An Elector Count, also simply called an Elector, is the highest rank held by the nobility in the Empire of Man, second only to the emperor.
An Elector Count, who may be male or female, is the feudal ruler of one of the Empire's constituent Electoral Provinces, the primary subdivisions of the realm. As the name suggests, each Elector Count possesses one vote which can be used to determine which candidate is elected to succeed to the Imperial throne upon the vacancy of its prior occupant.[14a]
The succession of an Elector Count is commonly hereditary, passing from parent to child, but not necessarily so. In most cases, the incumbent Elector Count has to name a successor, usually from their extended family should they be childless.[10b] In the case that an Elector Count can no longer fulfill their duties, be it through illness or other causes, an "acting Elector Count" can be named, who is usually the heir presumptive.[16a]
All of the Elector Counts also serve as Empire Generals as a result of their rank, though they always possess the ability to delegate this authority to selected retainers if they are not themselves martially-inclined.[14c]
History[]
The Imperial noble title of "count" was the first introduced by Sigmar after he became the first Emperor of Man. It was conferred on the kings of the twelve tribes that joined his confederation. Modern scholars claim the title was derived from the Classical word comes, meaning "companion," for they were Sigmar's companions on the battlefield against the Greenskins and the Chaos-worshipping Norsii tribes from the north.[5a] Each of the former tribal kings were to retain all their lands and rights as rulers over their people, bound to Sigmar with mutual sword-oaths.[3a][6a] Yet not all were willing to relinquish their royal titles overnight -- the Thuringians and the Asoborn clung to them with special stubbornness.[8a]
After Sigmar abdicated his throne following fifty years of rule, the succession was disputed. Several among the counts claimed the throne, some on the basis of being the most skilled in war or politics, others claiming the favour of the gods or even a secret promise from Sigmar himself. The arguments in the Reikhaus grew acrimonious and the threat of civil war loomed large, when a priestess of Rhya who was in the retinue of the Count of Stirland suggested an election.[3b]
The counts decided to elect one of their own as the new emperor to avoid inter-tribal warfare. Thus was established the system of the Elector Counts collectively choosing the new emperor through a majority vote, an electoral monarchy that would face many challenges over the millennia, but would also see the Empire through numerous wars and invasions.[2a]
The constituent makeup of the Great Provinces governed by an Elector Count would change several times, as did the ranks of the Elector Counts. The lands of the Ostagoths would be subjugated by Talabecland as their "East March." [3b] Likewise, some emperors extended the electoral privilege to other groups beyond that of the Elector Counts. Ludwig II granted the Moot electoral status (although not the right to wield a Runefang) and was bribed by Grand Theogonist Zigmund II to also give the Cult of Sigmar a vote in the Imperial election.[3c]
In the wake of the ascension of Boris Hohenbach as emperor, Nordland joined the number of the Electoral Provinces in 1070 IC thanks to Voltimand Salzwedel bribing the emperor with large amounts of silver.[7a] After Boris' death, his successor Emperor Mandred II dissolved the province of Drakwald, dividing it among the provinces of Middenland and Nordland, with its Runefang being placed into Imperial custody.[3d]
Age of Wars[]
Following the death of the universally beloved Emperor Mandred II in 1152 IC, the Empire again faced the question of the Imperial succession. After the experiences at the hands of the Drakwald dynasty, the Elector Counts chose the weakest among their number as the new emperor. This weakening of Imperial authority did not matter to the Elector Counts, who wanted the freedom to engage in their internecine wars without restraint. So common were these, in fact, that this period became known as the "Age of Wars."[3d]
Age of Three Emperors[]
In time, the conflicts between the Elector Counts gained a religious dimension which became full blown after Elector Countess Ottilia refused to acknowledge the election of Wilhelm of Stirland as the new emperor in 1359 IC. With the support of the Cult of Ulric, she declared herself empress instead, beginning the Time of Two Emperors in which those provinces which primarily professed either the Sigmarite or Ulrican faiths clashed against each other, though it was not uncommon for the other Grand Provinces to side with their ostensible enemies for short-term gain.[3e] Most of the time, the Electors suppressed revolts against their rule as well as asserted themselves against rivals within their lands.[1a]
In the wake of this conflict, lesser provinces asserted themselves against their lieges and their rulers were raised amongst the Electors, such as the Counts of Middenland who separated from the Ulricans at Middenheim under the leadership of the von Bildhofen family. Invasions from outside forces saw the diminishing, destruction and annexation of former Electoral Provinces, such as Solland.[3e]
Dark Ages[]
In the year 1979 IC, the Electors finally agreed to elect a single ruler, but this was the infant Magritta of Marienburg, whose election as empress the Grand Theogonist of the Cult of Sigmar denounced. The electoral system collapsed entirely, and the next three hundred years saw the Great Provinces entirely divided during the period remembered as the Dark Ages.[2a]
As there was no electoral process, there was nothing restraining the lesser nobility from putting forth their own claims for the Imperial throne. The most infamous were those of the Counts of Sylvania, who revealed themselves to be Vampires who sought to subjugate the rest of the Empire to their bloody-minded rule through the unleashing of their Undead armies.[1b]
During this time, the power of the Elector Counts waned. Mercantile burgomeisters rose to prominence, for the power of the Imperial nobility was greatly curtailed by their inability to call upon aid from their distant relatives. Instead of drawing upon familial or political influence across the Empire, the nobles of each Grand Province were forced to seek it within their own lands from merchants, money-lenders, and other low-born, but wealthy, types. The need to tax the populace led to concessions and the granting of petty noble titles to these commoners simply to raise armies and defend the land against the ceaseless invasions of Greenskins, Beastmen, the Undead, and the forces of Chaos.[2a]
Reconstituted Empire[]
When Magnus von Bildhofen was acclaimed as the new emperor following the victory over the armies of Chaos at the conclusion of the Great War Against Chaos in 2304 IC, the Electors again had the task of elevating the emperor from amidst their ranks. Magnus established ten Electoral Provinces from the former warring Imperial claimants, elevating some provinces to electoral status while dissolving the makeshift states that had grown up during the civil wars of the Dark Ages.
