The Empire of Men

The Empire is the largest and most powerful of all the nations of the Old World. The Empire is bordered by the nation of Kislev to the north and the Sea of Claws, the World's Edge Mountains to the east, and the Great Ocean, Black Mountains, Grey Mountains, the land of Bretonnia to the west, and the Border Princes to the south. To the east the Empire is threatened by the orcs and goblins. A large amount of the Empire is heavily forested and large numbers of beastmen can be found in the deepest forests.

Political structure
The Empire is a confederation of ten large provinces: Averland, Hochland, Middenland, Nordland, Ostland, Ostermark, Reikland, Stirland, Talabecland, Wissenland, each of which is ruled by an Elector Count. There were originally two more provinces Drakwald (lands now under the jurisdiction of the Elector Counts of Middenland) and Solland (lands now under the Elector Counts of Wissenland). Another, Westerland, was originally the areas around Marienburg.

The provinces and their counts are derived from the twelve chieftains that followed the god Sigmar. The naming of some provinces of The Empire are also derived from the river that flows through them, like the river Reik flows through The Reikland, the Talabec through Talabecland and Talabheim and such. Also, some of the major cities of the Empire became more important and as such are classed as city-states; namely

Altdorf, in Reikland.
Nuln, on the borders of Wissenland, Averland and Stirland.
Talabheim, in Talabecland.
Middenheim, in Middenland.
Sudenburg is an Imperial enclave in Araby

The Empire is nominally ruled by the Emperor who is chosen by majority voting of the various electors. The electors are the ten Elector Counts, the Grand Theogonist of the Sigmarite Church, the two "Arch Lectors" who are also clerics of the Sigmar church, the High Priest of Ulric and the Elder of the Moot (representing the halflings). Karl Franz, of the Holswig-Schliestein family, is the current Emperor. The Emperor is usually also one of the Elector Counts; Karl-Franz is the Elector Count of Reikland.

Belief
The religion of the Empire is polytheistic, with the god Sigmar being the most important. Sigmar is exalted, having been a powerful warlord who unified various tribes to form the Empire. The Grand Theogonist is the leader of the Imperial Orthodox Church, which devotes itself entirely to Sigmar, and is analogous to the Pope. Sigmar's worship is strongest in Altdorf but runs throughout the Empire. However, some regions have a stronger link to other gods, such as the Middenheimers, who revere Ulric before all others and Talabecland who revere the god Taal.

Military
The armies of the Empire are amongst the most diverse in the Old World. Older forms of troops like spearmen, swordsmen and halberdiers, especially the personal bodyguard of the Elector counts the Greatswords, archers and crossbowmen fight alongside more 'modern' troops like cannon, Handgunners and Pistoliers (daring, if not often headstrong, pistol wielding sons of nobles on horseback). The inventiveness of the Empire has produced war-machines such as a steam-powered tank, rocket batteries and volleyguns, and in the last edition such steam-punk elements as mechanical horses are also present.

The Empire is also noted for having excellent cavalry in the form of its Orders of Knights. The Empire also often fields state-trained Battle Wizards and religious fanatics known as Flagellants. The armies can be led by Imperial Generals, Grand Masters of the various Knightly Orders, Captains chosen by the Counts, Warrior Priests and Arch Lectors of Sigmar, or even the Emperor Karl-Franz himself.

Alliances
The Dwarfs are the Empire's closest ally and have been from its very founding. This alliance provided not only military support but also technological and commercial trading. A large contingent of Dwarfs have settled in the Empire and owe their allegiance to the Emperor rather than their ancestral homelands.

Bretonnia is an oft rival of the Empire in both trade and war, but has supported the Empire on occasion from common foes, notably in the recent Storm of Chaos. The wintry kingdom of Kislev to the north and east has been on good terms with the Empire, and their forces have fought together many times. Ties with the High Elves are strong and growing.

The Elves have also been one of the Empire's allies in times of turmoil.

