Marius Leitdorf
The late Marius Leitdorf was the latest Elector Count of Averland [1][2][3a].
Marked by an eccentric behaviour, the count was dismissed as a madman by his peers and enemies alike. A formidable warrior nonetheless, he was recently slain by the Orc Warlord Vorgaz Ironjaw.[3b][4a][5]
Suffering from extreme mood swings, Marius Leitdorf could become irrationally furious only to be followed by deep depressions, which could last for several weeks. During his normal phases he was an extraordinary artist, engineer and inventor. He was also a very skilled warrior fighting with his Runefang and a long-bladed dagger.[2]
History
In early 2502 IC, after forming an alliance with Stirland against the Goblin Warlord Nhobgarg he sought to build a road across the Moot and into Stirland via a new bridge over the Stir to enable the two armies to unite. The Halflings of the area, despite taking a colossal bribe to allow it, claimed that the money was for a road and not a bridge and disrupted the buidlig work. [7a]
Enraged, Marius led his army to slaughter every one of the malodorous runts and at the Battle of Nearstream did just that, cutting down any and all he could find. Desperatly the halfings sought aid even as the Elector Count lost much of his army though desertion.[7a]
The Ogre Tyrant Blaut Feastmaster marched to confront Marius and when the two armies met in battle, Marius was able to claim that his actions were nothing more than a ploy to lure the brutes into a ambush. [7a]
For unknown reasons the count visited Bretonnia. During this visit he insulted the ugly wife of the Duke of Parravon. This led to a Bretonnian invasion in 2512 IC, which thankfully floundered before the defenses of Helmgart [4b]
In 2515 IC after Ostland requested aid after being invaded by a chaos horde from the north, Marius set forth to defeat the enemy, gathering soldiers from the settlements he rode through. However when he reached the walled town of Sudenheim, he was confronted by an army from Nuln and at a subsequent parley, the Bright Wizard Ludas Luddace so enraged him that Marius drew blades and attempted to slay him. He addressed his men before the Battle of Sudenheim: Men of the Empire, the Grand Marshal is being badly advised. I suspect treachery and the work of the great enemy. If we are to aid Ostland, we must fight through the blockade. Target their wizard, as surely he has bewitched the good men of Nuln! [6a]
During the subsequent battle, Marius dueled Luddace, striking him with his runefang and revealing that he was in fact a Daemon which cackled at him and faded from existence. Witnessing its manifestation, the men of the Empire ceased fighting and pledged themselves to the Elector Count. [6b] Other regiments and warriors rallied to his banner as he headed north to confront the invaders who are led by Sigvald the Magnificent. [6c] In the ensuing battle, Marius was victorious but at a heavy cost and the Geld-prince escaped with the prize he sought - the preserved head of a Keeper of Secrets. [6d]
The last straw was Leitdorf's suppression of the Halfling rebellion. Karl Franz decided to send Ludwig Schwarzhelm, his personal champion, to find a way to deal with Leitdorf. Surprisingly, the plan worked and Leitdorf appointed new advisers with instructions to curb the worst of his excesses.[4a]
Facing a new Orc invasion, Leitdorf asked again for military support and he was not disappointed, as Karl Franz arrived in person with an army. The ensuing battle was hard-fought. The powerful Orc Warlord Vorgaz Ironjaw defeated and killed the count, who was nonetheless able to wound the Orc. The battle was then decided through a duel between Karl Franz and Vorgaz in which the Emperor prevailed[4a].
The lack of a clear successor has led Averland into a time of political unrest. The position of Elector Count of Averland is currently disputed [4c]
Weapons and Equipment
- 4th Edition: Barded Warhorse, Dagger, Heavy Armour, Runefang [2]
- 6th Edition: Barded Warhorse, Dagger, Full Plate Armour, Runefang [7a]
Gallery
Miniatures
Marius
Marius
Marius
Quotes
| They call me mad- mad! But 'twas I who stopped those invading unicorns. None other! Mad indeed....
~ Marius Leitdorf.[8] |
Sources
- 1: Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire, pg. 9
- 2: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition), pg. 73
- 3: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition)
- 4: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition)
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (8th Edition), pg. 29
- 6: White Dwarf 345 (UK)
- 7: White Dwarf 314 (UK)
- 7a: The Revolting Moot, pg. 90-92
- 8: Total War Warhammer III
