Travel
of the distant lands
I bet the Old World is a familiar area to most of you. We are the race of the Old World. It’s where your and my home builds; where our civilization raises; and where the farthest region for most people can travel. Although, it’s a small area when compares with the rest parts of the world. There are still some different nations locals here.
The Empire.
The Empire lies at the heart of the Old World, and many scholars and I believe the Empire is the most powerful of all the realms of Men. It’s said a heroic warrior Sigmar Heldenhammar builds the Empire that we know. He has united the ancient tribes of Mankind and leads human to against the threatens of other traces like greenskins and beastmen. None knows where Sigmar went after he became the first emperor of his Empire. However, as time past by, men of the Empire starts to worship Sigmar as a God.
Today, the Empire is led by the Emperor Karl Franz I, who rules from his court in the Imperial capital city of Altdorf. There are ten provincial states in the Empire. Besides Emperor Karl Franz who rules the land of Reikland, there are nine other Elector Counts who rule the rest of the states. Each province has its own distinctive iconography. The southern and western land of the Empire, such as Reikland and Averland, are more civilized. They wealthy due to the river trade and plentiful field. Those who live in the wilderness of the eastern and northern are generally rustic and belligerent, having lived under the threat of invasion for the enemies of Mankind. I still can remember that when I was in the military school, the folks from Southern states usually can do great jobs on their military strategy exams, but they are always given bloody noses by the teens from northern.
The cities and towns within the Empire are built also in a variety of styles from many different materials. The western towns tend to be the richest and the oldest and here the gothic architecture tends to be rendered in gloriously carved stone. In the east, wood is often used instead, and the border settlements of Ostland and Ostermark are often constructed from solid logs hewn from the surrounding forest.
Amongst the cities, Altdorf is the most important and largest, it’s where I have spent all of the time as a teen. The city itself is built on the sides of the River Reik. It is a bustling city with all kinds of people from the whole Old World. In its narrow stone build streets, you will see bald priests of Sigmar, red-blue color uniformed city guards, and silk robes dressed merchants. The city also filled with beggars and thieves (Beware of your pocket!) During my time of military training here, I also heard the tales about magic colleges. It is said there are eight colleges spread around the city for training the battle wizards. The locations of these colleges are secret and forbidden for most of the people. There is only one building I am definitely sure is the Bright College, its blazing towers rise like pillars of fire into Altdorf's sky.
Left : The street view of Altdof
Right : The city guards of Altdof
Bretonnia
The second largest human nation in the old world is the kingdom of Bretonnia. It’s a highly- chivalrous feudal kingdom. I have entered its realm to get supplies for my ship. My crew and I have landed in its port city Bordeleaux. The city’s ruler is the Duke Alberic; I can tell from the trident flags that hang on the city wall. The cities of Bretonnia is built in a different style than the Empire. A lot of scholars claims Bretonnia’s city is built upon the abandoned colonies of high elf (such an inference is proved to be true after I see the Elven buildings with my own eyes). The stone spires are built in an extraordinary style. Delicate small side tower, connected to the main spire only be flying buttress, appear like independent existences floating in the sky.
Most carved stone buildings in Bretonnia are colored in White with blue tops. It will look more luxurious and grace when you notice the thatched cottage that locals in the outer rim of the city. The two different building styles are also representations of two Bretonnia’s social classes: peasants and knights. The social orders of Bretonnia are determined by a series of creeds and tenets laid down hundreds of years ago, and you can tell the lives of these two classes from the vows below:
The Peasant’s Duty
‘…Thou shale give unto thine glorious liege the taxes that he requires.
Thou shale labour all but feast days,
And no more than a tenth-share shall you keep for kith and kin.
Rejoice! For a Knight of Bretonnia provides your shield…’
The Knight’s Vow
‘…When the clarion call is sounded,
I will ride out and fight in the name of liege and Lady.
Whilst I draw breath the lands bequeached
unto me will remain untainted by evil.
Honour is all. Chivalry is all…’
Indeed, knights have a much better and comfortable life than those valueless peasants. They are protectors of realms and noble warriors. To break any aspect of their vows is the worst crime imaginable to any Bretonnia Knight. They are also believers of a mysterious Goddess, Lady of the Lake. Some of the knights even quest to the other realms that they believe on their journeys, the Lady of the Lake shall give her bless (a holy grail) to them for rewarding their honor and virtue.
