worthy to be the Everchosen. Nurgle sent deadly diseases that Archaon fought off with sheer willpower. Tzeentch created a labyrinth of crystal, but Archaon blindfolded himself and used instinct alone to navigate it. Slaanesh sent temptation after temptation, but Archaon resisted, never diverting from the path to the inner gates of the Shrine. After passing through the inner gates, Archaon found himself on a narrow causeway surrounded with hellfire that scorched his skin and burnt away his hair. Suddenly, a mighty Bloodthirster of Khorne erupted from the flames and attacked the potential Everchosen.



The Greater Daemon was strong, but Archaon drew strength from the Slayer of Kings and wrested the Bloodthirster's weapons away and strangled it with it's own whip. The hellfire died away, leaving Archaon gravely injured and standing in a simple shrine. A throne stood at the back of the shrine, with a withered corpse sitting on it. On the top of its withered skull sat the Crown of Domination. Archaon took the crown and, with his wounds healing and frame swelling with power, he held it to the heavens. After over a century of searching, he had claimed the title of Everchosen. All that he needed now was a coronation. Upon retrieving the Crown, the daemon prince Be'lakor performed the coronation that made Archaon the Lord of the End Times. On that day, it is said that a Twin-Tailed comet, both a omen of great or terrible things, has foretold the coming of the Storm. The Twin-Tailed Comet was seen in the bright night sky that day. Especially in the city of Altdorf, thousands of people throng the streets, driven to hysteria by the rumours of Archaon and the coming of the comet. Grand Theogonist Volkmar appears daily on the steps of the temple of Sigmar in Altdorf after that day to truely know the true extent of the message. Rumors began to pour in from the north about a strange and terrible army marching, and the great storm that is gathering in the far north. The streets were lined full of doomsayers, flagellants, curates, students, scholars, fishwives, pickpockets, preachers, and riots. With the coming of doom, there persist another rumor, one that brought a bit of hope to the scared and afraid, about a man that would deliver them from this horror, a Champion of Light who would arise to face the Everchosen and finally decide the faith of all the world.

The Gathering Storm (2521 IC early Spring)
"Then shall he ride unto the World...Then will the World know that the last war has begun"

- Part of the Prophecy of Fate, taken from the Celestine Book of Divination by Necrodomo the Insane

The coming of Archaon and the storm that was sure to follow did not go un-heralded. To the far north, all Four Powers have united in a common cause to finally bring the world to its knee's, calling forth Champions of their own respected powers and sending forth visions to all that seek plunder and bloodshed. Shamans saw these same visions of the coming invasion and urged the Chieftian of the tribes to gather for war. Deamons of many kind began to claw at the edge of the physical world, awaiting the day that they will be unleashed upon the mortal world. Finally, Four Champions have gathered their own armies under the banner of one of the Four, and had began their ceaseless march towards Archaon's ever-growing horde. However, some members of his Hordes were far more eager then most to join in on the coming slaughter and so an army of Chaos Warriors under the leadership of High Zar Surtha Lenk marched south from Blackblood Pass and attacked the northern lands of Kislev, intended to clear the path for the invasion force.

Even in the lands of the Empire, discontent has begun to boil within the clery of the Church of Sigmar as a zealous and radical Warrior Priest by the name of Luthor Huss  began preaching against the clergy's corruption and spiritual decadence. Many demanded the usurper to be burned in the stakes, but Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim knew better than most, and simply silence such accusations. However, as the drums of war began to beat in the north once more, Volkmar began to enclose himself inside the high pinnacle of the Temple of Sigmar, reading through unholy tomes to find answers for the dark menace gathering at the Empire's gates. Soon, some within the clergy have even questioned the Grand Theogonist sanity, and eventually the Church of Sigmar became divided and concerned about the situation that is occurring in this dire time of the world.

By the 2nd of Pflugzeit, several battalions of Wing Lancers and Ungol Horse Archers intercepted the hordes coming down south in an effort to stall their advance. But High Zar Surtha Lenk and his vanguard army smashed his way through their defenses and eventually reached the borders of Ostland and the Empire by the 1st of Sigmarzeit. The sudden arrival and the sheer ferocity of the vanguard army had taken the Imperial Armies of Ostland completely by surprise. Not only did the High Zar managed to reach the borders of Ostland to the east, but Norscan warriors and marauders sailing down south from the Norsca coast has already made landfalls on the shores of Starivoda Bay in Nordland. Disembarking and marching inland in great secrecy, the second Chaos Host attacked the Ostland State Army completely by surprise, destroying a greater part of its military might. With the army in disarray, Surtha Lenk and his Chaos host smashed their way through the village of Smallhof and delved deep into the Forest of Shadows, enroute to the capital city of Wolfenburg.

