Reply To: WHtOW boxed set

[onlyonepinman 18060xp 1]

What you are talking about is the history of the setting, not the setting itself; while linked, the two are separate.  A setting includes a time and a place, it is the where and when of a story.  For example the story (or stories) of Warhammer Fantasy Battle was set in the Old World during the reign of Karl Franz. The stories then provide the Who and the What, for example The Empire is fighting a losing battle against countless enemies, within and without (which is the overriding theme of Warhammer).  The history details everything before that time, helping explain how and why things are like they are, and gives some context to the stories, but is not technically part of the setting nor is it essential.  So you are correct that Elves amd Dwarfs do play a prominent role in the history of the Warhammer world, but in th Warhammer Fantasy Battle setting, they are very much secondary characters.  It’s a bit like Lord of the Rings.  Elves and Dwarfs were a major part of Middle Earth history but the Lord of the Rings is the story of the kingdoms of men.  Elves and Dwarfs are a significant part of Warhammer history, but Warhammer Fantasy Battle was a story about the Empire in which the Elves and Dwarfs play a supporting role.  So you could go back in time through Warhammer history to a point where Elves and Dwarfs were pre-eminent but in doing so you would lose the overall feel of the Warhammer world because it is largely defined by The Empire, by that 16th century aesthetic and ambience that they bring.  The Empire has been the main protagonist way longer than 4th edition due in no small part to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.  When you think Warhammer Fantasy, you immediately think black powder, late renaissance, witch hunters and so on because that is what gives Warhammer it’s unique look and feel.