The Empire of Man as it was during the Anarchy in ca. 2276 IC when there was no de jure emperor but multiple claimants all vying for the throne. The major claimants for the throne at this time included Elspeth Magritta VI of Westerland, Ludwig XII of Talabec, Sigismund Ulric of Osterlund, and Wilhelm I of Reikland.[2]
Osterlund, formally the Grand County of Osterlund, was a Great Province of the Empire of Man that existed during the period of civil war and political decentralisation known as the Anarchy.[1][2]
The heraldry of Grand Count Sigismund Ulric of Osterlund in 2276 IC. Sigismund maintained a strong claim on the Imperial throne during the final years of the Anarchy.[1][2]
In this chaotic period, the Grand County of Osterlund was one of the four Great Provinces to have arisen to dominate the region following the collapse of the Empire's unity centuries before in 1979 IC. In 2276 IC Osterlund, then ruled by Grand Count Sigismund Ulric, encompassed large portions of the formerly independent Electoral Provinces of Ostland, Hochland and Middenland, and enjoyed close political and economic ties with Ostermark in the east.[1][2][3a]
Sigismund Ulric had an outstanding claim to the throne of the fractured Empire in the final years of the Anarchy. He had several rivals for the Imperial throne among the other Elector Counts, such as Elspeth Magritta VI of Westerland, Ludwig XII of Talabec, and Wilhelm I of Reikland.[1][2]
The Grand County of Osterlund broke up into its component Electoral Provinces at some time before the Great War Against Chaos began in 2301 IC.
State Army Uniforms[]
An Empire Crossbowmen of the Grand County of Osterlund's State Army during the Anarchy in ca. 2276 IC. Also shown is a full plate armour breastplate, the heraldry of Osterlund and a warhammer all in Osterlund's chosen colours.
Guided by the heraldic colours of the Grand County's capital of Middenheim, many of Osterlund's State Army regiments dressed in the dark blue and white of Middenland. The warriors of this northern Grand Province cloaked themselves in heavy furs to protect against the frigid weather, the most elite of which wore white wolf pelts in honour of Ulric, the god of war, winter and wolves, the region's traditional patron deity.
The devotion to Ulric is clearer still in the heraldry of Osterlund's regiments, as most have adopted the rampant wolf of the god of winter upon their shields and banners.
Notable Regiments[]
Scions of Ulric[]
A Pistolier of the Scions of Ulric light cavalry regiment of the Ostlunder Star Army; to the left is the heraldry of the Scions of Ulric regiment, a sword used by the regiment's troops and a war pick uses as a melee weapon by the Scions.
The Scions of Ulric is a renowned regiment of Pistoliers, boasting members from highborn noble families from every corner of the Grand County of Osterlund. Each year, aspiring young men and women present themselves at the regimental barracks in Middenheim, hoping to prove themselves worthy of serving in Ulric's name and knowing that those who earn renown amongst these Pistoliers are assured of an eventual welcome into one of Osterlund's illustrious knightly orders.[3a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer: The Old World website, Interactive Map
- 2: Warhammer Community - Old World Almanack: What's up with the Empire of Man?
- 3: Arcane Journal - Empire of Man (Warhammer: The Old World)
- 3a: pp. 5, 10, 12