WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPLAY Pt I: Empire Problems Require Empire Solutions

RPGBOT.Podcast

Want to survive your first Warhammer Fantasy game without getting eaten by a goblin or arrested for fashion crimes? This episode teaches you the grimdark basics—judgy elves included.

Big thanks to our sponsor, Dungeon Master Adamantine—the only GM who can run a perfect session and pronounce "Naggaroth" correctly on the first try. If you want to play D&D, Call of Cthulhu, Vampire: The Masquerade, or any other TTRPG—whether you're in Greece, online, or just chaos-curious—book your game at dungeonmasteradamantine.com or find him on StartPlaying.

Show Notes: In this gloriously grimdark episode, the RPGBOT crew celebrates both personal victories and narrative tragedy—because nothing says Pride like running a half marathon and being emotionally wrecked by Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay lore. The crew dives deep into the richly depressing world of Warhammer Fantasy, from the human-centric politics of the Empire to the lizard-brained logic of the Slann. They explore the setting’s clashing cultures, catastrophic corruption mechanics, and the unfortunate magical side effects of wearing the wrong outfit.

Expect heated discussions on dwarf grudges, elf egos, undead management tips, and why your bright pink tunic might just get you killed during spellcasting. The conversation also gets tactical as they unpack dungeon design do’s and don’ts, from the elegance of the Five Room Dungeon to the emotional trauma that is Tomb of Horrors. Spoiler alert: don’t design your dungeon like a video game unless your players are part AI and emotionally numb.

This episode is equal parts war-torn exposition and mechanics breakdown, with a healthy helping of sarcastic celebration.

Key Takeaways:

• Pride is powerful. So is finishing a half marathon. So is a vampire count on a zombie dragon.
• Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is what happens when early modern Europe and cosmic horror have a very messy divorce.
• The Empire: Best place to be human, worst place to not pay your taxes.
• Bretonnia: Where chivalry and classism come with matching banners.
• Kislev: Frostpunk with bears and chaos cultists.
• Dark Elves: If Hot Topic and human sacrifice had a baby.
• Warhammer Fantasy ≠ Warhammer 40K. This one has fewer space marines, more diseases.
• Elves are superior—just ask them.
• The Old World is “Europe but cursed.” The New World is “Colonialism but with dinosaurs.”
• Dwarves: Have grudges, will travel (underground).
• Lizardmen: Technically the good guys, if you like ancient prophecy and no interpersonal skills.
• Greenskins: Orcs, goblins, and the chaos-fueled frat party that never ends.
• Skaven: Backstabbing rat anarchists who somehow built a nuclear weapons program.
• Undead: Vampires rule the night; Tomb Kings rule the day (and resent the living).
• Chaos: The multiversal HR violation that unites us all.
• Your class and career determine your fate, like high school but with more mutations.
• Warhammer's magic system: Be fluent in death chants and fashion-forward or suffer the consequences.
• Psychology, fear, corruption, and disease aren’t flavor—they’re core mechanics.
• Color-coordination is literally rules-as-written. You can die for clashing.
• Spellcasting is hard. Miscasting is harder. Death by wardrobe malfunction is canon.
• Character progression is XP-based. Advancement is granular and glorious.
• Half-elves aren’t a thing. Racial purity is, unfortunately, a cultural theme.
• Dungeon design should offer choices, not just punishment. Unless you’re Tomb of Horrors.
• The Five Room Dungeon is a GM’s best friend—tight, deadly, and endlessly adaptable.
• Don’t copy video game dungeons. This isn’t Skyrim and your players aren’t NPCs.

Listen now and learn why wearing a green sash while casting a red spell might kill you faster than a chaos spawn with an axe.

Links

• Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Core Rulebook (affiliate link)
• Find a GM on StartPlaying.games

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Tyler Kamstra

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Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
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