The 9th Age
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The 9th Age is a Tabletop Game and community project derived from Warhammer Fantasy Battle. Intended to serve as a natural evolution of the 8th Edition of Warhammer Fantasy (and thus an unofficial "9th Edition"), it was created in response to the "End Times," which ended the old franchise, and the resulting, thoroughly revamped Warhammer: Age of Sigmar released by Games Workshop.
The project is notable for its efforts to allow for the continued use of the old tabletop models being discontinued with Age of Sigmar. It's also notable in trying preserve the spirit of the original Warhammer Fantasy even while being its own thing and changing enough of the lore to avoid copyright issues. So much so that the development team even has a lawyer on standby in the off chance Games Workshop might sue.
While the project is still a work in progress, it's very much playable and can be found here.
- Alternate Universe/Alternate Continuity: Of sorts to the original Warhammer Fantasy, notably in how The 9th Age is set in a continuity where the End Times were averted.
- The Alliance: In the backstory, Avras and the Dwarves. Later on, Equitaine and the Empire of Sonnstahl band together to reclaim Avras and fend off the Dark Gods.
- Ancient Grome: The city and civilization of Avras is described as a Rome/Byzantium analogue in the lore.
- Broad Strokes: How the backstory of The 9th Age treats the history of Warhammer Fantasy.
- Expy: As it's derived from the old Warhammer Fantasy, there are multiple examples.
- The Empire of Sonnstahl is The Empire.
- The Kingdom of Equitaine is Bretonnia, though they also have elements of the Crusader States as well in addition to the existing French and Arthurian British elements.
- The Elves are still divided among Highborn, Sylvian and Dread cultures, which correspond to the High, Wood and Dark Elves.
- While Daemons are still referred to as such, Chaos factions are simply referred to as "Warriors of the Dark Gods."
- The Saurians, like the Lizardmen, are a dinosaur-riding Mayincatec society.
- The Sonnstahl blade itself is one to Ghal Maraz.
- Fan Work: The project began as something of a protest of sorts in relation to Age of Sigmar.
- Gender Flip: In this version, Sigmar is a girl named Sunna. But unlike her male counterpart however, she's empowered by the sun rather than a comet. She also seems to downplay Sigmar's Barbarian Hero elements, given her role in founding Avras and serving as the "Lady" worshipped by Equitaine.
- Lighter and Softer: Compared to the End Times of Warhammer Fantasy at least. This time around, not only was it ultimately averted, but the by the setting's "present" age, the Dark Gods are being pushed back.
- Meaningful Name:
- Sonnstahl is German for Iron/Steel Sun, which in-verse is a nod to Sunna, the Empire's female founder. It's also the name of Sunna's sword.
- Like Bretonnia, Equitaine excels in cavalry.
- Medieval Stasis: Averted though more pronounced due to the Time Skip. Though it's implied to still be in force in the Kingdom of Equitaine.
- Obvious Beta: The project is still in continuing development.
- Our Founder: Avras, the Roman analogue in the setting, was founded by Sunna, much like how she later established the Empire of Sonnstahl. It's also revealed in the lore that she's also the "Lady" worshiped in Equitaine.
- Playing Both Sides: Sort of. Both Sonnstahl and Equitaine worship Sunna, albeit known as the "Lady" in the latter.
- Reality Subtext: In addition to the in-verse lore of the project being set in the titular "9th Age," the title's meant to invoke the theoretical 9th Edition that never came to pass with the End Times event.
- Serial Numbers Filed Off: Intentional. While much has been done to ensure that there's no copyright infringement, it's still evident that the universe is heavily based on Warhammer Fantasy in all but name. That said, there are enough changes to the names and lore that let the project stand on its own.
- Time Skip: After a fashion. Word of God is that in addition to the Renaissance analogies, the setting is experiencing its own Age of Exploration.