Ostermark
The League of Ostermark[1a][2][5a] is a bleak, rural province of The Empire, being the homeland of the ancient Ostagoths . [3][4][11]
The province is bordered in the north across the Upper Talabec[Conflicting Sources1] river by Kislev, in the east by Worlds Edge Mountains, south Stirland across the Stir river, and in the west by Talabecland. [5c]
Contents
Overview
A rural, agricultural state, other provinces mock Ostermark for their primitive existence although the locals are courageous fighters. Having faced numerous Undead and Chaos invasions, locals are resolute and stern. [2]
Because of its location near Sylvania and the fact that it is usually one of the hardest hit provinces during Chaos Incursions, Ostermarkers seem to have an obsession with death compared to the inhabitants of other provinces.[1b]
The current Elector Count of Ostermark is Wolfram Hertwig [5b][7a].
Heraldry
The main symbol of Ostermark is a crowned red Manticore with a sword, and its colours are purple and yellow, or alternatively purple and white [2][5a][5a][6a]. However, because purple is a hard dye to produce and Ostermark is a relatively poor province, the shade can vary greatly between regiments.[2]
Another common symbol on Ostermark banners is a cavalryman stabbing a daemon with a spear.[2]
History
Around -4 IC, the Ostagoths were attacked by a vast horde of Orcs & Goblins, sacking settlements and slaughtering all with the forces that King Adelhard mustered simply swept aside by the greenskins. Rallying all he could muster he dispatched Galin Veneva and all the remaining non-combatants to seek shelter with and aid from King Sigmar and the Unberogens. [10a]
Divided Empire
Mordheim, the original capital of the Province, was destroyed at the dawn of the new millennium in 1999 IC. [1a][2]
Vampire Count Vlad von Carstein invaded Ostermark during the early Vampire Wars. [9d]
Reunification
In 2410 IC the Elector Count of Ostermark commissioned Fortress Kreighof from Dwarfs. But he underpaid by two and a half pennies so a Dwarf army from Karak Kadrin invaded and destroyed the fortress. [9b]
Elector Count Wolfram Hertwig is most famous for what is now known as the Battle of Hertwig's Folly in 2485 IC, when he was a teenager. He refused to allow the much more experienced Grand Master Kessler of the Knights of the Everlasting Light to command his army. In return, Grand Master Kessler withheld his troops from battle and in the resulting bloodbath saw Hertwig barely escape with his life.[9c]
Soldiers of Ostermark have many times crossed the border north to Kislev to aid them against Chaos. [2][5a]
End Times
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Known features
- Bechafen [5c][6b][7b][8a][9a]: Ostermark's capital on the souther bank of Upper Talabec. [5c]
- Bleak Moors: Dominating the centre of the province and including the Eirie Downs, they are thinly populated with mainly isolated sheep farms and small villages. [1a]
- Eirie Downs or Eerie Downs: Close to the border with Sylvania they were the site of a futile battle against the Vampire Counts and the souls of those slain and cursed by the undead still linger, seeking to trick travelers so they can steal their bodies to live again. [1a][9a]
- Dead Wood: Southern forested area with a dangerous reputation since the doom that struck Mordheim. [1a][2]
- Essen [1c] [9a]: Considered the most haunted town in the Empire. [2]
- Fortenhaf: An important border town. [1c]
- Heffengen [1c]
- Hel Fenn: Ancient battlesite of the Battle of Hel Fenn. [2][5a][Conflicting Sources2]
- Mordheim [2][5c][7b][8a][9a]: Ostermark's former capital, struck by a warpstone comet in 2000 IC[7c][8b]. The abandoned town was later burned to the ground by Magnus the Pious. Needs Citation
- Veldt: Large area of grassland in the northeast between Gryphon's Woods and the Worlds Edge Mountains and where Ostermarkers raise famous herds of horses famed for their strength and size. [1a]
Trade
The province relies mostly on agriculture for its economy. [2]
The Province exports both lumber and riverboats - these are often built where the trees are harvested but Bechafen and Fortenhaf build rivercraft that are considered the best in the Empire. [1a]
Quotes
| Ostermark is like a miniature of the Empire, a league of free and independent towns relying on each other for mutual security. We have to - no one else in the Empire cares a fig about us.
~ Wolfram Hertwig.[1a] |
Gallery
Banner of Ostermark c. 2276 IC
Vampire Hunters of Ostermark
Spearman of Ostermark
Halberdier of Ostermark
Crossbowmen of Ostermark
Banners of Ostermark
Miniatures
Empire Captain of Ostermark (4th edition)
Empire Crossbowman of Ostermark
Empire Halberdier of Ostermark
Notes
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- Conflicting Sources1: Border between Ostermark and Kislev seems to vary between sources: Full Upper Talabec compared to Lower Talabec & Same
- Conflicting Sources2: Hel Fenn is alternatively noted to be inside Sylvania. [5c]
Sources
- 1: Sigmar's Heirs
- 2: White Dwarf 326 (UK): Colours of the Empire, pg. 58
- 3: The Life of Sigmar, pg. 5
- 4: The Empire at War, pg. 80
- 5: Uniforms & Heraldry of The Empire
- 6: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (4th Edition)
- 7: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (7th Edition)
- 8: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (6th Edition)
- 9: Warhammer Armies: The Empire (8th Edition)
- 10: Legend of Sigmar (anthology): Heldenhammer (novel)
- 10a: Eighteen: Skaranorak, pg. 266-267
| The provinces & city-states of The Empire | |
| Provinces | Reikland - Middenland - Nordland - Ostland - Hochland - Talabecland - Ostermark - Stirland - Averland - Wissenland - The Moot |
| City-states | Altdorf - Nuln - Middenheim - Talabheim |
| Lost provinces | Drakwald - Solland - Westerland - Sylvania |
