Warhammer: Storm of Chaos - Terrainer needed!

Hello, I'm Ethien on the U.S. East server. I'm the leader of the team behind the Warhammer: Storm of Chaos project. Now you ask, what exactly is a Warhammer and a Storm of Chaos? Well, I will answer this below, since it will help with the knowledge and endeavor of this project.

What is Warhammer?

Warhammer Fantasy Battle originally was created as a table top game over twenty years ago, gathering influence from the fantasy masters, Tolkien and Dungeons and Dragons. However, it's made it's own impact on the fantasy genre, containing countless books, computer games (albeit not countless as the books!), and a rich, detailed history in a gothic setting. Warhammer is a world filled with battle, but don't think of it as the typical Good versus Evil setting. Upon every faction, 'you are right'. So think of it as different shades of grey, where you're just as right as the one who is deemed evil.

Does it have anything to do with Warhammer 40,000?

It's a common misconception that the story behind Warhammer 40,000, a sci-fi universe, is the future setting of Warhammer Fantasy. This is just not so, despite having a few similar properties, such as the Orcs (Orks in 40k).

What is the Storm of Chaos?

For the real life aspect of this, it was an inter-national narrative campaign in 2004. This was for the table top game, where people fought out and determined the ending of the story. To a certain extent, naturally.

Now, for the 'story'.

For several centuries or perhaps even seconds [Time differs within the bounds of Chaos], Archaon the Everchosen, quested for the "six treasures of Chaos". These essentially being the following: The Mark of Chaos, Armour of Morkar (First Everchosen), Eye of Sheerian, the daemonic steed W'Soragch, horse of the Apocalypse, Slayer of Kings, and the Crown of Domination. It was according to rumor that he who attained these, would finally bring the End Times and Chaos ultimate triumph; transcending into the material world.

He attained these items through great effort in the year 2521 [Imperial Calender]. At this time, Surtha Lenk attacked the nation of Kislev and pushed through to the Empire, managing to sack Wolfenburg, the capital of Ostland. His army finally being crushed and worn off at the battle of Mazhorod. Yet, many were uneasy about this, for those wise, knew this was only the beginning of a much greater evil.

The Empire was plagued itself, much by decadence and corruption within it's halls. The sole fabric keeping this nation together being Emperor Karl Franz, The Great Statesman. In this time, a young Warrior Priest by the name of Luthor Huss, challenged the upper echelon of the Sigmarite Church. He had claimed that they strayed from the traditional teachings, becoming corrupt as many other orders. Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim led the Church of Sigmar, calling Luthor a mad man and claiming him to be a heretic. He still paid little mind to this self-proclaimed Prophet of Sigmar, for he sensed the trouble within the North. Volmar gathered an army and traveled north to confront Archaon, passing Kislev. Volkmar and Archaon dueled, with Volkmar being slain with one stroke of Archaon's 'Slayer of Kings'. The army gathered was dually crushed, but not obliterated, for Archaon was a great strategist and warrior. He knew the stories of his army would travel swiftly, causing dissension and fear among the Empire.

To Luthor, the Church had now worsened, due to the election of Johann Esmer. A man who was despicable at hurt, caring only for his gain and political sway.

At the same time, Morathi the Queen Hag of Naggarond, the Dark Elves, went south with her Slaaneshi army to attack Lustria. This being the home of the Lizardmen, who kept the winds of magic contained behind the ancient stones created by the High Elves. This did not end the troubles for the Old and New World. Grimgor Ironhide, a massive Black Orc Warboss began his WAAAGH! Cutting through the lands, with little stop in mind for his blood sport.

It's here that the Empire calls upon the aid of the Dwarfs, their age old comrade, the High Elves, and the honor bound Brettonians to aid them in their plight. [This is a brief summary of the beginning.]

The factions goes as listed:

Empire [Two players. Empire and Middenheim], Brettonians, Dwarfs, Wood Elves (may be replaced by Lizardmen]), and the High Elves.

Opposing faction.

