"I walk through the Dreaming Halls and I feel change in the wind. In the rhythm of their slumber, I see omens. Minaithnir tells me that he, too, feels his brethren swimming towards consciousness. I dwell in hope and fear. Hope that my Dragon brothers and sisters will shake off their grand slumber to rise again and that once more all the Lords of Caledor will ride to battle on the backs of Dragons as of old. And fear that if we do, when we do, it will be our last ride."
- —Imrik, Dragon Prince of Caledor[6a]
Imrik, renowned as the "Lord of Dragons,"[4b] is the current prince of the High Elven Kingdom of Caledor on the island-continent of Ulthuan, one of the last descendants of Phoenix King Caledor the Conqueror and the greatest living Dragon Prince.
History[]
"The world is ours to rule as we wish. We earned this right at the dawn of time, when it was we, and we alone, that defeated the forces of Chaos and drove them back into their foetid realm. The lower races must learn this lesson and submit to our rule — if they do not do so willingly, then we shall make them do so by force of arms."
- —Imrik, Dragon Prince of Caledor.[7a]
Prince Imrik carries of Claedor the name of the ancient hero Imrik as do all descendants of that ancient ruler of the Elven race. It is he who is one of the few who can wake the Dragons of Ulthuan in times of need, and then only a few. Gone are the days when his followers rode into battle atop mighty fire drakes. Now it is Imrik alone who fights in the traditional manner of his glorious noble house from atop the back of a Dragon.[1a]
Caledor is now a silent realm. No longer do the skies ring with the cries of Dragons and the roar of their fiery breath. No longer do the caves rumble with their sounds nor the earth shake beneath their heavy tread. Instead, there is nothing but the hollow echo of the High Elves' footsteps in the ancient halls. In defence of his homeland, and indeed of all Ulthuan, Imrik is a stalwart bastion of strength. Together with Tyrion and Teclis, descendants of the great house of Aenarion, he stands as an unbreakable wall between the many foes of the High Elves and the mystical isle of Ulthuan.[1a]
Imrik is noted as never having broken an oath to a friend, and intends to keep it as such.[4a]
Great War Against Chaos[]
During the Great War Against Chaos Prince Imrik of Caledor led the knights of his household as they sought to protect the slumbering Dragons from the cruel blades of the Dark Elves.[needs Source]
Caledor Rises[]
In the Elven year XI 188, as the fortunes of the world grew evermore dim, and Ulthuan came increasingly under attack, Prince Imrik became concerned that the deeds of his kinfolk no longer compared favourably to those of their ancestors, that the blood of Caledor had thinned as the centuries had passed. Calling together the Great Council of Caledor, he commanded that the Dragon Princes be assembled, and the great Dragons of old be awoken. Imrik swore that Caledor would lead the way, as it had in ages past - even if it took the sacrifice of every one of its sons and daughters to do so.[3a]
In the weeks and months that followed, smoke belched from the forges of Vaul's Anvil, and the Dragon Spine rang once more as smiths plied their trade. Dragons were woken. Great hosts of Spearmen and Archers filed from the mountains. Some went to the great gates in the north, others to the Outer Kingdoms; yet more took ship to outposts along the southern ocean. Whatever betide in the years of growing darkness, Caledor was prepared, and it would face it without fear.[3a]
Siege of Couronne[]
"I'll admit, I find Bretonnia more tolerable than other Humans."
- —Imrik shares his opinion on the chivalrous land of Bretonnia.[5]
Imrik famously took part in the Siege of Couronne, fighting alongside the Bretonnian king, Charlen. He never forgave the Grail Knight for stealing a good many of his kills on the battlefield.[3b]
Minaithnir's Prophecy[]
Once, as they flew through storms raging around the Blighted Isle, his Dragon mount Minaithnir told Imrik that the Dragons of Ulthuan would all die together in the last battle against the Dark Gods. It was an uncharacteristic pronouncement, one perhaps brought on by the proximity of the Sword of Khaine, and the Dragon had made Imrik promise never to repeat his careless words.[4a]
And so Imrik has never told anyone of Minaithnir's grim prophecy, but the prince held to its promise of a reawakening as he gathered his strength for another song...[4a]
Wargear[]
- Star Lance - The tip of this weapon is forged from the heart of a fallen star. With a blade of such keenness no armour can protect Imrik's foes.[1a]
- Armour of Caledor - For well over four thousand years the masters of the house of Caledor have worn this armour in battle.[1a]
- Dragonhorn - This war horn is made from the horn of an ancient dragon, gifted to Imrik's distant ancestors in elder days. The dying fire drake summoned all his remaining power to enchant his remaining unbroken horn as he lay bleeding in the aftermath of the Battle of the Glade of Tears.[1a]
- Minaithnir - Imrik rides the majestic Dragon Minaithnir. They have a mutual bond between them -- the last of the true Dragon Princes, and one of the last Dragons. Minaithnir is fanatically loyal to his rider.
Miniatures[]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 64
- 2: The End Times Vol III: Khaine
- 3: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (8th Edition)
- 4: Sons of Ellyrion (Novel) by Graham McNeill
- 5: Total War: Warhammer II (PC Game)
- 6: Old World Bestiary (2nd Edition Fantasy Roleplay)
- 6a: pg. 54
- 7: Warhammer Fantasy Battle: Rulebook (8th Edition)
- 7a: pg. 203
- 8: White Dwarf 266
- 8a: pp. 8-13