Averland
The Grand Count of Averland[1a][2] is a southern province of The Empire, being the homeland of the ancients Brigundians, its capital is Averheim[3][4]. Its latest ruler, the eccentric Marius Leitdorf, was recently slain by an Orc Warlord and the position of Elector Count of Averland is currently vacant[5a][6a].
Named after the river Aver, the province is located between Wissenland, Stirland, The Moot and the Black Mountains. Its symbol is a golden sun and its colours are black and yellow[7a].
Heraldry
The colors of Averland are yellow and black. Its state banner shows a sun, and has since the downfall of Solland, when many of its nobles fled to Averland.[7a][7b]
A previous banner used by Averland was a hammer in front of a black imperial cross.[2][7a]
Averlanders are known for their ornate and ostentatious uniforms.[6b][7a]
History
Legend has it that the Brigundians first arrived in the area in about -1000 IC, displacing or conquering the humans that already lived there. They established a great camp on the site of modern day Averheim and raided and warred with invading Orcs & Goblins as well as other tribal kingdoms including the Unberogen. Good relations were established with the local Dwarfs with the Brigundians even providing cavalry support for their armies. [1a]
Siggurd, then leader of the tribe took his warriors to war at the Battle of Black Fire Pass. [1a]
Military
Averland has been attacked by huge numbers of Orc and Goblin forces since the time of Sigmar. Sigmar himself led the human tribes against a huge army of combined Orc and Goblin tribes. Since that time many more Orc and Goblin warlords have run their forces into Averland, most notably those of Grom the Paunch of Misty Mountain (2410 IC) and Gorbad Ironclaw (1707 IC).
Many Halflings have settled in Averland and have taught the human populace the skills of hunting and cooking. Consequently Bergjaegers are expert human hunters who have developed a proficiency in trapping. Averlanders tend not to distinguish or care what their State Troops are armed with, and all are simply called Mountainguard and are treated with equal respect.[8]
Averland is blessed with wide and fertile plains; ideal breeding ground for horses. The local horses are considered the finest of The Empire and in high demand by the Knightly Orders[6c].
A secular knightly order which makes its home in Averland is The Order of the Black Bear. Reputedly the most boisterous of all the Knightly Orders within the Empire, the Knights of the Black Bear keep a keep on the borders of Averland as well as a Chapterhouse in Averheim itself. Even so, the Knights have have fashioned a series of martial tournaments to provide an outlet for their energies (they had previously engaged in the practice of Halfling coursing — outlawed in 2402). These tourneys test all facets of what the Black Bear perceive to be Knightly skills and include such feats as swordplay, horsemanship, and of course, quaffing. the Order spends much time hunting down the undead as their keep is so close to Sylvania, as well as breaking forces of greenskins. The name of the Order comes from its mythical founder- a poor yet noble knight who wrestled a bear to rescue a lady. The myth is maintained and remembered in the tradition of the Grand Master wrestling a bear before every tournament. This tradition has led to a great many Grand Masters finishing their service by being killed by said bear. However common debate suggests that the order is named after a public house in Averheim, also called the Black Bear. Said talk is violently suppressed by the order as it is indeed a stain on their honour.[9]
Greatsword Sergeant Franz Vogel fought against the forces of Chaos in the army of Averland[10a], then joined the Witch Hunter Magnus Gault in a quest to destroy the chaos taint on Averland.[10b]
Known Features
- Averheim[5b][6d][7c][11]: Averland's capital; connected with the Old Dwarf Road.
- The Three Towers[5b][6d][7c][11]
- Hochsleben[5b]: A town located near the Upper Reik.
- Heideck[1b]: Site of ancient dwarfen ruins
- Grenzstadt: A fortress town located at the northern end of Black Fire Pass.
- Streissen[1b]: Hotbed of revolution; home to a small university.
- Middlesdorf: A little town.[10b]
- Loughsville[10b]: A town near Middlesdorf. Its people were corrupted by Nurgle, but the entire town was burned by Magnus Gault.[10b]
- Totenburg: A town where Franz Vogel planned to live with his wife Magda after his battle against Chaos. It was corrupted by Nurgle, but Vogel and Magnus Gault succeeded in burning the ciy and defeating the Chaoos followers.[10b]
The provinces & city-states of The Empire | |
Provinces | Reikland - Middenland - Nordland - Ostland - Hochland - Talabecland - Ostermark - Stirland - Averland - Wissenland - The Moot |
City-states | Altdorf - Nuln - Middenheim - Talabheim |
Lost provinces | Drakwald - Solland - Westerland - Sylvania |
Sources
- 1:Sigmar's Heirs
- 2: White Dwarf 325, pg. 55
- 3: The Life of Sigmar, pg. 5
- 4: The Empire at War, pg. 80
- 5: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition)
- 6: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition)
- 7: Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire
- 8: Mordheim Annual 2002
- 9: White Dwarf 310, Needs Citation (also available for a short time on Australian Games Workshop website)
- 10: Blood of the Empire (Anthology)
- 11: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 6