|Main Leaders = [[Emperor]] [[Karl Franz]]{{fn|7c}}|Secondary Leaders = [[Elector Count]]s{{fn|4b}}{{fn|7d}}

|Major Races = [[Human]]s<br>[[DwarfImperial Dwarfs]]

|State Religions = [[Cult of Sigmar]]<br>[[Cult of Ulric]]<br>[[Gods of the Empire]]

|Constituents = [[The_Empire#Imperial_ProvincesImperial province|Electoral Provinces]]

'''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}} ===[[End Times]]===The summer of 2525 [[IC]] saw plagues and disease assail the realm as the rivers began clogged with [[grave-moss]] and the forest roads becoming perilous to traverse due to [[throttlevine]]s. Well defended settlements became gripped by the plagues and those unfortunate enough have drunk from Reik were infected by the moss with only the sisters of Shallya able to go near enough to aid without risk of contracting the same. Moss-lepers began to spread the infestation further and further, whilst the dead seldom remained unmoving for long due to the magics of [[Nagash]] and cannibalism became rife.{{Fn|10a}}

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|[[Alberich Haupt-Anderssen|Alberich V]] of House Haupt-Anderssen

|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 [[elementalist]]s.{{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}}

*[[Captains of the EmpireCaptain]] s - A Captain of the Empire is a veteran military commander possessed of a variety of different formal titles who leads a smaller regiment or other unit of troops within an Imperial army. These leaders take to the field of battle whenever they can. Most of the men appointed by an Elector Count to serve as officers in their province's armies.*[[Battle Wizard]]s - Battle Wizards are individuals with the knowledge and power of one of the great [[Winds of Magic]], who has been schooled from one of the eight Colleges of Magic within the capital of Altdorf, and are now giving their services to the Empire.

*[[Luminark|Luminark of Hysh]] - The Luminark is a chariot similar in ways to the War Altar of Sigmar, though it is not one of spiritual power but a magical one. This chariot is imbued with the strong energies of the Light Order, with a massive construct built within the roof of the chariot that emits powerful rays of pure light energy towards its foes.

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