Magnus the Pious
Magnus I von Bildhofen[1], commonly called Magnus the Pious, was one of the greatest leaders and heroes of The Empire. He united the divided Empire to win the Great War against Chaos. Afterwards he was elected Emperor in 2304 IC and ruled until his death in 2369 IC. [9a][9b][10a][11b]
Magnus appeared at the time of greatest peril, reunifying the divided Empire and saving the Old World at a time when Chaos had reached such a strength that its forces were threatening to overrun Kislev to the northeast, long the bulwark against Chaos. Rallying the warring states of the Empire into an army, Magnus marched north to defeat the Warriors of Chaos at the Battle at the Gates of Kislev. Afterwards he became the first Emperor to represent all the Grand Provinces of Sigmar and issued sweeping reforms, such as making magic legal for the fist time with the foundation of the Colleges of Magic. [9a][10a][11a]
Contents
History
Great War Against Chaos
This was the darkest period for the Empire - there was no Emperor, as the imperial system had effectively ended in 1979 IC, but even before, the election of the Emperor had become little more than a sham. Coinciding with the Empire's dissolution was the growing power of Chaos. In a new Chaos Incursion, the Chaos Warlord Asavar Kul rampaged southwards. The forces of Chaos crossed the River Lynsk of Kislev, besieging and finally leveling the city of Praag to the ground.[9a][10a][11a]
Magnus grew up as a young nobleman with a fanatical devotion to the church of Sigmar and the Empire and such was his fanaticism that his family sent him to university in Nuln to try and disperse his energy. However, he soon had a following of fellow students who gathered to hear his rousing speeches. Magnus realised this lack of leadership and unity left the Empire unable to defend itself against the growing threat of Chaos. Driven by his faith, he walked throughout the Empire, preaching the word of Sigmar and driving the people until they believed he was the man who could lead them to victory. Even the Elector Counts and Burgomeisters recognised his power and agreed to follow him. [2a][9a][9b][10a][11a]
Ultimately, in the Great War Against Chaos, Magnus gathered a great army and marched north to meet the threat, his force a massive and diverse array of gleaming knights, crazed flagellants, hardy State Troops and, in a particularly new and controversial move, Hedge Wizards trained in Battle Magic by the High Elves.[9a][9b][10a][11a]
High Elf Mage Teclis of Ulthuan had been sent by the Phoenix King to aid the realms of men, knowing that if the Empire was to fall the rest of the world would eventually follow. With precious few warriors to spare (as the High Elves were fighting a desperate war against their dark kin at the same time) Teclis took two of his fellow mages from the White Tower, Yrtle and Finreir, and set off for the Empire[5]. High King Alriksson of the Dwarfs also marched north to aid the nations of men. [9a][9b][10a][11a]
His army had to be divided in two, so huge was it and such a drain on food and other resources - they arrived too late to save Praag but destroyed the remaining Chaos forces [2a] Eventually the forces of Chaos would meet the greatest alliance in the history of the old world as the soldiers of Empire, Kislev, High Elves and Dwarfs. Ultimately, they drove back the armies of Chaos at the Battle for Kislev's Gate, killing thousands and ended the Great War in victory.[2a][9a][9b][10a][11a] Magnus confronted Asavar Kul, defeating him in single combat. [8]
Reign
Afterwards, Magnus was elected Emperor in honour of his great victory - the people of the Empire demanded this and the Electors had to accept this.[2a] "The Pious" as he became known, due to his religious fervour and devotion to Sigmar, reunited the Empire, and instigated many traditions and institutions that still survive today. He held court back at Nuln. [9a][9b][10a][11a]
He initiates sweeping reforms of the Empire, limiting nobles, cults guilds and many more with new laws. The servants of Chaos were hunted down and many wild or abandoned lands were resettled. Again enlisting the aid of Teclis, Magnus founded the Colleges of Magic in Altdorf, legalising magic for the first time. Additionally, he granted a formal charter to Imperial Gunnery School of Nuln and Imperial Engineers School of Altdorf and both grew in power. [9a][9a][10a][11a]
Emperor Magnus died in 2369 IC, having ruled for 65 years. On his death the Imperial Crown passed to Elector Count of Stirland Leopold, as his brother Gunthar von Bildhofen had agonized the Grand Theogonist. [9a][10a][11a][11b]
Weapons and Equipment
Although he used no magical weapons or protection prior to being created Emperor, he was protected by the Power of Sigmar. [2a]
- 4th Edition: Heavy Armour, Shield, Sword, may ride a Barded Warhorse. [2a]
- Gilded Armour: Following the Great War against Chaos, the High Elves presented him with a golden set of armour, enchanted to repel attacks. [6][7]
- Shroud of Magnus: After his death a shroud was laid upon his body, those who carry it are immune to malign Chaos, Dark and Skaven magic. [6]
Gallery
Magnus
Magnus and Teclis
Magnus enters Nuln after his victory
Quotes
| It was your gods who failed you. My god is always with me.
~ Magnus to Asavar Kul.[8] |
Conflicting Sources
Sources
- 1: Sigmar's Heirs: A Guide to the Empire, pg. 17
- 2: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (4th Edition)
- 2a: Special Characters, pg. 68
- 3: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition) Needs Citation
- 4: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition) Needs Citation
- 5: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition) Needs Citation
- 6: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition): The Treasure Vaults, pg. 21
- 7: Realms of Sorcery (1st Edition), Magic Items, pg. 162
- 8: White Dwarf 270 (UK): The Great War Against Chaos, pg. 29
- 9: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
- 10: WFRP Rulebook (4th Edition)
- 10a: Timeline of the Reikland, pgs. 274-275
- 11: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition)
- 12: Warhammer Armies: Warriors of Chaos (8th Edition) pg 17
