CHAPTER 1
SUFFERING
* * * * *
"What is life, if there is no love?"
* * * * *
We have suffered for so long. Centuries of misery, cowering before Chaos. The peace and prosperity brought by Karl Franz is now long forgotten, swept under the rug by the broom of change. And after Sigmar died, we nearly gave up. Heaven forbid! We have vowed never to give up, never to surrender. To fight to the death for what is right, and what is good. Not like the Elves.
Bah!
The Elves! Those cowards ran at the first sign of Chaos. They left us to an age of pain and fear, forgetting us. The Dwarves had the guts to stay, but they are gone now, as well. Consumed by Chaos or dead. Now the nations of Men are alone with Chaos.
The Dark Elves have sent a pact to our leader. It was a great secret, but somehow the information leaked out. Now everyone knows.
Huh? Oh, the pact was about an alliance of some sort. I tell you, I would have taken it, but Salazar is too wrapped up in pride to recognize a chance when it comes. A chance to restore the glory of the Empire.
The Skaven . . . the Skaven hide in their tunnels, building contraptions and warring among the clans.
The Orcs? Hmmm. No one really knows where they went. They sort of . . . disappeared off the Old World all together.
Humans try to make a living, on the frozen soil up in the north or in the boiling marshes down south. We try, but hundreds die every year. We are dying out. Our numbers dwindle gradually, and our attempts at government only draw out the pain further.
Up in the Northern Wastes, they're a tougher breed of Men. They'll be the ones to take the Old World back, if they get themselves together. But as yet, they're just warring tribes.
Down south they reckon another Avatar will come to them. I dunno. Maybe, maybe not. It'd be good, but I'm not sure if we're ready. Out here in the west, we need to get the act together. I dunno if'n you noticed it, but every year it seems like there're less infants and more adults. Pretty soon we'll have to leave. The desert is too harsh for the babes, and for many of the adults. And we can't go back to the Old World, 'cos Chaos is there. I doubt we'd survive up north or down south. And eastward, past the Old World, is the Great Blue.
This country's been in the hands of hundreds of kings, Emperors, warlords, tyrants and monsters. How many more do think we'll be able to stand? The Elves had control over the Old World once, too. After the War of the Beard. They had nearly killed all the dwarves in the Old World before they came to, and offered a truce.
But Karl Franz, bless his name, held the Old World for a century of prosperity and peace. Then the Tide came from the Northern Wastes. And look where we are now.
Maybe there's just no room for goodness on this planet. Humanity is sinking into the pre-stone age, and the Dark Elves continue the bitter struggle against Chaos. But they can't win.
But some hope is better than no hope, I mean, what if a second Avatar has risen? Then maybe - maybe we could have another go?
What I mean to say is, it's possible, isn't it? What with the Sierra Angel and all.
SUFFERING
* * * * *
"What is life, if there is no love?"
* * * * *
We have suffered for so long. Centuries of misery, cowering before Chaos. The peace and prosperity brought by Karl Franz is now long forgotten, swept under the rug by the broom of change. And after Sigmar died, we nearly gave up. Heaven forbid! We have vowed never to give up, never to surrender. To fight to the death for what is right, and what is good. Not like the Elves.
Bah!
The Elves! Those cowards ran at the first sign of Chaos. They left us to an age of pain and fear, forgetting us. The Dwarves had the guts to stay, but they are gone now, as well. Consumed by Chaos or dead. Now the nations of Men are alone with Chaos.
The Dark Elves have sent a pact to our leader. It was a great secret, but somehow the information leaked out. Now everyone knows.
Huh? Oh, the pact was about an alliance of some sort. I tell you, I would have taken it, but Salazar is too wrapped up in pride to recognize a chance when it comes. A chance to restore the glory of the Empire.
The Skaven . . . the Skaven hide in their tunnels, building contraptions and warring among the clans.
The Orcs? Hmmm. No one really knows where they went. They sort of . . . disappeared off the Old World all together.
Humans try to make a living, on the frozen soil up in the north or in the boiling marshes down south. We try, but hundreds die every year. We are dying out. Our numbers dwindle gradually, and our attempts at government only draw out the pain further.
Up in the Northern Wastes, they're a tougher breed of Men. They'll be the ones to take the Old World back, if they get themselves together. But as yet, they're just warring tribes.
Down south they reckon another Avatar will come to them. I dunno. Maybe, maybe not. It'd be good, but I'm not sure if we're ready. Out here in the west, we need to get the act together. I dunno if'n you noticed it, but every year it seems like there're less infants and more adults. Pretty soon we'll have to leave. The desert is too harsh for the babes, and for many of the adults. And we can't go back to the Old World, 'cos Chaos is there. I doubt we'd survive up north or down south. And eastward, past the Old World, is the Great Blue.
This country's been in the hands of hundreds of kings, Emperors, warlords, tyrants and monsters. How many more do think we'll be able to stand? The Elves had control over the Old World once, too. After the War of the Beard. They had nearly killed all the dwarves in the Old World before they came to, and offered a truce.
But Karl Franz, bless his name, held the Old World for a century of prosperity and peace. Then the Tide came from the Northern Wastes. And look where we are now.
Maybe there's just no room for goodness on this planet. Humanity is sinking into the pre-stone age, and the Dark Elves continue the bitter struggle against Chaos. But they can't win.
But some hope is better than no hope, I mean, what if a second Avatar has risen? Then maybe - maybe we could have another go?
What I mean to say is, it's possible, isn't it? What with the Sierra Angel and all.