Handmaidens of the Everqueen

The Handmaidens of the Everqueen, also known as "Her Handmaidens^[3]," and the "Maiden Guard," are the all-female High Elven honour guard of the Everqueen of Ulthuan, Alarielle. The Handmaidens hold the highest rank of all the Sisters of Avelorn.

What is the role of the Handmaidens of the Everqueen in the High Elven society? toggle section

The Handmaidens of the Everqueen, also known as the Maiden Guard, are warrior-maids chosen for their exceptional gifts and loyalty. They serve and protect Alarielle, the Everqueen of Ulthuan, and hold the highest rank among the Sisters of Avelorn. Their duties extend beyond the court as they also act as heralds and messengers for the Everqueen, and their presence in battle is highly revered.

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How are the Handmaidens of the Everqueen selected among the High Elves? toggle section

Handmaidens of the Everqueen are selected from High Elves possessing exceptional natural gifts, excelling in singing, music, beauty, agility, grace, and above all, loyalty. Their primary duty is to protect and serve their mistress, Alarielle, the Everqueen of Ulthuan. This service extends for a period of seven years.

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What are the duties of the Handmaidens of the Everqueen? toggle section

The Handmaidens of the Everqueen, also known as the Maiden Guard, are High Elves chosen for their exceptional natural gifts. They serve as warriors, protecting the Everqueen of Ulthuan, Alarielle. They also act as heralds and messengers, serving as Alarielle's eyes and ears outside Avelorn. Their service lasts for seven years, and they are revered for their loyalty, beauty, and talents in music and song.

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Who do the Handmaidens of the Everqueen serve and protect? toggle section

The Handmaidens of the Everqueen are the all-female High Elven bodyguard of Alarielle, the Everqueen of Ulthuan. They hold the highest rank among the Sisters of Avelorn. These warriors are chosen for their natural gifts, musical talent, beauty, agility, and loyalty. They also act as the Everqueen's heralds and messengers, representing her outside Avelorn.

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How do the Handmaidens of the Everqueen differ from other High Elven warriors? toggle section

Distinct from other High Elven warriors, the Handmaidens of the Everqueen serve as the all-female bodyguard for the Everqueen of Ulthuan, Alarielle. They are not only warriors but also courtiers and attendants, acting as heralds and messengers for the Everqueen. Handmaidens are selected based on their natural gifts, including musical talent, beauty, agility, grace, and above all, loyalty. They hold the highest rank among the Sisters of Avelorn.

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Role[]

Concept art for a Handmaiden of the Everqueen created for . — Concept art for a Handmaiden of the Everqueen created for *Total War: Warhammer II*.

The Handmaidens are not mere courtiers and attendants, but highly skilled elite warriors whose duty is to serve and protect the life of their royal mistress. Only those among the High Elves with great natural gifts are chosen to be Handmaidens. They are the most talented singers and musicians, the most beautiful, the fleetest and most graceful, but above all the most loyal.

The Handmaidens of the Everqueen in battle against the as depicted in . — The Handmaidens of the Everqueen in battle against the Dark Elves as depicted in *Total War: Warhammer II*.

It is an incomparable honour for the people of Ulthuan to serve the Everqueen and those bound to her side will remain there for seven years, during which time they forswear all other companionship and even the company of their families.^[1a]

The ranks of the Handmaidens of the Everqueen as depicted in . — The ranks of the Handmaidens of the Everqueen as depicted in *Total War: Warhammer II*.

To serve as a Handmaiden is a great honour. It is most commonly bestowed only upon those Sisters of Avelorn who have proven their swiftness with blade, their precision with the bow and, above all, an unswerving loyalty to the Everqueen many times over.

The Everqueen Alarielle commands the ranks of her elite honour guard, the Handmaindens of the Everqueen, as depicted in . — The Everqueen Alarielle commands the ranks of her elite honour guard, the Handmaindens of the Everqueen, as depicted in *Total War: Warhammer II*.

On rare occasion, however, the Everqueen will elevate a member of her court directly into the ranks of the Handmaidens. Such appointments are seldom explained, but require the aspirant to forswear allegiance to all others for a period of seven years -- at the conclusion of which, she is free to remain a Handmaiden or return to her former life.^[1a]

Tradition dictates that the Handmaidens always number one hundred warrior-maids, but seldom are more than a handful seen at any one time. They normally serve as heralds and messengers for the Everqueen, acting as her eyes and ears outside Avelorn.

Should a Handmaiden grace a battlefield with her presence, she is treated with reverence by the High Elves who fight at her side. Even the haughtiest of High Elf Princes rejoices to have such a warrior fighting in his cause, for the presence of a Handmaiden is a clear sign of the Everqueen's favour, and moreover a portent of ultimate victory.

Should the prince find his forces buttressed by the full complement of one hundred Handmaidens, he will know that the Everqueen herself has joined the fight, and there can be no surer sign that dire times are close at hand.^[1a]

The chief handmaiden Lirazel was able to channel the Everqueen, speaking with her voice when Alarielle was near-mortally wounded by an assassin. It is unclear if she channeled the individual psyche of Alarielle herself or the collective that calls itself the Everqueen, only that "something awesome" shimmered beneath Lirazel's skin, "a fragment of a presence incalculably ancient and merciless."^[2a]

Wargear[]

Banner of Avelorn - Woven from living leaves and the hair of the Handmaidens of the Everqueen, this banner is a stunningly beautiful creation of the Elves of Avelorn.^[1a]