MORDHEIM - CITIES OF
GOLD
OLD STYLE LUSTRIA
Much of the background here comes from the 2nd edition WFB. However I have pieced
it together from information found on several WFRP sites.
Lustria is a vast continent in the southern hemisphere of the globe, it is dominated by
jungle to the North and rolling grasslands to the south. As well as many exotic animals,
Lustria is home to two kinds of native humans (Amazons & Pygmies) and the Old Slann -
degenerated descendants of the amphibious Old Slann. The remains of the once vast Slann
Empire now occupy only the northernmost part of the continent. The Norse and the Old
Worlder explorers, adventurers and traders who have ousted them have settled along the
north eastern coasts. From here they launch expeditions inland in search of Slann gold or
the natural treasures of the land; animal skin and mineral wealth.
The Slann are a mysterious alien race believed responsible for much of the Warhammer
World as it is today. Their origins are uncertain, but they appear to be descended from
the ancient race of the Old Slann. The Old Slann possessed a civilization far beyond
anything we have even today. Science and philosophy were as one to them, they were lords
of time and space. There was nowhere they could not go and nothing they could not do, it
is said that the High Age of the Slann was a golden era for all sentient creatures. It is
probably that the Old Slann came from the stars, as Slann legend recalls. The Slann of
today are a race fallen from power, what brought about the decline of the Slann is not
known. However, Slann legend connects the fall of the Old Slann with galactic catastrophy
and the creation of the Incursions of Chaos.
HISTORY
The history of the Slann is interwoven with the history of the Warhammer World itself,
and acts as a warning to all races not to interfere with forces that they don't fully
understand. The Slann are an ancient race of highly intelligent amphibian creatures that
evolved millions of years ago. They spread throughout the entire galaxy, discovering
strange secrets and harnessing the unseen powers of the multiverse. One of their greatest
achievements was the creation of spacial gateways between worlds, facilitating rapid
travel across the vast reaches of space. These warp gates, as they were known, were
constructed near to habitable planets which the Slann then colonized.
On entering a warpgate, Slann spacecraft were plunged into another dimension now known
to Imperial Scholars as The Realms of Chaos. Through this realm the Slann spacecraft would
travel, and thus they conquered the primitive galaxy. Having gained access to warpspace
the Slann gained access to all of the multiverse, and by drawing upon the power of the
warp they were able to shape planets that they found as they wanted. One of these worlds
was the Warhammer world.
When the Slann discovered the Warhammer world it was dying. Its orbit was taking it
further and further from the sun and the life that had begun to evolve would shortly have
died due to the extreme cold. However the Slann intervened by opening two warpgates over
the planets poles. Through these gates they brought a huge fleet and set about rescuing
the planet. They moved it closer to the sun, stabilized its orbit and new life forms were
introduced, including the ancestors of the Elves and the Dwarfs. The Slann then settled
down to watch the results of their experiments from the relative comfort of the cities
that they had built in what we know call Lustria.
THE FALL OF THE SLANN
3000 years after the Slann created the Warhammer World (IC-5000) their civilization
suffered a sudden and widespread catastrophe. This cosmic disaster affected the Warhammer
world in a profound way as the warpgates that enabled the old Slann to traverse the galaxy
collapsed. This event led to the creation of the Chaos Wastes and the possible downfall of
the whole world.
The gates collapse also had a profound effect on the Slann. Cut off from the rest of
their race, with many of them killed during the warpgate collapse, the Slann retreated
into their jungle homes and shut off contact with the races that they had created. Their
time was over and they would never rediscover their former glories again.
THE SLANN IN THE MODERN WORLD
Today the slann find their lands invaded by all manner of humans from the eastern
continent - Adventurers from the Old World and the ruthless Norse. Their empire is in
decline as more old worlders and Norse are crossing the western ocean in search of the
Slann's legendary wealth.
Slann civilization resembles that of the ancient Aztecs of Mexico in many respects.
They are a warrior people, formerly the dominant species in all of Lustria, but now
suffering decline due to contact with Old World settlers. Many Slann Braves have turned to
banditry, even adopting human styles of dress and warfare. Slowly the old ways are being
eroded.
From the Slann point of view, they are besieged from all sides. In the jungles, the
native Humans, and escaped Pygmies and Amazons, plague the amphibians. From underground
warrens come the Lizardmen and Skaven. Added to this mixture are the newly-arrived,
avaricious Old Worlders who will stop at nothing now that the wealth of the Slann are
known.
The Slann is not found populating the southern grasslands, However its quite possible
that the Slann had a space port, A space port could not have been built in the jungles,
the port would now be in ruins and overgrown. Perhaps the bulk of the port was built
underground and is still operational once you power it up. There is a possibility that the
Skaven have built tunnels penetrating its walls, most likely they found it by accident.
TIMELINE
-7500 I.C. The Old Slann appear. Perhaps they evolve independently in Lustria, but more
likely they arrive in an advanced state from some other world.
-6500 I.C. The end of the Ice Age. The Old Slann alter the planet's orbit, causing a
general increase in temperatures, rise in sea levels and withdrawl of the ice sheets to
the extreme polar regions. For reasons best known to themselves, (the Slann) transplant
the emerging race of Elves onto the island group later known as the Elven Kingdoms.
-5500 I.C. The emergence of Amazons of Lustria. The Old Slann choose from somewhere a
group of humans. By some means the Old Slann temper with their genetic structure, using
them to create a race of Amazons in Lustria. Whether the Amazons are created to be
workmates of the Old Slann, or whether they are nothing more than a whim of these god-like
creatures is uncertain.
-4500 I.C. Fall of the Old Slann. Who can say how the Old Slann fell from power? That
they fell is certain, their civilizations collapses almost overnight. In Lustria the
remaining Slann retrogress into a strange, barbaric people. They forget most of Old
Technology and powerful magic. In Lustria the Amazonian Sisterhood is founded. The Amazons
war continually on the new Slann Empire.
SKIRMISHES
The skirmishes are fought anywhere but as its hard to fight in the dense jungle, most
of the fighting is concentrated around the old ruins. There are old Slann cities that are
the home of Amazons or where Old World explorers set up camp.
WARBANDS
The "Cities of Gold - Old Style" setting features the following Warbands:
The Slann are fighting on all fronts, but are aided by their ancient energy weapons.
The Pygmies are savage tribes of men and they attack anyone that comes to close to
their territories - be they man or Slann.
The Amazons (Old Style) are linked with the Slann Empire, perhaps they were once the
servants or crew on their starships. Now they are battling their former masters. They
retain a number of ancient Slann artefacts that they use as weapons.
The Skaven (Clan Pestilens) are treasure seekers just as the Old Worlders, but they
have established a stronghold of their own under the Lustrian soil.
There are many Human expeditions landing on the shores of Lustria, these come from all
of the larger nations such as Tilea, Bretonnia, Empire and Norsca. Some of these are
military or exploration expeditions and some are plain treasure seekers financed by a
wealthy merchant. When the ships land some men will always break away to form a warband to
seek out the treasure on their own. There are several warband lists to choose from,
including the ones based on the different Empire states, just pick one that you are
comfortable with. There are colonies along the coast and many treasure seekers have made
these their home.
Plaugelord Lepri of Clan Pestilen
Tommy Punk - UIN: 9946419 - Kalmar, Sweden
Archive Skaven
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