Empire (Warhammer Fantasy) RPG

Imperial strategists developed a highly effective method of fighting for infantry, which won many battles: the squad system. Like other troop units, Imperial units can operate as completely independent units, but they are also trained to fight slightly differently. Most of the unit is armed and equipped as usual, but some are armed with different weapons and form a separate small unit called a squad.

The squad forms up next to the main unit to provide support: either by firing at the enemy with bows or rifles, or by holding close-combat weapons at the ready and threatening the enemy unit's exposed flanks. A particularly popular combination is when the main unit is supported by two squads, one armed with small arms and the other with melee weapons.

When the enemy approaches, the squad armed with small arms opens fire. If the enemy attacks the riflemen, they flee, and the attacker will either be drawn into combat with the hand-to-hand combat experts or remain standing in front of the main squad, exposing themselves to attack. Meanwhile, another squad moves to attack the enemy from the flank or protect the main squad from a flank attack. The riflemen successfully reform and re-engage, continuing to fire on the advancing enemy. Of course, there are many variations of this tactic, but they all rely on the principle of mutual support.

The castles of these warlords are hung with ancient banners, once carried into battle by their illustrious ancestors. The wealthiest nobles may even own banners woven with powerful spells, and they carry these standards into battle with pride.

The Empire is a turbulent land, marauded by beastmen and orc tribes, and even nobles sometimes plunder their own towns and massacre their people. Elector Counts must fight against these enemies, though they are physically unable to command every army sent to war. Command is often delegated to a trusted warrior deemed worthy of leading the men entrusted to him—such officers command provincial armies during battle. Of course, there are always exceptions; some of the more warlike Elector Counts (such as Valmir von Raukov of Ostland) suffer from an unhealthy love of the clash of swords or the thunder of cannons, taking to the battlefield whenever and wherever they can.

Many of the commanders appointed by the electors are members of the nobility. For example, the Elector of Hochland, Aldebrand Ludenhof, was trained in the arts of war from an early age: hunting beastmen in the forests, falconry, and swordsmanship were his specialties. Other commanders, in turn, rose through the ranks, and at the very beginning, they stood in the ranks with bloody halberds in hand. These officers vary greatly in rank and may be called captains, marshals, generals, or simply commanders. Regardless of rank, they are proven and experienced veterans with many years of military service behind them. They understand the art of soldiering better than anyone, having spent most of their lives defending their homeland.

Since the time of Sigmar, the Empire has maintained armies of professional soldiers defending the Emperor's lands. Recruiting parties travel through the provinces, beating drums, promising a life of glory and adventure to those who sign up and join the Emperor's armies. Driven by love for their homeland and the promise of three meals a day, many willingly risk their lives and limbs in the Empire's established ranks.

Regular troops form the backbone of the Empire's army, although when needed, armies are often hastily recruited from levied militias, often consisting of mercenaries and local peasants. In addition to forming the regular army, regular troops also serve as city guards and enforcers of local laws. In the provinces, these troops fall under the command of the Elector, and in free cities like Nuln, they are commanded by the Burgomaster.

To command the armies of the Empire, one must possess the courage to send soldiers where they risk death without hesitation. The armies of the Empire are led by warriors who have been trained to lead their troops as easily as a swordsman wields his blade. Of course, commanders vary in their skill, art, and courage. Some are like the fierce Elector Count Boris Todbringer of Middenheim, who embodies the essence of the unwavering warrior of Sigmar's people. Others are weak, dandyish warriors who lead men in battle only out of family tradition.

The Rise of Cities Below the electors stands a varied nobility—crown princes, princes, and barons. Some of them still retain the influence left over from feudal times, while others own only their castles, their entire power having been seized over the past generations by merchants and burgomasters.

With the rise of the merchant class, major changes have recently occurred in the Empire. Particularly noteworthy is the rise of city-states such as Altdorf, Nuln, Talabheim, and Middenheim. Elector Counts still retain the titles associated with these cities, but their political influence there is far from what it once was. Merchant cartels rule there, along with craft guilds and religious communities.