Though the electoral system would continue to produce incompetent successors, such as Dieter IV, who in his greed allowed the city of Marienburg and its Electoral Province of Westerland to secede from the Empire in exchange for uncounted wealth, the Empire was restored and continues to endure to this day.[2a] Yet many Elector Counts still wage war against their neighbours, over borders as well as over sleights to their honour. One example of such a conflict is the Battle of Leitziger Ford in 2427 IC, when the Elector Counts of Stirland and Talabecland engaged in battle over who would control the crossing of the River Stir.[1c]
In the aftermath of the Turmoil of 2512 IC, numerous older Electoral Provinces reasserted themselves and managed to gain their independence from those who had dominated or absorbed them, such as Hochland, Nordland and Ostermark. Many of the Royal Houses fell from favour and found themselves put under the sovereignty of other provinces, such as the leaders of Middenland, Talabheim and Sudenland.[11a]
Rights and Privileges[]
All Elector Counts and their immediate descendants for up to three generations are considered to be of royal blood in the Empire, and this designation ranks their noble house above all others in their province as a "Royal House." The ancient title also grants them the right to wield a Runefang, one of the magical swords forged for the greatest tribal chieftains during the age of Sigmar. Historically, especially during the Dark Ages when the Empire's central authority collapsed, it was said a noble house could not claim to be a Royal House without possession of a Runefang, meaning wars over their ownership were frequent and bitter.[10a]
To signify their elevated status among the Imperial nobility, the prefix "Grand" is attached to the primary title of the Elector Count -- thus Emperor Karl Franz is also the Grand Prince of the Reikland. However, not all rulers choose to use it: Graf Boris Todbringer of Middenheim, for example, is not styled "Grand Graf" or "Grand Duke" largely because he doesn't like the way either title sounds. Instead, he is universally known as "the Graf."[10c]
Jurisdiction[]
Each Elector Count has the right to pass their own laws for their province, called the "Elector's Law." An Elector Count, like the emperor, is concerned mainly with raising armies and taxes, but their court is called upon to settle all manner of disputes and make all manner of pronouncements. Over the long centuries, each Electoral Province has amassed a huge and impenetrable body of statutes governing everything from the settlement of border disputes with neighbouring provinces to the proper compensation to a peasant deprived of access to his chickens by the passage of an invading army (three and a half chickens per day).[2b]
While the Elector Count passes laws that apply to the entire province, the nobles below them in the feudal hierarchy do likewise within their own domains, passing judgement on those accused of breaking the laws of the land and settling acrimonious disputes. Many nobles deputise this duty, finding it tiresome, overly taxing, or just an unwelcome distraction from other, more diverting pastimes.[2b]
The Elector Counts can also not be tried for any crimes under the Empire's common law.[17a]
Prime Estates[]
Since 1066 IC, the Elector Counts have gathered in a legislative body known as the "Prime Estates" as a check against the authority of the emperor, after Emperor Boris I sought to raise his favourite horse to sit among the Electors of his time.[9b] The rulers of each Grand Province established a residence in the Imperial capital, an embassy run by a trusted family member. This person in turn sits in council with the other envoys in the Prime Estates, which functions as a form of review board. These ambassadors examine any new Imperial edicts or laws and make reports back to their Electors. Since Electors have it within their power to ignore any Imperial decisions they do not like, gaining the approval of the Prime Estates has become important to the emperors, if they want to accomplish anything during their reign.[3f]
The relationship between the Prime Estates and the emperor is not entirely formal. The emperor is within his rights to issue commands to the Electors and have them seriously considered, but if the Electors are unwilling to enact his orders there is little he can do. Tradition has it that the Elector Counts must provide troops for the emperor should he wish to wage war, but other demands may be ignored, or outright defied, if the Electors object to them.[9a]
Military Duties[]
One of the most important duties of the Elector Counts is maintaining the Imperial military. All Elector Counts have the privilege of serving as an Empire General, although they can also nominate trusted retainers to serve in their stead.[14c]
The Electors have a duty to maintain a standing army (indeed they would be foolish not to) to defend their lands, and to provide troops for the emperor's command when he deems the need is great. The Elector Counts' standing forces are known as state troops. They are recruited more or less willingly from the populace of their lands, as they always have been.[15a]
