Not at all, elves belong to the “Good”: There are 3 types of them in Warhammer Fantasy, and it’s not always easy to say which one you would rather encounter.
The elves are one of the oldest races created by The Old Ones (the creators of the Warhammer Fantasy world). They are somewhat taller than normal humans and slimmer, but they can most easily be recognized by their pointed ears. If they do not fall in battle, elves can live for thousands of years. In addition, they possess a natural affinity for magic: Of the 7 most powerful mages in Warhammer Fantasy, two are elves.
So far, the elves of Warhammer do not differ much from those in other fantasy worlds. The differences from other elves, for example, as you know them from Dungeons & Dragons or The Lord of the Rings, lie more in their… “temperament.” For they are significantly more cruel than those of other worlds.
A clear distinction between Good and Evil does not really exist in Warhammer. This is particularly true for Warhammer 40K, but it also applies to fantasy to a certain degree. This is especially noticeable with the elves. They were originally a single people but eventually split into three. They now differ significantly in their culture and the goals they pursue.
Asur – The “Good” among the Elves?
The High Elves, or the “Asur,” as they call themselves, are one of the oldest and most powerful civilizations of the Old World. They are a proud race of masterful warriors, and their mages are second to none. The supreme rulers of the High Elves are the Phoenix King and the Everqueen. Their homeland is Ulthuan, a mist-shrouded island continent in the center of a great ocean.
Accordingly, the Asur are among the best sailors of the Old World. They have been everywhere and possess numerous colonies in many parts of the known world. Their archers are among the best in the Old World, and they command powerful creatures like great eagles and dragons.
At first glance, the High Elves appear to be the closest to the “Good.” However, this appearance can be deceiving, for their pride quickly turns into arrogance:
- On the one hand, they fight for order in the world. They are powerful opponents of Chaos – an evil force that wants to destroy the world.
- On the other hand, they often see themselves as superior to other races and can be extremely cruel towards them.
One of the best examples of this is the so-called “War of the Beard,” which the High Elves once waged against the Dwarves. Although it was instigated by their relatives, the Dark Elves, the High Elves are responsible for the escalation.
Dark Elves, disguised as High Elves, plundered caravans and settlements of the Dwarves. When news of this reached the High King of the Dwarves, he sent a delegation to the court of the Phoenix King. Until that point, the relationship between elves and dwarves had been characterized by friendship. Therefore, the Dwarves demanded an explanation for these incidents.
However, the Phoenix King was completely indifferent to the Dwarves’ concerns. Moreover, instead of simply sending them away, he had the delegation publicly have their beards cut off – an indescribable insult to the Dwarves. This was followed by a long, bloody war in which both sides suffered great losses and even killed innocents. It is almost admirable that there is a High Elf who is too brutal even for his king.