The Empire maintains a cool relationship with its former province of Marienburg, the city of merchants. Trade and travel are maintained with the fractured states of Tilea and Estalia. Great caravans transverse the mountains and continents to bring sought-after goods and treasures from Ind and Grand Cathay in the east. Although Imperials know little of the East, it appears that they are unwitting allies against Chaos.

In the desert lands of Araby, the Imperial colony of Sudenburg has been established. Arabian trade is also heavy, and tales are told of the wondrous Sultans and their realms.


History

Battle of Black Fire Pass
The First Battle of Black Fire Pass was the culmination of Sigmar's campaigns to cleanse the lands of the Empire of orcs and goblins, this battle saw the power of the greenskin races broken in the lands of Men, and drove them into the Bad Lands, their current domain. Taking place in the year IC -1, a year before Sigmar's coronation as the first Emperor, this battle is looked upon as Sigmar's greatest victory and the site is now a site of pilgrimage for members of the Sigmarite faith.

Black Fire Pass lies in the south of Averland, where the Black Mountains part and the Old Dwarf Road moves out into the Border Princes' Realm and toward Karaz-a-Karak, the greatest of the Dwarf holds and the seat of their High Kings. Along with Axe Bite Pass in the west, which leads into Bretonnia, Black Fire Pass is the only other land route through the mountains that fence the Empire, and as such is of vital strategic importance.

Magnus the Pious
Perhaps the greatest Emperor after Sigmar, Magnus the Pious saved the Old World in the Great War Against Chaos.

Magnus was a noble of the Empire born over 2,300 years after the disappearance of Sigmar. Since the end of its first millennium the Empire had been marred by corruption, civil war, strife, religious persecution, political idiocy and an overall lack of unity. In the Imperial year 2302, the largest Chaos incursion since ancient times erupted - threatening to wipe out the Old World and perhaps beyond. The Empire, fractured by internal strife and lacking a leader, was unable provide any support for the other nations now locked in combat. Throughout the cities of the Empire, Magnus made great speeches praising the glory of Sigmar and the duty that his countrymen had to oppose the evil that was surging over the lands to the north.

Magnus recruited the largest army in Imperial History and was also its most diverse. Flagellants marched next to the mercenaries and state troops of all the Elector Counts, hedge wizards trained by the Elven High Mage Teclis advanced alongside ordinary citizens who hated Chaos. This force marched north to Kislev to meet the Chaos legions which were opposed only by the remnants of the Kislev armies and a small Dwarven force. Their arrival was aided by the High King Alriksson of the Dwarfs, and a force of High Elves from the seas. Assaulted on three sides, the Chaos army was ground down and crushed, saving the Old World.

After the Great War, "Magnus the Pious", as he became known, was elected Emperor. One of his first acts after the War was to co-found the Colleges of Magic. Throughout Imperial history, the practice of sorcery was punishable by death. Under Magnus' approval and Teclis' guidance, a new weapon was added to mankind's arsenal - the Imperial Battle Wizard. Magnus also granted the Artillery and Gunner's School the Imperial Charter for their contribution to the war.


History of the Provinces
As of 2522 in the Imperial Calendar, the latest date given in game materials.


Averland
Grand Countess Ludmilla von Alptraum was 77 years old at the start of The Enemy Within campaign. She lived long enough to send Feldmarschall Marius Leitdorf to assist the beleaguered Ostlander forces at the Battle of Wolfenburg in 2514. The old Countess died shortly after and was succeeded by her eldest daughter, Baroness Marlene. Unfortunately, Marlene died from the plague that ravaged the land after the war. Marlene's only surviving child and heir, Helena, abdicated in favour of her husband, Marius Leitdorf. Marius was famous in the Empire for two reasons; first, for being one of the best swordsmen in the Empire, and second, for being completely mad. This prompted some unsubtle 'guidance' from Karl Franz, via Ludwig Schwarzhelm, to curb the worst of Leitdorf's excesses. Leitdorf was eventually slain by an Orc Warlord at the Third Battle of Black Fire Pass in 2520, though it was his holding action (accompanied by his Greatsword bodyguards) that gave time for the Reiksguard to rally and rout the invaders.The position of Averland Elector Count is in dispute.


