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Franz Karl at age 75, 1878. Archduke Franz Karl Joseph of Austria (17 December 1802 – 8 March 1878) was a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. He was the father of two emperors: Franz Joseph I of Austria and Maximilian I of Mexico. Through his third son Karl Ludwig, he was the grandfather of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria – whose ...
Born in Vienna on 7 December 1802, Franz Karl was the third son of Emperor Franz II (I) and his second wife, Maria Teresia of Naples and Sicily. His parents were very closely related, his mother being the daughter of Franz’s aunt, Archduchess Maria Karoline, and thus a first cousin of her husband. Both parents were paternal and maternal first ...
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- Overview
- History
- Storm of Chaos
- Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
- Personality
- Family
- Wargear & Abilities
- Election of Karl Franz
- Empire in Flames
Karl Franz, also spelled Karl-Franz,[37a] formally Emperor Karl Franz I Holswig-Schliestein, bearer of the titles "Protector of the Empire," "Defier of the Dark," "Sigmar's Heir," "Emperor of the South," "Emperor Himself," and "Son of Emperors," is the current Emperor of the Empire of Man,[1a] the Elector Count of Reikland, the Prince of Altdorf and the greatest statesman and general the Empire and perhaps the entire Old World has seen in many centuries.[1b]
Patriarch and head of House Holswig-Schliestein, Karl Franz, who was elected to the Imperial throne in 2502 IC, followed in his father Luitpold I's footsteps, and was hailed as a patron of the arts and sciences, as a military innovator and as a valiant general.[2a]
Thanks to his tireless efforts on behalf of his people, the Empire flourished during his reign as never before: the Imperial School of Engineers in Altdorf grew, the Colleges of Magic thrived and his armies marched from victory to victory.[2a]
The emperor frequently took personal command of his troops, wielding Ghal Maraz, the fabled magical warhammer given to Sigmar himself by the Dwarf High King Kurgan Ironbeard over two thousand five hundred years ago, or his Runefang sword, and riding atop Deathclaw, his Griffon mount of many years, alongside his second-in-command and personal friend Reiksmarshal Kurt Helborg.[3a]
Early Years
In 2470 IC Emperor Luitpold I and his infant son, Karl Franz, were ambushed in the Reikwald Forest by Beastmen. The Reiksguard bravely defended their lord, but they were butchered by a trio of Ghorgons. Just when it looked as if the emperor and his son were about to fall to a Minotaur's axe, Wood Elves burst out of the forest and came mysteriously to their rescue, cutting the Beastmen down in a hail of arrows, before vanishing back into the trees.[1d] Luitpold I died in his sleep in 2502 IC and in a close vote of the Elector Counts, Luitpold's son was elected to replace him, and was crowned Emperor Karl-Franz I in the High Temple of Sigmar in Altdorf.[28a] After ascending to the Imperial throne, Karl Franz wished to prove to his beloved subjects that he was not a man of decadence or greed, but a man that would lead his people in their darkest of times. The emperor decided that a show of military force could only strengthen his position as the new emperor, and so he began a military campaign to clear the wilderness of enemy threats. Ever since the Great War Against Chaos in 2301 IC, the number of Beastmen and Chaos cults had steadily increased over time. The emperor's advisors had told him that in the north the Winds of Magic blow strong once more, and dark omens abounded of a terrible storm that would engulf the world in war. It would take several years or even decades, but the forces of Chaos would inevitably return, driven by the expansion of the Chaos Wastes and the call of their Dark Gods. This resulted in a steady increase in Norse raids along the Empire's coastlines and the northern border, growing bolder and ever more numerous with each passing day, creating fear and havoc amongst the many towns and fishing villages along the coast of the province of Nordland. In response, the first act Karl Franz took as the new Emperor was to march his way north at the head of a massive Imperial Army and reinforce the armies of Elector Count Theoderic Gausser. None of his generals or advisors had any way to predict when or where the Norse would strike next, and so he had to rely on his cadre of powerful Celestial Wizards to aid him in his planning, whose members possess the mystical ability