The name "Eldar" comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's elves, who in their own language were called "the Eldar". The history of the Eldar in Warhammer 40,000 mimics that of Tolkien's elves, to the point that they are a "dwindling race" in the game universe, as the elves were in Middle-earth's Third Age. Incidentally, GW has actually copyrighted the term "Eldar".

Pursued by the dark forces of the necromancer Heinrich Kemmler, Gotrek and Felix arrive at Castle Reikgard, where they must hold out against the zombie hordes.The brutality of the siege is unremitting as wave after wave of horrific creatures, led by the undead champion Krell, attempt to take the walls. With supplies running low and morale sinking, the defenders begin to hear terriblewhispers and endure awful nightmares. Suspicion and paranoia run rampant within the castle walls, and the defence...

The premise for the campaign is that two brothers have become estranged. The younger brother was chosen as the successor to the estate by their father, and the older brother fled to the Dark Elves, where he was taken in. Now, the older has returned with a Dark Elf army to exact vengeance upon his brother. Each of the brothers holds a sword that contains a Tear of Isha, and whoever holds both tears wins the campaign

As the darkness gathers over the isle of Albion, foul creatures stalk the lands and the omens tell of a coming powerful enemy. Gotrek and Felix are compelled to fight the evil that terrorises the people before it can grow to threaten the whole world. With the aid of the high elf mage, Teclis, they must decipher and use the secrets of the Old Ones. Only then can they hope to vanquish the dark master.