Heraldry of House Todbringer
House Todbringer is the ruling noble house of the Imperial city-state of Middenheim and, since the Turmoil of 2512 IC, its scions also rule over the reunited Electoral Province of Middenland.
History[]
House Todbringer is an ancient line of Imperial nobility whose name first appears in legend, as valiant companions of the Teutogen King Artur.[1d]
During the Great Crusades, the House won the allegiance of the Knights Panther.[1a][1b] Around 2000 IC, one of their numbers ruled as Wolf Emperor and vied with the Reikland Emperor for control over the resources of Mordheim.[3a]
In 2368 IC, Brunhilde Todbringer was married to Baron Ludwig Nikse. The resulting Treaty of Schoninghagen made Nordland into a tributary of Middenheim, greatly increasing the power and influence of the House.[1a]
When Gunthar von Bildhofen was ignored during the Imperial election following the death of his half-brother, Magnus the Pious, the indignant noble retreated to Middenheim and was made into the Grand Duke of Middenland in 2369 IC.[1c] Offered sanctuary by his distant relatives, the Todbringers, his granddaughter Solveig von Bildhofen was Countess of Middenheim married Boris Todbringer, the head of the family, in 2371 IC.[1c][2a] Since that time, the Todbringers have ruled Middenheim.
Current State[]
A Todbringer has sat on the throne in the Middenpalaz for nearly 150 years, yet the family, whilst powerful, are not numerous. Graf Boris has a number of distant relatives, though they are better affiliated with the von Bildhofens of Middenland or the Nikses of Nordland. None of them bear the Todbringer name.[1d]
Why the Todbringer line is so impoverished is a mystery. Graf Boris was vigorous in his youth, yet like his predecessors, he has struggled to sire healthy offspring. His immediate family is small, being his chronically ill son and heir Baron Stefan and his two recognized illegitimate offspring, the tall and proud Baron Heinrich and the beautiful Katerina (who, whilst commonly called ‘Princess’, has no hereditary entitlement).[1d]
Relations with other Houses[]
Lesser noble households do not hold a great deal of sway over the Graf, being more concerned to stay in his good graces rather than risk his displeasure. This is because many local nobles enjoy wardenship of Todbringer lands granted under varying charters of tenure.[1f]
Being granted Office at the Graf ’s Pleasure is the least secure, providing no legal protection for such wardens. Those given Office Under Good Behaviour are somewhat more secure, whilst those given Office for Life would have to commit significant misdemeanours before being ousted.[1f]
Finally there are those who hold Hereditary Office, who are virtually above the law. Whilst the Todbringers concentrate on the rule of Middenheim, such warden-lords are unlikely to be unseated, but were a situation to arise where another family took the throne it would cause significant instability whilst the issue of who really owns what land was settled.[1f]
Even hereditary landholders, such as the von Kärzburdgers who once held the throne and regard the Todbringers as little short of usurpers, are wise to keep their resentment to themselves. The Todbringer line may be small and shrinking, but it has many noble dependants keen to ensure that it lasts.[1f]
Known Members[]
- Mannfred Todbringer, Wolf Emperor during the fall of Mordheim.[3a]
- Boris Todbringer, married the Countess von Bildhofen in 2371 IC, establishing the Todbringer dynasty as counts of Middenheim.[1a][1c]
- Bertholdt Todbringer, great-grandfather of the current patriarch.[1a][1c]
- Dieter Todbringer, son and successor of Graf Bertholdt.[1c]
- Markus Todbringer, Graf at the time of Waaagh! Grom.[5a]
- Gunthar Todbringer: Graf whose statue stands at the Square of Martials in Middenheim.[1g]
- Boris Todbringer - Current patriarch of the Family and Elector Count of Middenheim.[1e]
- Stefan Todbringer - First-born son of Boris by his first wife.[1e]
- Katerina Todbringer - Only daughter of Boris.[1e]
- Heinrich Todbringer - Second-born son from a lady of the court. Not eligible for hereditary titles.[1e]
- Wulfram Todbringer, a distant cousin of Graf Boris, from the Carroburg branch of the family. Expected to succeed Graf Boris should Stefan not survive.[6a]
Trivia[]
- The name Todbringer means "Deathbringer" in real-world German.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition -- Middenheim: City of the White Wolf (RPG)
- 2: White Dwarf #289 (UK Edition)
- 2a: pg. 23
- 3: Mordheim Rulebook (Specialty Game)
- 3a pg. 68
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition -- Salzenmund: City of Salt and Silver (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 11
- 5: Grimblades (Novel) by Nick Kyme
- 5a: Ch. 3
- 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
- 6a: pg. 57