to foretell the future by observing the heavens. When the next massive raid came upon the northern shores of Nordland, the ravenous Chaos marauders were welcomed by a volley of bullets and crossbow bolts fired by a battle-line of Imperial troops. With the carefully concealed longships of the Norsemen sunk by a frightening barrage of Imperial gunfire and cannon batteries, the Norsemen had nowhere to run. Hundreds of the marauders died without a fight, their bodies driven to the bottom of the sea by the heavy bulk of their ships, and those who managed to reach the shores were met by a disciplined line of swordsmen, spearmen and halberdiers. The raiders were massacred to the last and the Emperor himself led the charge against the final shield wall of the Norse's last and most battle-hardened warriors. Since his election, Karl Franz has won victory after victory and conquest after conquest, taking command of his troops personally whenever possible, bringing with him the legendary Ghal Maraz and his fellow Griffon companion Deathclaw. It was Karl Franz who led the decisive charge of the Reiksguard Knights against the Knights of Bretonnia at the Battle of Norduin in 2502 IC. On the legendary Field of Blood, it was the courage of the Emperor's own heroics that steadied the Imperial line against the thunderous charge of WAAAGH! Spleenrippa. In his war against the Eastern Hordes of Morkhal-hai the Savage, he personally led his Greatsword regiment into the very heart of the enemy army and broke the skull of the Chaos Champion with a single swing of his mighty warhammer. There is little doubt that Karl Franz was one of the greatest generals of his time. He stood at the forefront of the battle against those that would have seen his beloved homeland torn asunder, a responsibility that weighed heavily upon his shoulders. The emperor often rode into battle mounted on his loyal companion Deathclaw, the Griffon he himself raised since it was a mere egg, a noble and majestic beast that is reputed to be the mightiest Imperial Griffon to have ever lived. A powerful bond existed between the Griffon and the Emperor, one forged in countless battles and many adventures. As the years passed, the Empire continued to grow in power and influence, and Karl Franz engaged in major projects to improve the well being of his subjects and the common people. Reikmarshal Kurt Helborg fulfilled the will of the Emperor without question, leading the Imperial armies in combat against the Ogre bandits of Tyrant Breaskus, Greenskin raiders of the Broken Tooth tribe and the Skaven that infested the Howling Hills, site of the famous victory of Mandred Skavenslayer during the Skaven Wars.
Massacre along the Weiss (2504 IC)
When a great warherd of Minotaurs threatened to cross the Grey Mountains into Athel Loren, Ariel bade her Spellweavers divert the swollen waters of the River Weiss and force the beasts back into the Empire. It was then that the Emperor Karl Franz did that which none of his forebears had ever done — he walked beneath the eaves of Athel Loren to seek aid. The great council were little inclined to accede to the Emperor’s demands, for they perceived that his greatness was worn as a mantle, rather than flowed from a source within. Yet nor could they deny the logic of his plea.[26a] So it was that Orion led the Wild Hunt over the mountains and to the Empire’s aid. Whilst Karl Franz rallied the embattled army of Wissenland, Orion and Naieth the Prophetess led the swiftest riders of Athel Loren far afield and struck at the warherd’s flanks. Following the path of carnage left by their king Glade Riders and celebrants of Kurnous carried their spears deep into the heart of the Minotaurs’ formation. Soon after, the King in the Woods slew the Doombull whose bloodrage had begun the rampage.[26a] Decimated by disciplined handgun volleys, torn bloody by cannon fire and their most ferocious warriors felled by the fury of the Elves, the Minotaurs shrank back. Seeing their foes quaver, the men of the Empire gave out a great cheer; but they did so too soon. The wind shifted, and the scent of blood it carried drove the Minotaurs into afresh frenzy. Suddenly beset by an enemy they had thought beaten, the brave men of Wissenland suffered greatly. Regiments of Halberdiers and Greatswords were hacked apart, filling the air with yet more blood-spoor and driving the Minotaurs ever more berserk. Karl Franz moved to reinforce the line, but was swept from the back of his horse by a Cygor’s boulder.