For anyone following Grand Cathay in Warhammer lore, the name Miao Ying is impossible to ignore.
She’s the eldest surviving daughter of the Celestial Dragon Emperor, the ruler of the Northern Provinces, and the unyielding sentinel of the Great Bastion. Known as the Storm Dragon, she has spent millennia defending her father’s empire from marauder tribes and darker forces beyond the northern walls. Her fortress city of Nan-Gau is a hub of industry, military discipline, and magical power, making her one of the most formidable figures in the world. Now, for the first time in recorded history, Miao Ying is taking her veterans and fleet across the seas to the Old World, and this is shaping up to be a campaign of epic proportions.
The Northern Threat and Duty of the Storm Dragon
Miao Ying’s life has been largely bound to defense. The Great Bastion, an ancient wall guarding the northern frontier for 4,000 years, faces constant threats from marauder tribes like the Kurgan and the Hung. Tens of thousands of Jade Warriors man the bastion, trained for relentless conflict. Unlike her sister Yin-Yin, the Sea Dragon, who roams the oceans, Miao Ying rarely leaves her post. But a spike in Marauder raids, coupled with her brother Yuan Bo’s intelligence on creeping corruption in the west, compels her to act. Her sense of honor, duty, and vigilance makes this decision remarkable—leaving the northern provinces is almost unthinkable for her, yet the growing threat of Chaos demands it.
A Call to the West
The Jade Dragon, ruler of the Central Provinces, recognizes that the Old World is slipping into chaos. The Empire of Man falters, Bretonnia struggles against resurgent Orcs and Goblins, and the Elves and Dwarfs largely turn a blind eye. Yuan Bo petitions Miao Ying to intervene, warning that if Sigmar’s Empire falls, even Grand Cathay could face danger. Flying across the skies at impossible speed, she arrives in Wei-jin to consult with Yuan Bo and assess the situation. Only after negotiating careful protections for the northern border and Nan-Gau itself does she commit to this unprecedented expedition.
Preparing the Jade Warriors
Before leaving, Miao Ying ensures Nan-Gau remains secure. Noble families raise fresh regiments of Jade Warriors to hold the Great Bastion, freeing seasoned veterans to join her expedition. By summer’s end, the Storm Dragon’s army and fleet are ready. The first triumph comes over the Sea of Claws, where Norscan raiders are crushed by a combination of aerial bombardment from Sky Lanterns and the disciplined might of the Jade Fleet. But the situation along the Westerland coast is grim—abandoned villages, ruined forts, and destroyed ships paint a picture of escalating chaos.
Arrival in the Old World
Miao Ying’s expedition makes a dramatic entrance in Marienburg. Jade Warriors march from ships to shore, towering Terracotta Sentinels stir to life, and Sky Lanterns light the skies. While merchants and diplomats from Cathay have been seen in the Old World before, a full-scale military expedition is entirely unprecedented. Crowds are stunned, rulers take note, and the true extent of Grand Cathay’s might is on full display. The Storm Dragon has arrived, and the stage is set for a campaign that could reshape the western world.
Wrapping Up
Miao Ying’s journey isn’t just a military campaign—it’s a demonstration of Grand Cathay’s enduring power, discipline, and strategic brilliance. Her balance of honor, vigilance, and decisive action makes her one of the most fascinating figures in Warhammer lore. Fans will be able to pre-order Miao Ying this weekend, alongside the Arcane Journal: Dawn of the Storm Dragon, making this a perfect time to add one of the most iconic characters from Grand Cathay to your collection. This is a story that blends history, strategy, and spectacle, and it’s just getting started.
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