Uniforms Of The Empire 3j7170

SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE

ALTDORF

HOCHLAND

MIDDENLAND

TALABHEIM

NULN

STIRLAND

NORDLAND

OSTLAND

AVERLAND

Copyright © Games Workshop Ltd. 2000. All rights reserved

WISSENLAND

MIDDENHEIM

REIKLAND

CARROBURG

OSTERMARK

TALABECLAND

The page opposite illustrates some typical Empire soldiers dressed in the style and colours of their provinces and city states. Although there are no uniforms as such, the various regiments of each state adopt a distinctive pattern utilising the colours of their native land. How these colours are used differs from regiment to regiment, and the examples shown represent just one variation for each state.

ALTDORF Altdorf is the capital of the Empire and the most wealthy of the City States. Its state regiments are well equipped and lavishly uniformed in a mixture of red and blue. HOCHLAND The halberd is probably the most commonly carried weapon among Empire foot troops. Because it is impossible to use a shield while swinging a halberd this trooper wears a substantial suit of armour to protect him. The Hochland colours of red and green are shown here in conjunction with a black plume – the colours of plumes and ribbons are used to indicate individual regiments. MIDDENLAND The colour of Middenland’s troops is blue. Ribbons and slashing are of contrasting bright colours identifying the individual regiments. WISSENLAND Wissenland lies along the upper regions of the Reik and river Sol, and incorporates the former territory of Solland. Its uniform colours are grey and white. This archer wears a white smock over a grey uniform with distinguishing red ribbons and plume. CARROBURG GREATSWORDS Not all regiments are dressed in the common colours of their province or city state. One such regiment is the Carroburg Greatswords which wears a uniform of dark red. The regiment traces its history back to the Siege of Carroburg in 1865, when it mounted a valiant and wholly successful defence of the walls in the face of a huge army led by the Count of Middenland. The defenders fought so hard, ignoring the many wounds upon their bodies, that by the end of the attack their white Reikland uniforms were drenched in blood. From that day the Carroburg Greatswords have worn dark red uniforms.

STIRLAND Stirland stretches from the banks of the Reik to the Worlds Edge Mountains, encoming forests and rolling hills. It is not a rich land, and so its soldiers are often equipped with simpler weapons such as bows, and their costumes are more rustic. This Stirlander bowmen wears a green and yellow uniform. MIDDENHEIM The City State of Middenheim is second only in power and influence to Altdorf. It is the City of the White Wolf, and centre of worship of the god Ulric. Shields carried by Middenheim troops often depict the wolf in some guise or other. This halberdier wears the blue and white uniform of the city with distinguishing features in red. OSTERMARK Ostermark is a large and mostly rural province, lying at the north eastern edge of the Empire. Its colours are probably the most spectacular in the Empire, consisting of purple and yellow, or alternatively purple and white. The shade of purple varies a great deal because purple dye is notoriously difficult to make fast. NORDLAND Nordland uses a distinctive combination of blue and yellow to clothe its troops. As is common amongst state regiments, different ribbons and plumes are used to distinguish the various regiments. OSTLAND Ostland lies on the far side of the Middle Mountains and a great part of it is occupied by the Forest of Shadows. Its troopers wear black and white, a combination which lends itself to bold parti-coloured divisions, broad stripes, checks and diamonds. The bull’s head symbol is derived from the badge of Ostland and is a common motif.

TALABHEIM Swordsmen such as this Talabheim trooper are usually assigned as small detachments where they can fight on the wings of larger regiments. This swordsman wears red and white, the traditional colours of his province.

AVERLAND Averland’s soldiers wear black and yellow. Soldiers dressed in this fashion guard the entrance to the Black Fire , one of the few overland routes across the mountains and a route favoured by Orc raiders.

NULN Nuln is famous for its gunnery school where forge masters make cannons and where the best artillery men are trained. As cannons are notoriously filthy, artillery men are often covered in soot and grime, so it is convenient that the colour used by Nuln is black! Many artillery men wear a leather jerkin to protect them from the discharge. Other Nuln regiments also wear black, with a contrasting ribbon and plume colour to distinguish them.

REIKLAND The Emperor Karl Franz is prince of the Reikland and his troops are well equipped and clothed as might be expected. The colour of the Reikland is white, often a slightly grey or fawn colour in practice. TALABECLAND Talabecland is a large province which is heavily forested and sparsely populated. Talabecland troopers wear red and yellow. This soldier carries a hand gun, a simple firearm which can propel a lead or stone shot with considerable velocity. Although slow to load and fire, handguns can penetrate armour more easily than arrows.