Imperial Election[]
Elector Counts serve as the electors in the Empire's electoral monarchy and thus have a right to vote in the Imperial succession. Sigmar had always sought to unite the tribes of Men in the Old World rather than to lead them and had only ever imposed his own will in those matters that affected the Empire as a whole. No one man, Sigmar had declared, could or should rule the whole of the land, and the establishment of the Elector Counts maintained this core principle.[2a]
How each king ruled his tribe, or as time went by, each Elector Count ruled their Grand Province, was their business and theirs alone. He who was elected emperor wielded great power, but only at the forbearance of his peers, who upon his death or abdication might very well set the crown upon the head of another's heir, not his. [2a]
An Imperial election is a cut-throat affair as each Elector puts forward a candidate who will advance their personal interests, in some cases someone who will be little more than a puppet. Despite this politicking, some truly great emperors have been elected across the long history of the Empire.[10b]
Non-Noble Electors[]
Down through the centuries, there have also been other provincial rulers granted a right to vote for the next emperor. This right has been granted by emperors in the past for various political or social reasons, but is not linked to a royal title or the right to claim a Runefang.[10a] They also cannot be nominated to become emperor themselves.[14b]
Since the time of Emperor Magnus the Pious, there have been five non-noble Electors in the Empire: The Halfling who serves as the Elder of the Moot, the only commoner to hold Electoral authority, the Cult of Sigmar, represented by the Grand Theogonist and the two Arch-Lectors of the East and South, and the Cult of Ulric represented by its high priest, the Ar-Ulric.[10b]
Attempts to further raise the number of Electors have been met with failure. Magnus had offered to elevate the Hierarch of the Cult of Taal among the Electors, yet was refused for unknown reasons.[12a] Likewise, a recent attempt of Emperor Karl Franz to elevate the Supreme Patriarch of the Colleges of Magic among the Electors has also been vetoed by the other Elector Counts.[13a]
Elector Counts of the 26th Century IC[]
Elector Count | Province | Status | Additional Comments | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Marius Leitdorf | Averland | Dead | Marius Leitdorf was notable for being the greatest warrior in the Empire, and also for his insanity. He was slain in the Third Battle of Black Fire Pass in 2520 IC. He was left without a clear successor and the position of Elector Count of Averland is currently disputed. | |
Aldebrand Ludenhof | Hochland | Living | In 2516 IC, Aldebrand Ludenhof's son fell ill with a terrible disease and devolved into a hideous Chaos mutant. | |
Boris Todbringer | Middenland | Living | ||
Theoderic Gausser | Nordland | Living | Theoderic Gausser claims to be the Prince of Marienburg in addition to his other titles. The city in question has laid out an edict stating he will be executed if he comes within their walls. | |
Valmir von Raukov | Ostland | Living | The original rulers of Ostland was House von Tasseninck. After the Turmoil of 2512 IC, the throne passed to the von Raukov line. | |
Wolfram Hertwig | Ostermark | Living | Wolfram Hertwig is best known for his disastrous role in the Battle of Hertwig's Folly in 2485 IC. | |
Karl Franz | Reikland | Living | Karl Franz is the currently elected emperor in addition to being Grand Prince of the Reikland. | |
Alberich Haupt-Anderssen | Stirland | Living | ||
Helmut Feuerbach | Talabecland | Living | ||
Emmanuelle von Liebwitz | Wissenland | Living | Since the Turmoil of 2512 IC, Emmanuelle is the only woman among the Electors. She has the public image of having no head for governing, instead relegating matters of state to more competent underlings, yet in truth possesses a shrewd mind for politics. |
Trivia[]
The Elector Counts as well as the Empire of Man itself take their inspiration from the structure of the electoral monarchy of the Holy Roman Empire that existed in the early sixteenth century following the reforms of the 1490s. Unlike other Western European monarchies of the time such as England and France, the Holy Roman Empire was not a centralised state. Instead, it was divided into dozens -- eventually even hundreds -- of individual, largely autonomous states governed by a confusing pastiche of kings, dukes, counts, grafs, bishops, abbots, knights and other rulers, collectively known as princes.
The Imperial Diet or Reichstag was the legislative body of the Holy Roman Empire and theoretically superior to the emperor himself; its highest ranked nobles were those secular and ecclesiastical feudal lords called "prince-electors" who were responsible for formally electing the next Holy Roman Emperor.
Sources[]
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