"They can be as fierce as a northern storm and just as swift if they've a mind to. When they dive, if you blink, you'll lose sight of them. They don't feel fear as we do, or if so, they hide it well. I saw one take on a griffon without hesitation when it came to close to his eyrie, and I've heard tell that the mothers will even assault a dragon if their chicks are threatened. Now whether that is so, or only regarded as such, doesn't really matter. It says a lot about them that most believe it without questioning."
- —Lorenz, Mountaineer[1a]
A pair of mighty Great Eagles
Great Eagles, also known as Giant Eagles, are the largest birds of prey in the Empire, with a wingspan that measures over thirty feet and armed with razor-sharp talons. They are an ancient race that has dwelled in the mountains of the Old World since long before the coming of Men. Most of them nest in the Grey Mountains, though a few live along the Worlds Edge Mountains range. They are exceedingly intelligent and a few of their eldest are even rumoured to be capable of speaking in the tongues of the other mortal races, though they seem to prefer most often to deal with Elves.[1a]
The vision of Great Eagles is so sharp that they can clearly watch the movements of ground animals from miles away. Correspondingly, they are capable of executing devastating ambushes wherein they attack an opponent from such a great height that their target isn't aware of his danger till their claws sink into his flesh.[1a]
The Great Eagles have long fascinated the scholars of the Empire for another reason: they seem to be immune to the taint of Chaos. All other natural creatures, when too long exposed to the warping effects of Chaos, eventually mutate. Not so the Great Eagles.[1a]
High Elven Great Eagles
A Great Eagle
The Great Eagles of Ulthuan have always been firm allies to the High Elves. The histories tell that the two races have fought in one another's cause since the time of the first Daemon invasion of the Great Catastrophe, but legend carries the friendship deeper into the past. Indeed, in some tales, it was Talyn, "King of the Eagles," who bore Ereth Khial away to the Underworld at Asuryan's command.[2a]
Like the High Elves themselves, Great Eagles are haughty creatures who long remember insults, and do not suffer foolish company gladly. When High Elf armies assemble, the noble Great Eagles too join the battle. They swoop down upon the crews of enemy war machines, tearing them apart with powerful talons before using mighty wings to glide swiftly away.[2a]
Wood Elven Great Eagles
"Fly on your wings, like an eagle. Touch the sun. Track the foe, ambush, and defeat."
- —Wood Elf description of a Giant Eagle as depicted in Total War: Warhammer
A rendering of a Great Eagle mount for the Wood Elves as depicted in Total War: Warhammer.
There has always been a great bond of kinship between the Elves and the Great Eagles, stretching back to ancient times. That bond still remains strong between the Wood Elves and the noble avians, and many families of Great Eagles choose to make their homes in the heights of the Grey Mountains, close by the borders of Athel Loren.[3a]
More intelligent and nobler of aspect than the smaller Warhawks that live on the lower mountain slopes, Great Eagles are creatures of unceasing vigilance, possessed of an abiding loathing for creatures of evil heart. Ever alert to the events occurring in the lands beneath them, the Great Eagles unceasingly carry news to the Wood Elven Highborn that dwell far below, giving them a welcome, and often crucial, advance warning of invasion or strife.[3a]
On rare or desperate occasions, a Great Eagle may offer itself as a mount to a particularly trusted Glade Lord. This is a great honour in the eyes of the Wood Elves, for it is a true partnership of equals. Such a union invariably forms the start of a great and enduring friendship that continues to bind both parties, even after death.[3a]
Albion Great Eagles
In time of war, some of the Human tribal chieftains of Albion can call on the Giant Eagles whose eyries dot the highest peaks of the land.[4]
Notable Great Eagles
- Aeris – Brother of Irian and Elasir
- Alcontar – Companion of Aurelion
- Elasir – Lord of the Eagles
- Irian – Brother of Elasir and Aeris
- Gwandor the Black - Mount of Thalandor Doomstar
- Gwindalor – Descendent of Talyn, mount of Naestra and Arahan
- Talyn – King of the Eagles
Miniatures
_(Mount_on_Great_Eagle).jpg "Wood Elf - Lord and Hero (4) (Mount on Great Eagle).jpg (112 KB)")