A newssheet vendor calls out the top headlines of the day, made possible by the rapid printing allowed by a printing press.
A printing press is a mechanical device for the mass production of written texts, without the need for an amanuensis to copy the original text word for word. Overlarge tomes are still nearly all hand copied in the Old World, though with the recent emergence of the printing press, the old methods of transcribing books are starting to fade. Still, block printing is not much faster.[9a]
The recent development of the printing press in the Empire is putting a host of new social pressures on every religious cult, particularly in cosmopolitan cities such as Altdorf and Nuln or in the Tilean city-states of Tobaro and Trantio, and the distant city of Kislev. This is because the principle holy texts of the major religious cults were some of the first texts to be reproduced via printing press, of course, but pamphlets full of revolutionary and arguably heretical thought followed soon after.[8a][3a][11a]
History[]
Gunthur Johans of Middenheim, a devout man of Sigmar in a city of staunch worshippers of Ulric, was for many people the first to design and invent a machine he called the printing press just some years ago in 2517 IC. Variations on Johans' designs spread to other major Imperial cities, and by 2522 IC most printing presses were quite efficient, leaving the handwritten illumination processes of years past to wizards and their books of arcane lore.[2a]
The printing press is a new invention in the Empire, and as yet its presence has not changed much of society. Its presence is however keenly felt among agitators, demagogues, and street politicians who now have a whole new way to reach their public. Pamphleteers are more than just tradesmen with a paper-press: they are passionate individuals who research, write, sketch and print political or religious works in order to spread their message, then disseminate their materials across whole cities and provinces.[1a]
Although printing itself is perfectly legal and increasingly respectable, many pamphleteers print material that is neither, and those who wish to stay in business have to be skillful at escaping the attention of the Watch or more powerful enemies.[1a]
Newssheets[]
Since the invention of the printing press, newssheets have become common in the towns and cities of the Empire. They are usually published once a day and are filled with local news and sensational tales. A big story may merit a special edition.[10a]
Newssheet vendors walk the streets of Imperial cities, calling out the top headlines and trying to outdo each other with their theatrics. There are many newssheet publishers in each city and the competition amongst them is savage. It is not unknown for rival vendors to fight each other in the streets. Ironically, big brawls of this type often then become tomorrow's top news item.[10a]
Frictions With the Cults[]
Worshipped by several minor sects of Verena as one of her aspects, Scripsisti is the goddess of calligraphers and writing. Originally concerned with beauty and accuracy in execution, her cultists have recently begun to agitate against the spread of printing presses.[4a][5a]
Followers of Taal and Rhya also avoid excessively modern technology, such as the printing press.[4b]
Notable Presses[]
There is some conflicting information in sources concerning when the printing press was invented inside and outside the Empire, as some dates do not align with the 2517 IC date given for Gunthur Johans' invention of the device. Please see Canon Conflict below for more information.
- Altdorf Press - Active since at least 2313 IC.[3b][6a]
- Medis Press[3a]
- Tobaran Press - Active since at least 2025 IC.[3a]
- Trantine Press - Active since at least 2104 IC.[3a]
- Verennian Press[3a] - The press company operated by the Cult of Verena, the goddess of knowledge and justice, which prioritises the spread of knowledge.
- Printers at Nuln[12a]
- Sylvania Press[12a]
- Schwarzflamme Press[3a]
- Suden Press[3a]
Canon Conflict[]
In the various Warhammer novels there are several references to the printing press being in existence prior to Gunthur Johans' invention of 2517 IC, but other sources, including those of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition, which is generally set around 2512 IC, specify numerous times that this invention is only recent, meaning it was created sometime in the late 25th or early 26th century IC, at least in the Empire.[2a]
The novel Vampireslayer by William King mentions that the printing press was invented by Johannes of Marienburg "over a century" ago.[13a]
Trivia[]
"Gunthur Johans" and "Johannes of Marienburg" are both a play on the real world name of the inventor of the European printing press in the mid-fifteenth century, Johannes Gutenberg.
Sources[]
- 1 Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Shades of Empire (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 51
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Armoury (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 65
- 3: The Loathsome Ratmen and All Their Vile Kin (Background Book)
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 5: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
- 5a: pg. 42
- 6: Gotrek and Felix: Skavenslayer (Novel) by William King
- 6a: Ch. 1
- 7: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
- 7a: pg. 42
- 8: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: Tome of Blessings - A Guide to Priests and Religion (RPG)
- 8a: pg. 30
- 9: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Rulebook (RPG)
- 9a: pg. 118
- 10: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Spires of Altdorf (RPG)
- 10a: pg. 18
- 11: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Realm of the Ice Queen (RPG)
- 11a: pg. 80
- 12: The Empire at War (Background Book)
- 12a: pg. 95
- 13: Gotrek and Felix: Vampireslayer (Novel) by William King
- 13a: Ch. 7