Hochland
With trouble brewing between Talabecland and Ostland in 2514, Baroness Hildegarde Tussen-Hochen was compelled to name Count Aldebrand Ludenhof, betrothed to her daughter Sophia, as Grossmarschall of Hochland. Later that year, troubles in Bergsburg and her failing health forces the Baroness to abdicate in favour of the Count. The 2515 Volkshalle Edict elevated Hochland to Electoral status.

Stirland
Stirland is regarded as a rustic backwater by many in the Empire. They remain on relatively good terms with their neighbours, the Halflings of the Moot. They border the feared land of Sylvania, and as such, the priests of Morr maintain a watchful presence along the province's borders. The current Elector Count is Graf Alberich Haupt-Anderssen.


Middenland
Grand Duke Leopold von Bildhofen was one of the prime instigators of the outbreak of war in 2514. The 2515 Volkshalle Edict stripped von Bildhofen of his status as Elector and the province was once again united with Middenheim, under the rule of Graf Boris Todbringer. The actual city is built on a pleatau called Ulric's Bluff


Nordland
While Nordland regained its northeastern provinces (lost to Ostland during the Dark Ages), Baron Werner Nikse was forced by the 2515 Volkshalle Edict to relinquish his holdings in Salzenmund and nearby towns in order to compensate Ostland for instigating the war of 2514. The Electors elevate Nordland to Electoral status and named Count Theoderic Gausser as its new ruler. Nordland is noted for incorporating the Laurelorn Forest, home to one of the few communities of Elves in Elthin Arvan (the Eltharin term for the Old World). The Elector Count is wise enough not to press any claims on this well-defended realm, however!


Ostermark
Chancellor Maximillian Dachs was killed during the war of 2514. Hauptmarschall Wolfram Hertwig, who led the Ostermark contingent with distinction at the Battle of Wolfenburg, succeeded him. The 2515 Volkshalle Edict elevated Ostermark to Electoral status and named Chancellor Wolfram Hertwig as its Elector.


Ostland
Grand Prince Hals von Tasseninck died in battle along the Nordland front during 2514. Kriegmarschall Valmir von Raukov was elevated to Grand Prince and Elector Count of Ostland by the 2515 Volkshalle Edict.


Reikland
The richest and most powerful province in the Empire, whose Elector, Karl Franz, is also Emperor. Reikland extends from the frontier with the Wasteland along the course of the river Reik and the Grey Mountains, across from the Kingdom of Bretonnia. It contains Altdorf, the Imperial capital and largest city in the Empire, home of the Colleges of Magic. Helmgart and Ubersreik are heavily fortified towns at the eastern edge of the Grey Mountains, guarding the Axe Bite Pass and Grey Lady Pass respectively from human and Greenskin intruders. Reiklanders are the most forward-looking and confident people of the Empire, proud of their Unberogen heritage and convinced the brightest days are yet to come - and that as the people of Sigmar, they should naturally take the lead in Imperial endeavours. Unsurprisingly, such an attitude wins Reiklanders few favours in the war-torn north...


Talabecland
As with the Elector of Middenland, Grand Duke Gustav von Krieglitz was found guilty of instigating the 2514 war. The 2515 Volkshalle Edict stripped von Krieglitz of his status as Elector and Count Helmut Feuerbach, a Talabeclander noble who stayed out of the war, was elevated to succeed him. Though no direct evidence was found to prove her complicity, there were strong suspicions that Grand Duchess Elise Krieglitz-Untermensch provided loans to her cousin, von Krieglitz. Rather than submit to an inquisition, Grand Duchess Elise abdicated her Electoral status, but was able to secure the continuance of the city's Freistadt status under her rule.

The current Elector is Helmut Feuerbach, who went missing shortly after the most recent Chaos invasion.


Wissenland
Wissenland is contrasted between the dour and hardy people of the countryside and the expressive city-dwellers of the great city of Nuln, former Imperial capital and persistent centre of learning in the arts and sciences. The wealth and power of Nuln paid for the much of the reconstruction of the war-torn Empire. Grand Countess Emmanuelle von Liebewitz of Nuln exercised her own form of justice and took over the rule of Wissenland from her errant vassal, Count Bruno Pfeifraucher in 2514. Today she remains Elector Countess of Wissenland, yet has also retained her rule over Nuln.