Despite his best efforts, Count Valmir von Raukov had no choice but to issued a plea of aid towards the other Counts of the Empire, sending messengers bearing his plea. However, the High Zar anticipated this and sent forces to intercept them before they reached their destination. Miracleously, several messengers survived and with the call for aid came Elector Count Helmut Feuerbach and his elite core of battle-hardened Imperial Soldiers. But the greatest aid came when one of the messengers reached the Imperial Court of Emperor Karl Franz himself. Slowly dying of exhaustion and blood-lost, the messenger gave a quick but extremely vague interpretation of the Chaos army that is assailing at his gates. Assuming the worst, Karl Franz mustered every single military asset at his disposal and called for the creation of the Grand Army of the Empire to combat this threat. However, by the 31st of Sigmarzeit, Surtha Lenk's vanguard army smashed their way across Ostland territory and finally reached the capital of the province without much resistance, resulting in the devastating "First Siege of Wolfenburg".

The Imperial Army, along with regiments of the Emperor's own Reikguard Order departs Altdorf by the 4th day of the Siege. Cadre's of Wizards from several Wizardry Schools has also given their magical might towards this growing Imperial army, as well as the aid of Volkmar the Grim and his growing army of warrior-priest, flagellants and zealots. As they reached Talabhiem in the 20th day of the siege, the Imperial army met with the armies of Middenland and awaited the coming of the other Imperial powers.

After 8 days of preparation, the armies of Averland, Stirland, Nuln, and Talabhiem were assembled, allowing the Grand Army to begin its departure to relieve the siege of Wolfenburg. Along the roads leading to Ostland, the Grand Army was caught in a massive ambush by a enormous horde of Beastmen, resulting in Emperor Karl Franz and his griffon mount being gravely injured. Saved by the heroics of an Averhiem greatsword company, the Emperor had no other alternative but to return back to Altdorf with the Red Arrow coaches along with Volkmar the Grim. Before his departure, he appointed Reikmarshall Kurt Helborg as the new Supreme Commander of the Grand Army, though his command was strongly opposed by the Elector Count of Middenheim Boris Todbringer and his noble supporters. After five days of bitter fighting, Kurt managed to break the Beastmen horde and sent them reeling back with the aid of the local Hochland regiments.

However Reikmarshall Kurt and his army of Imperials came too late, for by the 1st day of Vorgeheim the city of Wolfenburg was sacked by the Armies of Surtha Lenk. Enraged at his failure, he order the Grand Army to attack the fallen Wolfenburg and break the horde into smaller individual hosts. Leading the charge was the elite Calvary-core composed of the Reikguard Knights and the White Wolves Templar Order. Surrounded and tired after a 33 day siege, the vanguard army of Surtha Lenk was broken and scattered. It wasn't until the "Battle of Mazhorod" that the army was destroyed entirely by the aid of Boyarin Kurkosk forces, where it was said that the mighty High Zar had fallen in combat.

Within the following week, the rremaining vanguard hordes under the leadership of Warlord Aelric Cyenwulf and his mighty Dragon Ogre's were defeated at the "Battle of Urszebya" (Ursen's Teeth), by the combine arm's of the Empire, the Ice Queen and Tilean mercenaries. Thought it was a total victory, the battle was nonethless costly.

Volkmar's Challenge (23rd of Nachgeheim)
"I see more and more people emter these Temple doors each day. I wish I could say it was my teachings that summoned them here, but alas, I believe it is fear and uncertainty that brings them."

- Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim

Though many held a sigh of relief with the death of the High Zar and his army of Chaos warriors, many were still naive as to the true intentions of this preventive attack. Volkmar was not one of these fools, for he read the unholy books and knew the true darkness that awaits them in the far north. And so Volkmar issued an ultimatum for all those loyal to Sigmar and his cause to join him on his crusade north and put an end to Archaon before it is too late. Many heeded the call, those of pure faith joined the ever-growing army, both Templars and commoners alike, others join just out of pure fear of the coming invasion. The faithful Theogonist lead his sigmarite followers north, hoping to intercept Archaons's horde before it reached the Empire. With the visions he recieved from his god, and the unbending faith in his strenght, Volkmar led this fanatical army into the ice-cold tundra of Kislev.

However, some within the Empire held doubts for this holy crusade, one of which was Emperor Karl Franz himself. Assuming the worst, by the 5th day of the next month, the Emperor sent word to all his allies, requesting aid for his cause, and to request a meeting in Altdorf called the Conclave of Light to discuss the issue at hand. Many would awnser the call, but such a gathering would take much time to accomplish.

After several weeks of tracking through the lands of Kislev, Volkmar and his fanatical army finally faced the Hordes of Chaos in the lands just north of Troll Country. Hoping to avert the Storm of Chaos, Volkmar attacked Archaon's large horde with his own fanatical army. Before the battle commenced however, Volkmar issued a challenge to the Everchosen in single combat to finally decide which one of their gods is truely stronger than the other. Volkmar knew that Archaon couldn't ignore such a challenge, for his position as Everchosen could only be maintained with the fear and respect of his warriors. Thus Archaon met Volkmar's host and did battle. The two armies clashed long and hard, each fighting with great zeal and faith. Volkmar on top of his War Altar led the charge to face Archaon, but as the Theogonist charged the Everchosen, Archaon simply struck with amazing speed and slew the Grand Theogonist of Sigmar with a single stroke of his deamonic sword. He battered the War Altar aside and proclaimed the duel his.