Other settlements The Empire is home to numerous smaller cities and towns, villages and estates—too many to list here. But they share some similarities: almost all have defensive walls, though their state of repair is difficult to assess. Defending such a settlement would be more effective in the open beyond the city walls, as fighting within the city itself would only lead to the destruction of what should be preserved. If the defenders lack sufficient forces to wage war outside the city, they are better off sheltering within it and awaiting reinforcements, praying the enemy cannot penetrate, for by ancient military tradition, defenders of the city are shown no quarter, as is well known. It's hard to imagine a bloodier spectacle. The streets become rivers of blood, while frantic officers desperately try to rally their scattered troops. Eventually, the remnants of the defending army may retreat to the main keep and attempt to hold out there, establishing a smaller siege within the larger one. However, if the siege had gone such a disastrous route, the fate of the defenders had likely already been sealed.

Further south are the provinces of Stirland, Wissenland, and Averland, which are less heavily forested than the rest of the Empire, and much of their wealth comes from the fertile fields and mines at the foot of the World's Edge Mountains. Wool, horses, and wheat fetch a decent price in the northern and western markets, although in recent centuries the power of these rural provinces has faded as the urban merchant class has grown stronger.

The other provinces lack significant resources that could secure their power. Ostland, Nordland, Hochland, and Ostermark maintain their influence only through alliances with more powerful provinces. In times of civil strife, the support of such provinces can be very useful.

Originally, there were twelve Electors, but the province of Solland was destroyed by the invasion of the orc warlord Gorbad Ironclaw and is now part of Wissenland, while the old province of Drakwald was overrun by beastmen and other creatures. The lands of the slain ruler were divided between Nordland and Middenland, although new borders are still being negotiated, often leading to military action. Not long ago, the greedy Emperor Dieter IV granted secession to the city of Marienburg for a substantial sum, and for the past hundred years, this major port has fiercely defended its independence.

Thus, there are currently ten provinces: Averland, Wissenland, Middenland, Nordland, Ostland, Ostermark, Reikland, Talabecland, Hochland, and Stirland. Of these, Reikland is currently the most powerful. For the past hundred years, it has housed the Emperor's throne, and it is in Reikland that the city-state of Altdorf, the capital of the empire and seat of the Colleges of Magic and the Church of Sigmar, is located.

The power and influence of the other provinces waxes and wanes depending on the abilities and plans of their electors, wars, and politics. Typically, the most prominent of these are Middenland and Talabecland. Middenland is one of the wildest and most dangerous provinces, but its capital, Middenheim, is the center of worship of the ancient god Ulric, so it wields power out of all proportion to its wealth and resources. Talabecland's borders are delineated by the Talabec and Stir rivers, tributaries of the great Reik, and its wealth comes from trade and taxing merchants traveling between Nuln, Altdorf, Marienburg, and the eastern provinces.

Although the Empire is spoken of as a single nation, this is not entirely true. The Empire is a vast country, composed of diverse and largely independent provinces (effectively full-fledged states), united by a shared culture, religion, language, and common interests. Today, these provinces come in two distinct types: city-states and provinces proper. Initially, only provinces existed, but over time, cities grew in importance and became self-governing.

Each province is ruled by an Elector Count. Over centuries of marriages and alliances, the ruling families have created a complex web of relationships, treaties, and trade agreements, often sparking disagreements. Many Elector Counts also hold other titles, some military, others hereditary or honorary. Thus, Karl Franz is not only Emperor and Elector Count of Reikland but also considered Prince of Altdorf, while Boris Todbringer, Elector Count of Middenheim, is Count of Middenheim. The Elector Count of Talabecland is known as "Ottila," after the self-proclaimed Empress Ottila, and the ruler of Marienburg, also Count of Nordland, was forbidden to return to his city on pain of death after the secession. The Elector Count of Ostermark is also known as the Border Guardian, and the Emperor provides him with substantial funds. But how much of this money is actually spent on military needs depends on the ruling Elector.

Neighbors and allies The Empire is the largest state in the Old World, but not the only one. It has many neighbors, some of whom are its allies. While conflicts occasionally arise between these countries, for the most part they trade and support each other.

Border principalities Bretonnia Estalian Kingdoms Kislev is located to the east of the Empire and often fights with its forces against the forces of Chaos. Ostland often sends its forces to aid the Kislevites. Tilian city-states Marienburg - A major trading city, formerly part of the empire. Now independent.

