Grand Cathay is the largest and most ancient empire in the world, a vast realm of jade and silk ruled by the immortal Dragon Emperor and his celestial children. Cathay's Great Bastion — a colossal wall stretching thousands of miles — holds back the Chaos Wastes to the north, while the empire's interior is a land of ancient cities, powerful magic, and a civilization that dwarfs anything in the Old World.

Grand Cathay's history stretches back further than any other living civilization, its origins lost in the age of the Old Ones. The Dragon Emperor and his consort, the Moon Empress, have ruled for millennia, their immortal children serving as governors and generals across the vast empire. The Great Bastion has been tested countless times by Chaos incursions, and the Cathayans have developed unique magical and military traditions to defend it.

Cathayan armies blend disciplined infantry with powerful magic and exotic war machines. The Terracotta Sentinel constructs serve as magical war golems, while the Grand Cannon batteries provide devastating firepower. Sky Lantern observation platforms and the fearsome Jade Lancers cavalry round out a versatile force. The Celestial Dragon mages wield the unique Yin-Yang magic of Cathay, balancing opposing forces to devastating effect.

Cathayan culture is built on the philosophy of Harmony — the balance of opposing forces that sustains the empire and the world. The Dragon Emperor embodies this principle, his rule maintaining the cosmic balance. Cathayan society is highly stratified, with scholars, merchants, and warriors each occupying defined roles. The Jade Road connects Cathay to the Old World, making it the centre of a vast trade network.

• ✦The Imperial Palace — seat of the Dragon Emperor in the capital
• ✦The Great Bastion — the colossal wall defending Cathay's northern border
• ✦Shang-Yang — the great port city, gateway to the Jade Road
• ✦The Mountains of Heaven — home of the Celestial Dragon Court