Though their leader was killed by the hands of the Everchosen, the Sigmarite army fought on courageously, but after many hours, slowly the Sigmarite army was surrounded and cut to shreds. Routed and broken, the retreating Imperial Army led by the surviving Elector Count Helmer Feuerbech was finally destroyed as the remnants of Surtha Lenk's forces slammed their way into the retreating Imperial soldiers. Almost everyone dead in that massacre, but it was said that the Elector Count and a few others still survive that encounter, but none could confirm such a miracle.

By the 31st of Brauzeit, news of Volkmar's demise reached the ears of Altdorf, and in respect to his death, church bells ringed to mourn the passing of such a faithful leader and warrior of the Empire, taken from the people in this most dire time. With his death and ceremony, the Church of Sigmar and the remaining Lectors of the clergy assembled to decide who shall be the new Theogonist of the Church. After many days of much debate, former Arch Lector Johan Esmer III was elected the new Theogonist.

After the death of Volkmar and the coronation of Johan Esmer III, Luthor Huss has left the city of Nuln after a failed protest at the city's Sigmarite cathedral against Johans coronation. With this outburst against his rule and with his new political power as the new Grand Theogonist, Johan has denounced the upstart Warrior Priest, forcing Luthor Huss into the Reiklands and Ubersreik. Undeterred by this, Luthor Huss continued his persecution against Chaos in all its forms, beating back Cults and warbands that have arisen from the forest.

It was during this time that word got out of an extraordinary boy living in the lands of the Reik. This boy was tall, blonde of hair, and powerful in strenght. Having beaten back a horde of Beastmen using only two of his fathers smithy hammers, he solely led the survivors of the attack and killed Beastlord Rargarth in single combat. Eventually, Luthor Huss met with the young man, saw through his him a reincarnation of Sigmar himself. With Luthor Huss aid, they managed to rescue the life of Stefan Wierde of Altdorf and begin their march towards Altdorf

To the north, the deamonic entity known as Be'lakor has finally broken free from his bondage after crowning Archaon as the new Everchosen. On that dark day in the Chaos Waste, the Deamon Prince conjured up a great portal from which his ancient army of Deamons begin their march south towards the Empire and aid Archaon in his bid for conquest.

Emperor Karl Franz and the Conclave of Light (4th of Jahrdung)
"The Realms of Man must not fall. Our fate is intertwined with theirs, and if they fall, so too do we. For this reason, I taught their first masters of magic, and for this reason, we must not abandon Men, despite their barbarous ways"

- Teclis, Loremaster of Ulthuan during the Conclave of Light

By the 4th of Jahrdung, Emperor Karl Franz hosts the grand Conclave of Light at his capital of Atldorf and invites heads of state from across the Old World to a conference where he explains the situation of Archaon’s invasion, asking for their aid. The first to arrive was Snorri Thungrimsson, envoy of the Dwarf Slayer King Ungrim Ironfist, who arrives at Altdorf's East Gate in the early morning of the 18th. After a lenghty discussing, the Dwarves have promised to lend their aid towards the beleaguered Empire.

By the 30th of that month, urged on by the Fay Enchantress and messengers from the Empire, King Leoncoeur of Bretonnia declares a new Errantry War to aid the Empire against the Forces of Chaos. Legions of Knights from all across the dukedoms are gathering for the coming march, eager to prove their worth to their King and Goddess. Many Grail Knights had dreams of this day and all began their march to the gathering at Monfort. With this, the Bretonnians provided their aid towards the Empire.

The last to arrive were the High Elves of Ulthuan and envoys of the Ice Queen's Court. The High Elves pledge to assist the Empire in its time of need, as do many others, such as the Tzarina of Kislev. At this Conclave of Light, plans for the defense of the Empire are laid out, and ancient alliances are renewed. Coming alongside the High Elf delegation was the legendary Archmage Teclis. Teclis assures the gathered Patriarchs of the Colleges of Magic that now, as their ancestors had done before, the Magisters of the Orders of Magic would have to mobilize to resist this greatest of all threats.

To the north, Archaon and his horde of Chaos followers have breached the northern defences and has begun to close in on the port-city of Erengrad. In an effort to stall the invasion, the Tzarina sent three armies of Kislevites towards Archaons's host and ensure that the horde doesn't cross the river Lysnk. At first the armies managed to hold on, but the hordes numbers were too much, and eventually the three Kislevite armies were destroyed, leaving the path clear for Archaon to lead his army towards Erengrad. Desperate to hold on to this key city, the Kislevites have made many modifications to the city to ensure that the horde won't be able to breach it's formidable walls. However, Vignar, Champion of Khorne from the Aesling tribe of Norsca, leads his band of Chaos marauders to blockade the ports of the city, ensuring that the city's inhabitants have no way of escape.

