Elector Count

The Empire consists ten large, semi-independent provinces, each of which is ruled by an Elector Count.

Overview

The position is hereditary, and usually passed from father to eldest child ^[1][2]. As a badge of office each Elector Count wields a Runefang one of the twelve magic swords forged by Alaric the Mad a Dwarf Runesmith.

At the beginning of The Empire there were twelve Counts, but over the centuries two of the provinces ceased to exist as their respective noble family-lines were extinguished {{Fn|2}). Today there are but ten Elector Counts.

Technically the Emperor rules over the whole Empire, and the Elector Counts owe him their loyalty ^[1]. In reality however the true power belongs to the Elector Counts as each province is usually very independent and far more loyal to its local ruler. On many issues the Emperor is but the 'first among equals'.

As rulers of their provinces the Elector Counts must defend them from internal rebellions and outside threats ^[1]. Most of them are experienced and able generals, while those who aren't will pass such responsibilities to a (hopefully) loyal and adequate substitute.

Many Elector Counts are quite warlike and, on occasion, even wage war against each other.

Their title is stripped only in cases of high treason or extreme incompetence. This is always a last resort measure because of the threat of a civil war.

Current Elector Counts

current Elector counts
name	titles	residence	notes	sources
Marius Leitdorf (deceased)	Elector Count of Averland	Averheim	no clear heir, position is currently disputed	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pgs. 9, 14 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 73 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Aldebrand Ludenhof	Elector Count of Hochland	Hergig		{{Fn| Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 72 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition), pg. 49 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Boris Todbringer	Elector Count of Middenland Graf	Middenheim	Middenheim is a city-state and centre of the cult of Ulric	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pgs. 9, 26 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 72 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition), pg. 49 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Theodoric Gausser	Elector Count of Nordland, prince of Marienburg, Prince of Salzenmund	Salzenmund	forbidden to enter the city of Marienburg upon pain of death	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pgs. 9, 28 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 16 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Valmir von Raukov	Elector Count of Ostland	Wolfenburg		Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 73 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition), pg. 49 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Wolfram Hertwig	Elector Count of Ostermark	Bechafen		Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Karl Franz (current emperor)	Elector Count of Reikland, prince of Altdorf	Altdorf (current capital of the Empire)	Altdorf is a city-state and centre of the cult of Sigmar	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 8 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 16 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition), pg. 49 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Alberich Haupt-Anderssen	Elector Count of Stirland Graf	Wurtbad		Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Helmut Feurerbach (missing)	Elector Count of Talabecland	Talabheim	Talabheim is a city-state	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
Emmanuelle von Liebwitz	Elector Countess of Wissenland	Nuln	Nuln is a city-state	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
"lost" Elector Counts
last Elector count	titles	circumstances	notes	sources
Eldred	Elector Count of Solland	slain by Orc Warlord Gorbad Ironclaw	province was later annexed by Wissenland	Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 57 Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
unclear, Vilner or Konrad Aldrech	Elector Count of Drakwald	unknown	province was later divided between Middenland and Nordland	Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 22
unknown	Elector Count of Marienburg	unknown	Marienburg seceded/became independent much later	Needs Citation

See also

• Elector

Sources

• 1: Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 3
• 2: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 16