"Sigmar preserve us, but I often put much more trust in the Dwarfs than I do in my fellow Electors."
- —Count Marius Leitdorf of Averland.[2a]
Marius Leitdorf, The Mad Count of Averland.
Marius Leitdorf, known most infamously as the Mad Count of Averland, was the late Elector Count of Averland, counted as one of the bravest, albeit most insane Generals within the Empire's armed forces. Not many men can be said to have waged wars against forests, swarms of bees and half-imagined fishmen, so it is not without good reason that Marius Leitdorf is known as the Mad Count. Most knew Marius for his eccentric and flamboyant nature; his bouts of screaming rage, his periods of melancholy and his mercurial conduct at court.[1b]
Indeed, for it is common knowledge that he relied on the advice of his warhorse, Daisy Kurt von Helboring II, as much as any advisors. In fact, his outrageous behaviour and roguish improprieties with the daughters and wives of the noble houses were such that few other counts welcomed him in their courts. One of Leitdorf's harshest critics was Kurt Helborg, who according to the Mad Count himself, he thinks "has a poor moustache, an even worse dental hygiene, and a horrible sense of humour to rival a Troll". On the last point, at least, Marius' judgement was correct, and the enmity between the two had since become legendary.[1b]
However, Leitdorf's reputation did him a gross disservice, for while he is clearly "unconventional" in his manners and flamboyant in his clothing, he had an incisive mind. Indeed, he was an accomplished poet and an inventor of some standing. Furthermore, Leitdorf was an exceptional swordsman and military tactician who led his armies at the front with considerable flair and skill. In fact, a number of great victories are owed to his insane courage and uncanny insights, and Karl Franz counted Leitdorf amongst his most trusted allies.[1b]
Over the Vaults into Tilea, Marius can count on old allies in times of need.[6a]
History[]
"Some men are destined for greatness. They're touched by it. Unlike me, I was touched by something else..."
- —Elector Count Marius Leitdorf.[3]
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Marius Leitdorf came to power during the Turmoil of 2512. Previously one of the Averland nobles most loyal and vocal in his support of Emperor Karl Franz - indeed, he spoke for Karl Franz before anyone else had the courage to - he saw his chance to replace the House von Alptraum as Electors, using the Streissen Indepedence Party to destabilize Averland.[5a][5b] The Streissen riots of 2502 had made the Elector Countess deeply disliked among the population.[2b] Leitdorf managed to defeat the Alptraum army under the leadership of Marlene Alptraum, heir of the Elector Countess, and secured Streissen as his base.[5c] After the Turmoil, he was confirmed as the new legitimate Elector Count.[5d]
Election of Karl-Franz[]
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This article contains information regarding story elements of Total War: Warhammer, its subsequent entries as well as associated short stories and other media. Some of the lore presented in the games diverges from main canon, following a different storyline than the one set up in the End Times.
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As an Elector Count, Marius travelled to Altdorf in 2502 IC after the death of Luitpold to vote for the next Emperor. He voted for Luitpold's son, Karl Franz, in the first round, believing him to be destined for greatness even though he made clear that he did not want the throne. He was the only Elector Count to have voted for Franz in the first round, the only other being Elector Count Maximillian von Königswald of Ostland, who was in reality a daemonic assassin sent to kill Franz. Boris Todbringer got eight of the votes, two shy of becoming Emperor, meaning a second round would be held in a fortnight.[3]
Extraordinary circumstances later changed Karl's mind about the throne, meaning he and his ally Maximillian von Königswald arranged a meeting with Marius and Hisme Stoutheart, the Elector of the Moot, in the Haunted Calf. There Marius tried to not-so-subtly intimidate Hisme into supporting Franz, who insisted in gaining the Halfling's trust rather than having him vote for him out of fear. The price for Hisme's vote was a tariff on the River Stir, which would benefit both the Elder and Marius against Ostermark. After Franz agreed and the matter was settled, Maximilian, Marius and Franz travelled home while Stoutheart stayed drinking. On their way home, the Electors were confronted by a group of Middenland thugs, who came to the city for the election. Marius responded with glee and attacked them first, shocking their attackers, though he was almost killed but for Franz's help. Afterwards, Marius confirmed to Franz that he had supported him from the start before retiring for the night. Less than a fortnight later, Karl Franz was elected Emperor with all votes but one.[3]
The Mad Count[]
"I know this one! Mootlings are small, easy to forget, simple to suppress and crush under the boot. You need the Emperor close, so you can remind him you’re here. Ha! Do you think Boris Todbringer will give a Goblin’s chuff about you? Ha-ha!"
Marius Leitdorf had long caused problems for Karl Franz early in his reign. For years he had challenged the other counts, led nonessential military campaigns after imaginary foes, and generally cause an air of unrest for his neighbours. After Leitdorf's ruthless suppression of the infamous Halfling Rebellion of 2502 IC, Karl Franz dispatched his dour champion, Ludwig Schwarzhelm, to hold robust negotiations with the eccentric Elector Count.[1a]
The cheerless Schwarzhelm's orders were simple - he was to ensure that Leitdorf's notoriously unpredictable behaviours did not imperil the Empire any further. With some unsubtle guidance from Karl Franz through his Champion, Marius was appointed new advisors to curb the worst of his excesses, and the Emperor became fond of the eccentric Count, seeing him as a brave if not insane warrior of the Empire.[1a]
The Death of the Mad Count[]
The Third Battle of Black Fire Pass.
In 2520, having been returned to the fold as one of the Emperor's trusted allies, Leitdorf sent word to Karl Franz that a massive horde of Greenskin warriors were once again advancing on Black Fire Pass and that the provincial army of Averland would not be enough to hold them back alone. Karl Franz responded with the combined military might of all the Reikland's armies and those of the city-state of Altdorf, with a trio of powerful Steam Tanks following close by. With such a force at his command, the Emperor reinforced Leitdorf's beleaguered army and stemmed the tide of the Orcs.[1a]
However, even with their combined might the Greenskin army that came towards Black Fire Pass was as apocalyptically large as the one during the time of Sigmar Heldenhammer some 2,500 years ago. During the ensuing battle, the Mad Count and his core company of Averlander Greatswords stood as an island in a sea of greenskin warriors. Against all hope, the Mad Count fought and wounded the Orc Warboss. However, he was eventually defeated, his lifeless body thrown to the ground. Though the battle was won by the efforts of Karl Franz, the Mad Count of Averland was no more...[1a]
Wargear[]
As the Elector Count of Averland, he had the right to wield the Runefang known as Mother's Ruin.[4a] As an expert fencer, he usually did so alongside a long dagger.[1b] He also rides atop a impressive gelding warhorse, named Daisy Kurt von Helboring II, the name an obvious jab at his harshest critic, the Reiksmarshal himself.
Miniatures[]
