The Empire
From Lexicanum
The Empire is a nation located on the Old World, east of Bretonnia, south of Kislev and north of Tilea. It is arguably the most powerful human realm of the Old World and perhaps even of the Warhammer world.
The Empire is not a centralized state, but rather a group of individual states bonded together by common history, language, interests, customs, and culture. Each of the ten provinces is ruled by its own Elector Count.
Upon the death of an emperor the throne does not automatically pass to his heir. An election is held, and 15 Electors choose a new emperor. Each of them casts a vote, and the candidate with the most votes becomes Emperor. The current Emperor is Karl Franz who was elected and crowned in 2502 IC.
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History of the Empire
The Empire was founded by Sigmar of the Unberogen tribe, a very charismatic and powerful barbarian warlord.
Sigmar was the son of the tribal leader of the Unberogen, Bjorn. At a young age Sigmar saved the dwarfen king Kurgan from a greenskin raiding party. The king gifted the tribe with Ghal-Maraz, or "skull splitter". This mighty warhammer was to become the symbol of all Sigmar and his Empire was to stand for, and the source of his power.
Previously, the land was inhabited by many primitive tribes such as the Unberogen, Teutogens, Jeutones, and Bretoni. The tribes were often at war with one another, raiding for anything they needed or just to establish their power in the region. Sigmar's father Bjorn had already forged strong links with nearby tribes, but to unite the tribes under one banner was unprecedented and many feared it was an impossibility.
Establishing a powerful alliance with the Dwarfs, Sigmar began a quest to do exactly that. He travelled the Empire with his closest friends and his army, aiding tribal warlords in defense of thier people and earning thier trust. One by one, the leaders of the tribes pledged thier support to Sigmar and the Unberogen.
Several tribes refused to join Sigmar, or were openly hostile and threatened open war with the Unberogen. The tribe of Bretoni decided to migrate to the west, eventually settling. These people, united in a similar way under the leader Gilles Le Breton, would eventually found the nation of Bretonnia. The Teutogens and thier leader, Artur, and had terrorised neighbouring tribes, murdering and destroying. Artur beleived in individual strength and the old ways of the tribes, and would not bow to any man.
Sigmar set out to challenge Artur. He climbed by hand to the top of the mighty rock Fauschlag, where the Teutogen camp lay, and fought Artur to the death. The Knights of the white wolf pledged from then on to serve Sigmar as his personal guard.
Having sucesfully earned the trust, respect and allegience of the main tribes of the lands, Sigmar set out to Black Fire Pass, to await a massive greenskin horde that approached from the south. With aid from his allies the Dwarfs, and all of the tribes, Sigmar smashed the army, pushing the Greenskins back from the lands that would become the Empire ensuring security for many years to come.
Following the victory, Sigmar was crowned Emperor of the lands from the Worlds Edge mountains in the East, to Kislev in the north, The Black Mountains to the South and the Grey Mountains in the West. Alaric the Mad, dwarfen runesmith, began to forge 12 great Runeblades for each of the tribal leaders that would become the Runefangs of the Elector Counts. At this point, the Imperial Calender begins, at year 1.
Today, after 2500 years The Empire is now one of the greatest and powerful realms in the world, and covering a good deal of the Old World.
Society of the Empire
The Empire is split into different provinces and city states. Each province is governed by the ruling Elector Count.
Each Elector Count holds a Runefang, a powerful rune blade forged by the Dwarf Alaric the Mad for Sigmar at the very inception of the Empire. The Elector counts meet following the death of the ruling Emperor to vote for his sucessor. In the even of a dispute, many other individuals such as the Grand Theogonist of the Cult of Sigmar and the Elder of the Moot hold a casting vote.
Currently the title of Emperor is held by Elector Karl Franz, prince of the Reikland, of the Holswig-Schliestein family.
There are many different deities worshipped within the Empire, most noteably Sigmar, who has elevated beyond legend and history to become a warrior man-God. Cheifly and often in competition to the cult of sigmar is the temple of Ulric, the God of battle and winter. The temple is primarily based in Middenheim, with the Knights of the White Wolf particulary associated with it.
Other gods include Shallya, the goddess of healing and protection, Taal, the god of the hunt and Morr, the god of death, amongst others.
People
The overwhelming majority of the citizens of The Empire are human but small minorities of Halflings, Dwarfs, Elves, and Ogres have emigrated and been welcomed. Also present are other races either as mercenaries or as despised invaders like the Skaven and the Undead.
Empire Army List
The Empire Army List is made up of many different, well trained troops supported by various pieces of siege equipment such as Empire Great Cannons, as well as hand held black powder weapons and vast Empire Steam Tanks. They are analysed in the Empire Army List.
Empire Quotes
A list of quotes made by Empire members: Empire Quotes
Inspiration
The Empire has been fairly static since its introduction into Warhammer Fantasy, staying with probably the most diverse army in Warhammer. The Empire has cannons, guns, knights and tactically resourceful infantry giving it the possibilty to use various tactics on the battlefield. In recent editions of Warhammer Fantasy the Empire seems to be moving towards a more religious themed army (especially with the addition of Warrior Priests, Luthor Huss, and Valten in sixth edition).
Links
- Games Workshop
- Warhammer - Empire - unofficial Empire fansite
Empire Army Books
Warhammer Armies: The Empire. 5th ed. Baltimore: Games Workshop Ltd, 1996.
Warhammer: The Empire. 6th ed. Glen Burnie: Games Workshop Ltd, 2000.
