"More than just a Knight, Alberic is a true leader of men whose warriors are emboldened by his fighting spirit in battle."
- —Duke Alberic of Bordeleaux[2]
Duke Alberic de Bordeleaux, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer.[2]
Alberic de Bordeleaux is the current Duke of Bordeleaux in Bretonnia and an avowed servant of Manann, the god of the sea.
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Alberic de Bordeleaux's devotion to Manann, the god of the sea?
What leadership qualities does Alberic de Bordeleaux exhibit in battle?
Why do the enemies of Duke Alberic of Bordeleaux fear him?
What role does Alberic de Bordeleaux play as the Duke of Bordeleaux in Bretonnia?
History[]
Origins[]
"As stern and determined as the endless ocean, and as savage as the rolling tempest."
- —Alberic, devoted of Manaan.[2]
Duke Alberic de Bordeleaux leading his knights into battle, as depicted in Total War: Warhammer.
The enemies of Duke Alberic of Bordeleaux are correct to shrink from his presence, for he is a mighty opponent - a knight almost without equal who has never been bested on the field of battle by mortal adversary or enchanted blade. As one of Bretonnia's greatest exponents of lance and longsword, he has on many occasions stood shoulder to shoulder with King Louen Leoncoeur, facing down the forces of evil wherever they may be found in the name of his patron deity Manann, the god of the sea, and the Lady of the Lake.[1a]
Alberic is renowned for his personal courage and astounding self-discipline. He is also notorious for expecting all of his household knights to reach the same standard and for dismissing those who do not. As a result, he has the smallest household of any of the Bretonnian dukes, but the knights there are some of the greatest in the realm.[1a]
The duke has always wanted to go on the quest for the Holy Grail, but his father died when he was still out on his errantry tour, and Alberic has never felt able to hand the responsibilities of the dukedom on to someone else. His eldest son, Frermund de Bordeleaux, would be a fine candidate, but he left on his own Grail Quest. This and the duke's advancing age seem to have pushed him to do more than wish; solid rumour suggests that he is looking for a reliable steward to run the dukedom in his absence.[1a]
Upon Alberic's tunic is proudly displayed the crest of Bordeleaux -- the tri-forked Trident of Manann, god of the waves and storms. Like Manann, Alberic of Bordeleaux is tempestuous as the sea; as relentless as the tide. He is strict and courageous, hailing from a long line of powerful dukes who have led Bordeleaux, with the patience of the unremitting ocean, to security and prosperity; Alberic intends to be no different. Much like the waves that crash endlessly against the Bretonnian shore, so too does Alberic never cease. Whilst many do not see his progress, it is affected slowly but with the inevitability of nature.[2]
Total War: Warhammer[]
Trident of Manann[]
During the events of Total War: Warhammer, Albreic was forced to face an Estalian rogue knight and his army to claim a weapon of legend offered to his by Manann, the god of the sea. The enemy army sat in a most defensible position on the far side of the battlefield from Duke Alberic's force near an Estalian tomb. Between them, an open field stretched that offered little cover.[2a]
Beyond that Alberic had to face the steeled, readied mercenary knights. He had also to be careful of the firearms used by those brigands -- as they would rather shoot from afar than fight with honour and courage. However, Alberic held true, knowing that no force could forestall his judgment![2a]
After the victory Alberic was rewarded with the acquisition of the Trident of Manann.[2a]
Heraldry[]
Bordeleaux is a land peacefully split over religious matters. Those residing on the coastlines assert that the Lady’s domain ends where the water turns salt – where the domain of Manann begins. The tempestuous sea god’s tri-forked symbol is a reminder of the bond he forged with the bloodline of the Bordelen Dukes, during the Tenth Great Battle, against the sea-raiders from the North. Lord Marcus, the first Duke of Bordeleaux, was said to have fought alongside Manann himself that day, ending the battle by challenging and defeating the giant warrior in command of the Norscans.[2]
Wargear[]
Portrait of Duke Alberic de Bordeleaux in his full plate armour.
As a Bretonnian Duke, Alberic was expected to be a fine warrior, and was obsessed with training to the utmost perfection.[1a]
- Trident of Manann - A legendary weapon, it is told that the Sea God's rage is channelled through the trident's prongs, smashing his enemies like waves against the rocks. Those struck by the sea god Manann's trident are swept away by a crushing tide of furious wrath.[2]
- Tempete - Tempete is Alberic's mighty Hippogryph. Tempete was broken years prior when the duke was a young Knight Errant, and is an especially fearsome specimen of an already savage species.[2]
- Braid of Bordeleaux - Said to be a braid cut from the hair of the sea god Manann, the Braid was a sacred artefact of the first Duke of Bordeleaux. Its dark hair is entwined with kelp and sea shells, and salt water constantly drips from it. When held in the hand and Manann is invoked by the wielder, the caller is filled with divine energy, though this can prove to be a very draining experience.[2]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
Unlike other Legendary Lords of Total War: Warhammer, Alberic does not have unique voice lines, sharing voice lines with generic Bretonnian Lords in campaign, battle and diplomacy.[2]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Knights of the Grail (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 58
- 2: Total War: Warhammer (PC Game)
- 2a: The Estalian Tomb (set piece battle)