The Age of Myth

Lore & Background

During this era, the world was not yet shaped by human civilization but by the whims of deities and ancient powers. Magic flowed freely from the Winds of Magic, shaping geography and life itself without the containment it faces today. The Dwarfs were already deep within their mountains, forging their first great holds, while the Elves, created by the Old Ones in the Old World, later migrated to Ulthuan after the polar gates collapsed. The gods walked openly among mortals, influencing fate through direct intervention rather than distant prayer. This proximity made life dangerous and unpredictable, as divine squabbles often resulted in cataclysms that reshaped continents. The Old World was a place of wonder and terror, where dragons ruled the skies and ancient beasts prowled the forests before humanity rose to challenge them. Eventually, the instability of this age reached its breaking point with the Coming of Chaos, also known as the Great Incursion. This event marked the departure of the Old Ones and the emergence of the Chaos Gods, while the Elven and Dwarf gods remained active in the world. The survivors of this era laid the groundwork for the Age of Heroes, setting the stage for Sigmar Heldenhammer to eventually unite the human tribes against the chaos that remained.

In Their Own Story

The elder spoke softly by the fire, his eyes reflecting the dancing flames as he recounted tales older than stone. He described a time when the sky burned green and giants walked among men, not as myths, but as neighbors who demanded tribute in blood or gold. A shadow passed over the camp, silencing the children instantly; they knew better than to speak of the old gods after dark. The wind howled through the valley like a dying breath, carrying whispers of an age that was dead, yet never truly gone.

Reader's Guide

The Age of Myth serves as the foundational backstory for the Old World, preceding the rise of human empires and the current conflicts seen in the games. During this time, the gods walked openly among mortals, influencing geography and fate through direct intervention rather than distant prayer. Ancient races such as the Dwarfs and Elves were already established powers, building their first cities while humanity remained scattered in tribal groups across the continents. Magic was more volatile then, leaking from the Realm of Chaos into the mortal world with less resistance. This instability eventually culminated in the Great Catastrophe, a cataclysmic event that shattered the old order and forced the gods to retreat from direct involvement. Following this disaster, the Age of Heroes began, setting the stage for Sigmar Heldenhammer to unite the human tribes. Understanding this era is crucial for fans because it explains why ancient ruins exist everywhere and why certain races hold grudges dating back millennia. The Dwarfs remember their lost glory before the War of the Beard, while Elves recall the fall of their first kingdoms in the Old World. These historical scars drive faction motivations in the modern timeline, making the Age of Myth more than just history; it is the root cause of the current war-torn reality players explore.

Did You Know?

• The Coming of Chaos, also called the Great Incursion, marks the definitive end of this era and the beginning of human ascendancy.
• Dwarven civilization was already ancient and established within their mountain holds during this time.
• Elves were created by the Old Ones in the Old World and migrated to Ulthuan after the polar gates collapsed.
• Magic was far more dangerous and unpredictable before the Colleges of Magic were founded by Magnus the Pious.