Archaon's/Crom's Hordes (Chaos), Skaven [Clan Eshin], Vampire Counts [Van Caerstien blood line], Orcs [Grimgor's 'Ard Boyz], and Dark Elves.

What kind of game style? What maps can be compared to this?

Spawn-based, with emphasis placed on micro management. This can be compared to War of the Jewels, The Second Age, and Lordaeron Tactics. If you have not played these maps, then let me run it down.

There are several nations, according to the created lore or researched lore. With this, there are pre-ordained alliances. Within each nation is a named spawn, usually within a base, city, natural defense structure, etc. Each nation has their own heroes, units, all custom named and edited according to the lore of the setting. At a set time interval, a spawn of units are given, this is increased by using your beginning gold to continually build castles, banners or whatever is used at the spawn building. With more of these buildings, comes more or new types of uniques.

Perhaps the most important facet are the heroes, since they of course are powerful, having several abilities to kill enemy heroes or units.

Sometimes there are obtainable heroes, items or unit spawns that can be spawned when a certain faction meets the necessary requirements. For example of a unit spawn. In Lordaeron Tactics, version 7.10. The Undead can gain Brill as a spawn after it's taken from Lordaeron.

Who is part of your current team? What do each of you do?

1.) Ethien - Lead Designer, Unit Creation, Balance, etc.
2.) TheGreatEditor - Handles Triggers, spells, etc. [Skilled and uses JASS]
3.) {Need a Terrainer!]
4.) Various outside help, including modelers, and consultants.

To continue:


I've already spoken with the Editor and the triggers for this map will be relatively simple. This being related with spawns, events, un-lockable items, heroes, spawned events, scoreboard, etc.

Accuracy and precision according is kept in mind, as I've obtained and have read through every Army book for the armies in this map. I've taken the heroes, units, ability ideas, items, and all of that based upon the table top. Balance is kept in mind and will be placed in, keeping in mind that a few things for accuracy will be changed in order for the balance to be, well, more balanced. I've also read the Storm of Chaos campaign book and Darkness Within, using these sources all along the way when writing down all information pertaining to this project.

How big of a job is this for the terrain?

This is a fairly large job, but it's not outside our abilities or time restraints. All that is needed is a terrainer who can handle making a large world, with diverse variations of terrain. I've compiled a list of several maps that can be used for reference, along with myself for questions.

Cities, mountains, tree placement are all very important. A natural and flowing feel to this world is required, seeing as accuracy is what we're shooting for.

Yes, credit will be going to all those who contributed to this map. I'm not someone who wishes to gain glory out of this, simply a Warhammer fan who likes spawn based games.

Please respond here or message me if you're interested. If there is information I have left out and you'd like to know, then please do not hesitate to inform me.

"gathering influence from the fantasy masters, Tolkien and Dungeons and Dragons"
Warhammer prides its self in not being influenced by these, infact John Blanche said that he was glad that they created a univierse unlike any, especialy those two, and other medieval American fantasies.

"with Volkmar being slain with one stroke of Archaon's 'Slayer of Kings'."
You know not the full story, Volkmar was supposedly slain during the invasion, but he was bound back to his body by Be'lakor, who enslaved him. He then escaped from Be'lakor due to his fortuidies faith, and returned to the Empire.
From WD340 : "[Archaon's] Nemesis: Volkmar the Grim is the only hero to face Archaon and live.", hence he did not die!

Other then correcting you on those points i cant realy help you terrain, but i look forward to your project's completion.

To the first response, that is just an opinion as mine was an opinion. If there wasn't Tolkien or Dungeons of Dragons, I'm sure some things would be immensely different. I understand that he may of said that, but that still isn't completely factual. Yes, Warhammer has it's own original material and perhaps you're looking into the words in a literal translation on your part, but every work is inspired off of something else. A writer or poet can be inspired by a flower, or another writer or other material. It's obvious where inspiration came from, seeing as it had to have had a basis, which it did. From there, most of the material is original. So, perhaps I could've used a better choice of words, but the meaning for me was different. Simply a matter of opinion.

