The Golden Order

Lying at the heart of the Old World, the Empire is the greatest and most powerful of all the kingdoms forged by men. But it is a realm in constant turmoil, both from enemies without and strife from within as rival Elector Counts vie for the throne. Whether fighting between themselves or the many exterior invaders, the greatest nation of man can muster a formidable army of disciplined warriors, magic, steam-powered wonders and menageries of fantastical beasts.

Now, the Twin-Tailed Comet blazes across the sky once again and a new Emperor has been crowned – surely an omen that the time has come to unite the Empire, secure its borders and bring prosperity to its beleaguered citizens.

Faction Name The Golden Order

Campaign wh3_main_combi

Culture wh_main_emp_empire

Subculture wh_main_sc_emp_empire

Military Group wh_main_group_empire

Faction Group wh_main_fact_group_empire

Faction Group Name The Empire

• (wh_main_political_party_empire_balthasar)
  Balthasar Gelt is sent to the Empire's southern border by Karl Franz to stabilise the hinterlands and tame the world beyond with might and magic. Balthasar Gelt came to Altdorf from the city of Marienburg, having bought passage on a merchant ship with gold that he had transmuted from lead ingots. He left the seaport for the Colleges of Magic before the effects wore off, and now rumours abound that the swindled sea captain has placed a rich bounty on Balthasar’s head – though few would dare attempt to collect it.
  
  The transmutation of common artefacts into precious metal has always fascinated Balthasar. Driven by his obsession, he spent many years combining his knowledge of alchemy, learnt in far-off lands, with the magical Lore of Metal. Balthasar’s fierce intelligence lent him a greater understanding of this branch of magic than any of his fellow students or tutors, and he rose quickly through the ranks of the Gold Order. Within a mere decade, Balthasar had become the Patriarch of the Golden College, the youngest wizard to ever hold the title.
  
  Balthasar’s research into new formulations of black powder even made him popular with the Imperial Engineers School, an organisation that often dismisses magic as superstitious nonsense. However, during these studies, a freak explosion almost ended Balthasar’s quest for knowledge forever. Somehow he survived, and from that day on he has only ever been seen swathed in shimmering, metallic robes and wearing a golden face mask. Some say that beneath his mask his skin has turned to pure gold, while others whisper that he is horribly disfigured, though the truth of the matter is known only to Balthasar. One thing is certain: the accident only furthered his will to succeed, and this determination increased his powers to new heights. With a single gesture, Balthasar Gelt can transform his enemies into lifeless golden statues or turn their bones into molten iron. With such power at his command, Balthasar has secured victory for the Empire on numerous occasions.
  
  The Wheel of Magic
  Balthasar Gelt is the Supreme Patriarch of the Colleges of Magic. He has only ever been seen swathed in shimmering, metallic robes and wearing a golden mask.
  
  Need this effect for when heroes arent embedded (-50.0000)
  wh2_dlc13_effect_upkeep_elector_count_units_hidden (75.0000)
  Hero capacity: +0 for Battle Wizards (2.0000)
  Armour: +0 (10.0000)
  Upkeep: +0% for Battle Wizard Heroes (-50.0000)
  

Imperial Authority: Develop authority within the Empire by engaging in internal politics and quelling problems to enforce confederation, vassalage or war.
Summon the Elector Counts: Secure the fealty of the Empire's Lords to govern or take over by force, assigning new, more loyal Elector Counts.
Well-rounded unit roster with a wide range of magical lores and war machines.

Faction Group

wh2_dlc09_effect_increase_army_capacity_hidden (9999.0000)
Upkeep and recruitment cost: +0% for Knights of the Blazing Sun units (50.0000)
Seductive influence: +0 required for complete seduction (150.0000)
Seductive influence: +0 per turn from race (-3.0000)
Income from post-battle loot: +0% (-50.0000)
Battering rams: +0 per siege item constructed (1.0000)
Siege towers: +0 per siege item constructed (2.0000)