Army of the Empire; The Flower of Altdorf

"If the Ice Queen lives then hope will flourish in the North."

Karl Franz turned his head to the West letting the dim sunshine breaking through the clouds touch his face. Von Leipoldt, his banner bearer for this expedition, understood the unspoken meaning. If the Emperor could secure the Ice Queen of Kislev, rumoured dead in Troll Country, then the Kislevites would have to pay homage to the power of Altdorf. She would be the Capitol's hostage and secure the waning loyalty of the North. But more than this when another war party raiding south from the Wastes, it would be the Kislevites who would bear the brunt of the fighting. 

Von Leipoldt smiled at the memory of his Emperor. They had been simpler times, when a man could flourish and build a future. The fall of Altdorf had put paid to hope. 

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Paints used: Vallejo, Reaper Master Series, Games Workshop Washes, Com Art Medea Airbrush

Airbrush: Iwata CR Plus High Line

Paint Brushes: Rosemary & Co. Raphael 8040, Broken Toad Brushes

This force was painted as a tournament army with each component of the force complimenting the overall theme of the force. I imagined this to be a ranging party commanded by the Emperor himself to rescue to the Ice Queen of Kislev, who had been taken by  band of Ogres in Troll Country. 

The army militia is comprised of Altdorf regulars. These crossbowmen are soldiers by profession and are in the personal employ of Von Leipoldt - the banner bearer. The young noble's personal confidants (drinking pals) form the outriders for the force. The majority of the Order of the Blazing Sun was garrisoned in Altdorf when this expedition was announced and the Order's commander pledged every sword in his command to this quest. The Emperor deigned to have the colours of his horse garbed in the regalia of the Order of the Blazing Sun in gratitude for their support. The web politicking in the capitol meant that the Emperor was forced to take an untutored Magister of the Bright College, a young aspiriant with good political connections, who many thought would one day become the Grand Patriarch. 

The Emperor's Wrath and Altdorf's Price (the Empror's own Steam Tank) accompany this force to wreck havock in the nightmarish landscape of Troll Country. 

Myles