The Knights of Sigmar's Blood are an order of templars[3a] with a long and proud history in service to the Cult of Sigmar. They are led by Grand Master Hans Leitdorf, brother of the late Elector Count of Averland, Marius Leitdorf.[1a]
History[]
Origins[]
The order's ranks are filled with the men of noble houses from across the Empire. Their selection process is considered extreme even among the other orders, as each knight in training must spend a year in study within the church where they are judged by the priests as to their worthiness.[1a] During the era of the Drakwald Emperors, the Knights of Sigmar's Blood were serving as temple guards or templars of the Cult of Sigmar, in a position that would later be overtaken by the Order of the Fiery Heart.[5a]
The grand master of the order is Hans Leitdorf, brother of the late Marius Leitdorf. His second-in-command is Rudolph Weskar, a tyrannical and stubborn warrior. One quirk about the order is that they contain no Inner Circle knights. However, the unit known as the Brotherhood of Steel was considered the best in the order and generally looked up to.[4a]
The Knights of Sigmar's Blood's bear red shields emblazoned with the skull of Sigmar wreathed in laurel leaves. They also carry distinctive white lances with black flames to commemorate the Battle of Blackfire Pass that gave birth to the Empire.[2a]
End Times[]
During the End Times, the order was attacked by Undead forces led by Mannfred von Carstein and Arkhan the Black, searching for Morhikhane, the Black Armour of the Liche Lord Nagash at their stronghold of Heldenhame Keep.[4]
The Knights of Sigmar's Blood were almost totally obliterated in the battle and their second in command, Rudolph Weskar, was killed by Mannfred von Carstein himself. The remaining knights died after becoming frustrated with their High Elf allies, led by Eltharion the Grim. They charged into a trap devised by Mannfred and Elise von Carstein, where Leitdorf duelled the former to his death.[4]
Sources[]
- 1: White Dwarf 310
- 1a: pg. 122
- 2:Uniforms and Heraldry of the Empire (Background Book)
- 2a: pg. 63
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Empire (7th Edition)
- 3a: pg. 40
- 4: The End Times Vol I: Nagash (8th Edition)
- 4a: pp. 117-118
- 5: The Black Plague: Dead Winter (Novel) by C. L. Werner
- 5a: Ch. 14
Gallery[]
