'''The Empire''', also 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}}{{Fn|4e}}{{Fn|7a}}

For over 2500 years Empire has endured since, surviving various invasions, [[Black Death|plagues ]] and [[Age of Three Emperors|civil wars]].{{Fn|7a}}

The provinces compete among each other for commercial, political and military power. Although not common, there has been battles between neighbours and sometimes burn into total war.{{Fn|4a}} Somewhat outside of the rule of the nobility are the semi-independent city-states. The cosmopolitan cities are the pride of the nation, containing the pinnacle of human archievement with their legendary palaces, universities, temples and military institutions. There the [[burgher]]s choose their own [[Burgomeister]]s to rule the cities.{{Fn|4a}} It is likely that the richest and most influential merchants have the greatest influence over the whole process but precise details are currently unknown.{{Fn|4a}}{{Fn|7a}}

|align=center|Originally [[Reikdorf]]. Attached to Reikland.

|align=center|Contestedafter the death of [[Marius Leitdorf]]

|align=center|Former electoral province. Absorbed by Wissenland after [[Waaagh! Gorbad]].{{fn|1b}}{{fn|7x7e}}

|align=center|Former electoral province. Seceded in 2429 IC {{fn|7x7e}}

|align=center|Re-absorbed to Stirland after the [[Vampire Wars]]{{fn|7x7e}}

The In the past, the status of [[Wizard]]s varied greatly among provinces. [[Reikland]] had universally outlawed [[magic]] and its users while in [[Talabecland]] the [[Cult of Taal]] offered greater freedom to mages and elementalists.{{Fn|9}} Modern Empire has the 8 eight [[Colleges of Magic]] which, in exchange for suitable fees, teach and train powerful [[Wizard]]s. The colleges were founded by [[High Elf]] [[Loremaster]] [[Teclis]] at the request of Emperor [[Magnus the Pious]] after the [[Great War against Chaos]]. The Wizards provide valuable magical support and protection for the armies of the Empire. {{Fn|4g}} Nevertheless the majority of the common people see Wizards with more than a little amount of unease, fear and suspicion.

Nearly The Emperire is a polytheistic society and nearly all deities of the [[Old World pantheon]] are openly worshiped and accepted. [[Cult of Sigmar|Sigmar]], is worshipped as the patron of the Empire {{Fn|4d}} while [[Ulric]], [[Taal]] and his wife [[Rhya]], [[Shallya]], [[Morr]] and [[Ranald]] are the most popular onesgods.

[[File:ImperialArmy.jpg|thumb|300px|An army of The Empirefacing [[Beastmen]]]]

The armies of the Empire are rightfully famous. The Empire has survived centuries of bloodshed thanks to the brave and skilled armies.{{Fn|4d}}{{Fn|7a}} The armies are massive and diverse fighting forces, having a wide range of available units while the [[Imperial Navy]] patrols the [[Rivers of The Empire|mighty rivers]] of The Empire besides protecting the northern coast of Nordland.

Each of the Elector Counts, including the Emperor, maintains their own standing armies, called [[State Troops]], which are largely composed of infantry. These forces are supplemented during war by various forms of militia, such as peasant levies and [[mercenary ]] bands. In addition to these forces are the various secular and religious [[Knightly Order]]s which will form most of the cavalry. Alongside these forces are various auxiliaries such as [[Battle Wizard]]s, [[Engineer]]s and artillery. {{Fn|4d}}{{Fn|7a}}

It started with probably the most diverse army in [[Warhammer]]. The Empire has [[cannon]]s, [[handgun]]s, [[knight]]s, and tactically resourceful infantry giving it the possibility to use various tactics on the battlefield. In later editions of [[Warhammer Fantasy]] with the addition of [[Warrior Priest]]s, [[Luthor Huss]], and [[Valten]] in sixth edition the Empire seems to be moving move towards a more religious themed army.

File:Empire Citizens WOAB.jpg|Citizens of the Empire citizensFile:Empire children.JPG|Imperial children

**{{Endn|7x7e}}: Other Regions of the Empire, pgs 56-57