Emperor Karl Franz

Emperor Karl Franz

Your army may include Karl Franz, the Emperor. He counts as one Lord and one Hero choice. If you choose to field Karl Franz in your army he must be your General.

 

Wayback Machine

The Emperor Karl Franz is said to be the greatest statesman in the Old World. He is acclaimed as a patron of arts and science, as a military innovator, and as a valiant warrior. Thanks to his efforts, the Empire has flourished during his reign. The Imperial Engineers School has grown, the Colleges of Magic have thrived, and the army has marched from victory to victory. The Emperor takes personal command of his army whenever possible, and has earned himself an impressive record of victories and conquest. It was Karl Franz who led the charge of the Reiksguard against the Bretonnians at the battle of Norduin. There was the Emperor's personal valour that finally broke the resistance of the Bretonnian flank guard and drove them from the narrow defile which they had defiantly held throughout the battle. The Emperor was then able to quickly take advantage of the Bretonnians' vulnerability, leading the Reiksguard behind the main Bretonnian army and charging into its exposed rear.
The Emperor wears a full suit of armour made for him by Dwarf smiths. It incorporates some of the actual armour worn by Magnus the Pious at the battle of Kislev and is richly gilded and splendidly adorned with plumes and silken ribbons. The Emperor wields Ghal Maraz, the fabled Hammer of Sigmar, the weapon given to Sigmar by Kurgan Ironbeard, the ancient Dwarf King. This is amongst the most potent magic weapons ever crafted by the Dwarfs of old, in the days when their power was at its height. In addition, the Emperor wears an enchanted medallion, the Silver Seal, upon a chain around his neck. The Silver Seal wards away harmful blows, and even countermands magic spells cast against the Emperor. It was made for Magnus the Pious by the Warrior Mage Fredrik von Tarnus after the Great War against Chaos.

	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Karl Franz	4	5	5	4	4	3	5	3	10
Deathclaw	6	6	0	5	5	4	5	4	8

Points: 665 (440 for Karl Franz, 225 for his Griffon)
Weapons: The Emperor must carry Ghal Maraz, the Hammer of Sigmar (see below) at +180 points, or the Reikland Runefang at +100 points (Magic Weapon. All hits wound automatically, with no armour saves allowed).
Armour: Full plate armour (4+ Armour Save).
Mount: The Emperor rides his loyal Griffon Deathclaw (225 Victory Points if killed).

SPECIAL RULES

LEADER OF MEN: The presence and unflinching courage of the Emperor greatly raise the morale of the Empire troops, inspiring the humblest of soldiers to mighty acts of heroism.

The Emperor is immune to Panic. All friendly units within 18" of the Emperor can always use his Ld instead of their own (this replaces his normal General ability of passing on his Ld within 12"). In addition, all units using Karl Franz's Ld can re-roll failed Psychology tests (remember that Break tests are not Psychology tests).

THE REIKSGUARD: Karl Franz is protected by the knights of the Reiksguard and he commands the entire order. To represent this, up to half the Knightly Orders units in Karl Franz's army may be upgraded to Inner Circle, and Greatswords may be taken as a Core choice to represent Reiksguard Knights on foot.

DEATHCLAW: So strong is the bond developed from many years of war and adventure between the Emperor and his beloved Griffon, that Deathclaw automatically passes the Leadership test he needs to take if Karl Franz falls. In addition, Deathclaw will hate the model/unit that kills Karl Franz.

MAGIC ITEMS

THE SILVER SEAL: The Silver Seal wards awaty harmful blows, and even countermands magic spells cast against the Emperor. The Warrior Mage Fredrik von Tarnus made the artefact for Magnus the Pious, after the Great War against Chaos.

Gives a 4+ Ward Save and Magic Resistance (3) to the Emperor and his mount. In addition, enemies suffer a -1 penalty on their rolls to hit the Emperor and his mount, with both close combat and shooting attacks.

GHAL MARAZ: The Hammer of Sigmar grants its wielder +2 Attacks. Any hits wound automatically and no Armour saves are allowed. Each unsaved wound become D3 wounds.