Dragon Prince
The Dragon Princes of Caledor now form an elite body of heavy cavalry for the High Elf army.[1a]
Contents
Bonds
Traditionally, the Dragon Princes brought their children to the Drake Vale in the Dragon Spine Mountains but fewer and fewer Dragons will answer and make the sacred bond. If a Dragon and Elf do bond, this link will alter the Elf’s temperament and can cause short bursts of angry intensity as the Dragon’s influence grows. If they can not maintain self-control, a dragonrider can be lost to the thrill of destruction with the title Master of Dragons only being given to a rider who has the strongest willpower.[8]
All Dragon Princes were once beith caradan - beastfriends with a special affinity for the Dragons, and hence able to fly into battle upon the fire drakes, however few now can awaken a Dragon to war, so instead they must ride swift horses.[8]
History
In former times numerous Dragons lived in the Dragon Spine Mountains. Caledor Dragontamer, the founder of the realm of Caledor, managed to gain their trust and the local princes were able to ride mighty dragons into battle. Their past is still remembered and honoured, and the Dragon Princes are the only force which will not lower their banner as a sign of respect to the Phoenix King [2a] a honour they claim was given to them by Caledor I, although other point out they did not lower it even before his decree.[4a]
During the War of the Beard, A Dragon Prince rode to battle on a Drake, a young Dragon rather than a Elven Steed.[6a]
Today the Dragons are much reduced in number, and most of the time they sleep and dream. It is very difficult to wake them - not to mention dangerous, as they are quite temperamental beasts. As a result, the majority of local princes today ride heavy warhorses. Albeit a pale shadow of former glories, they are still a powerful force to reckon with. They rank amongst the finest cavalry in the Warhammer world, crashing into the enemy, slaughtering their foes with masterful strikes from both lance and sword alike. [1a] Such is their skill that a Dragon Prince can slay two warriors with only one lance thrust, impaling both on their steel-tipped weapon.[4a]
Loremasters speak of a final battle when the Princes will ride to war on their Dragons, as in days of old.[3a]
Notable
- The Fireborn
Songs
Also known as the rites of Dragon-waking, these melodies are used to stir a dormant Dragon from its slumber. In modern time, even if are performed flawlessly, aided by a Dragon Mage they no longer guarantee success and still drain body and soul. [8]
Weapons, Armour and Equipment
Their Ithilmar armour is modelled after the Dragon lords of ancient days.[2b]
- 4th Edition: Barded Horse, Heavy Armour, Lance, Shield, Sword, may carry a Magic Standard. [1b]
- 5th Edition: Barded Horse, Heavy Armour, Lance, Shield, may have a Magic Standard.[2c]
- 6th Edition: Barded Horse, Dragon Armour, Hand Weapon, Lance, Shield, may have a Drakmaster, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard.[3b]
- 6th Edition (War of the Beard rules): Dragon Armour, Hand Weapon, Lance, Shield. Each Prince rides a Drake, a young Dragon and is a single unit. May have Magical Items.[6a]
- 7th Edition: Barded Horse, Dragon Armour, Hand Weapon, Lance, Shield, may have a Drakemaster, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard.[4b]
- 8th Edition: Ithilmar Barded Elven Steed, Dragon Armour, Hand Weapon, Lance, Shield, may have a Drakemaster who may take Magic Weapon and Armour, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard.[5a]
- W:TOW: Ithilmar Barded Elven Steed, Dragon Armour, Ithilmar Hand Weapon, Lance, Shield, may have a Drakemaster who may have Magic Items, Musician and Standard Bearer who may have a Magic Standard.[7]
- Banner of Caledor: They always fight under their own banner, defending it to the death.[2b]
- Dragon Armour: Enchanted and forged in the heat of a volcano, the armour is immune to fire.[4a]
Images
A Dragon Prince
A Dragon Prince
Dragon Princes at war
Miniatures
Dragon Prince regiment
Dragon Prince Command
Dragon Prince
Dragon Prince Standard
Dragon Princes for Warmaster
Quotes
| The Dragon becomes you. You become the Dragon.
~ Caledorian proverb.[8] |
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition)
- 2:Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 3:Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition)
- 4:Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition)
- 5:Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition)
- 5a: High Elf Army List, pg. 94
- 6:Warhammer Chronicles (2003)
- 6a: The War of the Beard, pg. 94
- 7: Forces of Fantasy (TOW): The High Elf Realms, pg. 170
- 8: High Elf Players Guide: Dragons and the Asur, pg. 43
- White Dwarf 369 (UK) (October 2010), pg. 17