To the West, a second Chaos Invasion led by Vashnaar the Tormetor had struck the lands of Naggaroth and Lustria, and has already crossed the Serpent's Tongue River with another Chaos vanguard army. The Lizardmen city of Hexoatl's Master of Skies, a Skink Chieftian by the name of Tiktaq'to sights the invaders and rides his Terradon to warn his Temple-City. He soon sends his fastest riders to find the Slann Lord Maxdamundi and to bring back reinforcements for the coming siege. As he prepares the city's defences, massive hit-and-run tactics were volleyed upon the advancing Chaos army hoping to stall their advance. Tiktaq'to and his band of warriors have even managed to lure a portion of Vashnaar's army into a massive ambush that led to a total massacre. However the attack had failed to stop their advance entirely and by the 32nd of Pflugzeit, the "Siege of Hexoatl" has begun.

The Siege of Erengrad (8th of Sigmarzeit)
The first days of the siege has resulted in massive wave-based tactics sent against the city walls, and well as continuous bombardment from an arrary of Chaos Hell-Cannons. In response to these attacks, skilled archers from a variety of Ungol tribes unleashed volley after volley of steel-tipped arrows against the advancing hordes, with cannon batteries unleashing barrages of ammunition, destroying droves of men with every shot. Not wanting his back exposed to the Kislevites the Everchosen thusly ordered a portion of his forces under the leadership of D'aggron the Exalted to lay siege to the city of Praag, and to continue on to the capital city of Kislev itself.

The Battle of High Pass (13th of Sigmarzeit)
By the sixth day of the seige, Archaons Herald, Vardek Crom the Conqueror has already made his ceaseless march across High Pass in his attempt to invade the Eastern lands of the Empire. Blocking his way however was a massive horde of Greenkin warriors led by the Black Orc Warlord Grimgor Ironhide. Having beaten every challenge presented to him, the battle-hungry Greenskin Warlord had stationed his horde upon the narrowest part of the pass, forcing the Chaos Army to attack him, hoping to face the infamous Vardek Crom in combat. With no other alternative, the Chaos Horde rush headlong into the mass of Greenskin warriors. As the sun rose from behind the Mountain of Mourn the two armies met. This would become the greatest battle that had ever been seen in the Dark Lands.

Within moments, the fighting became fierce. The two armies collided in battle, Men and Greenskins died in the hundreds, the Kurgans warriors fought for their Lord Crom and their Dark Gods like men possessed, the Orcs and Goblins indifferent to their losses fought just for the joy of battle and killing. But this time it was the Greenskins that faltered. Never before had they faced men who fought with such blood-rage. For every man cut down, 2 or 3 were there to take their place, there seemed no end to them. They had met an opponent that was just as indifferent to losses as they were, an army of men so unlike the weak men of the west. After hours of battle, with thousands killed on both sides it was the Orcs that were defeated and who fled the battlefield.

As the battle was raging Grimgor was still looking for an opponent that could give him a challenge. All the Kurgan that he had faced and killed did little to satisfy his need. Fighting in the thick of the battle he fought his way deep into the Chaos hordes lines, fighting and killing dozens as he raged about without finding a worthy opponent. Then he saw Crom. Like Grimgor, Crom easily bested any who faced him. Goblins, Orcs, Black Orcs, boar riders and trolls all died to his sword and axe. Crom too was looking for an opponent that would test his skill. Then Crom saw Grimgor.

As each set eyes on the other, both knew they had finally met a worthy opponent. The fight was one of epic scale. For hours they fought as their two armies battled around them. Both gaining the advantage at times but neither able to kill the other. As the sun began to set Crom and Grimgor pulled apart, each staring at the other with respect, wondering how to end the other's life. After several minutes of silence, Crom stepped back lowering his weapon, signalling an end to their fight. Grimgor howled in rage at the insult, wanting to continue combat. As Crom stood silently, Grimgor looked around for the first time since the battle began. All he saw was dead bodies everywhere and the army of Chaos staring down at him, his army having fled into the mountains. Looking back at Crom and the Chaos warriors around them Grimgor retreated slowly back daring any to stop him. Once clear he turned and fled slowly South away from the High Pass. For the first time Grimgor had been defeated. For the first time in his life, he had failed to master a challenge.

Grimgor's own personal standard was almost captured during the battle, a Champion of Chaos about to break it over his knee, until a Black Orc called Taugrek jumped in, throttling the Chaos Champion with his bare hands, before claiming the standard and fleeing with the rest of Grimgor's army.

