Editing Endhammer (section)

===[[The Empire (Warhammer Fantasy)|The Empire]]===
* Sigmar's Empire is in shambles after Archaon's nearly successful conquest of the world. Ostland, Ostermark, Talabecland, and Hochland are blighted wastes, infested with beastmen and fouler things. Pockets of defenders persist in isolated forts and outposts, surviving by strength of arms and a healthy helping of luck.
* Altdorf, Jewel of the Empire, is a broken ruin fought over between mutants, marauders, and pockets of survivors.
* Middenheim was spared when Archaon fell. Averheim was rescued by the one-two punch of a treacherous Thanquol and the host of Ungrim Ironfist. Nuln is reclaimed and Emmanuelle von Liebewitz returned to her palace.
* The sons of great men squabble over the ashes of the Empire. Heinrich Todbringer, the bastard son of the late Elector-Count of Middenheim, is legitimized by Ar-Ulric's decree and given the seat of Middenland. Ruling from Averheim, Karl-Franz's son, Luitpold II, takes the seat of Reikland. Both assume they will be Emperor.
* Talabheim has only recently broken its siege. Grand Duke Helmut Feuerbach is lost and presumed dead. Captain Eric Schmidt of the local Knights Panther chapter led the defense of the city-state and is its de facto leader.
* Luthor Huss has been elected Grand Theogonist. It helps that most of Sigmar's clergy were killed in the fall of Altdorf. Being the only significant leader left to the church, and wrapping a conspicuous scarf around his neck, the radical priest is throwing his support behind Luitpold, not wanting some northern pagan like Todbringer to take the imperial throne.
* Balthasar Gelt, ''persona non grata'' in most of the Empire after his necromantic shenanigans were discovered, has secreted himself in the Court of Emmanuelle von Liebewitz, Elector-Countess of Nuln. Gelt wonders why the Empire should even be allowed to elect a leader? Why not assure the Emperor is someone with true ability and vision; someone like the Supreme Patriarch of the Colleges of Magic?
* In Ostland, a mysterious Norscan has set himself up as Earl of Salkalten. Both errant raiders from the Everchosen's horde and what few survivors remain in Ostland flock to his banner as he cuts down the wicked beasts that prowl the eastern forests of the Empire and offers protection to those who will serve him. He and his huscarls cast aside the Dark Gods after witnessing Archaon's fall at Middenheim, and wonder which southern deity grants such power to the weaklings of the Empire. In addition, he seems to have a penchant for killing the living dead...
* Sylvania re-integrates itself into the Empire, since Vlad is now a legitimized Elector Count. This is controversial to say the least; simply voicing the idea that Vlad should be given a Runefang, as befits an Elector Count, sparks a fierce debate.