Elves...can't have a fantasy game without 'em!

Hey Everyone

Thanks for coming down to this blog, sharing our common love for warhammer, and other fantasy games. Sometimes I wonder how fantasy for the next generation would look like...if it was swords and shields for us, would it stay the same for the years to come? Guns/firearms are already included into WFB kind of think of it.

Well, for today we feature a shot of WT's Phoenix Guard and JQ's Arwen figure, and of course, we can't have fantasy without them elves. They're everywhere, high, dark, wood, blood, sea, whatever haha.


A piece of extra-Warhammer trivia, the word 'Elf' has Old Germanic origins, and still survives to this day in the form of given names, such as Alfred and Elfreda. The origins of the Elves in real world history has roots in different regions, such as Scandinavia and Germany. Some viewed that people could become elves after death, while others thought of elves as mischievous and harmful beings, and even aligned with demons (Beowulf). According to Norse legend, Gandalf was the Last King of the Elves, a name Tolkien himself had consciously chosen (time for some kickass trivia to rouse the table during a game!).

The elves that we picture today have much to do with JRR Tolkien, who gave us the Hobbit, a seminal work that introduced fantasy as a 'high art' form. Drawing upon 19th Century Romanticism, Tolkien developed a mythology of the elves and gave them a definite form, much in common with the perception of elves we have now (eg. pointed ears, tall, wiser than humans...)...especially since they played humungous roles in the history of Middle-Earth. Tolkien became immensely popular in the 1960s, paving the way for the rise of high fantasy in the years to come (D&D).

So lo and behold, the Elves that we know today are actually a pretty recent concept, which makes me wonder how fantasy would be like for our grandchildren...(if we don't have them yet that is).

Bret Archer

Hey Everyone

A round of thanks goes out to JQ who gave us the last few posts on pics of our warhammer miniatures, and gave us some points to ponder about the hobby we share.

Man has not been without his weapons, and this time we are featuring another shot of JQ's bret bowmen:

The humble bow in history was a very simple weapon that was deployed over the ages, spawning variants such as the crossbow and compound bows. So one has to wonder, did early men just make bows out of wooden splints and strings? Well, historians believe that darts predated bows, and the atlatl, a primitive dart thrower, was the predecessor of the bow we know. It is a shaft with a cup at the end, and launches darts (which were actually long arrows or spears) by flinging the atlatl with the spear in it as shown in the next pic (www.texasbeyondhistory.net):

The atlatl is still used in Australia by the aborigines, and in sporting events across the globe.

When the bow was invented, it eventually replaced the atlatl with many advantages it brought to its users, such as higher accuracy and the use of elastic energy to generate higher velocity shots. Of course, firearms also eventually replaced the bow in later times. Although mankind continues to create weapons of increasing potency, let's not forget the honor and prestige that surrounded people who were skilled in the bow and masters of past battlegrounds, as evidenced in numerous mythological figures being associated with the bow...eg. William Tell and Artemis.

(of course that doesn't count when we curse our luck that st3 shots barely made a dink in your enemy's advancing army)

Elven Archery

The Elves of the Arrowmerchant. (Finally with Background!)

For those who have followed our blog for a long time, i believe you have seen them before.
The Arrowmerchants painted by Mr. Tay Weiting. He takes forever to paint his elves, but through feedback, they look darn good.

Against the Sunlight, their silvery white armor gleams like angelic guardians of the world.
But of course, the elves have always been shaped to be seen that way.

Like immortals from a different time, they are like the UBER power race that represents the side of "GOOD"

Yet they remind me of the stereotypical generic characteristics of the Parisian french. Because they are so characteristically artful, articulate and graceful and superior in their combat and magic (though this part is not really similar to the french), they have character flaws of being arrogant and full of pride.

HAHA. Hope i didnt struck a nerve to anyone.

In any case, they are the trump card for the good guy side with all the perks of combat and magic. In a petty disgruntle way, it makes you wonder, where in the world did all the perks of being a human go?

Aside from this, my progress for my men-at-arms have come to a halt as i have to deal with reality and works and student life.

So i am gonna take a breather. But you will be seeing them real soon. Perhaps when the integration to one big hobby site begins. Im gonna be handing th ebaton back to My pal, Josh, And he will be taking over again , while i deal with the pinnacle of Student Academic Life.

Till then, Take care.. and keep GAMING!

Standard Bearer of the Imperial Regiment

Back again guys. And today, Its the Imperial Regiment's Standard Bearer. This pose just reminds me of the iconic Iwo Jima raising of the American Flag.

Its amazing how a Standard can raise the Morale of Troops in the battleground.

Through a standard, there is pride inculcated to be part of that regiment. Furthermore, seeing your standard bearer in the warfront is an inspirational sight amidst the chaos and terror.

And that is why in the Warhammer World, the standard bearer gives plus one to combat resolution.

Aside from that, I feel that the picture brings out the "Pondering Soldier" image in which while he raises his standard, his sword is low and he faces the ground. Perhaps, wondering if how many men have fall for this standard for the cause of war.

But doubt in the face of battle, will most definitely leads to more fallen ones if one doesnt fight for his brothers in arms and stammer at the sight of his enemies.

And perhaps the standard makes u forget all tht. Makes u remember the pride, the glory and the magnificent of ur regiment and why u r in it.

FOOD for thought anyone?