[26a] Even from the other side ofthe battlefield, Orion’s keen eyes saw the Emperor fall. The King in the Woods was tom. He was weary, having been sorely wounded in battle with a colossal Ghorgon, and cared little for Karl Franz’s survival. As far as Orion was concerned, the human’s puny life mattered nought in the wider context of the Weave. Even if the Wissenlanders were routed from the field, the Wood Elves could simply withdraw behind the floodwaters of the Weiss once more. Sensing Orion’s indecision, Naieth quietly reminded her liege that the fate of the world rested on more than just those born to godly mien. It did not matter, she said, if the Emperor’s reach exceeded his grasp; what mattered was the nobility of his cause. Orion rounded upon Naieth with an expression so full of fury that the seeress feared for her life. Then Orion laughed and sounded his great horn so loud that its winding was heard as far away as Athel Loren.[26a] As one, the Wood Elves charged forward once more, this time towards the human lines and the fallen Emperor. Lost in a haze of bloodletting the Minotaurs did not realize their danger until it was too late. Bows sang spears thrust forward and the Minotaurs soon found the tide of battle turned against them.[26a] The King in the Woods fought his way to the downed Emperor, planted his hooves either side of the wounded man, and bellowed a challenge that the blood maddened warherd could not deny. By the time the Minotaurs finally realized their plight and fled, near three score of their greatest champions had fallen to Orion’s spear. The King in the Woods had been sorely wounded in exchange — his godly ichor flowed freely from a dozen ragged wounds — but Karl Franz had not suffered so much as a single blow during the hours in which Orion had stood guard over his unconscious form. Not that the Emperor had any opportunity to thank his rescuer, for as soon as it was clear the Minotaurs had no stomach for further battle, the Elves retrieved their dead and left the field.[26a] A month later, an emissary from Athel Loren was admitted to the palace of Altdorf. He gave no name, but delivered both a gift and a message. The gift was a single Griffon egg retrieved, said the emissary, from the highest peak in the Grey Mountains. The message was simple, brought in friendship, but ominous nonetheless: "We will be watching."[26a]
Königswald Affair (2505 IC)
After the death of Elector Maximilian von Königswald, Karl Franz came personally to the estate of the Königswalds to express his condolences to young Oswald, Maximilians heir. The Emperor reminisced that it was thanks to Maximilian that the original vote of eight to four against him had been overturned into support from all Electors save one. [33a] He also told Oswald that he was like a father to his own son, Luitpold, and that he would gladly come to the play of his friends great victory over Constant Drachenfels, the Great Enchanter. [33a] Taking the Imperial Court with him, the Emperor enjoyed time in the field, with friends and family around him and ignored warning signs such a dream of his son Luitpold with levitating monks that warned him to not come to Castle Drachenfels as fancies.[33b] As he watched the play, he came to realize that the events displayed there were far too realistic to be the work of mere threatre and sought to leave, but was hindered by Oswald, who forced him at knifepoint to remain.[33c] As Oswald von Königswald saw his plan to resurrect the Great Enchanter foiled by Detlef Sierck, he cut Karl Franz throat and sought to flee, but was slain.[33c] The Emperor survived, but could only speak in a whisper for a few months. During this time, the Königswalds were stripped of their titles, which were given to the von Tassenincks.[33c]
In the alternate timeline of the Storm of Chaos, a large Chaos host assembled in the north in 2521 IC, lead by the renegade former Templar and thirteenth Everchosen Archaon. Before the Everchosen, an army of Grand Theogonist Volkmar the Grim fell, the spiritual leader of the faith of Sigmar being left to rot. Beset by dark omens, the population of the Empire descended into hysteria. Mutants and worse were being discovered even in the larger cities and the fields were abandoned as people chose to become flagellants instead of tending the fields, causing the crops to rot and threatening the Empire with famine.[31a]
