Sigmar

Sigmar, also called Sigmar Heldenhammer, meaning "Hammer of the Goblins" in Old Reikspiel, born as Sigmar Unberogen, sometimes called the "God-King" and who reigned as the first Emperor of Man, is a former mortal man who has become an ascended god of the Old World Pantheon, embodying the spread of civilisation and its protection. He is the founder of the Empire of Man, its first emperor and its current patron deity. Sigmar is the object of devotion for the state religion of the Cult of Sigmar, the most powerful religious institution of the Empire.

Born over 2500 years ago to the Unberogen tribe, his coming having been heralded by the Twin-Tailed Comet, Sigmar, alone of the kings among the 12 barbaric tribes of Men who founded the Empire, was possessed of a singular drive to put an end to the bloody tribal conflict that had riven his people apart. Through words and deeds, Sigmar brought the tribes of Men together while casting aside those who defied him and then, with warhammer and fury, drove the enemies of Mankind from his homeland. After Sigmar had completed the unification, he was coronated as the first Emperor of Man by the Ar-Ulric himself, having been a deeply devout Ulrican in mortal life. For fifty years did Sigmar reign over the Empire -- it was a golden age that was just, fair and prosperous.

Yet despite that, many challenges to the Empire's stability were faced and overcome by Sigmar's daring and leadership: the invasions of the Chaos-corrupted Norsii barbarians, and even the march of the Lord of the Undead, the Great Necromancer Nagash himself, whom Sigmar defeated in single-combat at the gates of his capital of Reikdorf. In the last year of his rule, and the anniversary of his coronation by the Ar-Ulric, Sigmar rose up from his throne and left the the lands of the Empire, heading eastwards towards the Worlds Edge Mountains. He was accompanied by a great wolf on one flank and a massive boar on the other, his visage a mask of grim determination. His destination and purpose were known only to himself.

Whatever the truth of these legends, the simple fact remained that the Father of the Empire had gone. Within a generation of his passing, the people of his Empire clamoured around a wild-eyed Ulrican friar named Johann Helstrum who proclaimed that he had borne witness to a vision of Ulric himself, the god of war, winter, and wolves, placing the divine crown of godhood upon Sigmar's brow and elevating him to join the company of the deities of the Old World Pantheon. Thus was born the Cult of Sigmar -- the Men of the Empire claiming that their greatest lord had not fallen in the east, but had ascended boldly to rule the heavens. A new, ascended God-King, one born of mortal origins, but destined to protect his people so long as his Empire stood.

Over millennia later, the Cult of Sigmar has become the most widespread and most powerful faith in all the Empire -- rivalled only by the ancient Cult of Ulric, and even then only in the northern provinces. Sigmar is said to constantly battle the Dark Gods, working to stem their malignant influence from infecting the realm of Men. The souls of all his worshippers martyred in a battle against the Northmen or other forces of Chaos make their way to his side, to aid him in his holy struggle.

In Sigmar's divine, all-seeing wisdom, he sees the need for strength from his followers -- not only of sinew, but of will and of faith. Unholy threats assail his favoured nation, both from within and from without, and thus he channels his might into his mortal champions -- the mighty Warrior-Priests of Sigmar and the Witch Hunter Templars.

Above all, however, it is faith that serves as the chief weapon of the Empire. Unwavering in their devotion, the warriors of the Empire stand strong against such horrors that would make lesser men go mad with fear. They need only hear the recitation of the verses of the sacred Sigmarite prayer known as the Deus Sigmar to drive them to commit unparalleled acts of heroism.