Eltharion

Eltharion the Grim is a fictional character from Warhammer Fantasy by Games Workshop. He is one of the mightiest High Elves alive. In the 5th edition of Warhammer Fantasy rules, Eltharion is a special character riding on his griffon, Stormwing. In the 6th edition, Eltharion 'The White Sword' is a blinded Swordmaster on foot. As of November, 2007, the 7th edition High Elf Army Book has been released, and it appears that Eltharion the Grim has been reverted back to the time before he ambushed Malekith, so he is no longer blinded and still has Stormwing as a mount.

Background

Eltharion is one of the mightiest heroes in the High Elf army. He is a skilled warrior and general whose only rival is the great Tyrion himself in the High Elf army. He is the only general to have led a successful raid against the Dark Elves in their homeland Naggaroth.

The Goblin Invasion

During a raid on Naggaroth, Eltharion was stabbed by a Witch Elf's poisoned blade. As he lay dying he was visited by the apparition of his dead father, who brought terrible news. Grom the Paunch, the infamous goblin warlord from the Old World had landed on Ulthuan itself and brought a huge greenskin army to attack Tor Yvresse. Many Elves, including most of Eltharion's family, had been slaughtered during the greenskin advance. With sheer will-power, Eltharion dragged himself back from the brink of death and returned to Tor Yvresse atop his griffon, Stormwing.

In Tor Yvresse, the goblin's siege was underway. At the peak of the battle, the Warden of Tor Yvresse was slain by the Grom's shaman Black Tooth in a magical duel. Just as the city walls were breached, Eltharion reached the city. The goblins swarmed into the city and threatened to overwhelm the beleaguered defenders. Eltharion rallied the Elves and fought back with a ferocity borne of wild fury and grief. Eltharion slew Black Tooth in single combat, and the Elven counter-attack dealt a fatal blow to the goblins. With his cause lost, Grom disappeared and was never heard of again. In the aftermath Eltharion was appointed as the new Warden of Tor Yvresse. Due to the loss of his entire family and the devastation of his land, Eltharion became known as 'The Grim'.

Defeat by the Malekith the Witch King

Many years after the battle at Tor Yresse, Malekith led a Dark Elf invasion on Ulthuan to reclaim the Shadowlands. When he heard of the news of the invasion, Eltharion led an Elf army to the ancient ruins of Anlec, where the Dark Elves were amassing their armies. The force Eltharion led was hopelessly outnumbered by the Dark Elves, and instead of leading his army on the field, Eltharion hid in the ruins of Anlec, hoping to ambush Malekith. Eltharion's army was defeated, and in desperation he challenged Malekith to single combat. Malekith refused and instead attacked him with sorcery, overpowering Eltharion without difficulty. After Eltharion's capture, the Witch King tried to blackmail Eltharion into joining him by threatening the lives of the High Elf survivors of the battle. Eltharion refused to swear allegiance to the Witch King and the survivors of his army were all beheaded by the Executioners that had accompanied Malekith. Eltharion was taken back to Naggaroth, where he was blinded and tortured almost to death, purely for the amusement of Malekith. Eventually Malekith had him returned back to Lothern barely alive, as a warning to the High Elves.

Blade Reforged

Soon after his return, Eltharion was sent to the Tower of Hoeth to recover. The master of Hoeth, Belannaer, trained Eltharion in the ways of the Swordmasters of Hoeth. Eltharion was a skilled student and learnt quickly, in time matching Belannaer himself in single combat. However, his mental wounds remained unhealed. Many months later, Belannaer gave Eltharion command of a Swordmasters contingent to aid the Everqueen: Malekith's newest invasion threatened her domain of Avelorn. Eltharion faced Malekith once again, this time wounding the Witch King and putting him to flight. Together with Alith Anar, the Shadow King of legend, Eltharion led a punitive army into Naggaroth. As they shored up their defences, the Dark Elf Assassin, Shadowblade challenged Eltharion to a duel. The two master swordsmen fought in an even contest of skill. Shadowblade eventually quit the field, but left Eltharion poisoned. Fortunately, Belannaer had arrived in Naggaroth with reinforcements and healed Eltharion's body with magic. Belannaer brought orders from the Phoenix King: Eltharion was to return to Ulthuan immediately.

Army Rules

Eltharion and Stormwing can be taken as a Lord choice, but will use up a Hero choice as well.

External links

* [http://uk.games-workshop.com/highelves/special-characters/3/ Eltharion the Grim and Stormwing ]
* [http://uk.games-workshop.com/highelves/special-characters/6/ Eltharion the Swordmaster]