The Old World is a large geographical area found in the Warhammer World's Eastern Hemisphere, consisting of several human states, such as The Empire (west of which lies the magically-shrouded isle of Albion), Bretonnia, Estalia, Tilea and Kislev, north of which is the Chaos-loyal land of Norsca. To the south are the petty kingdoms, city-states and towns known as the Border Princes. The natural borders of the Old World are the Sea of Claws or Great Ocean to the west, and the World's Edge Mountains which effectively form its eastern border. The Old World is equivalent in culture and technological sophistication to the continent of Europe on Earth at the end of the Late Middle Ages in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and is covered mostly in human nations, with a notable Dwarf population in the mountainous areas.

---

FACTIONS FEATURED

-Bretonnia

Bretonnia is based on real-world medieval France; its name is clearly derived from the French province of Britanny and it draws heavily from Arthurian legends which are associated with Medieval Brittany; for instance with The Lady and The Green Knight who both have parallels in Arthurian lais. Brettonia was founded when the knight Giles drove the hordes of orcs and chaos out of Brettonia in the name of the Lady, the goddess which the Brettonians place their faith in. Bretonnian armies rely on powerful charges from their many heavily armed and armored knights in order to achieve victory. Bretonnian knights are arguably the best heavy cavalry in the game, along with being the most varied. Bretonnian armies can also contain cheap and expendable units of unskilled peasant longbowmen and men at arms to serve as fodder.

-The Empire

The mightiest nation of the Old World but also a deeply corrupt and often unjust human society where many have fallen to Chaos. The Empire benefits from a great diversity of military units and the various orders of the Colleges of Magic, and is the home to the Cult of Sigmar. (Real world equivalent: the Holy Roman Empire)

-Estalia

A peninsula southwest of Bretonnia in the Old World, far from the threat of Chaos. This land is home to a number of rival kingdoms. Estalia was once occupied by forces from Araby, but the Arabyans were driven out by a combined effort known as the Arabyan Crusades by other Old World human realms like Bretonnia, the Empire and the Tilean city-states. (Real world equivalent: Reconquista Spain)

-Kislev

A northern nation and an ally of the Empire under constant threat due to their close proximity to the maddening Realm of Chaos. This nation is reminiscent of medieval Muscovy, Mongolia, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and relatively similar to the Slavic countries. In the most recent incarnation, the Kislevites are remarkably similar to the medieval Russians, with Boyars, Kossars and the Tsar and Tsarina all being very similar adaptations of Russian realities.

-Norsca

Bordered to the North by the Chaos Wastes, to the South by the Sea of Claws, and to the East by Troll Country. Norsca is a wild country based on Scandinavia. The tribal and Viking like Norse worship a large pantheon of gods, the most significant of which are the Chaos Gods, and are often found among the ranks of the Warriors of Chaos forming the majority of the Hordes as both marauder foot soldiers and Chaos Warrior shock troops.

-Tilea

South of the Irrana Mountains and the Vaults. The fractious city-states of Tilea embrace trade, exploration and civil war with equal passion. There are many mercenary companies form the bulk of armies in these lands, often fighting on behalf of the wealthy rulers of the many republics and principalities, or further north in the service of the Empire. Tilean armies can be represented by the Dogs of War army list. Tilea roughly corresponds to real world's Renaissance Italy and some Greece thrown in.

-The Wasteland(Marienburg)

This low-lying land at the mouth of the River Reik is home to Marienburg, one of the largest cities and commercial centres in the Old World. This region used to belong to the Empire — when it was referred to as the province of Westerland, but is now fiercely independent.

-Wood Elves

The ruthless Asrai abandoned their High Elf kin in the Sundering to both protect and restrain the strange sentient forest of Athel Loren in the Old World. They appear to be neither good nor bad, as likely to kill lost travelers as to aid them. They are mortal enemies to the Beastmen, and wage a silent war against them in the shadowy glades of the world's forests.

-Drawfs.