As the days passed and Grimgor gathered up his scattered forces, he felt the unfamiliar pangs eating away at his pride. He vowed that he would absolve himself in the eyes of Mork and Gork, the Orc Gods. He vowed that he would gather together the greatest WAAAGH!! that the world had ever known, so massive and destructive that it would wipe away the stain of his loss.

Aftermath
In the Aftermath of the great Storm of Chaos, many minor events took place after the war that has brought stability, or destruction to other parts of the Empire and other Realms. All events listed happened within the span of one year after the wars end.

Empire

 * Grand Theogonist Johann Esmer III flees to Marienburg before Volkmar the Grim returns to Altdorf. There isn't  much support to Esmer, but he is still saying that he is the rightfull Theogonist and speaking against the  Volkmar. When Volkmar returns he takes over the Templars of Sigmar (force of witch-hunters and templars  created by Esmer). Volkmar gives them even more rights to find the servants of the Dark Gods.


 * Archaon’s Horde had spread misery and death across Ostland, Hochland, and Middenland. Tens of thousands  were homeless and starving. Their fields had been burned, and their homes were left in ruins. Confronted by the  full horror of Chaos, many were the folk who had been driven insane through terror and misery. The forests  were crawling with soldiers and peasants who had abandoned their gods and bartered their souls to the all  conquering power of the Dark Gods. Though Middenheim had been defended to the last and Archaon’s horde  was shattered, the remnants of warbands and Beast Herds still lurked throughout the northern Empire. Zundap  was overrun with verminous Skaven, who had turned the old steam mill into an unholy hive of rat creatures.  Brass Keep was just an empty shell. Its dark corners were home to strange beasts and twisted spawn, and the  warriors of the Dark Gods gathered in its ruined towers and cellars.


 * It is little surprise that Boris Todbringer has led the White Wolves and the remnants of the forces of Middenland  into the south and west, seeking a sign of Khazrak's whereabouts. His search is cautious, though, for he knows  well the dangers of fighting in the Drakwald.<


 * Helmut Feuerbach, Elector Count of Talabecland, survived the failed attack against Archaon in 2521, with  Volkmar the Grim. But he has not returned from the Storm of Chaos and is feared dead. With him also  disappeared the Knights of the Red Shield (Elector Counts personal bodyguards).


 * Vampires from all the blood-lines have suddenly "awaken". Many among their ranks believe that the legendary time of The Thousand Thrones is near.


 * Two powerful Beastman arise among the scattered tribes of Drakwald - Shaman Urslak Cripplehorn and Gargorath the God-Touched. Shaman Urslak plan is to cast mighty ritual that will transform everyone living in the forests of the Empire into Beastmen using enchanted menhir. Gargorath's herd will be huge in the end of year, when he moves them agains the Empire forces.


 * Dreaded necromancer Heinrich Kemmler has returned to the Empire. He remains unseen and disquised until  the end of the year when he will finally strikes

Kislev

 * Boyar Alexi Makarev, having fought valiantly in the defence of Middenheim, rides with all speed to his homeland to assist in the reclamation of Erengrad, and on to the fighting still raging at Praag. Having disobeyed the wishes of the Ice Queen and ridden south to the Empire, it remains to see what reception he will receive.

Dark Elves

 * Dark Elf Lokhir Fellheart loots the sunken ruins of the Lizardmen city of Chypayotl and finds the Helm of the  Kraken.


 * Morathi has heard rumour that Hellebron has moved against the temple of Slaanesh that is now found in Naggarond, and is returning to the capital of Naggaroth to see off the Witch Queen's challenge. It is likely that the encounter will be bloody, as followers of both sects seek to dispose of their rivals. A potential civil war could erupt if the situation is not brought back under control.


 * There are rumours of the dreaded Dark Elven Black Ark in the western parts of Sea of Claws few months after the war

Norsca

 * For many generations the Norse will tell of the White Ghost, the Sea Spectre, the Mist with Fangs. Lord Aislinn and his warriors of Lothern have been ruthless in their patrols of the Sea of Claws, slaying thousands of warriors destined for the coasts of Nordland and Kislev. It is unsure whether Aislinn and his fleet have returned to Ulthuan, where they are needed to support the war against the Druchii (Dark Elves) – the terror amongst the Norse tribes that he is still prowling the waves is enough now for the seas to be free of their longships. How long the fear remains cannot be judged, and perhaps as soon as the next summer, the Dragonships and Hawkshipsof Ulthuan will be sorely missed.

Dwarfs

 * Even as Slayer King Ungrim heard the great gates of Karak Kadrin slamming shut once more, he was brought news of the death of his son, Garagrim. It was too much to bear, and through the ancestral debt to his people had been lifted, Ungrim once more renewed his Slayer oath, to avenge his fallen son and to atone for his defeat. It was a bitter king that brooded upon the dragonbone throne of Karak Kadrin that night.

