Elector Count

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An Elector Count is the ruler of one of the ten provinces of the Empire.

The position of Elector Count is hereditary, and the main duties that they hold are two-fold. First, the Elector Counts are charged by the Emperor to rule their province and to be loyal citizens of the Empire.. They must aid the Emperor when he demands it, and also they must keep the province in line. Should an Elector fail in their duties, they may have their title stripped, and even be executed. The second duty they must fill is as such: When the Emperor dies, the Elector Counts gather together and then they elect one of their own to become the new Emperor, hence the title "Elector" Count. There are other important individuals in the Empire who also hold the ability to cast a vote for the next Emperor. They include the Grand Theogonist, The Two Arch-Lectors of Sigmar, The Elder of The Moot, and The Ar-Ulric. However, only an Elector Count may be elected to be Emperor.

Although the Empire may seem to be a unified nation, this is far from the truth. The Emperor has technical rule over his Empire, but the day to day power rests in the hands of the Elector Counts. Indeed, their words are the law, superseded only by the word of the Emperor himself. As such, the power the Electors hold is enormous, but they are still duty-bound to serve the Emperor. It has not been unknown for the ruling Emperor to be forced into military action to quell the squabbling between the Counts.

As a badge of his office, the Elector Count carries a Runefang: one of the 12 swords forged by the Dwarf Runesmith Alaric the Mad as a gift to Sigmar for his aid in fighting the Orcs. Originally, there were 12 Counts, but over the years two of the family lines have been wiped out and their provinces lost due to war. There are now 10 Elector Counts, as the provinces of Solland and Drakwald have been absorbed into the provinces of Wissenland and Stirland respectively.

As of Imperial Year 2522, the following is a list of the ten remaining provinces, and their ruling Count.

For a list of former Elector Counts from the long Imperial History look here

Source