Reiklander

The Reiklanders are the descendants of the fierce Unberogens, a warrior tribe which saw the lands unified under their King Sigmar during the founding years of the Empire. At their best, Reiklanders are friendly, sociable, and open-minded, more so than the rest of the Empire. Reiklanders are optimists who believe that the best is yet to come. They point out several reasons for this: the natural bounty of their lands, educated and energetic populace, and the fact that Sigmar was one of them. How could the future be dim for a land and people that once gave birth to a god? Reiklanders have adopted Sigmar's message of Imperial unity wholeheartedly.
They take a keen interest in the affairs of the other provinces, and often point out that "something should be done" when terrible fates befall a neighbors. Robust supporters of the military, many young Reikland nobles enter the army to make their name and fortune. Considered natural "Officer Material" the chances of advancement are considerably better for those of Reiklander birth, much to other's disapproval. Reiklanders almost always answer an Imperial Call-To-Arms in large numbers, and feel as if its their duty to come to the aid of less fortunate parts of the Empire. Indeed, among some Reiklanders the ideal of expansion as if the early days of the Empire live on: Agitators in Ubersreik and Altorf press for war with Bretonnia to reclaim the "West March". Merchants' Guilds desire to see the Emperor strengthen his position against the Electors, and thereby call for unitary trade laws, which would be overseen by Imperial officials, something the Electors fiercely resist.
Fashion plays a more important role in a Reiklander's social life than in most other provinces. The peasantry, of course, care little for such fripperies, but amongst the growing middle classes the correct sleeves, shoes, and colors are matters of great import. The nobility tend to set the fashion for a season, leaving it to the merchant and other "grubby tradesmen" to copy their new styles as fast as they can. The presence of the Imperial Court has only served to exacerbate these tendencies. Recent vogues have included Bretonnian styles, "new rustic", and most recently a return to simple militaristic clothing. Slashed sleeves, elaborate codpieces, and reliquary charms remain as fashionable as ever.
At their worst, Reiklanders are arrogant, overbearing, and drunken slaves to fashion. Notorious for their ability to celebrate at the drop of a hat, the image of the beribboned Reiklands sot is a popular stereotype amongst the rest of the Empire. In certain places the small black insects that plague an ill-kept taproom are known as Reikflies as they can detect the smallest amount of ale unerringly. Many provinces are suspicious of the fashionable, cosmopolitan nature of the Reikland men, claiming that they are effeminate and womanish for caring so much about what he wears. Curiously, they also have a reputation as wife-stealing pigs-buggering philanderers. More than one Talabecland husband has found his woman seduced by the charming words and dashing look of a Reiklander dandy. Reikland women, meanwhile, are known for their beauty, as well as unbearably vain personality.
Loud, outspoken, and often smug about the imagined superiority of their opinions, Reiklanders are traditionally known to be controlling and strongly opinionated. Their lack of stamina is also a welcome source for vituperative and malicious comments amongst other peoples. The Reiklander tendency to want to finish a task quickly and then come home is well known. Indeed, since the war began, Reiklanders have flocked to the Emperor's Banner, so much so that there have been worries that there would be no one be at home to tend to the fields and bring in the harvest.
Although they honour all the gods, Reiklanders generally see Sigmar as their special Patron, for he was once one of them. Other popular deities are Dyrath, a regional name for Rhya, whom Reiklanders of Vorbergland honour as the goddess of fertility, and Shallya, whose temples and hospices are frequent recipients of gifts and bequests of wealthy Reiklanders. Although tolerated and formally respected, the cult of Ulric is not popular in the Reikland region because of the age-old rivalry between the Church of Sigmar and the Cult of Ulric.

Encompassed species

• Human

Related Organizations

• The Empire of Man