Wood Elves

 * As the winds grow chill and the first fingers of autumn grip parts of Athel Loren, Orion begins to weary of the  hunt. He has retreated to the Great Hall to feast and celebrate his great victories of the summer, his exploits now retold in the songs and dances of his subjects. Winter comes soon and the Time of Dying, and before the  cold touch of snow falls upon the mystical forest of Athel Loren, Ariel bends her will to healing the lands despoiled by the Beastmen. The forest itself has claimed many victims, the blood and flesh of fallen mutants nourishing the magically-charged soil of Athel Loren. The haunting melodies of the Dryads and the bass rumblings of the Treemen echo through the boles of the trees, singing of the long depredations suffered at the hands of the kin of Morghur and the joy of victory


 * But in the shadows, a few twisted beasts still lurk, fearful of the woods and the shadowy warriors within, but with  ancient hatred burning in their hearts. Vanquished, cowed by the fury of the Wood Elves, they slink through the  guardian stones, taking out their petty anger on villagers and livestock, retreating back to the Vaults and the  Forest of Chalons. It will be a while before the fires burn bright at the herdstones again, for there are hundreds  of warbands that will no longer fight, dozens of shamans who will no longer bring the blessings of the gods. But  Morghur still remains, and while he lives, the Beasts will forever turn their jealous eye towards the enchanted  realm of Athel Loren.

Skaven

 * The Fall of Miragliano. A massive Skaven force from the Blighted Marshes crushes the defending mercenary army and sacks the city of Miragliano. The disgraced former Imperial Count Leopold von Stroheim - once an aspirant to the lordship of the fledgling province of Neuland on the island of Albion - led the remnants of the defeated force through the Blighted Marshes until cornered and destroyed by a force led by Warlord Quickpaw and Grey Seer Squelch.


 * Skaven are already plotting new attacks against the weakened Empire.

Greenskins

 * Greenskin hordes are on the move. Many tribes from the World Edge Mountains and in the Border Kingdoms and Badlands will cause much trouble in the near future attacking southern and eastern provinces of the Empire, Dwarf Holds and Border Kingdoms.

Factions

 * Archaon's Swords of Chaos warband and Chaos Horde
 * The Daemonic Legions of Chaos
 * The Imperial Army of Middenland
 * The Imperial Army of Ostland
 * The Imperial Army of Hochland
 * The Imperial Army of Nordland
 * The Imperial Army of Talabecland
 * The Imperial Army of Riekland
 * Orc Warboss Grimgor Ironhide's WAAAGH!
 * The Dwarf Slayers of Karak Kadrin
 * The Dark Elf Cult of Slaanesh
 * The Vampire Counts' Army of Sylvania
 * The Bretonnian Armies of the Errantry War
 * Skaven Clan Eshin
 * High Elf Sea Patrol (Lothern Sea Guard)
 * Witch King Malekith Invasion Army

Notable Participants

 * Archaon - The Everchosen, the" Lord of the End Times," Champion of Chaos Undivided and leader of the Swords of Chaos warband. Archaon is the Everchosen, the supreme champion of the four Great Gods of Chaos who led the last terrible Chaos incursion - known as the Storm of Chaos deep into The Empire. According to rumors, he was once a zealous Templar of Sigmar, devoted to battling the menace of Chaos. He read ancient manuscripts written by Necrodomo the Insane, which contained blasphemies about the religion of Sigmar and the nature of Chaos. Screaming in rage, he called the gods liars and burned down the temple and manuscript. He then hunted down and killed his entire family. Adopting the name Archaon, he travelled north towards the Chaos Wastes. He is known as the greatest Chaos Warlord to have ever lived, doing feats that even surpass that of previous Chaos Lords, even that of the Dreaded Chaos Lord Asavar Kul. He is also the instigator and bringer of the Storm of Chaos, having fought and killed his way through the trial's the Chaos Gods has sent him. He himself has bested Greater Deamons, Deadly Monsters, and scaled great feats of power and determination that the gods finally bestowed him the Title "Lord of the End Times" and giving him the complete control of all Chaos Worshippers in the Warhammer World. He was last seen in the Siege of Middenhiem, where he lost against Grimgor Ironhide. His fate is unknown


 * Ar-Ulric Emil Valgeir, High Priest of Ulric, and the central authority in the Cult of Ulric. He is bestowed the greatest seat of power in the cult, having almost as great an influence and power as those of other Elector Counts. He is also an extremely exceptional warrior, as the Cult of Ulric values valour and power above all else, which would make the priesthood of the religion nothing more then pious wolf-furred warriors. He fought and defeated Archaon's Lieutenant Haargoth the Bloody, Champion of Khorne.


