Sunday Musings - Grand Cathay

Each week, Adam times out exactly 90 minutes to write an article on something basically hobby releated.

This week, we go east…

Grand Cathay is, and was, a realm where celestial wisdom flows as surely as great rivers, where mighty dragon emperors rule with both grace and iron will, and armies move with the quiet inevitability of the seasons themselves.

For years, Cathay has lingered on the fringes of Warhammer lore—a mysterious, almost mythical empire glimpsed only in passing references and cryptic mentions. But with the arrival of Total War: Warhammer III and a renewed focus from Games Workshop, Cathay has finally stepped out of the shadows and into the brilliant light it has long deserved.

If the Old World is a maelstrom of ceaseless conflict—where kingdoms rise and fall like waves—then Cathay stands as a calm, watchful guardian on the Empire’s distant eastern horizon. Sheltered by towering mountain ranges and steeped in ancient sorcery, the empire’s foundation rests on the delicate balance of forces both natural and supernatural. At the heart of this balance sits the Celestial Dragon Emperor, a majestic figure who embodies the union of order, wisdom, and raw elemental power. His reign is mirrored in the noble bloodlines of his children, great dragons who walk the world in human form, guiding the empire’s destiny.

For decades, Cathay was little more than an exotic rumor whispered by traders and adventurers—a land of silk and spices, inscrutable mystics, and disciplined legions who could turn the tide of battle with the sweep of a brush or the roar of a dragon. Now, thanks to detailed world-building and dazzling wargame design, Cathay’s story unfolds in vivid color, revealing a civilization as rich and complex as the legends that surround it.

Beneath the serene exterior, Cathay is no utopia. The empire is a tapestry woven from dynastic ambitions and ancient rivalries. While the Celestial Dragon Emperor’s word is law, powerful warlords and scheming nobles vie for influence, and hidden threats whisper in the empire’s shadowed corners. The Skyroads—an intricate network of trade routes rivaling the Silk Road—keep the empire’s lifeblood flowing, while the imposing Great Bastion, a monumental wall spanning thousands of miles, stands sentinel against the relentless advance of Chaos and otherworldly horrors. This complex interplay of politics, tradition, and raw power fuels the narrative tension of Cathay’s saga. It’s a civilization where honor clashes with ambition, and every alliance is forged and tested on the anvil of war.

Cathay’s armies embody the very philosophy of balance—discipline tempered by fluidity, precision wedded to elemental fury. Unlike the brutish rampages of Orcs or the grim stoicism of the Empire’s soldiers, Cathayan forces combine martial prowess with a mystical synergy drawn from the cosmic forces of Yin and Yang. Their Terracotta Sentinels stand in stoic ranks, unmoving until called to deadly action. Artillery harnesses the power of dragons’ breath and arcane energy. Wind Dragons swoop across the skies, turning battlefields into arenas of elemental devastation. For tabletop players and digital generals alike, commanding Cathay is a lesson in tactical harmony and thoughtful positioning. Their units are not just tools of war but expressions of an ancient philosophy—a wargamer’s dream of strategy and spectacle entwined.

For years, the mention of Cathay in Warhammer conversations was met with equal parts excitement and speculation. Would this legendary empire ever become a tangible faction? Could it live up to the mythic status it held in the imaginations of fans? With its full unveiling, Cathay has answered those questions emphatically. It is no longer an elusive whisper but a commanding presence in the tapestry of Warhammer’s universe. Whether you’re a veteran general plotting your next campaign or a newcomer marveling at the exquisite aesthetic of its units, Cathay invites you to step into a world where dragons soar, strategy reigns, and history is written by those who dare to wield both magic and steel.

Warhammer’s Eastern Empire has arrived. And it is here to stay.