Last year I began a long series of posts telling the real-world history of WFRP1 from its earliest origins. In the first section I told the story of how WFB1 came to be published, and how it was originally a dual system for both role-playing and mass battles. I then paused to research the next phase. The pause has lasted longer than I had hoped, but I am able to resume now.

This group of posts will tell the story of WFB1‘s early development, covering the period from July 1983 to December 1984. It will show how key concepts of the Warhammer world emerged, and also highlight many ideas that subsequently fell by the wayside.

It is a somewhat complex story. Ideas changed rapidly. Information is scattered across different sources, many of which are difficult to get hold of. The chronology is difficult to reconstruct. I have found it at times challenging to understand, and even more difficult to express.

Because of this complexity, I have structured these posts as follows. The first five, parts IX to XIII, will give an overview in chronological order of the material that appeared for WFB1 in this period. The subsequent posts, parts XIV to XX, will look thematically at the material in greater detail.

‘The WFRP Story’ continues here.

To go to the very beginning of ‘The WFRP Story’ series, click here.

Title art by John Sibbick. Used without permission. No challenge intended to the rights holders.