 * Be'lakor, the Dark Master, a daemonic power that had been punished by the Chaos Gods for thinking he was their equal. Be'lakor was finally released from his prison to perform the coronation of Archaon as the Everchosen of the Ruinous Powers, a position he himself coveted. Before the time of Man, Elves or Dwarves he was the first Chaos Champion to be elevated to the glorious title of Deamon Prince, and some say was considered a Demi-God among men. His pride however ensured that Be'lakor's will consider himself an equal of the Gods, which inqured their wrath. His fate is unknown


 * Borgut Facebeater - An Orc Nob and Grimgor Ironhide's second-in-command. He and Grimgor was present during the chaotic battle of High Pass, where tens of thousands of Greenskins and ten-times the amount of Chaos Worshippers fought savagely. He himself fought against the Champions of Chaos, where he viciously strangled a Chaos Champion down before he broke the personal Standard of Grimgor Ironhide himself. He was last seen with Grimgor after the war.


 * Boris Todbringer  - Elector Count of Middenland and considered an unsurpassed warrior and general. He and the Al-Ulric were in charge of the defense of Middenhiem, and the armies sent to protect it. After the war, the Elector Count was responsible for repairing and rebuilding his ravaged lands and to ensure the Chaos taint removed from the lands surronding Middenhiem after the siege.


 * Deathmaster Snikch - the most deadly and skilled Skaven assassin to have ever lived. Sniktch is a memeber of the Council of Thirteen, a covenant of all the major leaders of the whole Skaven race, where he is the supreme leader of the feared Clan Eshin, a candre  of the most skillful and dangerous skaven assasins in the world. Thought to have been the assassin of Valten.


 * Emperor Karl Franz - Karl Franz, also sometimes styled Karl-Franz or Karl Franz I, Protector of the Empire, Defier of the Dark, Emperor Himself and the Son of Emperors, Elector Count of Reikland and Prince of Altdorf (formal titles) is the current Emperor of the Empire of Man, the Elector Count of Reikland, the Prince of Altdorf and the greatest statesman and general the Empire or perhaps the entire Old World has seen in many centuries. Karl Franz, who was elected to the Imperial title in 2502 IC and inherited it from his father, is acclaimed as a patron of the arts and science, as a military innovator and as a valiant general. Thanks to his tireless efforts on the behalf of its people, the Empire has flourished during his reign as never before: the Imperial Engineers School in Altdorf has grown, the Colleges of Magic have thrived and his armies have marched from victory to victory, most recently during the terrible events of the Storm of Chaos. The Emperor frequently takes personal command of his troops, wielding Ghal Maraz, the fabled magical warhammer given to Sigmar himself by the Dwarf king Kurgan Ironbeard over two thousand years ago, or his Runefang sword, and riding atop Deathclaw, his Griffon mount of many years.


 * Feytor the Tainted - One of Archaon's four lieutenants. A Chaos Lord devoted to the Plague Lord Nurgle.


 * Garagrim Ironfist - The son of the Dwarf Ungrim Ironfist and War-Mourner of Karak Kadrin, Garagrim had devised a plan to rid his family line of its dishonour. By dying in combat as his father's champion, Garagrim believed he would prove the worthiness of the Ironfist bloodline. He was killed when a Chaos Giant fell on him as it died, thus fulfilling his Slayer vow.


 * Grimgor Ironhide - The greatest living Orc Warboss suffered defeat at the hands of Crom the Conqueror a couple of months before Archaon's Chaos Horde attacked the Empire. Shamed and now in a risky position, Grimgor kept control over his Orc WAAAGH! only by claiming that the Orc God Gork had given him a religious vision. Guided by this vision he ordered the massacre of all the Goblins in his army. He later managed to defeat Archaon in single combat before the gates of Middenheim, effectively ending the Storm of Chaos by badly wounding the Chaos Lord. Thus satisfied at the level of carnage he had unleashed, the Orc Warboss quit the field. His fate after the battle is unkown.


 * Haargroth the Blooded - Once a simple goatherd of one of the Graeling tribes, Haargroth was chosen by the god Khorne for great and power. As a young lad, he happened upon a beastkin warlord and in a rage, killed him with his own axe. By chance, the weapon was marked by the Blood God and set Haargroth on the path to glory. He took control of his tribe by sheer strength and will and dedicated himself solely to the worship of the Norse warrior-god. Haargroth led his tribe to many victories, assimilating many of the other clans of Norsca to his banner and annihilating those who would not join him. The fearsome reputation of his raiders became such that his tribe was later termed as 'the Slaughterers of Haargroth'. Haargroth even led his fellow Norscans on daring and bloody longship raids, despoiling the Empire, Kislev and even the mangrove lined shores of Lustria to the south. Eventually, while raiding in the Chaos Wastes, Haargroth came into battle with Archaon himself. Howling and thanking his god for finally sending him a worthy adversary, Haargroth fought Archaon, but even the Norseman could not prevail against one so favoured by all four of the Chaos Gods. Haargroth was laid low, but Archaon was sufficiently impressed with his skill to offer him leadership of one of his armies. Haargroth accepted the offer, becoming one of Archaon's Four Lieutenants. He was slain by Ar-Ulric Valgeir during the Battle of Middenheim.


