Army background development

I've spoken a lot recently about what armies I am and am not planning to use this year, but I've not really spoken much about the background of the armies I have. In this post I plan to discuss the background of my WFB armies, or some of them at least, and the decisions made in creating them.

For me, having a generic theme typical of the race isn't something to be avoided, but rather to be embraced. Obviously if you have something left field that works, then fair enough, but the Warhammer World works because a lot of effort has gone into making a system filled with goblins, daemons and elves as realistic and coherent as possible, so to have an army that sits well within that is something that to me at least is important. The way i see it, my army is to be a supporting player, not trying to outshine. It is it's deeds that define it, not how outstanding i can make it from the others.

So then, on to a bit about some of my armies!

Warriors of Chaos

Their background is probably the most developed. The tribe was a mixed Norse and Kurgan one led by a follower of Tzeentch, though his tribe containers followers of all the powers. His main rival however is another Tzeentchian Sorcerer lord, Ch'Zeth Cloudstalker, who is currently pursuing his own agenda in the border princes having been cast out of the tribe following the death of  Kalaghar's father as a result of his cowardice, however Ch'Zeth isn't one to write off yet, as his plans are intricate and extensive. the army itself is intended to be inclusive to account for the way a regular tribe may be like - to the Norse and the Kurgan, the gods appeal in equal measure and should be honoured as such. as such although the army is heavily Tzeentch themed, to reflect the influence of the tribal leader, other aspects of the army

Empire

Although the army is yet o be assembled, I've decided to base them in Nordland. The reasons being that I loved the idea of the early stages of Warhammer Age of Reckoning and the idea that the army is constantly under threat of invasion from both sea and their own forests. In keeping with the AoR theme I've decided upon taking a reasonable sized unit of Knights of the Blazing Sun. The idea of them however is to be an inland force, the second wave of defence, meaning that there are fewer sea themed references, but still distinctly Nordland. I liked the idea of them being on a major trade route and being a way point force responsible for being a safe overnight spot for trade caravans as well as being a muster point for any required counter attacks. for that reason, the force is comprised of career soldiers rather than local nobility and their levies.

Ogres

Now I'm struggling with these boys. I don't really want them to be wandering, but i want something other than other Ogres to be their main opponent (whats the point in stomp if you can't use it?) for now I'm still working on this, and shall have to leave this one at the minute.

Beastmen

Another one I'm struggling with - I was planning to place them in Averland to go against Ben's Empire, but i do like Malagor who is a Drakwold character. i had considered, since i don't use Malagor all the time, that he may travel from time to time to further his plans, but I'm unsure. Its a fair trek from the Drakwold to Averland, even with wings! but at the moment, if i place my Beastmen in the Drakwold, unless a Middenland force rocks up, the best suited enemy for my Beastmen are my own empire!

Dwarfs

another reasonably well developed army here. My army hail from Khazid Rhynn, which is not a fully fledged hold. their main source of income is from the rich iron ore veins in the area, which have largely been ignored as they are both on a limb for the Dwarfs and also because Iron doesn't have quite the kudos that Gromril has. links have been well established with both the O'Dubhda clan and the Brunnisson clan, and whilst there are no specific enemies yet, they are ideally placed to be under threat by many of the forces of destruction

Vampire Counts

these guys have proven difficult to pin down for me. All things considered, they are a relatively new army in their own right and as such have undergone some significant revisions to their fluff over the last couple of books. sure they still come from Nagash, and the von Carsteins are still and always have been the poster boys, but GW have altered the bloodlines subtely but importantly a few times, and it seems to be that the new book will do so again. I've always loved the von Carsteins, and i have developed a story for one particular vampire: Klaus von Carstein. Nobody seems to know where Klaus came from as he has no clear sire. It is suggested that he is one of Vlad's first gets that somehow kept, or was kept out of the light (so to speak). He has emerged now however, and at least for now has pledged allegiance to a suspicious Mannfred.

I have also developed some background for a Necrarch vampire named Abdemanechus who is rising in power in recent years. He has sent out his agents to seek artifacts of power which he intends to use to bring the mortal realm to it's destruction, a feat that would make him a god. Clearly this vampire lacks lucidity!

So that's the majority of my armies! i do have others, but since none are on the radar at the moment, I've not really given much thought to them. Please let me know what you think and if you have any ideas, let me know!