Glade Lords

"Above pride, vanity and selfish ego there is only Athel Loren."

—Description of the Highborn of the Wood Elves in Total War: Warhammer.^[2]

Wood Elf Highborn — A mighty Glade Lord leading the Wild Hunt of the Wood Elves.

The Glade Lords, also known as Highborns, are the noble Wood Elven lords and ladies of the magical forest of Athel Loren that have ruled the Wood Elves for millennia. Each Highborn is required to keep their domain free from intruders and possess the ultimate responsibility for and sovereignty over the region of the great forest in which their followers dwell.^[1a]

Most often, this is a task that is accomplished by warriors of the Highborn's Eternal Guard and Glade Guard, though in more dangerous times, he or she will entreat the spirits of the forest, or even Wood Elves from other regions of Athel Loren, to lend aid.^[1a]

Though the inhabitants of Athel Loren are as proud as any of the Elven kindreds, they never allow their own hubris to endanger their homeland. The defence of Athel Loren is the one calling that is held above all others.^[1a]

Should a Highborn fail in their responsibility to the forest, it is not unheard of for them to cede their position to another of greater skill. Leaving their great hall, they depart the safe paths of the forest and travel to where the dark pathways twist in upon themselves and malicious spirits dart between the trees. ^[1a]

There, the Asrai noble seeks atonement and forgiveness from the spirit of Athel Loren. Some are not seen again save in dreams and memories. Others return, within a few hours of their departure, unnaturally aged, as though many decades had passed. A very few return after many years, reinvigorated and filled with purpose by their communion with the magical forest.^[1a]

Role

Total War Gladelord Render 2 — A Wood Elf Glade Lord as rendered for *Total War: Warhammer*.

Unlike the High Elves of Ulthuan, and indeed most of the mortal peoples of the Known World, the Wood Elves make no distinction between male and female when it comes to rank and duty, whether those responsibilities find their calling in war or peace. In the noble houses of Athel Loren, the daughter is as likely to inherit the family title and rank as the son.^[1a]

Total War Gladelord Render 3 — A Wood Elf Glade Lord as rendered for *Total War: Warhammer*.

Even so, not all Wood Elf Highborn are equal. Each of the twelve realms of Athel Loren is ruled by an Asrai lord or lady of impeccable standing. Answerable to each of these are countless sons and daughters of noble houses ever seeking to improve their own situation. Though Wood Elves commonly inherit rank according to the station of their birth, it is not unknown for a particularly valorous individual to be elevated to a higher authority.^[1a]

When Athel Loren goes to war, the Highborn nobles direct the efforts of its armies, often commanding a varied yet lethal assortment of Wood Elves and forest spirits. In the summer months, when the forest is strong enough to defend itself against most threats, many are caught up in Orion's great hunt. Even so, there are always a handful of able war-leaders who remain within the borders of the great forest, ready to defend their home to their dying breath.^[1a]

The culture of the hunt is strong in Athel Loren and finds its way onto the battlefield even during the times of Orion's slumber. It is traditional for the Wood Elves not to launch themselves into battle until their leader, or one of his captains, has loosed a shot at the heart of the enemy commander. This duty is allocated before the battle begins, and the firer is granted the honorary title of "Talon of Kurnous." Seldom does the Talon's arrow kill the target, but such is not the intent. Rather it is a reminder of mortality for the foe, and a final entreaty to Kurnous, the god of the hunt, for his blessings in the battle to come.^[1a]