Our celebrations to mark 40 Years of Warhammer have induced much nostalgia and fond memories from fans who remember the hobby as it was in their youth. We have drawn many comparisons between classic models and factions of yore, and those from the modern era.
This week, we finish our rose-tinted run with a look at a brand-spanking new model which very much epitomises human spirit and endurance in the dark days of the Mortal Realms – the Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal of the Cities of Sigmar.
A browbeaten commander who carries the responsibility of the Cities of Sigmar war effort on his aching shoulders, the Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal sums up what it means to be a human fighting the fantastical warriors and nightmarish abominations of the Age of Sigmar.
While the mighty Freeguild Cavaliers ride into battle carrying fine weapons and armour, the Cavalier-Marshal is laden with the tools of command. Bags of supplies, cartographical equipment, and other miscellaneous kipple represent the encumbrance of his station. This is a commander who cannot rest after the battle is won, and must focus on the logistics of raising a settlement in the name of Sigmar.
Their world-weariness and dishevelled nature can be seen elsewhere in the Cities of Sigmar range on the Freeguild Marshal whose magisterial gaze is tempered by the weight of years. The impressive barding and plate armour of this mounted hero also mirrors the more ostentatious gear seen on the Freeguild Cavaliers, while his simple helm and stacks of gear have more in common with downtrodden Freeguild Steelhelms and Fusiliers, whose aches and pains can be felt just by looking at them.
When unveiling the full Cities of Sigmar range the Warhammer Studio regaled us with in-depth details on the thought process behind designing these miniatures, which explained why they look the way they do, and what their place is in the grand tapestry of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. The Cities of Sigmar answered a longstanding question – where are the humans in the Mortal Realms, how do they eke out an existence in worlds as violent as Aqshy or Ghur, and just how could they ever hope to stand up against all-powerful battlefield demi-gods?
That question has now been answered with aplomb – and a heavy dose of blackpowder – but if you cast your mind back to the World-that-Was, normal humans were often pitted against the incomprehensible hordes of Chaos, swift elven skirmishers, and swarms of orcs.
Armed with a magnificent moustache and the Solland Runefang was Kurt Helborg, Grand Marshal of the Reiksguard. One of the finest swordsmen in the Empire, he faced down horrors many times more powerful than him. The lineage of the Freeguild Cavaliers and their Marshal can also be traced from the multipart Empire General kit and the various Empire Knight kits – most notably the Knights Panther. These each feature elements such as crested heraldic helmets, embossed shields, and barding bearing the name of Sigmar.
And there we have it. 40 Years of Warhammer in 40 magnificent miniatures. A nearly impossible task, given how many stone-cold classic miniatures have been created, and how vast and amazing Warhammer has been in those four decades. To recap, here’s a supercut of everything that’s featured in this series.
Warhammer Community is celebrating 40 years of Warhammer the rest of this week with articles looking at games past and present, people’s picks for favourite miniature from across the company, and plenty more besides.
Everything will cap off on Saturday the 14th of October with the Warhammer Day Preview, which promises to reveal loads more glorious miniatures. Here’s to 40 more years of Warhammer!