At Mitterfruhl, Karl Franz called for a conclave in order to address the threat, summoning the Elector Counts, as well as the Patriarchs of the eight Colleges, ambassadors from Marienburg as well as dwarfs from the Karaz Ankor. The suggested courses of action differed -- Helmut Feuerbach suggested a defensive course of action, while Boris Todbringer argued for a swift and decisive strike against the horde. Others suggested bribing the various chiefs that lead the tribes making up the army, while others suggested razing parts of the northern Empire in order to starve Archaon and his armies. The wizards under Balthasar Gelt instead suggested building a wall of wards and hexes to drain the Winds of Magic of their potency and weaken Archaons daemonic hordes.[31b] In all of this, the emperor sat silent, only once he subtly berated Theodoric Gausser for complaining about Norscan raids upon his coast and accusing him of apathy. More dire news came from the north, from Kislev and Karak Kadrin, telling of ever larger armies of Chaos warriors amassing against the Empire. Ar-Ulric and Grand Theogonist Esmer III accused each other of weakening the Empire in order to advance their own agenda. As the Emperor still did not act, some hoped to depose him. This was strictly opposed by Middenland, Averland and Nordland, pointing to the fact that no emperor had ever been deposed while in power. It was instead decided to send additional emissaries to Bretonnia and the Border Princes. On the thirtieth day, Teclis of Ulthuan arrived, promising the aid of the Phoenix King against the hordes of evil. And after this, Karl Franz finally decided to action, sending the Asur to patrol the Sea of Claws and the dwarfs to continue to defend the mountain passes, with the aid of the armies of Wissenland and Stirland. The armies of Ostermark and Ostland would join the defense of Kislev, while the other provinces were marshaled and to meet the Chaos horde in battle. [31c]
In 2522, Luthor Huss lead Valten to Altdorf, despite being decried as a heretic by the Grand Theogonist. For three days, Huss and Valten had to camp before the closed city walls, before Karl Franz chose to admit them. [30b]Before his throne, Huss again declared that Valten was Sigmar Reborn and that the Imperial Throne was his by right. He entreated Karl Franz to follow his faith and relinquish it to the rightful ruler. When Karl Franz addressed Valten to ask him what he would have him do, the young smith answered that he was a servant of the Empire and of Mankind, and would have him do what was right for both of them.[30c]
In the end, to avoid civil war and religious schisms, Karl Franz called for the Grand Theogonist to bring him Ghal Maraz, which he offered to Valten to acknowledge him as Sigmar’s Chosen. He himself, however, was still the Emperor, with the other Elector Counts having sworn their oaths to him.[30d]
Karl Franz’ lead the forces of the Reikland together with Valten, arriving at Talabheim, planning to fall Archaon’s army in the back while they sieged Middenheim. They arrived when Archaon, unable to take the city, was forced to retreat and recuperate his forces. Marshaling his forces at Grimminhagen, Karl Franz’ later heard that Valten and his troops had been attacked and rode forth to aid Sigmar’s Chosen. The Everchosen had retreated to the village Sokh, where the final battle of the Storm of Chaos would take place. Here, the armies of the Empire met those of Chaos.
In the aftermath, Valten was wounded, but Archaon defeated, being forced to flee thanks to Grimgor Ironhide. This resulted in religious strife, as some claimed that, as he had been defeated, he could not have been Sigmar’s Chosen, while others claimed that he should be crowned Emperor as was his right. As disputes arose whether Volkmar should reassume his position or if Esmer III should stay, Karl Franz invited them, as well as Ar-Ulric and Luthor Huss to a private council, which was ended prematurely when news came that Valten was dead, murdered by unknown forces.[32b] Some speculated that Valten had been assassinated by Karl Franz to maintain his position, others that a dark, glowing serrated blade had been found within his heart.[32c]
In the alternate timeline of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, at some point in Emperor Karl Franz's reign, a Chaos-infused plague spread from the north, which transformed its victims into ravening mutants. By the time the Emperor issued his first quarantine order, the vile disease had already spread across most of his lands. Social order broke down, with Militiamen in plague-wracked cities being forced to combat the hordes of Chaos mutants roaming their streets, leaving their walls undefended against threats from without. Emboldened gangs of brigands roamed the countryside, looting, burning and killing at will.