Keep in mind, I'm not saying that Warhammer is not original or relied completely on these sources. It's relatively known that the creators of Warhammer wanted to make a more grey shaded world, unlike the light and dark basis that Tolkien's work presents.


Now, let me quote you material directly from the Storm of Chaos book from 2004. I won't be paraphrasing, this will be exactly how it's worded.

[Page 15. Grey box to the right, "Volkmar's Challenge."]
{Paragraph two}
"Volkmar knew that Archaon could not ignore the challenge, for his position could only be maintained with the fear and respect of his warriors. To show any kind of weakness would invite challenges to his power from within his own ranks. Thus Archaon met Volkmar's host across a blasted wasteland in the Troll Country north of Kislev. The two armies battled long, and borne upon his glowing war altar, the Grand Theogonist charged the Everchosen of Chaos. Volkmar's bravery is unquestioned, but even with his faith in Sigmar, he could not best the raw power of Chaos that flowed through Archaon. Unleashing the energy of the daemon U'zuhl. Archaon slew Volkmar with a single stroke and smashed asunder the war altar on which he stood..."

{Paragraph three}

"Volkmar's body was left amongst the many others on the unnamed battlefield, the news of his death being greeted by Altdorf by the solemn tolling of bells and mournful prayers of the priesthood. A great warrior and leader had been taken from the Empire at its most needy time."

Okay, let's pause here before I go onto your part. Keep in mind, that I was only doing a brief summary, going off the beginning of the Storm of Chaos. You said I don't know the full story, but I only listed a very vague and small portion of the BEGINNING! Also, this means that Archaon did in fact slay him, now let's continue on a few excerpts of how Volkmar the Grim comes back to the living.

{Page 27}

"...Bel'lakor drew forth his most ancient magics and laid his hand upon the chest of the Grand Theogonist's body. Dark energies coursed from the Daemon Prince into Volkmar, and with a shuddering scream the Grand Theogonist's soul was dragged back into its body."

"Pain flaring through him, Volmkar breathed again, and his eyelids fluttered open. Even the faith of the mighty Volkmar was sorely tested as he looked upon the terrifying apparition that stood before him..."

"Bel'lakor had the Theogionist taken up and chained to the battle standard of his legion, from where the agonized cursing and wailing of the priest could be heard, and his writhing body seen."

It goes on to describe Bel'lakor related things and yes, he does come back to life. I'm not saying you were wrong in that he comes back, but you were wrong in saying I didn't know the story. Again, my point is that I only listed a very vague segment of the beginning story. So, when you begin the Storm of Chaos map, you know what happens in the start as that was part of the introduction. Naturally, later on, you find out what really happens to Volkmar.

Don't worry, this isn't a hostile post at all. I just like to make sure my intentions are made clear. Thank you for your support!

I can terrain for you but, cus I like to terrain, and this seem to be a chalange. I have to know what to do befor I enter, and also look into your mapping abilities, but I dont doubt your typing abilities :P. Sence I also terrain for my own projects...

I have been making my own Warhammer storm of chaos map for a about a mouth and I am done terrainering soon. The Old world (Warhammers Europe) only is almost finished while I have yet to begin with Norsca (Scandinavia), Ulthuan (home of the High Elves) and Naggaroth (home of the Dark Elves, North America).
Even thought I need the map for myself I would be happy to share my map with you (mostly because there still is a rather high chance of burnout). I do not think I will join your team because I am mostly used to work alone, and because I am doing it as a relaxing side project, I working my spare time. But also because have my own plan for the map.

Moreover, here are some tips to get you started:

http://warhammeronline.wikia.com/ Still a rather new wiki but there is coming more information every day

http://warhammer.org.uk/ A great forum about the game

http://www.warhammer.rs/maps.php the best maps of the world of Warhammer is gathered here


I will upload a picture and the map as soon as I find out how.

Edit. seems like i have yet to get acess to the forums attachment feature, so i uploaded the map here http://www.epicwar.com/maps/53369/.