Dark forests Dark, dense forests cover much of the Empire, and beneath their dark canopies lie all manner of terrifying creatures and forgotten secrets. The forests are wild places, though scattered across their vast expanses are numerous settlements. But these are mere pockets of civilization—walled towns and villages whose gates are closed and locked every night, and the surrounding forests are viewed with dread. The people of the Empire rightly fear what lurks within the forests, for the trees conceal many enemies: bandits, rampaging orcs, and mutated beasts of Chaos. Further afield, the forests become literally impenetrable. Few dare venture beyond the trees, and those who do are rarely seen again.

Towns and villages are connected by dangerous, rutted roads, lined with inns surrounded by high fences. Finding yourself in the forest in the middle of the night is a terrifying experience for those who dare the perilous journey through the woods, but the sight of an inn in the darkness is truly a joy. However, even such refuges are not safe; there are many stories of travelers finding completely empty inns, their guests slaughtered by bandits or something worse.

Great rivers Surrounded by vast mountain ranges, the Empire is like a reservoir into which raging streams flow. Originating from streams and beautiful waterfalls high in the mountains, they quickly merge, turning into majestic, foaming rivers. By the time they reach the Empire, they have become deep and slow-moving, the greatest waterways of the Old World. Rivers are characteristic of the Empire, where travel by boat on rivers is often much faster and more sensible than traveling through dangerous forests on poor roads.

The people of the Empire have a habit of naming riverine territories after the rivers themselves, so Talabecland is located on both sides of the Talabec River, Reikland is along the banks of the Reik, and so on.

Aver River The Reik River Sol River The Stir River Talabek River

The Empire is the greatest state in the Old World. It stretches from the icy Sea of ​​Claws in the north to the towering Black Mountains in the south. To the west, the Empire borders the noble kingdom of Bretonnia, while its eastern border is a virtually impassable wall, formed by the World's Edge Mountains and the frigid steppes of Kislev. The Empire's vast territories are largely dark, dense forests, where bandits, greenskins, and beastmen make their lairs in forgotten elven ruins and ancient fortresses perched atop towering cliffs. The lands of the Empire are characterized by a wild, primeval grandeur, but it is also a land of danger and peril, where death is always close.

Majestic mountains The vast natural boundaries created by the mountains simultaneously protect the Empire from invasion and provide refuge for its most dangerous enemies. These include, first and foremost, the three largest mountain ranges: the World's Edge Mountains, the Grey Mountains, and the Black Mountains, which shield the Empire far to the east, originating in the highlands known as the Vaults. Orcs and goblins, skaven, and unspeakable horrors spawned by Chaos inhabit the vast caverns and tunnels of these mountains, and their malevolent intentions have always been directed against the Empire.

World's Edge Mountains Gray Mountains Central Mountains Black Mountains

Today, the Empire is the most powerful, largest, and best-known of the Old World's states, but it wasn't always so. Before the Empire's rise, human tribes were fragmented and struggled to survive in constant battles with orcs, goblins, and beastmen.

But one day, the appearance of a twin-tailed comet foretold the birth of the first and greatest ruler of men: Sigmar, later called the Hammerbearer, or the Hammer of Goblins.

The Unberogens, a tribe that followed Sigmar, gave rise to many legends. Under Sigmar's leadership, the Unberogens crushed the resistance of all tribes that dared to oppose them. Sigmar united the disparate human tribes through war, cunning, and persuasion. He was a great warrior and charismatic leader, but he also inspired the people with a dream: a land under human rule, free from greenskins, ruled by just laws and protected by a mighty army. In the Dwarves, Sigmar found staunch allies, who, in exchange for aid in their eternal war with the Orcs, armed the people with the finest weapons and armor.

The Teutogens were the chief rivals of Sigmar's people. The tribes clashed in fierce battles numerous times until Sigmar himself brought an end to the war by defeating their leader in battle.

Although the Teutogens and Unberogens were the greatest of the tribes, history has preserved records of other tribes as well: the Turings, masters of axe fighting who lived in the mountains, the Cherusens, skilled hunters, and the Merogens, whose spears inspired fear in the orcs.

As one, the twelve tribes followed Sigmar as he set out on a campaign to liberate the lands between the mountains and the sea from the rule of orcs and other creatures of darkness. With the support of the Dwarfs, Sigmar crushed the vast orc army at the Battle of Black Fire Pass, inflicting the greatest defeat on the greenskins in history.