http://www.warhammer-empire.com/library/guide/guide_index.phpA couple of people may remember that I am working on a guide to army theme for each of the provinces and city-states of our glorious Empire. I'm basing it on all the official background I have access to, and it will combine current 'canonical' material with older stuff (where the old does not contradict the new).
Anyway, I'm about half-way through and have been for some time. The problem is, I'm not sure of the best format for this information. What I have now was easiest to write, but I don't know if it really 'works'.
So, please have a look at this brief sample, the Altdorf section of the guide. Any feedback will be gratefully accepted. I prefer the positive variety, but if you would rather question my scholarship/virility/parentage you can do that instead. Or as well, I'm not fussy.
Here it is:
Altdorf (red and blue)Altdorf is the Imperial capital, the seat of Karl-Franz; home to the Great Cathedral of Sigmar, the Colleges of Magic and the School of Engineers. The city is a centre for trade and learning; its docks teem with merchants, its taverns with students. As the largest and richest city in The Empire, its troops are perhaps the best equipped of all the state armies. Altdorf maintains not only its own army, but also the Emperor’s guard (see the appendix list in the army book).
The city is the headquarters for the Cult of Sigmar, founder and patron god of The Empire. The Cult is strictly hierarchical – there are eighteen Lectors, two Arch-Lectors and at the top the Grand Theogonist (who some say wields more power and influence than the Emperor himself). Johann Esmer currently hold the office, replacing Volkmar ‘the Grim’ von Hindenstern who was killed in battle with a northern barbarian leader. The Cult is divided into three orders: the Order of the Silver Hammer are the warrior priests; the Order of the Torch are the administrators, and are responsible for officiating at religious ceremonies; the Order of the Anvil are monastic, and live a life of isolation and meditation.
Altdorf may lie at the heart of The Empire, but it has been besieged many times. The Orc warlord Gorbad Ironclaw almost took the city in 1707, and Emperor Sigismund died defending the walls from attacking wyverns. During the long wars against the Vampire Counts of Sylvania Altdorf was twice besieged – first by Vlad von Carstein, and later by his successor Manfred. Both times the Undead were turned back, but only at the cost of many lives.
Altdorf’s heraldry includes the Hammer of Sigmar, the Imperial crown and the griffon.
• All possible character choices are very appropriate, with the exception of the Elector Count. Since there is no Elector Count of Altdorf, this character should be re-named as a Marshall, Burgomaster or something similar.
• Though Altdorf almost certainly has a temple to Ulric, Warrior Priests should generally be Sigmarite. Sigmar’s symbols include the hammer, the twin-tailed comet and the octagon (this is formed from two superimposed squares with their points joined up, and represents the eight tribes unified by Sigmar).
• Many special characters are from Altdorf: the Emperor Karl-Franz, the Supreme Patriarch Balthasar Gelt, the Reiksmarshall Kurt Helborg, the Emperor’s Champion Ludwig Schwartzhelm, the former Supreme Patriarch Thyrus Gormann and the deceased Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim.
• A Templar Grand Master could represent either the Reiksmarshall, or the head of the High Helms, the Order of the Fiery Heart or the Knights Griffon (see below).
• The following magic items have a direct connection to Altdorf: the Sword of Justice, the Armour of Meteoric Iron, the Grey Wand, the Imperial Banner, the Banner of Sigismund and the Griffon Standard. Even though there is no Runefang for Altdorf, the swords belonging to the lost provinces of Drakwald and Solland are held in the Imperial Vaults – thus an Elector Count equivalent could easily be using one of these swords.
• The Imperial Zoo houses a large collection of monstrous creatures, including many Griffons and Pegasi.
• Halberdiers, Swordsmen, Greatswords (either as the Altdorf Greatswords or the Reiksguard infantry) and Handgunners should be the main infantry choices. Archers and Huntsmen should be avoided (too rustic).
• Flagellants can represent pilgrims travelling to the Cathedral of Sigmar.
• Free Company and Dogs of War Duellists can be used to represent the many gangs of the city’s docklands.
• Steam Tanks, Helblaster Volley Guns, repeater pistols/handguns and Hochland long rifles fit better here than anywhere else in The Empire, since Altdorf is home to the School of Engineers.
• Altdorf is literally crawling with young nobles – these can be represented by Pistoliers.
• Cannon and Mortars, purchased from Nuln, will almost invariably be present in the army.
• There are four primary Knightly Orders that are most appropriate for an Altdorf Army: the Reiksguard are the personal guard of the Emperor; the High Helms are a new order of very tall (and allegedly rather dim-witted) knights, formed at the order of Karl-Franz; the Order of the Fiery Heart are fanatical templars of Sigmar, and form the personal guard of the Grand Theogonist; the Knights Griffon were formed by Magnus the Pious in 2305 to protect the Temple to Sigmar in Nuln, but moved to Altdorf after it became the Imperial Capital in 2429.
• Dwarfs built the city walls (which are currently being reinforced, at the order of the Emperor), and are a significant presence at the School of Engineers. Dwarfs fight in their own units rather than being recruited into state regiments – they will often wear uniforms of their own design, and favour Imperial fashions over the sombre clothing of other Dwarfs.
• The Moot is the only province to supply troops directly to the Imperial army at Altdorf. However, Halfling regiments are generally assigned to foraging and provisioning rather than actual fighting. The Halfling Hotpot, invented by master chef Gambo Heartstock and first used against the goblin warlord Grom, was added to the Imperial arsenal at the request of the Emperor and has been used by the army of Altdorf ever since.
p.s. I'm not sure actually if this is the most recent version, but it will do for now. Get commenting!
