Skip to main content

Is the Warhammer Fantasy world actually Earth?


There are clearly some strong similarities between the Warhammer Fantasy map and Earth.


These are mentioned here, amongst many other places


http://warhammeronline.wikia.com/wiki/The_World_of_Warhammer


However, no-one seemed to mention the reason for this similarity.


Looking for either (or both) an in universe and an out of universe answer.



Answer



No


The Warhammer Fantasy world is not Earth, if by that we mean it is the past or future of a world with a recorded history essentially identical to our own.





  1. Warhammer has countries with cultures highly similar to countries in our world. This is actually a point against it being Earth, since it is rather improbable that, for example, a country rather similar to Austria would arise twice in essentially the same way. Fantasy counterpart cultures of Warhammer Fantasy include:




    • The Empire bears obvious similarities to Austria, Germany, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Naming schemes are fairly obviously German-derived. The Empire has former provinces such as Drakwald (basically the German Drachenwald). People have German names everywhere you look.




    • Nippon is literally "Japan" in Japanese.





    • Cathay is an old word for China.




    • Albion is the old name of Britain






But the events that occur in the novels and games could not have taken place when those names and cultures were in currency in our world. The entire game is also set at a Renaissance level of technology, but history has no record of dwarves, elves, or vampires living in Renaissance Europe, nor the worship of Chaos Gods.



Another thing, which precludes Warhammer Fantasy being set in the past of Earth, is the End Times, which resulted in the Age of Sigmar. Basically, the entire Warhammer Fantasy world was completely destroyed:



Following the destruction of the Warhammer World by the forces of Chaos, Sigmar floated through outer space, clinging to the core of the Old world.



Warhammer Fantasy may, on the other hand, be conceived of as an alternate Earth: a world with an entirely different history, but significant similarities to our own.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

tolkiens legendarium - Did Gandalf wear his Ring of Power throughout the trilogy?

After Gandalf discovered that Sauron was back and sent Frodo on his quest to Rivendell, did he continue to wear Narya (one of the Three Rings)? It seems like a huge risk to continue to wear it after the Nazgûl (Ringwraiths) started to try and reclaim the One Ring; if they managed to get the ring to Sauron, couldn't he be corrupted by his power? Whatever powers Narya bestows upon him couldn't possibly be worth the huge risk, could it? Answer When Sauron forged the one ring and put it on his finger, the other ring bearers were immediately aware of him and his intentions and removed their own rings. There is no reason why they couldn't merely do so again. As soon as Sauron set the One Ring upon his finger they were aware of him; and they knew him, and preceived that he would be master of them, and of all they wrought. Then in anger and fear they took off their rings. "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," Silmarillion
Post a Comment
Read more