White Lions

"Ever since the time of Caledor the First, the closest bodyguards of the Phoenix Kings have come from the forested wilds of Chrace. These are the bravest of the young Elves of Chrace, chosen for the honour of serving the Phoenix King by ancient rites. Not all are worthy to serve, and each must demonstrate his skill and bravery by tracking down one of the fierce white lions that roam the dark forests and barren mountains of that land. When they find one they must kill it in hand-to-hand combat and take its pelt. Those that have proved themselves wear the cloak of the white lion as a sign of their undoubted courage and may serve the Phoenix King as one of his bodyguard."

—Recounted by Unthwe Windrider, Herald of the Phoenix King^[2a]

Warhammer White Lion of Chrace — A White Lion of Chrace, one of the personal guards of the Phoenix King and the other high lords of Ulthuan.

The White Lions, also known as the White Lions of Chrace, have served as the personal honour guard of the High Elven Phoenix King of Ulthuan since the time of Caledor I.

The White Lions of Chrace also act as bodyguards for important Asur lords and diplomats, so it's not unusual for such bold High Elf warriors to be found close to the shores of the Old World. Because Korhil Lionmane commands the White Lions, he is responsible for maintaining this close protection. As such, because he is often in the area when a given High Elf diplomat goes missing, he takes it upon himself to set off with his troops and find them.^[7]

What is the significance of the White Lions in the time of Caledor the First? toggle section

In Caledor the First's era, the White Lions became the Phoenix Kings' personal guards. This began when Chracian woodsmen rescued Caledor from Dark Elf Assassins. After his coronation, Caledor made these Chracians his official bodyguards. To become a White Lion, each elf must show their courage and skill by hunting a formidable white lion in Chrace's forests and mountains.

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What is the process for an Elf of Chrace to become a bodyguard of the Phoenix King? toggle section

To become a bodyguard of the Phoenix King, an Elf of Chrace must demonstrate martial grace and valor, akin to the Silver Helms. The crucial step is passing through the Flame of Asuryan at the sacred Shrine of Asuryan. If the candidate is worthy, the flames will heal them, marking their acceptance as a bodyguard. This tradition dates back to Caledor the First, who established the Chracians as his official bodyguards in Lothern after they saved him from Dark Elf Assassins.

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What challenges must the Elves of Chrace overcome to serve the Phoenix King? toggle section

The Elves of Chrace, known as the White Lions, face rigorous trials to serve the Phoenix King. They must endure the Flame of Asuryan in the Shrine of Asuryan, where the flames heal the worthy. They should also be ready for intense combat, as shown by Prince Khalanos and his dragon Draugnurar's fatal battle against Daemon Prince, Thorgar the Blooded One.

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What is the role of the great white lion in the rites of the Phoenix King's bodyguards? toggle section

The White Lions, personal guards of the Phoenix King since Caledor the First's reign, prove their courage by defeating a white lion in combat and wearing its pelt. Their duty is to protect the Phoenix King, wielding great axes against foes. Some bodyguards also ride Lion Chariots, pulled by War Lions, into battle.

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Are there any known instances of an Elf failing to kill a white lion in hand-to-hand combat? toggle section

To be recognized as a true hunter, an Elf of Chrace must either slay a white lion single-handedly or tame it. This task is challenging due to the lions' intelligence and strength. There are no documented instances of an Elf failing to kill a white lion in hand-to-hand combat. The task is a test of both wits and strength, implying the potential for failure.

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History[]

"Charged to defend the Phoenix King to the last, they cut their opponents down with their savage great axes."

—Description of the White Lions from Total War: Warhammer II.^[6]

White lion 1 — A White Lion as depicted in *Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning*.

Whilst hunting in Chrace, Caledor I received news that he was to be the next Phoenix King of Ulthuan. He immediately took the road to the Shrine of Asuryan, but was intercepted by Dark Elf Khainite Assassins. He would surely have died, but for the intervention of a party of Chracian woodsmen who swept out of the forest to defend him.^[3a]

The Chracians slew the Dark Elves and, thereafter, saw Caledor safely to the Phoenix Shrine, employing every iota of their woodcraft to avoid further Dark Elf ambushes that lay in their path. Caledor's first act, once crowned as the new Phoenix King, was to form the Chracians into an official bodyguard based in Lothern known as the White Lions.^[3a]

Role[]

White Lions of Chrace Total War Concept Art — Concept art for the White Lions of Chrace created for *Total War: Warhammer II*.

A High Elf warrior can only join the ranks of the White Lions after displaying considerable valour and skill upon the battlefield. They must then also complete the traditional rite of a Chracian warrior -- to hunt and kill a white lion. These great cats are amongst Chrace's fiercest creatures; they stand as tall at the shoulder as a horse, and a swipe of their claws is enough to shatter a spine.^[3a]

There are accounts of prides of white lions ravaging convoys, and even attacking isolated villages, should they become hungry enough. To slay such a beast is therefore an exceptionally difficult task but, if the warrior succeeds, they are entitled to wear the lion's pelt as a mark of their courage. The thick pelt has another use too -- worn over armour, it offers excellent protection against arrows and shot.^[3a]

Although every Phoenix King of Ulthuan since Caledor the Conqueror has offered his bodyguard their choice of replacement weaponry, the White Lions continue to proudly bear the traditional Elven woodman's axe into battle. Many of the axes are ancient heirlooms, handed down from father to son across centuries untold, yet they never lose their keen edge, and can fell a tree or cleave a man in half with but a single blow.^[3a]

White Lion regiments are often dispatched to join the armies of Ulthuan during times of particular danger, tasked with protecting High Elf generals and mages, or bolstering the overall strength of the army. White Lions are renowned for their unflinching courage in the face of overwhelming odds and terrible horrors, protecting their charge whatever the foe and regardless of the danger to themselves.^[3a]

Asur do not have to be from the kingdom of Chrace to become White Lions. They must, however, follow the Chracian rite of hunting and killing a white lion.^[5a]

White Lions are forbidden from duelling.^[4a]

Wargear[]

Lion Pelt - The White Lion's war lion pelt protects the warrior against light missiles by entangling arrowheads and the equivalent in its thick fur.^[1a]

Woodsman's Axe - The White Lions carry a heavy,two-handed great axe based upon the native Chracian design of the woodsman's axe. They are extremely skilled in the handling of these weapons, using them to fight bears, lions and even more monstrous creatures as well as marauding foes of the High Elves.^[1a]

Notable White Lions[]

Alastar the White Lion - Renowned for his dauntlessness and courage.

Korhien Ironglaive - Ironglaive was the captain of the White Lions before Korhil Lionmane and served as the mentor of Prince Tyrion of Cothique.

Korhil Lionmane - Lionmane is the present captain of the White Lions.

Puremane Company - With hearts to match that of Charandis himself, the elite Puremane Company of White Lions are known to be utterly fearless.^[6]