"It is not the strong enemy we must fear, the danger lies with the weak who flock to their banner..."
- —Rueben Wrolfgar, Grand Theogonist.[1a]
The Grand Theogonist is the spiritual and ecclesiastical leader of the Cult of Sigmar and the most important religious official in the Empire. He is often a great Warrior Priest and usually one of the Emperor's staunchest allies and most trusted advisers. His official titles include also Theogonist of the Empire, the Arch Lector of the West, and the High Priest of Altdorf, amongst many other titles.[3b] It is no surprise that many of his duties are across the multitude of important high priests in Altdorf. He is also one of the Electors, meaning he is able to vote for the next emperor (invariably, his vote goes to the Count of Reikland).
When a Grand Theogonist dies, the Lectors convene beneath the Cathedral of Sigmar to appoint his successor.[4a] By tradition, a Grand Theogonist adopts a Dwarfish name or epithet when he assumes the office.[3a] The ceremonial colours of the Grand Theogonist are green and yellow.[6a]
Badges of Office[]
- The Jade Griffon is a massive amulet of jade in the shape of a griffon said to be blessed by Magnus the Pious. The Grand Theogonist wears it on his chest.
- The Staff of Command is a staff with a griffon carved on top. It imbues the Grand Theogonist with inhuman strength.
Known Grand Theogonists[]
Name | Reign | Notes |
---|---|---|
Johann Helstrum | 73 IC | First Grand Theogonist |
Jürgen II | circa 500 IC | Nicknamed "Ogreblood". For him, Thorgrim, a large mattock was crafted by Dwarfen runesmiths |
Ottokar | 501 IC | Persuaded Sigismund the Conqueror to invade Marienburg |
Marius Mollus | 850 IC | Dragged away by a Flesh Hound after proclaiming Sigmar was the only god |
Zigmund II | 990 IC | Was granted the electoral vote by Ludwig Hohenbach in exchange for renovations to the Imperial Palace. Died a short time afterwards from his own obesity |
Uthorson | 1100 IC | Secretly a servant of the Ruinous Powers. Slain by Thorgrad |
Thorgrad | 1111 IC | Relocated the centre of the Cult of Sigmar to Altdorf. Perished during the Black Plague |
Gazulgrund | 1111 - 1124 IC | Installed as a puppet of Adolf Kreyssig, representative of Emperor Boris Goldgather |
Helmut Karr | 1448 - 1451 IC (at least) | Proclaimed the Edict of Magritta during the Great Crusade.[5a] |
Siebold II | 1682 IC | Officially recognised the Witch Hunters |
Jürgen IV | Age of Three Emperors | Called for a crusade into Sylvania; was ignored |
Vilgrim III | 1979 - 2000 IC | Denounced Empress Magritta as illigetimate, beginning the Dark Ages |
Wilhelm III | 2051 IC | Killed Vlad von Carstein |
Kurt III | 2132 IC | Endured Mannfred von Carstein's Siege of Altdorf |
Reuben Wrolfgar | 2287 IC | Banned the Liber Malefic |
Kazgar XIV | 2369 IC | Held the funeral oration of Magnus the Pious |
Thoss | 2400 IC | Persecuted followers of other cults |
Viktor Helmgart | 2415 IC | Ended the Night of a Thousand Arcane Duels |
Hedrich Lutzenschlager | 2420 -2429 IC | Was Grand Theogonist during the fall of Diederick Kastner |
Yorri XV | 2512 IC | Predecessor of Volkmar |
Volkmar von Hindenstern | Incumbent | Current Grand Theogonist |
Storm of Chaos[]
Attention, Empire Citizens!
This article or this section of the article contains information regarding the Storm of Chaos campaign and its aftermath, which is now considered a non-canon, alternate timeline.
|
Name | Reign | Notes |
---|---|---|
Volkmar von Hindenstern | 2512 - 2521 IC | Slain by Archaon, later resurrected by Be'lakor |
Esmer III | 2521 IC | Appointed Successor of Volkmar, fled to Marienburg after Volkmar was recovered and decrying him as tainted by chaos |
Volkmar von Hindenstern | 2521 - Present | Reinstated after the Storm of Chaos, recovering under the care of the temple of Shallya |
End Times[]
Name | Reign | Notes |
---|---|---|
Volkmar von Hindenstern | 2512 - 2522 IC | Died during the End Times; body used to resurrect Nagash |
Kaslain | 2522 IC - ? | Presided during the End Times |
Sources[]
- 1: Liber Chaotica (Background Book)
- 1a: pg. 6
- 2: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
- 3: Tome of Salvation - Priests of the Old World (RPG)
- 4: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Rulebook (RPG)
- 4a: pg. 184
- 5: Knight of the Blazing Sun (Novel) by Joshua Reynolds
- 5a: Chapter Two
- 6: Mark of Heresy (Novel) by James Wallis
- 6a: Ch. 12
- Marienburg: Sold Down the River
- Warhammer Armies: Daemons of Chaos (8th Edition)
- Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (7th Edition)
- Mordheim Core Rules
- Van Horstmann (Novel)
- White Dwarf 197
- Archaon: Everchosen (Novel)
- The Black Plague: Blighted Empire (Novel)
- Chapter VI
- Chapter XIV
- Chapter XVII
- Warhammer: Nagash