'''The Empire''', formally known rarely referred to as the '''Empire of Man'''{{Fn|2}}, is the largest and most powerful nation of the [[Old World]]. {{Fn|3a}} It is located east of [[Bretonnia]] and the [[Grey Mountains]], south of [[Kislev]] and the [[Sea of Claws]], north -east of [[Tilea]], north of the [[Border Princes]] and the [[Black Mountains]] and west of the [[Worlds Edge Mountains]]. {{Fn|3b}} The current Emperor is [[Karl Franz]]{{Fn|3a}}, who was elected and crowned in '''2502''' [[IC]]{{Fn|3c}}.

The Empire was founded 2,500 years ago, by [[Sigmar Heldenhammer]]. {{Fn|3d}} At its founding, the traditional territories of the tribes unified by Sigmar were formalised as the imperial provinces. Following the passing disappearance of Sigmar, in '''50''' [[IC]] the system of [[Electors]] was established, with the provincial rulers entitled to elect a new Emperor from among themselves.{{Fn|3e}}

Although the [[Emperor]] is both head-of-state of the Empire and commander-in-chief of its armies, the real power within the Empire is held by the 10 [[Elector Count]]s, of which the Emperor is one.{{Fn|4a}}

Upon the death of an Emperor the throne does not automatically pass to his heir. An Instead, an election is held by the 15 Electors- the 10 Elector Counts, 10 the [[Elder of the Moot]], the [[Ar-Ulric]] and each of which are the [[Grand Theogonist]] and his two [[Arch Lector]]s - to select a new Emperor from among the Elector Counts. Each of them casts a vote, and the candidate with the most votes becomes Emperor.{{Fn|4b}}

The Emperor is largely essentially the leader of the Elector Counts, who are extremely powerful and independent. His power is severely limited by the inability to enforce his edicts within the semi-independent provinces, where the Elector Counts can effectively choose to largely ignore them.

A wise emperor Emperor realises that trying to subdue the Elector Counts through force and/or threats is a very dangerous errandendeavour, which all too easily ends can end with open rebellion and civil war. Gaining their respect and loyalty through example and fair leadership tends to be the best solution.

|style=background:#FFBF00 align=center|'''Title'''{{Fn|25}}|style=background:#FFBF00 align=center|'''Type (2522)'''{{Fn|25}}|style=background:#FFBF00 align=center|'''Historical Tribe'''{{Fn|36}}

*{{Endn|2}}: [[WFRP Companion]] pg. 20*3: [[Warhammer Rulebook (8th Edition)]]**{{Endn|3a}}: pg. 180**{{Endn|3b}}: pg. 160-161**{{Endn|3c}}: pg. 177**{{Endn|3d}}: pg. 171-172**{{Endn|3e}}: pg. 176*4: [[Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)]]**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 20**{{Endn|4b}}: pg. 13*{{Endn|5}}: [[Enemy in Shadows Companion]], pgs. 13-14*{{Endn|36}}: [[The Empire at War]], pg. 80