The sons of the Empire`s nobility often choose to join one of the select brotherhoods throughout the Empire. Some of the smaller Orders recruit from the local nobility, such as the Knights of Blazing Sun, the Knights of the Black Rose, the Knights of the Broken Sword, etc. Some restrict their membership to worshippers of a particular god and are referred to as Templars, such as the members of the sinister Black Guard of Morr or the Knights of the Everlasting Light. A knight displays the emblems of his order on his armour and shield, and the style of his armour and dress follows a traditional design. Knights owe their allegiance directly to their lord: the Grand Master of their Order. Each Order has a very complex hierarchic atructure, but almost all of them are governed by an Inner Circle of Knights. These heroic warriors have accomplished a mighty feat of arms, distinguishing themselves and earning the right to ascend to this important position. The Knights of the Inner Corcle are the elite of the elite, certainly the best fighting men of all the Empire.

Elector Counts call upon the Knights of an Order to come to arms and fight as part of their army. To add this crack heavy cavalry to their own army is vital for the Counts. This makes the Grand Masters very powerful individuals, because their`s is the final decision whether the Order will join the count`s army or not. Often the condition for this help is that the Grand Master himself assumes command of the army. Many Elector Counts are only too happy to accept this condition, since it is well known that Grand Masters make formidable leaders.

The Reiksguard Knights form the bodyguard of the Emperor. The Order was founded during the reign of Wilhelm, the first Emperor of the lineage of the Princes of Altdorf. Devout Templars of Sigmar, Reiksguard Knights swear to give their lives to protect the Emperor, who is the living incarnation of Sigmar. Their Grand Master is the Reiksmarshall of the Empire, commander of all the Empire forces, second only to the Emperor himself.

The Knights Panther trace their origins to the wars against Araby, when returning crusaders brought back outlandish animals from the east. Some of these Knights adopted the panther as their emblem, creating the order of the Knights Panther.

Unit Size: 5+

Weapons & Armour: Lance, hand weapon, full plate armour & shield.

Mounts: Barded warhorse.

Options:

• Upgrade one Knight into a Musician (+8 pts).
• Upgrade one Knight into a Standard Bearer (+16 pts).
• A Standard Bearer may carry a Magic Standard worth up to 50 pts.
• Promote one Knight to First Knight (+16 pts).
• Knights of the Inner Circle. One unit of Knightly Orders in the army may be upgraded to Knights of the Inner Circle, at the cost of +3 pts per model. The Knights and the First Knights in this unit are Strength 4.

Special Rules:

The Grand Master. You can field a Grand Master only if your army contains a unit of Knights of the same Order. For example, if you have a unit of Knights Panther, you can include their Grand Master in your army. If you field a unit of Reiksguard Knights, you can include the Reiksmarshall, who follows the same rules of the other Grand Masters.

Templar Grand Masters fight on their own or with a unit of Knights of his Order, they never join other units.

Templar Grand Masters are veterans of battles and strong in their faith, so they are Immune to Psychology. In addition, as long as a Templar Grand Master is with a unit of Knights of his Order, the Knights are inspired by the presence of their Master, and so are Immune to Psychology as well.