Wilhelm the Wise
- This article is about the Emperor. For the Grand Theogonist Wilhelm III, see that article.
Emperor Wilhelm III, known as Wilhelm the Wise, Prince of Altdorf and Elector Count of the Reikland[1], was the first of the Emperors of the Holswig-Schliestein family which rules The Empire to this day.[3][7a]
History
As Prince of Altdorf
While his cousin, Emperor Dieter IV, the Elector Count of Stirland, did nothing to oppose Waaagh! Grom (2420-2424 IC), Prince Wilhelm organized a spirited defence of the Reikland. His leadership won him the people's gratitude and the respect of the Electors.[2]
In 2429 IC his cousin disgraced himself further by accepting a bribe to allow the independence of Marienburg; the Electors deposed him using anti-corruption laws of Magnus the Pious and elected Prince Wilhelm to replace him.[3][7a]
As Emperor
Emperor Wilhelm III established his court in Altdorf. During his reign the Empire made advances in many areas: trade was greatly expanded, communications were improved with a new network of roads, the Empire's close relations with Kislev were reaffirmed, and an embassy even sent to Bretonnia. Many technological advances were made as well, not least in the arts of war.[3]
He tried to reclaim the city of Marienburg which had declared independence under Deiter, and sent three military expeditions to enforce his will - all of which failed. The last of which in 2429 IC ended with Battle of Grootscher Marsh that resulted in rout of Imperial state armies. Wilhelm III was forced to verbally recognise the independence of The Wasteland to the Marienburgers and their High Elf allies. [4a][7a]
In 2430 IC Emperor Wilhelm III reinstates the Colleges of Magic that had been suspended after the Night of a Thousand Arcane Duels.[7a]
Next year (2431 IC) the Great Fire of Altdorf occurred accidentally from Bright Order accident. Wilhelm III resisted the call to suspend the Colleges again but gave the Cult of Sigmar oversight over the Wizards.[7a]
In 2453 IC, Wilhelm III created the Imperial Road Warden Service as a branch of the army and set standards for training and equipment, imposing oversight which was intended to stop the worst abuses. [5a] He also created the Imperial Messengers, intended to alleviate the delay of news and communication throughout the expansive Empire, especially during war. When the need arises, these horsemen can ride almost non-stop even from the most distant corner of the Empire to the capital, by changing horses at the coaching inns.
Karl Franz, the current Emperor, is Wilhelm's direct descendant.[3]
Reiksguard
He created the Reiksguard, the famous Knightly Order of the Empire which provides both mounted and foot knights to serve as the Imperial Bodyguard. [6a]
Quotes
| Tell von Kluck to withdraw, and take this message to the Burgomeisters of Marienburg. Tell them to appoint a delegation to meet Our Plenipotentiaries to discuss a treaty. We will recognize their independence. But, mark my words, I pray for the day when they come crawling for help against Chaos or the Norse or the Bretonnians. Let the Directors see what their gold buys them then! I curse them and their lands and their city! Westerland - bah! I name that land for what it is, a Wasteland, and I hope they choke on it!
~ Wilhelm.[4a] |
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition), pg. 15
- 2: [Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins (4th Edition)]], pg. 10
- 3: The Enemy Within (Supplement), A brief History of the Empire, pg. 23
- 4: Marienburg: Sold Down the River
- 4a: The Wasteland, pg. 6-7
- 5: Enemy in Shadows Companion
- 5a: Chapter 6: Road Wardens, pg. 39
- 6: White Dwarf 310 (UK)
- 6a: Knightly Orders of the Empire, pg. 120
- 7: WFRP Rulebook (4th Edition)
- 7a: Timeline of the Reikland, pg. 275