 * Johan Esmer - The weak-willed Grand Theogonist of Sigmar, Esmer was central in the opening phases of the Storm of Chaos. He was a very corrupt and unpious Theogonist, who was later removed from power after the return of Volkmar, the former Theogonist. He was last seen fleeing towards the port-city of Marienburg.


 * Kordel Shorgaar - One of Archaon's lieutenants and the standard bearer of the Swords of Chaos.


 * Mannfred von Carstein - The Count of Sylvania and a powerful Vampire lord who used the political instability caused by Archaon's invasion of the Empire to launch his own invasion of the Empire with a massive army of Undead in a bid to become its new master like the von Carstein Vampires before him. He was also central in the Storm of Chaos event, as he himself managed to stop the Chaos armies coming in from the east to invade the lands of Stirland and Averland. He and his army destroyed the remnants of Crom's army that managed to bypass the Dwarves of Karak Kadrin.


 * Melekh the Changer -  An Aesling blacksmith and warrior whose wife died in childbirth, after the tribal sorcerer, known as Gaerkoll attempted to use his magic to ease the birthing process. Gaerkoll's drunkenness caused his spells to spiral out of control and instead cause the infant within the woman's womb to mutate, thus did Melekh father a monstrous mutant for a son. Seeing this as the sign of favour from Tzeentch, the chieftain ordered much feasting in Melekh's and the child's honour. Melekh was later charged by Gaerkoll to journey into the Chaos Wastes and learn the true name of a Lord of Change. He accomplished this task and later returned to his people, and found his son had murdered the shaman outright, allowing his father to take leadership. Thus an ancient prophecy was fulfilled of father and son uniting and the old falling by the hand of the new -- recognizing this, Archaon rode down and offered both champions of Tzeentch leadership of one of his hordes.


 * Morathi - The Hag Queen of the Dark Elves. Morathi once more swore her loyalty to Slaanesh, the Prince of Chaos, and led the Dark Elf Cult of Slaaneshi forces in an invasion of the Lizardmen city-states of Lustria in an attempt to parallel Archaon's accomplishments in the New World even as the Everchosen sought to conquer the Old World.


 * Luthor Huss - The self-styled "Prophet of Sigmar" who spoke up against the corruption and complacency that was rampant among the Sigmarite priesthood before the Storm of Chaos. He was also credited for finding the reincarnation of Sigmar, Valten. Once founded, he lead Valten towards the court of the Emperor himself, along with an army of Peasants and religious fanatics. There Valten was proclaimed "Exalted of Sigmar" and Huss granted the title "Prophet of Sigmar". After the war he would to become the new Theogonist of the Sigmarite Cult.


 * Styrkaar -  A Chaos Champion of Slaanesh and chieftain of the Sortsvinear tribe, Styrkaar gained much fame from daring longship raids on the southern lands and against the Kurgan tribes to the east. From birth he shared his body with a daemon of Slaanesh and merged with it after gaining the title of chieftain by killing his own father in single combat. Styrkaar was later recruited by Archaon the Everchosen to lead one of his armies.


 * Teclis - Teclis was the greatest of the High Elven High Mages. Teclis had always worried about the place of Mankind in the struggle between Chaos and Order because of humanity's easy susceptibility to Chaotic corruption, and was therefore eager to once again help the human Empire in battle when the next great Chaotic incursion swept over the lands of Mankind. It was Teclis who presented Valten with the magical steed Althandir, and banished Be'lakor's Daemonic Legions back to the Warp at the Battle of Middenheim.


 * Valten, Exalted of Sigmar - Valten was the young man who Luthor Huss claimed was the reincarnation of the Imperial warrior God Sigmar. He was defeated by Archaon in battle before the walls of Middenheim and was later assassinated by the Skaven assassin, Deathmaster Sniktch.


 * Vardek Crom the Conqueror, Herald of Archaon - A Chaos Lord who was Archaon's second-in-command of the Swords of Chaos warband. During the Storm of Chaos, Vardek Crom was supposed to manoeuvre his troops so that they could attack the Empire's frontiers from the east. Vardek Crom defeated the Orc Warboss Grimgor Ironhide in single combat, leading to the Orc’s shaming and his determination to find redemption at the Battle of Middenheim where he defeated Archaon, Crom's superior, in personal combat. At the end of the campaign, he is presumed to have died, leading an army of Chaos-loyal Kurgan tribesmen through Sylvania, the Vampire Count Mannfred Von Carstein’s cursed homeland.
 * Volkmar the Grim - The resurrected former Grand Theogonist of Sigmar whose death at the hands of Archaon had marked the start of the Swords of Chaos' invasion of the Empire.


 * Ungrim Ironfist - The "Slayer King", or more properly, the King of the Dwarfhold of Karak Kadrin.


 * Sea Lord Aislinn - Admiral of the High Elven fleet deployed from Ulthuan to aid the Empire against the Forces of Chaos.