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"... a residence where the differing architectural styles were not so much at odds as in outright conflict – and therefore the palace is as fitting a symbol for the Empire as any."

—Unknown Imperial architect[5]
Warhammer Altdorf Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace of the Empire in Altdorf

The Imperial Palace of Altdorf, overshadowed in that city only by the Cathedral of Sigmar[4], is a massive, highly elaborate keep standing near the middle of the Imperial capital city. The palace is home to both the infamous Reiksguard household guards, and the Emperor Karl Franz himself.

The Imperial Palace is a vast building, easily the largest in the city. The emperor's court is always filled with nobility from across the Empire, and is a hotbed of political intrigue, social manoeuvring, and hedonistic frivolity.

History[]

According to Imperial archaeologists, the hill on which the Imperial Palace sits once housed an Unberogen fortress and watchtower.[13a] The first emperor to make his capital in Altdorf was Sigmar himself.[1a] It is rumoured that parts of this original palace remain as part of the current palace.[5]

One thousand years later, in an effort to gain an electoral vote for the Cult of Sigmar, Grand Theogonist Zigmund II renovated the Imperial Palace, expanding the kitchens, feast halls, and garderobes, and gifted it to Emperor Ludwig II. His ploy was successful: Ludwig moved his court from Carroburg to Altdorf and made the cleric an Elector.[1b][13b]

Layout[]

Volkshalle

A floorplan of the Volkshalle of the Imperial Palace

Due to its long history, the Imperial Palace is a very complex building. Parts of it have been built and rebuilt, others added on throughout the years. Nearby administrative buildings have sometimes been connected to the palace, and eventually become part of it.[5]

The palace can be accessed by a portcullis[12a] gate from the Kaiserplatz. This gate is guarded by two Reiksguard knights who wield ornate swords, and is staffed by a number of runners who can send messages from those on the outside to those within. The general public cannot move through the gate.[10a] Above the gate are a series of gargoyles which can disgorge molted lead in the event of a siege, or, in the case of Yevgeny Yefimovich's rabble, sewage.[12a]

The Imperial Palace includes a medium-sized garden, which includes statues of the Empire's heroes, from both ancient and recent times. It also has a green lawn. The Imperial Zoo is also located on the palace grounds,[5] as are some stables.[12a]

One notable structure in the Imperial Palace is the Volkshalle.[6a] It is here that the electors meet to elect the emperor[6b] and here that the newly-elected emperor is crowned.[6c] The Reikland Council and Reikland Diet also meet in the Volkshalle -- in the Wilhelm Chamber and Holzkrug Chamber, respectively.[11a][11b] Another structure is the Prince's Palace, which is situated alongside the the rest of the palace. It is ancient, and is dwarfed by the rest of the palace,[10b] just as Karl Franz's role as prince of Altdorf is dwarfed by his role as emperor.

Another notable room contains a mosaic mappa mundi of the Empire, called the "Great Chart," inlaid onto the floor. Various geographical features are represented by opulent materials. The boundaries of the Imperial provinces are depicted with rosewood, limewood, copper, and brass. Rosettes of oak or maple wound with gold wire mark the locations of the city-states, while other cities are ivory buttons. Rivers of pearl and steel thread flow into silver mirror lakes, and the entire floor is marked by the ebony chevrons depicting forests. The edges of the map itself are made of satin wood and silver thread.[7a]

As for the rest of the room, it is nearly as sumptuous as the Great Chart itself. The pillars are overlaid with gold leaf and its windows look out upon the River Reik. Its walls are covered by luxurious tapestries depicting Sigmar Heldenhammer.[7a]

Other rooms in the palace include the gymnasium;[12b] the great ballroom, probably the longest room in the palace;[12a] the Hall of Mirrors, one of the few locations in the Old World with mirrors of great size;[8a] and the emperor's private library, which houses (among other volumes) the war journal of Magnus the Pious.[9a]

Only Ludwig Schwarzhelm can grant entry into the Emperor's Bedchamber.[10b]

The Imperial Palace has an impressive sewer system.[12a]

The Imperial Palace is noted for having eleven banquet halls, allegedly so that rival officials from the Empire's constituent provinces and their entourages wouldn't have to dine in the same room together.[2a]

Security[]

Reiksguard knights are often assigned to guard the Imperial Palace. In fact this is an easier duty often given to new knights, as it mostly consists of telling people that they cannot see the emperor.[5]

The Palisades, a division of the spy group known as the Altdorf Black Chamber, are the Imperial Palace's secret service. Their task is to covertly discover and neutralise any threats to visiting Elector Counts, such as assassination or blackmail.[13c]

Influence of the Colleges of Magic[]

The palace, as the hub of Imperial activity, is remarkably tolerant of wizards. Many Imperial counsellors take advice from one or more Colleges of Magic in the running of the Empire. And the wizards' influence spreads to facets of Imperial rule far removed from where they might be most expected. The common people may not trust wizards, but those who rule them often do.[3a]

A particularly charismatic or diplomatic wizard might find themselves appointed to palace duties, where they are expected to aid the Empire and further the ambitions of their College, equally. Many wizards of different stripes inevitably meet and clash within the palace's marble halls. They wheedle for more influence while trying to put down their rivals.[3a]

Some Imperial nobles and advisors consider that the influence of the Colleges of Magic has grown too great. They do all they can to curb this, believing that such reliance upon magic-users is dangerous to the very survival of the Empire. After all, the Empire survived well enough for two thousand years without the aid of the Colleges of Magic. After all, the last two hundred years, which represents the period in which the Magisters carved out their unique position in the Empire and in the counsels of the Imperial Palace, has not seen any improvement in the general state of affairs despite the wizards' influence.[3a]

Important Personages[]

  • Ludwig Schwarzhelm - Ludwig Schwarzhelm is the Emperor's Champion, meaning he represents the Crown in trials by combat. He is also Karl Franz's bodyguard.[10b]
  • Elze von Skaag - In 2512 IC, Elze von Skaag was the high lord chamberlain, an office which made her responsible for running the Imperial Palace and the Volkshalle.[11b]
  • General Erik Hoffmann - General Hoffman was the commander of the Palace's Palisades secret service in ca. 2512 IC.[13c]

Sources[]

  • 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Sigmar's Heirs (RPG)
    • 1a: pg. 13
    • 1b: pg. 15
  • 2: Sword of Vengeance (Novel) by Christ Wraight
  • 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Winds of Magic (RPG)
    • 3a: pg. 10
  • 4: Death's Legacy (Novel) by Sandy Mitchell
  • 5: Reiksguard (Novel) by Richard Williams
  • 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Empire in Flames (RPG)
    • 6a: pg. 18
    • 6b: pg. 26
    • 6c: pg. 102
  • 7: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
    • 7a: pg. 13
  • 8: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Night's Dark Masters (RPG)
    • 8a: pg. 40
  • 9: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Realms of Sorcery (RPG)
    • 9a: pg. 26
  • 10: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition: The Enemy Within (RPG)
  • 11: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
  • 12: Beasts in Velvet (Novel)
    • 12a: Part One, Ch. 1
  • 12b: Part Three, Ch. 3
  • 13: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Altdorf: Crown of the Empire (RPG)
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