Difference between revisions of "Emperor"
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|align=center|<ref>'''Tome of Salvation''' p.15 - it must be noted that the canonicity of this information is unclear. AFAIK this name doesn't appear anywhere else.</ref> | |align=center|<ref>'''Tome of Salvation''' p.15 - it must be noted that the canonicity of this information is unclear. AFAIK this name doesn't appear anywhere else.</ref> | ||
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Revision as of 14:31, 31 March 2015
The Emperor is the leader and ruler of The Empire, the most powerful nation of the Old World. He is chosen from the Elector Counts by the 15 Electors and crowned by the Grand Theogonist. The first Emperor was Sigmar and his crowning started the reckoning of the Imperial Calendar. The current Emperor, Karl Franz, was crowned in 2502 IC.
Despite being technically both head-of-state and commander-in-chief of the Imperial military, the Emperor is not by any means an absolute ruler. He has to share much of his power, influence and responsibilities with the powerful Elector Counts.
Election
Upon the death of an Emperor the throne does not automatically pass to his heir. An election is held with 15 Electors, 10 of which are Elector Counts. The heir of the deceased Emperor is an obvious candidate; under normal circumstances he will be supported by the friends and allies of his predecessor. Therefore a dynastic succession is a strong possibility. However the heir may lose the election due to personal enmities or because of personal failings.
Nearly all emperors were chosen from among the Elector Counts and in many ways being an Emperor means being but the "First among equals". He is largely the leader of the Elector Counts, who are powerful and independent. Many matters are debated between the Emperor and the Counts on an equal standing and then agreed upon, and not always as the Emperor wants.
Powers
The Emperor's power is severely limited by the inability of enforcing his edicts within the semi-independent provinces. Far from the capital and inside their own provinces, the Elector Counts rule and they can choose to largely ignore his edicts and decrees. Furthermore The Empire is not a centralised state, but a feudal confederacy. The Emperor does not control the entire military of the Empire and he does not receive all, or even the majority, of taxes. His taxes and resources are collected from his own province and his own personal treasury will pay the military units under his direct control.
Each of the Elector Counts collects taxes from his respective province and will spend his wealth as he sees fit. He will recruit and pay his own provincial army, who is far more loyal to its local ruler. Depending upon the wealth of the province, a wealthy Elector Count may even afford and recruit a larger army than the Emperor. A wise Emperor will realise that trying to subdue the Elector Counts through threats and/or force is a very dangerous errand, which all too easily ends up in open rebellion and civil war. Gaining their respect and loyalty through example and fair leadership tends to be the best policy.
The Electors can de facto depose a weak emperor.
Known Emperors
Name | Reign | Notes | Sources |
Sigmar | 1 IC - 50 IC | Chief of the Unberogens, founder of the Empire. | [1] |
Siegrich | unclear, around 50 | Count of Averland. | [2] |
Hedrich I | 51 - 100 | Receives the Runefangs from the Dwarfs. | [3] |
Sigismund II | 479 - 505 | The Empire absorbs Marienburg. | [4] |
Siegfried I | 677 - 732 | Dies at the Battle of Fates. | [5] |
Ludwig the Fat | unclear, around 1000 | Establishes The Moot, and gives an electoral vote to the Elder of the Moot. | [6] |
Boris Goldgather | 1053 - 1115 | The Skaven release the Black Plague which devastates the Empire, Boris is one of its last victims. | [7] |
none | 1115 - 1124 | The Empire is largely overrun by the Skaven invasion. | [8] |
Mandred Skavenslayer | 1124 - 1152 | Count of Middenland, defeats the Skaven invasion, was later murdered by a Skaven assassin. | [9] |
none | 1153 - 1358 | The Electors are unable to choose a leader. This situation continues unchanged until 1359. | [10] |
? | 1359 - ? | Count of Stirland, his election is disputed by Ottilia, Countess of Talabecland, leading to civil war. | [11] |
Two feuding candidates | 1360 - 1546 | The Empire is torn by civil war between the elected Emperors and the Ottilian Emperors. | [12] |
Several feuding candidates, claimants and pretenders | 1547 - 2303 | The self-proclaimed Wolf Emperors escalate the civil war into an Age of Three Emperors. | [13] |
Magnus the Pious | 2304 - 2369 | A noble of Nuln, saves and re-unites the Empire. | [14] |
Leopold | 2369 - ? | Count of Stirland, grandfather of Dieter IV. | [15] |
Dieter IV | 2411 - 2429 | Count of Stirland, fails to defend The Empire from Waaagh! Grom. Receives a bribe in exchange for the independence of Marienburg; was later deposed by the Electors. | [16] |
Wilhelm III | 2429 - ? | Count of Reikland, cousin of Dieter IV, the Imperial throne has remained in his family until today. | [17] |
An unknown number of emperors | All Counts of Reikland. | [18] | |
Mattheus II | ? | Karl Franz's Grandfather | [19] |
Luitpold | ? - 2502 | Count of Reikland, father of Karl Franz. | [20] |
Karl Franz | 2502 - present | Count of Reikland. | [21] |
See also
- High King
- Phoenix King
- King of Bretonnia
- Tzar
- Dragon Emperor
- King of Khemri
- elected Emperor, for the respective line of candidates
- Ottilian Emperor, for the respective line of claimants
- Wolf Emperor, for the respective line of pretenders
- Reikland pretender, for the respective line of candidates
- Elector Count of Marienburg, for the respective line of claimants
- Unknown Emperor, a list of emperors and empresses
Notes & sources
- The beginning of Boris Goldgather's reign is unclear. Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.30 states that he ruled from 1053 until 1115. Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172 provides different dates: 1109 - 1115. However the description of Boris makes it clear that he ruled (poorly) for a considerable amount of time and therefore the information of the armybook makes simply more sense.
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.56 & 58 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.30 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Tome of Salvation p.15 - it must be noted that the canonicity of this information is unclear. AFAIK this name doesn't appear anywhere else.
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.57 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.30 - 'Warhamm (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.30 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.30
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p. 58 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.30
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.10 & 30
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.7, 8 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.10 & 30 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.10 & 30
- ↑ The Empire at War, chapter Guile - the Battle of the Talabec - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.8 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.59 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.10 & 30
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.8 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.59 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.10 & 30
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.8 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.59 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.10 & 31 - Warhammer Armies: Beasts of Chaos (6th edition) p.11
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.59 & 76 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.14 & 31 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.10 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.15 & 31
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.10 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.15 & 31 - Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (8th Edition) p.21 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ outdated sources name him Wilhelm II - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.10 & 11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.15 & 31 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.15
- ↑ The Enemy Within p.14
- ↑ Drachenfels: Act One, chapter XI - Warhammer Companion p.75
- ↑ Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition) p.11 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition) p.60 - Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition) p.15 & 31 - Warhammer (7th Edition rulebook) p.172