"Those that seek power think it will make their span easier. But from what I saw in your father, it is a terrible burden -- no wonder you do not want it."
- —Kurt Helborg speaking to Karl Franz before his election as Emperor of Man to succeed his father Emperor Luitpold.[2]
Luitpold, whose full name was Luitpold von Holswig-Schliestein, was the Emperor of Man until 2502 IC. He was the predecessor and father of the current emperor, Karl Franz, who was elected to replace him upon the Imperial throne.[3a][3b][5a]
Luitpold was somewhat paranoid, often saw spirits, and was very protective of his family. Politically, his paranoia manifested itself as a desire to appease rather than oppose the Elector Counts.[3a]
It is unknown when Luitpold began his reign as emperor. However, he was emperor as early as 2470 IC. He died in his sleep in 2502 IC and was buried in Morr's Garden in Altdorf, and later that same year Prince Karl Franz was elected to succeed his father as the emperor.[2][4a][5a]
Family[]
Besides his son Karl Franz, Luitpold also had a daughter.[2]
There were also rumours that the mercenary Voland was none other than the bastard son of the emperor. Voland himself never sought to affirm or contradict any of these tales, which consequently grew even more elaborate and unlikely over the years. It is unclear if Voland was actually the bastard of Luitpold or his son, Karl Franz.[1a]
Canon Conflict[]
In most sources, Emperor Luitpold is not given a regnal number. In the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition Rulebook, however, he is referred to as "Luitpold III."[2][3a][4a][5a][6a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Dogs of War (5th Edition)
- 1a: pg. 36
- 2: The Prince of Altdorf (Novel) by Andy Hall
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Altdorf - Crown of the Empire (RPG)
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 275
- 5: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
- 5a pg. 17
- 6: Drachenfels (Novel) by Jack Yeovil
- 6a: Prologue, Ch. 2