Electors
In addition to the ten Elector Counts, other powerful men in the Empire hold the status of Imperial Elector. At the present, these are as follows: The Grand Theogonist of Sigmar, Volkmar the Grim (newly reinstated); Arch Lector Kaslain and Arch Lector Aglim, also of the Cult of Sigmar; The Elder of the Moot, Hisme Stoutheart; and the Ar-Ulric, Emil Valgeir.

Former Provinces
As of 2522 IC, these provinces are no longer politically individual parts of the Empire.

Drakwald
One of the founding provinces in the time of Sigmar Heldenhammer, located in the centre of the eponymous Drakwald forest, this province was stripped of its assets, its territory divided between Middenland and Nordland.

Solland
Once a province on the southern frontier of the Empire, Solland was lost in the face of a massive Orc invasion, led by Gorbad Ironclaw, its Runefang seized by the invaders after the Battle of Sollands Crown and only retrieved at length. Solland's territory has been subsumed by Wissenland, where there is a profound sense of tragedy at the fall of their once-neighbours. Kurt Helborg however now carries the Solland Runefang.

Sudenland
In former editions of Warhammer, Sudenland was a province in its own right, with the background noted here. However, after Bryan Ansell left Games Workshop, Sudenland became Solland, and was destroyed by Gorbad Ironclaw and subsumed into Wissenland. This was part of a short-lived but deliberate strategy to remove aspects of the background thought to be overly influenced by Bryan Ansell and Kim Newman. Former background appears to state that Sudenland had only been separated from Wissenland and ruled by the von Mecklenberg family since the time of Magnus the Pious in recognition for their outstanding services in the Great War against Chaos in 2303. Johann von Mecklenberg abdicated the rule of the province in 2505 to his cousin, Grand Baroness Etelka Toppenheimer. For undisclosed reasons, the Grand Baroness surrendered her Electoral status in 2515 and the province was reunited with Wissenland. Rumours have it that Toppenheimer's heir and adopted son of a distant relative, Baron Olaf Sektliebe, was somehow involved with this strange turn of events.

Westerland
When the great port city of Marienburg lay within the Empire's borders, it was part of the province of Westerland, at the mouth of the river Reik. Upon declaring independence, the region is now referred to as the Wasteland, yet those within the Empire who would seek 'reunification' retain the use of the previous term.

Sylvania
Sylvania is an area now in the Province of Stirland that has been the source of an Undead threat on many occasions.

Sylvania was long considered a cursed and backward area. It first came to fame after the necromancer Vanhel ruled it with an Undead horde and drove off a massive Skaven incursion that had been ravaging the Empire. After Vanhel's death the province came under the rule of the mad Von Drak family until the heiress of that family, Isabella, was married to a foreigner- a move by the ruling Count to deny his brother the throne. The man was Vlad Von Carstein, an ancient and powerful vampire. For many years, Vlad ruled using a variety of different names as to not draw suspicion, and under his leadership, Sylvania was transformed into an efficient province of the Empire. Vlad built a huge army partly made of undead. With this horde he attacked the Empire, launching the Vampire Wars. After nearly destroying the Empire, Vlad was slain by Grand Theogonist Wilhelm.

Vlad's heirs continued the war for over a century before Mannfred Von Carstein, last and greatest of Von Carstein's bloodline, was slain by the Count of Stirland at the Battle of Hel Fenn. Sylvania was absorbed into Stirland. Since no one else wanted the cursed land, no one gainsaid him. Mannfred Von Carstein has since returned and rebuilt his strength, leading a huge army to Middenheim at the peak of the Storm of Chaos. Other vampiric factions, including vampire nobles in Sylvania, have often taken steps to hinder the Von Carstein's attempts to restart the Vampire Wars for the following reason: it makes is much harder to hide amongst their prey if the humans are actively hunting vampires.