This served as herald to a darker force- a Champion of the Great Changer, Tzeentch. Additionally, the Witch King of Naggaroth foresaw that the invading Chaos host would force the Empire so seek aid from their allies. Seeking to weaken the Karaz Ankor so that the Emperor would have no choice but to call upon Finubar for aid. An eclipse heralded the arrival of Tchar'zanek and his Raven Host and causing terror in the cities. As the dwarf realms come under assault from a Waaagh! lead by the Bloody Sun Boyz, Karl Franz was forced to honor the ancient pact between dwarfs and Men by sending parts of his own troops to support his allies, while Nordland and Ostland came under assault. Seeing no other way to save the Empire, an emissary was sent to the Phoenix Court to entreat Finubar for aid. In the moment the main fleet of the Asur left, the Druchii assaulted their shores.
Recognizing that the only way to counter the threats arrayed against them will be to combine their strengths, the leaders of the Empire and the nations of the Dwarfs and the High Elves convened a great Council of Wisdom in the Imperial capital of Altdorf. At this summit, the three rulers forged a pact that their peoples shall fight as one and strike back at the enemies who would conquer their homelands.
In order to combat the threat, Karl Franz founded the Order of the Griffin, a military force made up of highly skilled soldiers, Wizards and devotees of Sigmar's cult who will be charged with facing the gravest threats from within and without.
Karl Franz was the greatest statesman in the Old World, a great patron of the arts and sciences, innovator in military matters and a valiant warrior of great courage and tenacity. Through his efforts, the Empire prospered under his reign. The Imperial School of Engineering developed new and deadlier war machines for the benefit of the Imperial army, while the Colleges of Magic grew in strength and size, aiding the Imperial army in victory after victory. Karl Franz showed more skill and character than even the greatest of his predecessors and he kept his promise to establish a strong government under a just and moral standing.
Under his guidance, he skilfully managed to manoeuvre around the Cults of Sigmar and Ulric in their attempts to win his favour. When a crisis arose between the Elector Counts of Stirland and the Elector Counts of Talabecland over a dispute that dated back to the Time of the Three Emperors, other Elector Counts waited anxiously to see which side Karl Franz would support in an event that would decide the outcome of both parties. The Emperor, however, would have none of it, and decided to go to Talabheim to negotiate peace terms between the two factions.
His talents as a spokesman with tremendous patience were put to the test to solve the issue, but the two rivals finally gave in to his terms and the civil war was avoided by his political genius. Other similar conflicts such as this had since been resolved by the intervention of Karl Franz, his position strengthened by the reassuring and imposing presence of Ludwig Schwarzhelm himself. The mere sight of the personal champion of the Emperor's "Sword of Justice" was enough to make the other Elector Counts far more accommodating and cooperative than they would have been. From what historians and scholars could understand, Karl Franz used a political tactic that would ensure that the agreement would be "mutually acceptable by both parties". With his superior understanding of current politics, the Emperor won many victories by giving the people not what they wanted but what they did not want the others to have. By using this clever political tactic, he managed to convince the Merchant Guilds of Altdorf to sign the famous Convention of the Stink Act in 2506 IC, from which they were required to pay huge fines and exorbitant fees not because they believed in the concept of a cleaner Altdorf, but because they hoped that this agreement would ruin their rivals' own finances.
Another notable event of his great political skill was the time when the territorial ambitions of the aggressive Theoderic Gausser upon the neighbouring province of Hochland were countered by the intervention of the Supreme Patriarch of the Colleges of Magic, Balthasar Gelt, by Karl Franz's order. Balthasar travelled to the capital city of Salzenmund, the home of Count Theoderic as an ambassador of the Emperor, hoping to dissuade the Elector Count's ambitious dream of expanding his territories. Thanks to the Supreme Patriarch's magical powers of the Winds of Chamon, Balthasar secretly transmuted the gold used for the mercenaries under the Counts employ into lead. Without the gold to finance his expedition, his army would not march with him, forcing Theoderic to relinquish his claims to the lands of Hochland. However, once he discovered what had happened, Theoderic unsheathed his powerful Runefang Crow Feeder, determined to behead the sorcerer for what he had done to his precious gold. But the sorcerer was never found, for he had quickly fled the Nordland capital on his pegasus after finalising his work in the Nordland treasury.