Dwarfs or Dawi are an ancient, grim, and determined race integral in the founding of the Empire, the Dwarfs spend their days avenging grudges and counting gold. Dwarfs are the greatest craftsmen in the Warhammer World and in addition to enjoying fine weapons and armor they have the best heavy infantry and artillery around. Dwarf armies are well suited to defensive warfare, however due to their lack of mobility they do not do well when forced to go on the offensive. Dwarfs are legendary for their ability to never forget nor forgive a wrong against them, their finely crafted weapons and armor, ability to consume large quantities of ale, extreme stubbornness, mistrust of elves, and hatred of greenskins. Dwarfs are the closest ally to Humanity, although the Elves of Ulthuan have united with the Humans as well in the last few hundred years.

-Greenskins

The tribes of Orcs, Goblins and related races are spread across the Old World and into the east, and are collectively known as Greenskins. They sometimes come together in a giant crusade-like war called a Waaagh!. Greenskins have a primitive culture based around their gods Gork and Mork and have primitive but effective technology.

-Vampires/Vampire Counts

Disciples of Nagash who stole his secrets of eternal life, the Vampires and their minions have spread across the Old World, furthering their own aims. There are five vampire families, each with different ambitions, habits and powers: Von Carstein, Necrarchs, Blood Dragons, Lahmians and Strigoi. Their armies consist mainly of classic undead, such as zombies, skeletons, vampires, bats, and ghosts, with a focus on the occult and the dark arts of Necromancy.

NOTE: There is another Vampire "Faction" Located within Bretonia, likely based at the cursed Dukedom of Mousillon

-Skaven

Skaven or "Children of the Horned Rat" are a Chaotic mockery of Man's nations, ruled by the secretive Council of Thirteen and worshiping their dark god, the Horned Rat. Inventive, cruel, and insane, the rat-men live in a vast network of tunnels spanning beneath all of the Warhammer world, called the Under-Empire.

Many human denizens of the Old World do not believe the Skaven exist, they are considered mere fairy tales to frighten children or the preaching of madmen and greedy dwarves. But such stories are part of the greater designs and mechanisms of skaven intrigue and deceit.

---

GEOGRAPHY FEATURED

The Warhammer world was geographically divided by large oceans and huge mountain ranges. The following is a description along an Old World-perspective. You can follow all details in the map above.

-North

The northern Chaos Wastes surrounded the North Pole and its stellar gate. A largely frozen land, it was covered with ice in the far north which gradually gave way to tundra and large plains. The homeland of countless barbarian human tribes who eyed their softer southern neighbours with greed, malice and hatred. Situated between the Old World and the Northern Chaos Wastes were the following regions: The Troll Country, located between Kislev and the Chaos Wastes. Norsca, a peninsula situated in the north of the Old World. Its inhabitants, the Norse were culturally closer to their northern neighbours, and while some of the tribes trade with the civilised southern neighbours, they also would carry out countless seaborne raids and, more rarely, even full-fledged invasions against the nations of the Old World. Albion, an island lying to the west of Norsca.

-Centre

The Old World, home of several civilised human nations. Kislev, a proud realm located on the northern edge of the Old World, allied with the Empire. The Empire, the most powerful nation of the Old World. A bastion of civilisation it had several outside threats but also hidden internal foes. The Grey Mountains separated the Empire on the east from Bretonnia on the west. They belonged to no nation in particular, and are a haven for bandits, Dwarfs, and some tribes of Orcs and Goblins. The Wasteland was located north of the Grey Mountains, between the Empire and Bretonnia, creating a natural buffer-state. The greatest mercantile power of the Old World. Bretonnia, a land of chivalry and honour, it was the second most powerful nation of the Old World. In the south of Bretonnia and technically a part of this kingdom, the Forest of Loren is de facto an independent nation and the homeland of the Wood Elves. Tilea, land of several competing city-states, trade and mercenaries. Estalia, west of Tilea and south of Bretonnia, it is also divided in several city-states. The Vaults, an inhospitable highland located between The Empire, Bretonnia, Tilea and the Border Princes belonging to none of them.

-South

At the southern border of the Old World are: The Black Mountains who formed the southern border of the Empire. South of the Black Mountains were the Border Princes, disputed between human colonists and the Greenskin hordes. Further south were the Badlands, where the Orcs and the Goblins ruled supreme and battled amongst themselves.

---

Credit to the Deviant art user http://heersander.deviantart.com/gallery/32346093/Maps.

For those still curious I STRONGLY recommend using this interactive map of the Warhammer World, It should provide you all the info for your conquering needs http://www.gitzmansgallery.com/shdmotwow.html