For the longest time, the Emperor presented the facade of chastity and disattachement, in order to keep the Electors hopeful for a dynastic match. Rumours claimed that he had an affair with the niece of Arch-Lector Aglim or Duchess Elise.[25a] In fact, despite not being officially married, the Emperor had two children with his distant cousin and childhood friend Maria-Luise von Walfen, Luitpold and Alia. Luitpold was legitimzed and made into the heir as the Prince of Altdorf,[25a] while his daughter Alia was officially legitimized following his marriage with Maria-Luise after the Turmoil and made into his heir as the Elector Countess of Reikland.[24a]
Baroness Ludgera is a distant cousin of the Emperor Karl-Franz.[38a]
Karl Franz is bestowed by his title as Emperor with some of the most powerful magical weapons and armour in the Old World. Although his greatest strength is masterful statesmanship, Karl Franz is nonetheless a formidable warrior. He often leads troops directly in battle — whether on horseback amongst the Reiksguard or atop his loyal griffon, Deathclaw.
•Ghal Maraz (Skull Splitter) — The legendary hammer of Sigmar and one of the most potent magical artefacts in the entire world. This rune-encrusted weapon has been the symbol of the Emperor's office ever since the founding of the Empire.[1e]
•Drachenzahn, Dragon Tooth (Reikland Runefang) — As the Elector Count of Reikland, Karl Franz has the right to wield his Runefang in battle. When he does so, it is almost always to make a political statement, namely that his actions are done in his capacity as the ruler of his province, and not the Empire as a whole. [1e] Speaking a word of power ignites a bright red flame along the blade.[16a]
•The Silver Seal — The warrior-mage Friedrich von Tarnus crafted this artefact for Magnus the Pious following the Great War Against Chaos. It wards away harmful blows and evil sorceries.[1e]
Karl-Franz of House Holswig-Schliestein was born the only son of Emperor Luitpold I and his wife. In 2470 IC, when he was still a babe, he accompanied his mother, father and sister Isabella along with the Imperial retinue as they travelled the Drakwald Forest, being forced to stay at an inn fifteen miles from the capital of Altdorf. That night the inn was attacked by a group of Beastmen, who, despite the efforts of the Reiksguard and the Reikscaptain Kurt Helborg, came close to slaying the Imperial family. However, they were saved by the timely intervention of a group of Wood Elves, who slew the approaching Beastmen. One of the Wood Elves asked Helborg to speak with the Imperial family, who agreed. The elf showed no care for the Emperor’s gratitude and fixed his emerald eyes on the baby held by his mother. Claiming he wouldn’t harm the child for “he is far too important”, the elf called the child "Harathoi Koiran", meaning "Young King" in their language, and placed a finger lightly on the baby’s forehead before giving him a cryptic message: “Do what your kind does best… break it... then make it whole again.” The Wood Elves then left the inn without a further glance at the Imperial family.
Franz was raised in Altdorf, the capital of Reikland and the Empire, as Luitpold's heir. During his youth, he gained a reputation coveting taverns and gambler's dens, as well as having a poor attendance record to the Temple of Sigmar, although his behaviour changed with his marriage and the birth of his son, named Luitpold for the boy's grandfather. He was trained at fighting by the Emperor's Justice, Ludwig Schwarzhelm, but his martial ability was still seen as unproven by the time he was thirty-two.
The Prince of Altdorf
Emperor Luitpold I died in the year 2502 IC, leaving Karl Franz, the new head of House Holswig-Schliestein, with the titles of Prince of Altdorf and Elector Count of Reikland and with Dragon's Tooth, the Reikland Runefang. However, both Sigmar's warhammer Ghal Maraz and the Emperorship was to be determined by the votes of the fifteen Electors: ten Elector Counts who ruled the Imperial Provinces, including Franz, the Elder of the Moot, the Ar-Ulric of the Cult of Ulric and the Grand Theogonist and two Arch Lectors from the Cult of Sigmar. Only a week after his father's funeral had all the Electors gathered in Altdorf to choose who among the Counts was to rule the Empire. At thirty-two, many believed that Franz was still too young and unproven in comparison to some of the more experienced Elector Counts, a belief shared by Franz himself. Karl was content to live a comparatively tranquil life with his family as ruler of the Reikland, and while he voted for himself he made it clear he did not want the throne. Nevertheless, Franz still gained four votes while three abstained. The rest of the Electors voted for Boris Todbringer, the Elector Count of Middenland, a battle-hardened and experienced warrior who spent years fighting Beastmen in the Drakwald Forest. However, with eight votes Boris was two votes shy of being electable, and thus it was decided the second round would be held a fortnight later. Franz almost got into a confrontation with the abrasive Todbringer, until Maximillian von Königswald, the Elector Count of Ostland and an old ally to Franz's father, defused the situation before it escalated into a fight between Elector Counts.
Franz left Altdorf along with Helborg and a group of Reiksguard and Halbediers, wanting to patrol the forests surrounding his new city. There, Helborg assured the new Prince that the Reiksguard was personally loyal to Franz's dynasty and that Todbringer was likely to replace them as the royal guard anyway if elected. But Franz insisted that their job was to protect whoever was elected, not to him. However, the group was interrupted by an attack from a group of Forest Goblins. The Imperial troops managed to hold against the Greenskins, until a Forest Goblin Shaman riding an Arachnarok Spider attacked them. Franz met the creature in battle with his newly acquired Runefang, slaying both the Shaman and the Arachnarok thus causing the Forest Goblins to flee. The Reiklander troops rallied to their new Prince, and one of the remaining Reiksguard approached Franz with a hidden dagger. The tired Karl avoided the first blow, but he would have been stabbed were it not for an ethereal, green figure parrying the blade and slaying the assassin.
This figure, the Green Knight, was a spirit from the neighbouring Kingdom of Bretonnia. He revealed that he had been sent by his Goddess, the Lady of the Lake, to summon Franz to a meeting with the Bretonnian King before a new Emperor was chosen. He warned the young Prince that if the Empire and Bretonnia could not forget their old grudges, the "Three-Eyed King" would claim victory over both, vanishing before Franz could ask further questions.
In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Empire in Flames, Karl Franz was assassinated during a Conclave of State. Having been sick for a prolonged period of time, the Electors expected him to abdicate in favour of his nephew, Crown Prince Wolfgang.[9a]
Instead, he proclaimed slightly delirious that his doctor, Ludwig von Ente, had cured him with exotic ingredients from the moons. Before any Electors had a chance to speak, one of Karl Franz bodyguards plunged his blade into his back, proclaiming the mutant-lover dead in the name of Ulric, before taking his own life with poison.[9b]
Franz Karl. Archduke of Austria (non-ruling member of the dynasty) Born 7 December 1802 in Vienna. Died 8 March 1878 in Vienna. The son of Emperor Franz II (I) and younger brother of Emperor Ferdinand I, he was a member of the Privy State Conference that ran the government for his imperial brother from 1836 to1848.
Archduke Franz Karl was one of a considerable number of Habsburgs who did not have a talent for the dynasty’s claims to power or, more particularly, for the political and social activities necessary for pressing these claims successfully. Although he was son, brother and father to three successive Austrian emperors, he – allegedly on account of his ‘lesser gifts’ – hardly set
Mar 22, 2024 · Emperor Karl Franz I, Elector Count and Grand Prince of Reikland, Prince of Altdorf, and Count of the West March [1] is the current Emperor of The Empire and Elector Count of Reikland. He is widely regarded as the greatest statesman and diplomat of the Old World. [5a] He was crowned in 2502 IC . As Emperor, Franz is also the leader of the ...
Archduke Franz Karl Joseph of Austria (17 December 1802 – 8 March 1878) was a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. He was the father of two emperors: Franz Joseph I of Austria and Maximilian I of Mexico. Through his third son Karl Ludwig, he was the grandfather of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria – whose assassination sparked the ...
